Goodbye 2015 Hello 2016

Another year bites the dust and there's a new one on the horizon. What a year it's been . . . until I composed the list below, I had no idea that I had added so many BJD's to my doll family. (And fortunately for me, neither does hubby.)

I have enjoyed so many blogs this year, I have loved viewing your photos, reading your comments and most of all sharing your company. I do hope you'll stick around and keep blogging throughout the coming year.

To my dearest readers . . . I wish you the very best that life can offer, may the year ahead be a safe, healthy and happy one for you all.

Hugs,

X

-oOo-

Dolls 2015

MSD ~

Humans:

Sally ~ Luts Kid Delf Darin Girl Body Real Skin Normal, Arrived 9th February 2015

Suzie (Suzanne) ~ DF-H Tao Yue Pink Skin, Arrived 10th February, 2015
Hanako ~ Supia Doll Hanna Normal Skin, Arrived 13th May, 2015

Magical Beings:

Ondine ~ Hybrid DIM Youra head default face-up Normal Skin (rec 15th July 2014) / Luts Kid Delf Romantic Body Real Skin Normal, Completed 9th February 2015

YOSD ~

Tom Boys:

Jazz ~ Fairyland LittleFee Reni, Natural Skin, Arrived 19th February 2015
Pippin ~ Fairyland LittleFee Pipi, Tan Skin, Arrived 13th April 2015

Eve ~ BeWithYou Pomegranate, Normal Skin, ORDERED 28th December, 2015

Sweet Sisters:

Daisy ~ Soom iMda 3.0 Babette, Normal Skin, Blank Arrived 13th April 2015
Maisie ~ Soom iMda 2.6 Collette, Normal Skin, Blank Arrived 13th May 2015

TINY FANTASY CREATURES ~

Pegasus ~ Luts Tiny Delf Centaur Jack Bubble Mint/White Ltd., Arrived 18th May 2015

Sybil von Raven ~ Peak's Woods FOF V.F. Lady Alice, Blue Grey Skin, Arrived 9th July 2015

Atargatis ~ Fairyland RealFee Mari Girl Natural Skin /Clear Pink Tail, Arrived 26th November 2015

Gaea ~ Fairyland RealFee Pano Girl Mint Skin, Arrived 31st July 2015
Nomios ~ Fairyland RealFee Pano Full Set Natural/Tan Satyr parts, Arrived 6th August 2015

TINY FLOWER FAIRIES ~

Pi (Sweet Pea) ~ Fairyland PukiFee Soso with Pre-Loved body, Arrived 4th September 2015
Wi (Wisteria) ~ Fairyland PukiFee Pupu with Pre-Loved body, Arrived 24th September 2015
Li (Linaria) ~ Fairyland PukiFee Zio Natural Skin, ORDERED 5th November 2015

TINY ELVES & SPRITES ~

Schoolhouse Boarders:
Flossy (Fairy Floss) ~ Fairyland RealFee Mari Girl Pink Skin, Blank Arrived 20th November 2015
Fudge (Chocolate Fudge) ~ Fairyland RealFee Mari Girl Tan Skin, Blank Arrived 20th November 2015
Peri (Miss Peri Winkle) ~ Fairyland RealFee May Girl White Skin, Arrived 23rd November 2015

Tea Pot Elves:

Lady Grey ~ Fairyland PukiFee Icis Tan Skin, Arrived 30th April,2015
Darjeeling ~ Fairyland PukiFee Bonnie Natural Skin (Pre-Loved Human Ear), Arrived 25th September 2015
Pekoe ~ Fairyland PukiFee Cupid Tan Skin, ORDERED 5th November 2015

TINY ANTHRO ~

Brice ~ Coco Tribe Bear White Skin, Arrived 20th February 2015

UP FOR ADOPTION ON DEN OF ANGELS ~

Impldoll Baby Teno Natural Skin, Arrived 18th June 2015
Impldoll Baby Gela, White Skin, Arrived 30th July 2015

SOLD DEC 2015 ~ April Story Ishyllia Normal Skin, Arrived 26th November 2015

SOLD ~ Most of my Blythe Dolls (Down from 16 to 5)
 

The Christmas Present

A few weeks before Christmas hubby asked if it was too late to order a doll for me for Christmas. I just laughed and said "Probably, but not necessarily." Knowing full well I had spotted a pretty little Real Fee in the DoA marketplace. To cut a long story short, he paid for her and she arrived in very good time, but I wasn't allowed to have her until yesterday.

