Grandma Gets Real – Instagram

Miniature collectors and Barbie diorama creators 👀✨

Ever notice how your hobby changes the way you see the world? I’ve stumbled upon a secret treasure trove for tiny accessories: 3D stickers! 🏷️

Jolee’s Boutique (and a few other companies) makes some adorable baby-themed ones. Sure, they need a little TLC (aka cutting), but the results are worth it! 👶🎀

Pro tip: These stickers are meant for scrapbooking, but they’re perfect for elevating your Barbie photoshoots. Get creative! 📸🌟

What unexpected places have you found miniatures for your projects? Share below! 👇 #MiniatureWorld #BarbieDiorama #joleesboutique
@eksuccessbrands
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Happy fun Friday! Behind-the-scenes. Opening some mail and going to put away my stuff and start on photos of my new Barbie doll!! ...

Childhood memories: Did you have a treasure trove of doll accessories or did you make do with imagination? 🎭

Looking back, I wonder: does having fewer toys actually spark more creativity? Maybe those moments of crafting tiny furniture from cardboard or fashioning outfits from scraps weren’t just making do – they might have been the seeds of innovation.

On the flip side, a variety of accessories can inspire different types of play and storytelling. Perhaps there’s a sweet spot between having enough to spark ideas, but not so much that it stifles imagination?

What was your experience? How do you think it shaped your creativity?

*These baby dolls are the Barbie Skipper Babysitters, Inc. Dolls

#ChildhoodMemories #Creativity #DollPlay #barbiebaby #barbiebabysitter
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#ThrowbackThursday 📸✨

Remember Cabbage Patch Kids? Who had one growing up? 🙋‍♀️

My kids loved theirs, so when I spotted these adorable Cabbage Patch Kids Little Sprouts a while back, I couldn’t resist! They’re the perfect addition to my miniature nursery collection. 🏠👶

Mixing my love for dolls, miniatures, and a dash of nostalgia - these cuties tick all the boxes! 💖

What’s your favorite childhood toy that still brings a smile to your face? Share in the comments! 👇 #CabbagePatchKids #Miniatures #ChildhoodMemories​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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What sparks your creativity?

Creativity: It’s 90% about showing up! 🚗✨

Ever wonder what sparks creativity in your hobbies? For me, it’s about embracing both the hits and misses. This impromptu mini car wash scene with my 1:6 scale PT Cruiser is a perfect example!

Inspiration struck while my husband was washing our real car before vacation. I thought, “Why not give my little cruiser a spa day too?” Next thing you know, I’m recreating the scene in miniature!

My creative advice: Show up and keep experimenting. I believe being creative is 90% just showing up and trying new things.

Fun fact: This PT Cruiser was an estate sale treasure! The tiny bucket? @tinycreations magic. Those adorable mini car supplies? Thank you, @supercheap_auto NZ/AU promo! And that cute soap and hose? Re-Ment from Japan!

What sparks your creativity? 👇
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What kind of music did you listen to as a teen? I was a little bit country and my husband was a little bit rock ‘n’ roll.
I found this at the swap meet for a dollar. It should only play Barbie songs - 🎶 Don’t you think?
1981 POWER TRONIC
Barbie AM RADIO & HEADSET
WITH BELT CLIP
* ��RADIO CAN BE USED WITH OR WITHOUT HEADSET
#barbie #barbiecollector #barbiecollection #dollstagram #barbiemovie
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Happy Miniature Monday! 🔍👖

Who shrunk my @gap jeans? This tiny denim wonder comes complete with a price tag tucked into an adorable miniature shopping bag. The attention to detail is incredible - it’s like someone zapped real jeans with a shrink ray!

One of my favorite miniatures because it looks so true to life. Who else loves these pint-sized replicas?

1996 Gap Barbie: Individual style. Absolute classics. Two great ideas that join together when Barbie shops at Gap. In her shopping bag she carries a new pair of Gap jeans that are ready to be slipped on. GAP special edition Barbie.

