All Dressed

I had a visit the other day from Vicky, one of the team from Janette's Doll Studio. She lives nearby and dropped my order off as she was passing by. She also brought an outfit which I wanted to purchase for Eloi. 

As you can see, everything fits my Minouche dolls beautifully.

I also received those long awaited shoes from Russia and paid for them again! 

Now my RRFF girls can model their completed outfit No.1 ... Sara has had a hat change and Maya a different wig.

Sara

Maya

Stella

I'm still working on outfit No.2, most is done but I had to wait until I could find some white 4ply wool locally, which I did yesterday. So after I've checked your latest posts, it's back to the knitting needles for me.

Hope you are all well and enjoying some dolly time of your own!

What a Waste

Of a week! I had full intentions of taking some fabulous photos of my latest arrivals, but unfortunately when they arrived I was feeling so ill I simply couldn't be bothered. I didn't even unwrap them until yesterday, yes, fancy me allowing three days to pass before doing so! Although I am feeling so much better, I still haven't gotten round to taking photos, but I am going to chat to you about them anyway.

Anais is just as I expected, and with such a beautiful head of hair, it's so voluptuous one could quite easily become lost amongst all those soft rolls of curls. Elois' hair is a little coarse, but in a nicely cut boy style. Both faces are typically Minouche, tender and innocent. They both have blue eyes with the distinctive qualities that only Sylvia Natterer dolls have.

Shoes are nice quality, but the rest of the clothes are somewhat ho-hum, though I did like Anais' undergarment bodysuit. I was thinking I would make new clothes for them both, but Elois' cargo pants not having Velcro, were quite acceptable, so I am keeping them and am going to knit him a nice jumper and hat.

Then while browsing Janette's Doll Studio last night I found this darling little outfit ~

And then again this morning ~ (both modelled by Paola Reina dolls, but they should also fit Minouche dolls quite well).

Now why would I bother to make something right now, when Janette has the perfect solution for both Anais and Suzanne (my older Minouche) with a push or two on my keyboard?? Needless to say, they both ended up in my cart.

So the week I initially thought was a waste, finishes on a more positive note. How was yours?

Sew What?

I love the cloche hats I ordered from Janette, they are just gorgeous and so well made! However, when I put them on my girls I felt the outfits they were currently wearing didn't quite do the hats justice.

These dresses, which featured in a 1920's Perry, Dame & Co. catalogue, are probably more in keeping with the the style of the hat. Could they be the answer to my dilemma?

Maybe they are more suitable for girls slightly older than that of the Fashion Friends. Perhaps I should look at the younger children's styles for inspiration?

Actually seeing them now, both on the same "page", there's not really a lot of difference between the younger and older girls styles.

These samples from The Delineator October 1922, could just be the shot too! I love the coat on the top right.

So what do you think, should I give it a go and try to make something similar for my girls? Which one would you choose if you had to make one your own doll?

Maybe I'll just knit something instead. Until next time, keep on dolling!

Where Have All The Bloggers Gone?

It's been very quiet around here for such a long time, so many of the regular bloggers have ceased to post ~ haven't heard a word from Sharon, Rachael, Alejandra, Alasse or Phillis for months now. Even Niina and Lily have been quiet for a few weeks. I do hope everyone is okay and that they haven't given up blogging altogether.

I know Alasse has been busy with other things as I have had an email from her, and I'm sure she will share her news in time.

Most of my time has been spent listing dolls and other dolly related stuff on eBay, but as soon as I sell a few things, I replace them with new purchases, like these gorgeous Easter Bonnets for my Ruby Red girls.

PHOTOS: Courtesy of Janette (I cropped them)

I had these made by Janette, a local girl who sells on Etsy . . . you can see her store here. I initially purchased the hat below (which was in stock) for another doll, but I loved the style so much I was inspired to make my girls new dresses to match the hat's I commissioned (which I will show later as they are not completed yet).

I sew and knit quite competently, but when it comes to crochet I am not so hot. I have always loved all types of millinery myself, so I guess it's only natural I should want my dolls to wear them too. Do you like hats on dolls? If you do, I can assure you Janette has various styles to suit most dolls, her prices are reasonable and she will ship overseas. She is also great to work with if you want something special. Pop on over when you get a chance.