However, I already had a wig in mind, shoes on hand and other Real Fees to use as models for clothing which allowed me to begin planning for her . . . and here she is . . . Miss Peri Winkle.

Her stockings are baggy, but they will soon be replaced by some pretty ankle socks.

~oOo~

Peri is an elf who was born without ears. Her other senses compensated for her lack of hearing and she became a dragon whisperer. She excelled in this field, and even though she could speak, she really wished she had ears. Every day she would say a prayer, hoping that someone, somewhere would provide her with ears, so that she might hear.

Then one morning she woke to the sound of birds twittering in the tree outside her window. "I can hear", she thought to herself. Peri quickly sprang out of bed and rushed to look in her bathroom mirror. Well what a surprise it was for her to see these very large white bunny ears sticking up from the top of her head. "Oh my, what big ears I have" she cried, "I didn't expect my ears to be so huge, I look rather peculiar now."

The moral to the story ~ be careful what you wish for!

She may look a tiny bit peculiar, but at least she's happy, now she can actually have a proper conversation with the dragons.

What's more,  she's made a new friend.

Season's Greetings

 Christmas in Australia is celebrated during our summer months, often in between bushfires and summer rain. There's no white Christmas or log fires for us, even though our Christmas cards and traditions usually depict those of the colder climates.

We have the traditional Christmas trees, Santa, carols and gifts, but our Christmas dinner may be a barbecue or seafood feast in the backyard, or a picnic on a beach, with cold beer instead of eggnog and pavlova instead of plum pudding. 

Christmas is also a time for reflection, a time for friends and family, so I would like to say ~ thank you for keeping me company this year and no matter where you are in this wide world of ours, I wish you Peace, Happiness, Good Health and may all your Christmas dreams come true.

Helloooo!

Yes, I'm still here. :) I had hoped to post some photos today, but alas the backdrops that I ordered especially to do the proposed photograohy session, haven't turned up yet.

Which is probably just as well, as I have developed a rotten case of conjunctivitis and am having to put in eye drops every two hours?

Hopefully things will return to normality next week, the shopping is done, presents wrapped and we've assembled Coco's Christmas present early because it's been so hot here ~ he loves it! Can you guess what it is?

Truffles and Little Dragon

Today I gave Truffles a new wig to wear, it's a very pretty Monique Gold wig with a combination of two different coloured fine fibres which look very much like real hair. After we trimmed her fringe, I sent her off to play in the Elvin Forest. It wasn't long before she came running back all excited.

Truffles: Mummy, mummy, look what I found in the forest today.

Me: What did you find dear?

Truffles: Come here and look . . . he followed me home. Can I keep him, can I, can I?

Me: Oh my! I don't think that's a very good idea Truffles, he's a baby dragon and his mummy will soon be looking for him.

Truffles: But he told me he doesn't have a mummy. He's called Little Dragon and he is all alone without a friend in all of the Elvin Forest.

Me: He maybe called Little Dragon, but he will be a very large Little Dragon before long and however are we going to feed him? Dragons eat people.

Truffles: But mummy, he doesn't eat much at all, he's vegetarian and only eats leaves. He's very friendly, see how he loves to play.

 Me: Well he can stay for now, but you'll have to play outside, just to be on the safe side. We don't want him to set fire to anything, do we?

Truffles: Oh dear no. Did you hear that Little Dragon, you can stay for now, which means mummy will let you stay here for always. Shall we play with your crystal ball?

Little Dragon: No this is my crystal ball and it's not for playing with, it's very special.

Truffles: Now Little Dragon don't be like that. I'll tell you a secret, if you'll share your crystal ball with me.

