Reveal: Frosty Friends
Here is a sneak peek of the 2015 “Frosty Friends”, 36th in the series ornament.
Frosty Friends
36th in the series
Additional Mattel (BARBIE and Fisher-Price) News
Q. How are the Barbie ornaments in the “Celebration Barbie catch-up set” different from the ones American Greetings sold?
A. Although the Celebration Barbie catch-up set ornaments are based on the 2013 and 2014 Mattel Holiday Barbie dolls, the same dolls that were the inspiration for the ornaments that American Greetings offered, they are newly designed and sculpted by Hallmark Keepsake Artist Patricia Andrews.
Q. What other Barbie products will Hallmark offer?
A. In addition to the two-packs, there will be four other Keepsake Ornaments (including a Fashion Barbie™ ornament and a Western Barbie™ ornament) available exclusively at Hallmark Gold Crown stores. There also will be a Barbie doll as an itty bittys pint-sized plush. Also during the 2015 holiday season, there will be other Hallmark-branded ornaments featuring Barbie offered in department stores, book stores and mass channel retailers.
Q. Will there be KOC exclusive Barbie Keepsake Ornaments available for KOC members in 2015?
A. No, there will not be any KOC exclusive ornaments available in 2015. However, Hallmark is currently reviewing the Keepsake ornament opportunities for KOC members for 2016.
Q. Will there be any event-exclusive Barbie ornaments?
A. Collectors can expect to see an event-exclusive Keepsake Ornament and an exclusive itty bittys plush at the 2015 National Barbie Doll Collectors Convention, planned July 29-Aug 1, 2015 in Arlington, VA.
Q. Did Hallmark get rights to any of the other Mattel licensed properties?
A. Unfortunately, the Fisher Price property is not included in the new agreement.
2015 Sneak Peek: Toy Store Dreams (UPDATED)
We are pleased to share this zoomed-in sneak peek of a Keepsake ornament from the upcoming 2015 collection. Can you tell what it is?
UPDATE (01.27.15 @7:30 AM) – Here’s an expanded look at the Keepsake Ornament we shared last week. This piece appears to coordinate with the popular KOC exclusive Christmas Windows ornament series.
UPDATE (02.03.15 @ 7:30 AM) – This is the last teaser for the upcoming 2015 Keepsake Ornament that we have been teasing. Stay tuned for the final reveal tomorrow.
UPDATE (02.04.15 @ 7:30 AM) – TADA! Here it is! A magic ornament, created by Keepsake Artist Tammy Haddix, that complements the Christmas Windows series. Find out more about Tammy’s connection to this ornament below. Will you be adding this design to your Wish List? Available beginning Ornament Premiere?
Toy Store Dreams
.
Tammy Haddix
Keepsake Artist
“I am so excited for everyone to see the magic Christmas window ornament I created that goes with the KOC membership ornament! The little girl is sculpted to look like me when I was that age! I had a bouncy horse that I loved to ride, so that memory inspired this ornament! This lights up, the rocking horse rocks and it plays “Toyland’. It will be available in the stores for everyone to buy! So check it out!”
-Tammy Haddix
PEANUTS Gang Christmas Light Show Continuity Collection
Join the celebration as “A Charlie Brown Christmas” turns 50 years young. Like the beloved television classic, these Peanuts® pieces fill hearts and homes with joy by recalling simpler times and emphasizing togetherness and friendship. 2015 also marks the Peanuts® gang’s jump from the small screen to the silver screen. Dare to dream big with these favorite characters as “The Peanuts Movie” opens in theaters in November.
PEANUTS® GANG CHRISTMAS LIGHT SHOW CONTINUITY PROGRAM
Features four different popular PEANUTS® characters (Snoopy, Linus, Charlie Brown and Lucy) each holding a string of blinking lights and a fifth piece depicting Woodstock perched in a decorated Christmas tree.