#MiniatureMonday #TinyThings #Gap
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🎉 Happy Grandparents Day! 🎉

Blast from the past: Recognize any of these Mattel dolls? 👀

• 1974 Happy Family
• 1974 Sunshine Family
• 1986 Heart Family
• 2003 Happy Family

Were they your childhood buddies or part of your collection now? Share your doll memories! 👇

#GrandparentsDay #VintageDolls #MattelMemories
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💄💋Serious question: how many swipes of that micro lipstick would it take to cover a full lip? 🤔 Let’s hear your guesses below!

My beauty routine just got a whole lot cuter! 💄✨

Who else is obsessed with miniatures? Can you imagine doing your whole face with teeny tiny products? My clumsy hands could never! 🙈

Tag a friend who needs this itty-bitty glam in their life! 💄💋
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Mini obsession alert! 🔍✨

Do you collect by themes? I’m guilty as charged! Once I find a miniature piece, it’s like falling down a tiny rabbit hole - I can’t stop adding to that theme!

It all started when I stumbled upon an adorable Tiny & Co. box. Before I knew it, I was on a mission to find itty-bitty accessories to match. Now I’ve got a whole miniature shopping spree going on!

What about you? Do you do that?

#MiniatureObsessed #TinyTreasures #CollectorLife
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📪📦✉️Mail day! PLUS - A sneak peek at my upstairs - a work in progress. Including my Barbie attic. And a few boxes of My Miniatures. Thanks Natalie for the tiny foods and doll @barbienamibia 💖💖💖💖💖thank you Tanya and Carla for the amazing outfit and miniatures @elles_doll_life and @dollsnall56 💖💖💖💖👵🏻👵🏻👵🏻👵🏻 grandma Barbie and I love it all. @mrs.bench_fidgettoysplus thank you for the miniature fidget toys. My granddaughter will be thrilled. ...

🛒 Tiny Trader Joe’s Shopping Spree! 🥜🧀🍪

Ever wonder what it’s like to shop at Trader Joe’s... in miniature? Check out my mini haul! 👀

From Cookie Butter (my son’s fave - IYKYK 😉) to pumpkin pie spice for my daughter-in-law’s coffee - TJ’s has so many fun foods!

What’s your go-to TJ’s item? And how adorable are these mini shopping bags? 😍

Fun fact: These itty-bitty groceries are Re-Ment Miniatures from Japan - perfect for dollhouse scenes and 1/6 scale Barbie dioramas!

#TraderJoes #MiniatureWorld #DollhouseMiniatures #ReMent #TinyFood #DollStagram​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ #traderjoesfinds
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Have you mopped any floors lately?
Real life vs. miniature life: Mopping edition! 😄🧽
Tackled sticky floors last night - thanks to a mix of grandkids and watermelon adventures! But let’s be honest, cleaning my Barbie-sized kitchen is way more fun. Check out this adorable mini mop and bucket set from Tiny Creations! Who else finds tiny things irresistible? 🏠✨

#MiniatureObsessed
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Beat the heat wave! 🌡️ It’s hitting 102°F here today - what’s it like where you are? Time for some ice-cold refreshment! Feeling nostalgic with this adorable mini Kool-Aid in my tiny kitchen. 🍒 Cherry and grape were always my faves as a kid. Mom used to mix it up in her trusty Tupperware pitcher. When’s the last time you sipped on some Kool-Aid?Just made a batch and it’s like a sweet throwback! Any Kool-Aid memories to share? What’s your go-to flavor? P.S. These cute mini @koolaid containers are actually @mini_brands_official by @zuru.toys . Perfect for my miniature setup! 🏠🥤#HeatWave #KoolAid #TinyKitchen #minibrands #ThrowbackThursday ...