Little Dragon: Okay then, you can hold it for a little while, be gentle with it and whatever you do, DON'T rub it.

Truffles: Why can't I rub it?

Little Dragon: You'll see things within the ball that will give you nightmares. Terrible, frightening things, that are suitable to be seen by dragons alone.

Truffles: Oh, I wouldn't want to see things like that Little Dragon. I promise you faithfully, I will not rub it. Thank you for sharing Little Dragon.

Sometimes I Love . . .

Christmas. It's that time of year when all the pretties dazzle your senses, the aroma of beautifully cooked food tickles your nose and entices you to eat more than you should, it's a special time, when most families gather and enjoy a period of fun and laughter.

Yes, the Christmas festive season certainly can conjure up happy and somewhat peaceful pictures in ones mind, but for me it's just one hell of a hectic time of year that overwhelms me and eats up all the time in my day. So today I am making a stand, yes, today I am taking some "me time", time to photograph some dolls and write in my blog.

Stand by for some follow up ~

M & M

Wigs added and modelling two new dresses completed today, my two RealFee Maris are settling in. :) Not sure if they will keep these dresses, but they will wear something similar. I ordered shoes yesterday and hopefully will begin face ups next week.

I hope you are all having an exciting week, I will get to reading and commenting on your blogs soon.

Summer Style

I've been knitting like crazy for the past week. First, I made this top and pants set ready for one of  my new incoming RealFee Maris (modelled by Gaea) then a dress (not pictured) for a RealFee May.

Then my little cruiselings complained about being at sea with nothing to wear but their PJ's. So I couldn't have that, could I? That meant I had to knit tweleve more little dresses in their size. These are what I've done so far, of course at this rate, I'll still be knitting for another couple of days yet!

Ruffled Feathers

Sometimes, I wonder what some people in the doll world are thinking when they tell blatent lies? Do they think we are stupid and will actually continue to believe them? Do they think in these days, where the internet records everything, that they won't get caught out? Or is it that they just don't give a damn about anyone but themselves?

To be completely honest, I have had enough of it! Receiving repeated lies and rediculous explanations about delays in shipping dates, has put me right off buying dolls from two Korean companies (even though they have the most beautiful sculpts). They seem to have this attitude that once they get your money they can do and say whatever they like, because they know you can do absolutely nothing, but wait until they are ready to ship.

I don't think it's anyway to conduct a business, especially if they expect to receive further orders. They must remember this is a highly competitive field and there are many artists with the capability of producing beautiful dolls, who also care enough about their customers, to provide accurate shipping times up front. If these deceitful businesses continue to let people down time after time, they will soon find they no longer have a business.

Tutorial: Sculpting an Ent (Cont.)

After hunting around for something suitable that I could use to cover the base, ordering and being bitterly disappointed with the wired moss, I actually found an imitation grass tile at Bunning's. It was quite large, but I figured I will probably use it for other props down the track.

Because the tile was quite stiff, I had to remove the Ent and mushroom from the base. I then used the wooden base as a template to cut a circle of grass and glued the grass onto the base using PVA glue. Using a scalple I cut a hole where the Ent was to sit and then all that was needed to finish the edges was a little touch up paint, which I mixed to match the grass.

I glued the Ent and mushroom back in place with my glue gun. Then using a couple of different brown acrylic paints, a little harvest gold, a touch of the green that I'd used for the edge of the base, I added streaks of the different colours all over making sure to get in all the grooves. Then I painted a blue grey wash over the top, before adding a final wash of pearl white. This made the bark look shiney, as if it had been weathered smooth by wind and rain.

The Magic Sceptre

I wanted to make a sceptre in a suitable size for a RealFee to use, but it had to be a tall one, at least head height. So with an idea formed, it was back into my stash where I found three pretty acrylic Christmas tree decorations, one clear, one red and one blue. Then I came across a packet of 6mm doweling, a couple of packets of Primo and a little sack of Swarovski crystals.

Having found the perfect items, I began by cutting the doweling to the right length, then made a long bead from the Primo. I baked it in the oven while on a piece of the dowel, as I wasn't sure if the Primo would shrink during the baking process, making the hole too small.