Each character plays 2 songs. Three characters share a line from the classic program. Wirelessly joined together, they create a synchronized sound and light show. Collect all 5 to create a song-and-light synchronized show.
3″ w. x 5¼” h. x 3½” d.
$15.95 each with any purchase
(regularly $29.95 USA)
CHARLIE BROWN
1XKT1501
Available beginning October 3, 2015
LUCY
1XKT1502
Available beginning October 10, 2015
WOODSTOCK
1XKT1503
Available beginning October 26, 2015
LINUS
1XKT1504
Available beginning November 16, 2015
SNOOPY
1XKT1505
Available beginning November 27, 2015
2015 Sneak Peek: Tin Toys
Here is a sneak peek of the 2nd in the “Tin Toys” series. Each ornament in this series will feature a crafted metal design inspired by antique tin toys.
Rootin’ Tootin’ Cowboy
2nd in the Tin Toys series
Three Keepsake Artists to Leave Hallmark
After working for Hallmark for 18 years, 17 of which were in Keepsakes, Hallmark Artist Julie Forsyth will be leaving Hallmark.
Likewise Hallmark Production Designer Valerie Shanks who has been with Hallmark since 2006 (Keepsakes since 2007)
and Diana McGehee, a 38 year Senior Production Artist (who spent all but 6 of those years in Keepsakes), will also be leaving.
2015 KOC Special Edition
KOC to issue a repaint of the intricate “Mrs. Claus’s Kitchen Sink”. Featuring contributions by every member of the Keepsake Studio. This ornament is a repaint of the 2014 In-Store Artist Signing Events piece. Here is a close-up sneak peek of some of the color modifications.
Mrs. Claus’s Kitchen Sink
Reveal: Little Saint Nick
Hallmark to follow last year’s “Surfin’ Safari Santa” (QGO1383) with a second Keepsake Ornament featuring another popular Beach Boys hit.
Little Saint Nick
2015 Sneak Peek & Wallpaper
Turn your screen into a whimsical winter wonderland with this month’s Free Desktop Wallpaper, featuring the 6th in the Frosty Fun Decade series by Keepsake Artist Tammy Haddix.
Frosty Fun Decade
6th in the series
Barbie is Back!
Hallmark Signs New Licensing Agreement with Mattel
Hallmark and Mattel today announced a new licensing agreement that will bring the Barbie® brand license back to Hallmark in 2015.
With this contract, Hallmark secures the rights to create holiday ornaments and plush products in the U.S. and Canada. The products will have broad distribution through multiple retail channels, with exclusive items in the nationwide network of Hallmark Gold Crown® stores.
“It’s beyond exciting to have Barbie back at Hallmark,” said Cindy Mahoney, Vice President – Hallmark Licensing. “The iconic Barbie brand is so beloved by families and collectors alike, particularly Holiday Barbie. And get ready, because we have some creative, quality products planned to celebrate Barbie’s return.”
The first new Barbie™ products from Hallmark will appear in Hallmark Gold Crown stores for Keepsake Ornament Premiere in July 2015.
Product details are still in development, but the planned products for 2015 will include:
Eight Barbie Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments, starting with a Celebration Barbie Bonus Pack featuring the 2013 and 2014 Holiday® Barbie™ Dolls, available exclusively at Hallmark Gold Crown stores.
Celebration Barbie™ Ornament Set
Inspired by the 2013 and 2014 Holiday Barbie™ Dolls
Completes the Celebration Barbie™ Ornament series.
By Robert Hurlburt and Patricia Andrews. 4″ h.
$40.00 USA QXI2787 (left) QXI2789 (right)
Hallmark Gold Crown Exclusive
Barbie® doll as an itty bittys® pint-sized plush, available exclusively at Hallmark Gold Crown stores.
Other Hallmark-branded ornaments available during the holiday season at participating department stores, book stores and mass-channel retailers.
In addition, the new licensing agreement includes rights for Hallmark to create products with three other Mattel properties: Monster High®, Ever After High® and Hot Wheels®.