This thoughtful daughter created her mum’s dream Barbie doll that she never got as a child.
Sophie Slape, from Surrey, UK, decided to gift her mum a custom Barbie doll of herself as she could not afford one when she was younger.
She said: “I’ve interviewed her before about her childhood for a piece but I always encourage her to tell me about her childhood.
“She never had gifts, but she absolutely loved Barbie but it was too expensive.”
Mum, Mel Slape, started to collect Barbies when she was 50 years old and kept them in their boxes on display.
After knowing she loves thoughtful, homemade presents, Sophie knew it was the perfect gift to make her mum’s childhood dreams come true and to add a unique edition to her Barbie doll collection.
Over the last year, Sophie explained that she got extremely sick as her bowels were 80% closed and she had to be hospitalised.
With both her parents caring for her for all hours of the day, Sophie knew she wanted to give her mum something special that she can keep forever.
The writer and English Graduate leaned into her creative side and was inspired by a newspaper clipping of when her mum was a National Queen of Clubs contestant.
Sophie’s cousin, who is a garment technician, explained how to sew the drapery of the dress and corset top onto the doll.
After taking the time to source the mini accessories that matched her mum’s outfit and a doll that replicated her 80s hairstyle, the Barbie took around a month to complete.
Sophie said: “There was a TikTok of a girl receiving a doll her mum made her and I knew that my mum would be overwhelmed to receive something like that as she loves thoughtful, homemade presents.
“I had the time to do it because I got extremely sick over the last year, my bowel was 80% closed and I was essentially dying without realising.
“My parents were there for me every second I was in hospital and the fallout after – grinding themselves into the ground to be there, driving for hours in the late and early hours.”
Sophie wanted to give her something important and long lasting, as opposed to investing in more fast consumerism like clothes or candles.
She added: “I sourced pieces online – it’s crazy expensive to buy doll heels as it turns out!
“From eBay and Etsy, I got the pieces like the wicker basket, flowers, and shoes.
“I got the ‘necklace’ from Amazon – they were nail gems I repurposed.”
Mel was overwhelmed when she received the heartfelt gift and even kept it on her desk to look at every morning.
Sophie said: “It took about a month in total, including sourcing the doll itself – one that best resembled how she looked with her 80’s hair.
“Honestly, I love making my mum happy.
“I didn’t think she’d be as overwhelmed as she was, but I’m so glad it made her so happy.”