Once the bead was cool, I inserted the narrow part of the clear decoration into the bead as far as it would go, then using my glue gun, I put a squirt of glue into the other end of the bead and pushed the dowel in tight, making sure everything was aligned straight. When the glue was dry, I gave the bead and dowel a couple of coats of gold acrylic paint.

More time was allowed for the paint to dry, before I glued the crystals on. I think it's not a bad result for a few hours of pottering. :)

I think I will use the red decoration next to make a dark or evil sceptre. Perhaps I'll  make a scull bead and paint the dowel a gloss black. The blue may well do nicely for an ice or water sceptre.

Laugh a Little

The other day I ordered a tan Cupid and another PF to use as a fairy body.

So that's it with the PF's I'm done! Total FIFTEEN!! 

Now you can all

This lot have just gone cruising!

Too Steep

Lady Grey and Darjeeling thought today, would be a good day to go on a bike adventure, but it wasn't long before they ran out of steam and came to a complete standstill.

 

 

Lady Grey: I'm telling you this hill is too steep to ride up on bikes!

 

Darjeeling: Okay, the sun's out, let's walk then.

 

Naughty Boys

Wi and Pi were most concerned about the safety of Mossy and Hollow, they tried their utmost to coax them own off the roof, but boys will be boys!

Misty was so disgusted, she just shook her fist and threatened them with a good beating if they didn't get own immediately!

It's not often that Misty gets mad, but when she does, you had better watch out! I certainly don't want to be around when she gets her hands on these two!

Fairies in the Dell

I've been kinda busy these past few days, but nothing really exciting to share. Spent a couple of days at the movies with my guy, did a little shopping at Knox, managed to finish Wi's little dress and circlet, and got a little more knitting done, but that's about it.

I took a few pics today of them with the pumpkin candle holder which I purchased at Dusk with a gift card my daughter gave me last Christmas. (I also got a little white house which I'll show you later.)

The mossy mat I purchased to go around my Ent's feet turned out to be a complete waste of money, it just shed fibre everywhere and made a ruddy big mess for me to clean up! Not at all happy! I might see if I can lay my hands on an offcut of fake grass lawn when we next visit our local Bunnings store.

I always live in hope, although I have just about given up on my April Story doll ever arriving before we go on holiday. Anyone thinking of purchasing from them BEWARE ~ they tell huge fibs!!!

 

Spooky Halloween Monster Tag

I was recently tagged by the charming Alasse from the Wayward Inn and although I have other things that could use some attention (like my poor paint peeling garden pots), I thought it would be an enjoyable break from the real world to have some fun with this meme. :)

Werewolf – How has the hobby “transformed” you? I have always been a collector, and although previous treasures have been pleasing to the eye and decorative around our home, they have always been static. I find BJD's very tactile and they have quite quickly taken me on a journey around the world and introduced me to some wonderful people. BJD's have also opened doors to exciting new interests, (all of which I am still exploring) and have renewed my enthusiasm for photography.

Vampire – The dreaded sun! How do you feel about and cope with yellowing, or more generally the ageing of these dolls? I purchase my dolls to enjoy, so they are always on display, ready for me to pick up and play with. They are in a room with the blind down to protect them from direct sunlight and all our windows are UV-A tinted, but if they mellow with age so be it, after all aging is just part of life, nothing stays like new forever.

Frankenstein’s Monster – Have you ever modded a doll? Tell us about it! If you could magically try any mod without fear of failure, what would you like to try? Yes, I have modded dolls in the past, but not any BJD's. To be honest I'm not sure I would want to mod a BJD, though I do own a couple with modded ears, but for the most part I like my dolls as they are. One day I'd love to sculpt one.

Zombie – Have you ever caught the Marketplace virus?? Name some unplanned purchases that jumped out and “infected” you? OMG there have been so many, but not so much from the Marketplace, mostly direct from suppliers. My recent being the two FL RLF human Mari's in pink and tan, I really had no intention of purchasing them when FL released the mermaid, I just wanted the full set in normal skin with the clear pink tail. However, the thought of two little girls with different colour skin really “infected” me and caught me quite by surprise!