Who said big things don’t come in small packages? My mini shopping spree is proof that good things come in tiny carts! 🛒✨ What’s your favorite item to toss in your basket?
@zuru.toys @mini_brands_official
👵🏻💖 Step into Grandma’s miniature world, where warm memories linger in the air. I’m Tonya, also known as #grandmagetsreal. In the 70s, I followed Barbie’s tiny footsteps as a Teenage Fashion Model, only to trade it all for the white picket fence lifestyle. Six years ago, I ventured into social media, capturing moments with Barbies and my grandchildren. Soon, I delved into collecting 1/6 scale realistic miniatures for their Playscale dioramas, filling room-boxes with tiny wonders, miniature foods, and nostalgic bits. I enjoy sharing my passion for dolls, miniatures, and the beauty of nostalgia. You might have caught my creations on the Kelly Clarkson Show or in People Magazine. 🌟

#minithings #miniatures #miniatureworld #grandmagetsreal #dollstagram #minifood
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Which tiny fruit is your favorite?
🍍🍌🍏🍉
Tiny tropical delights: Showcasing my Re-ment miniature fruit collection from Japan. From mini pineapples to tiny dragonfruit, these adorable replicas bring a burst of color and whimsy to any photo. #tinyfood #minifood #rementaddict #rementjapan
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You are amazing!! Comment below if you see yourself in the video. 👵🏻💖 Make sure and check out the hashtag #twinningiswinningwithgrandma 💖👵🏻 Thanks for joining in and being such a fun part of the doll community.
👯Twinning Tuesday is a popular trend on “dollstagram,” the Instagram community dedicated to dolls. On this day, collectors and enthusiasts post photos of their dolls dressed in matching or coordinated outfits with themselves or other dolls. The idea is to highlight creativity and the fun of styling dolls in similar themes or fashions. Participants often use the hashtag #TwinningTuesday and #twinningiswinningwithgrandma to share their posts and connect with others in the community. This trend not only showcases individual collections but also fosters a sense of camaraderie among doll enthusiasts as they appreciate each other’s styles and ideas.👯
👵🏻💖 Do Twinning Tuesdays look like fun to you?
😀 Snap a 📸 photo with your Mini Me OR a 💫 creative twinning shot.
Use the hashtag #️⃣ #twinningiswinningwithgrandma
🏷️ TAG THE PHOTO!!! @grandmagetsreal
I’ll select a few photos to share on Tuesdays.
#dollstagram #twinningiswinningwithgrandma #barbiecollector #barbiecollection #twinningtuesday #minime #minimedoll
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Do you take notes?
Digital notes or pen and paper? Sometimes you just can’t beat the classics! 📝✨

Check out this adorable miniature yellow legal pad from @playscale4real - it’s perfectly Barbie-sized! Who else is tempted to jot down their to-do list in style? 💖👩🏼‍💼
#minithings #barbiesize #miniatureworld
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Tell me: Is anyone in your family starting school this year? 🎒​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
📚✏️ Back-to-School Nostalgia in Miniature! 🍎🧺
10 of my 13 grandkids are hitting the books this fall! As I watch them grow, I’ve been indulging in some tiny school-day memories. Check out this adorable mini lunchbox scene I’ve created:

• 1999 Barbie keychain lunchbox
• ReMent Snoopy lunchbox
• @littlestsweetshop wrapped Twinkies
• @zuru.toys @mini_brands_official @hostess_snacks Twinkies box & @jifbrand PB
• @magnolia.minis @sourpatchkids
• @summerminishop @ziploc bags

All perfectly sized for my 1/6 scale Barbie kitchen! Who else loves collecting mini foods for dioramas? 🤏💕

#BackToSchool #Miniatures #TinyFood #MiniBrands #BarbieDiorama #barbiesize
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🫐 Blueberry Bonanza! 🫐

Who else is obsessed with these tiny blue powerhouses? 💙 Fresh or frozen, I make sure to pop these antioxidant bombs daily! 💪

👀 Spot the adorable mini blueberries! This itty-bitty DIY creation is from MGA#miniverse. Cute overload! 😍 #makeitmini @officialminiverse

🏡 Welcome to Grandma’s House! I’m Tonya (aka GrandmaGetsReal), your guide to all things mini and nostalgic. From Barbies to 1/6 scale dioramas, I’ve been shrinking the world for 7 hours years now!

👵🏻 Join me for daily doses of tiny treasures, doll adventures, and a sprinkle of nostalgia. Let’s take a sweet stroll down memory lane together! 💖
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✨ Pop-up card lovers, unite! 👑

Imagine a world where EVERY birthday card bursts with tiny 3D foods... 🍰🍕🍣

Drop a 🎂 if you’re team pop-up! What mini food would you want in your card?