Skeleton – What’s your favourite body sculpt? Forget heads! I don't really have a favourite body sculpt, although I have a leaning towards anything FL because they pose so well, but my favourite body part would have to be Peak's Woods special hands.

Witch – Name some dolls that are magical! Seeing them on your dashboard inspires you! Can be general sculpts or specific dolls owned by talented friends. My Puki Fees, I just love them so much. They sit on a little shelf beside my bed, they are the first thing I see when I wake and the last thing I see before sleep. If I'm ever feeling down, I can count on them magically cheer me up in no time at all. As for other people's dolls, well there have been several over the years, probably too many to mention here!

Photo: Peak's Woods

Ghost – The one that got away. Do any limited or rare dolls “haunt” you to this day? Oh yeah, I completely missed out on getting my grail doll ~ Peak's Woods A B Bella the Moon. She had been on my wish list for such a long time, but I kept putting her off because I never quite had enough money to purchase her outright. I also kept falling for new, less expensive dolls which didn't help matters, so when I finally had enough money to bring her home, she was no longer available.

Freddy Krueger – What is your worst doll nightmare? Has it happened or not? Losing all my dolls in a house fire! Especially the limited ones, as they could never be replaced.

Nanette's New Dress

Jason Voorhees – If you were gonna make Halloween costumes for your dolls (or if you plan to!) what costumes would you make? Not sure if I want to go there today, I have designed a few, but none that I have been completely happy with.

Chucky (possessed doll) – Have you ever been scared of dolls or a certain doll? Be honest! Maybe scared isn't quite the word I would use, but I do detest those ugly ventriloquist dolls, they really give me the creeps.

Now I believe this is where I'm supposed to tag a few more people, but most of my blogging friends have already been tagged. However, if you have been accidently overlooked, please feel free to join in and have a go at it yourself.

Lene at Dustbunnie's Dusty Doll Dungeon
Lily at Genwaku
Sam at Days of Our Little Lives

Tutorial: Sculpting an Ent

This is what happens when three single objects from my stash come together. :)

1. Cardboard inside of a handtowel roll

2. Kaisercraft oval house number plaque or round MDF base

3. Ceramic mushroom

I debated about using the wooden ones shown (top right) but decided against them, I also chose to use a large round base, rather than the small oval base shown in the first two photos.

You will also need a Hot Glue Gun, Aluminium Foil and a

500gram pack of Mont Marte Air Hardening Modelling Clay.

First I marked where I wanted the Ent and the Mushroom to sit on the base.

After hubby drilled the holes to insert the roll and ceramic mushroom, I used my glue gun to secure them in place.

I then wrapped the tube with crinkled aluminium foil, forming two branches for arms and adding a nose.

  

This gave the tube a rough surface for the modelling clay to adhere to.

Now it was time to add the clay. First I divided it into eight pieces, then softened one piece at a time by kneading it between my fingers, then I squished it until I had thin a sheet. I gradually added each piece in layers over the foil. For the eyebrows and moustache I rolled pieces into strips and added them where I wanted them to sit.

Once the Ent was all covered I began using my sculpting tools to smooth the surface making sure the eyebrows and moustache were firmly and attached before creating the bark like finish.

To give him eyesight and to and add some character, I used a couple of Blythe eye chips, but you could use beads or buttons.

When he's and dry I will paint him and add other plant material to complete a little setting for my fairies to be photographed.

Another Threesome

When it comes to fashion, I'm still all about doing things in threes, it doesn't seem to matter whether it's a comfy top, pair of pants, shoes or bags. Yesterday was a perfect example of this, but the best part was not having to pay for them all.

I love the Colette store and whenever I'm over at the Knox Shopping Centre I can't help stopping at their store to see what's new. This season is all about the mini bag and lovely fresh colours which I adore.

If I am completely honest, I really didn't NEED new handbags. However, when they come in such beautiful colours which compliment the tropical summer prints and you only need to purchase two, to receive a third bag for FREE, it very quickly becomes a temptation I am unable to resist.

I also like that each bag puchased from Colette, comes with a protective cover bag in which to store it while not in use. A very convenient way to ensure your bags are clean and ready to go when you want them.

Overload

When I haven't been kitting or sewing, I'm afraid Fairyland has been occupying a lot of my time of late. I love the new FairyLine and the RealFee, but just couldn't quite make up my mind whether I wanted another larger doll, even though the Seahorse was extremely beautiful.

Photos courtesy of  Fairyland

After much debating with myself, and already ordering the full set of the Mari Mermaid in the colours shown here, I caved in an ordered two Mari humans as well!

 

She is such a cutie, I ordered her in pink skin and another in tan, but neither with face up or any other attachments. That way I can give them the personal touch to create different personalities.
 

Now of course the long wait until they all arrive, it's going to kill me waiting for these tinies, but it will be worth it.

 

Have a doll meet to go to tomorrow, but I shall catch up with reading your blogs over the next few days and be back soon with some pretty new creations to show you.

 

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

 

She's Here!

Darjeeling hasn't quite decided whether she wants to take a bath or not! I did tell her she would have to take her clothes off before she could, but she convinced me it wasn't proper to be seen naked on the internet. :)

Tutorial: Christmas Gingerbread Man

It's been quite a while since I posted a tutorial on here and Alasse's recent posts reminded me of this one, so with Christmas looming here it is ~

Required Materials & Tools
Template plastic
Sharpie Extra Fine Point permanent marker
Tan coloured 100% wool felt (which is available from Mad About Felt)
4mm wide (6mm total width from top to bottom of zig zag.) white ric rac braid (hard to find, but is available from Lace and Beyond or Alacraft)
Perle cotton to co-ordinate with felt
Perle cotton - red for mouth
Tiny black buttons for eyes
Tiny red buttons for nose and front
Threads for sewing buttons on
Sewing needles & scissors
Polyester fibre filling

Instructions:
Firstly draw a freehand gingerbread man shape onto paper. Once you are happy with the shape, trace onto quilter's template plastic or if you wish, trace around a cookie cutter directly onto the plastic. I always use plastic for making pattern templates as the size doesn't change with repeated use and you will probably want to make quite a few of these for Christmas.

Cut out your template, lay it on a good quality wool felt (it keeps it shape and doesn't stretch like acrylic felt) and trace as many as you need, allowing two for each finished man. (Make sure the side with pen marks showing goes to the inside.)


Once you have them all cut out, cut lengths of ric rac slightly wider than the limbs, allowing enough to fold under the edge, do not have any raw edges showing. Pin and stitch each length by hand onto half of the gingerbread men, in the positions shown below.

Now you can add three tiny heart buttons to trim the front as I have done below, and one for the nose. Then add a couple of round buttons for eyes and embroider the mouth with perle cotton.

Place a trimmed man on top of a plain man, pin to hold in position and blanket stitch around the outside, leaving a small opening where shown for stuffing. Do not cut your thread.

Using small pieces of polyfibre fill your gingerbread man, beginning with the limbs, then body and work back to the opening. When you are satisfied your gingerbread man is stuffed neatly, close your opening with blanket stitch.

You can stitch a little ribbon loop to hang them on your Christmas tree, or a brooch back so you can wear them, let your dolls play with them, string them together to make a garland to decorate your home, use them as stocking fillers or add them to the top of your presents . . . I'm sure you will come up with other ideas yourself.

Most of all just have fun!

Oh No!

Look who slipped into my basket last night ~ yes, another PF Bonnie with modded ears and a face that looks like she's lost her mummy.



Photo by Petitemarine

How could I not bring her home she is simply adorable with a face-up by my favourite Aussie Artist ~ Petitemarine.
 

Felt Distraction

I have always loved playing with textiles, I also like working with wool felt. It is so versatile and is perfect for making so many different projects, like these pin cushions.

These have been fun to make and a wonderful distraction while I wait for my dolls.