I saw this card in the @lovepop shop at Downtown Disney.

#TinyFood #BirthdayCardGoals #lovepopmoment #lovepopcards #minifood
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💅 Nail check! How are yours looking today? Mine are screaming for a spa day! 😅

But guess what? My Barbies are living their best life with their own mini nail salon! 🎀✨

Ever heard of miWorld? It’s like someone took a shrink ray to your favorite stores! 🏙️➡️🔬 These Jakks Pacific toys are bringing mall vibes to playtime in the cutest way possible.

Fun fact: While the setups are too small, tons of the accessories are perfect for our 1/6 scale queens! 👑 My Barbies are obsessed with their teeny-tiny OPI nail polishes. Talk about luxury in miniature! 💅🌈

Who else loves mixing toy lines for the ultimate dollhouse experience? Drop a 💖 if you’re all about that mini life! #BarbieWorld #miWorld #TinyTreasures #DollCollector​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ #dollstagram #minithings

*Other miWorld mini mall shops include:
• Claire’s
• Sweet Factory
• Dairy Queen
• Skechers
• AMC Theatre
• Mrs. Fields Cookies
• Build-A-Bear
... and more!
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Ever witnessed a birth? As a mom of 4 and birth photographer, I can tell you it’s truly magical!

🎨 Check out this incredible silicone art doll by @dreamshyre - a miniature baby as it would look in the womb! So interesting and educational.

*Note: These dolls are collectible art, not toys.

👵🏻💖 I’m Tonya, aka GrandmaGetsReal. My journey began 6 years ago, photographing Barbies. Now, I’m all about 1/6 scale miniatures for Playscale dioramas - tiny rooms filled with itty-bitty foods and Barbie-sized wonders!

#miniatures #miniatureworld #dollart #siliconebaby #siliconebabydoll
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📚✏️ 1987 Li’l Fridge School Supplies 🧲✂️Who remembers this adorable mini-fridge packed with school essentials? 🙋‍♀️ From scissors to push pins, this retro organizer had it all! Supply List:• Scissors• Tape Dispenser• Magnet• Book Marks• Tape Measure• Stapler• Pencil Sharpener• Pens• Erasers• Glue Bottle• Paper Clips• Push PinsMade in Korea by BANNING ENTERPRISES, LTD. BELLMORE, NEW YORK (1987)👵🏻💖🏡 Welcome to Grandma’s House! I’m Tonya (aka GrandmaGetsReal), your guide to all things dolls, miniatures, and nostalgic treasures. Join me on this delightful stroll down memory lane!My journey began 7 years ago with Barbie photography. Now, I’m all about creating magical 1/6 scale miniature worlds. From tiny foods to itty-bitty home decor, I love filling Barbie-sized dioramas with these charming details.What’s your favorite childhood school supply? Share in the comments! 👇#MiniatureWorld #80sNostalgia #DollhouseMinatures ...

Do you buy bagged salad or make your own? I really like the Kale salad from Costco. This adorable bag of Fresh Express Salads @yourfreshexpresssalad was made by @magnolia.minis The mini vegetables were made by @twinheartmini
I love finding mini foods and one sixth scale miniatures for my Barbie kitchen. #tinyfood #minifood #tinykitchen #miniatureworld #miniatures
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📸✈️ #ThrowbackThursday: Fly back to the groovy ‘70s! ✈️📸

Remember Barbie’s United Friend Ship? This vinyl wonder unfolded to a whopping 4 feet long, letting our plastic pals jet-set in style! At just $9.99 in 1972, it was the hottest toy in town from ‘72 to ‘74.

Did you own this retro treasure? Or maybe you window-shopped it, dreaming of Barbie’s high-flying adventures?

But wait, there’s more! Let’s not forget these fab ‘70s Barbie classics:
🚐 Country Camper
⛵ Dream Boat
💅 Beauty Center
🏊‍♀️ Pool Party

What’s your fave ‘70s Barbie memory? Spill the tea in the comments!

#BarbieThroughTheYears #70sNostalgia #ToyMemories

Want to see more retro Barbie content? Hit that like button! ✨👱‍♀️🕰️​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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