I may be Missing, but You are Always in My Thoughts.

Don't think badly of me, I know I have been very neglectful when it comes to posting updates, and I'm very sorry I didn't post any Christmas Wishes this year. However, I am here now and hope you will all have a very

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I have sold several play dolls recently, which has been a big relief, for a while there I didn't think anyone was going to give them a home. There are still a few Spanish dolls waiting to find homes and I'm thinking of selling my Helen Kish dolls too, along with the few odd dolls that I have just one of.

The project dolls are coming along slowly, unfortunately I haven't been taking any photos of my progress, which I had fully intended to do when I began. It's just been too difficult to get organised these past few months, what with all the interuptions leading up to Christmas. I'm hoping the new year will bring about some changes for the better.

Anyway, until my next visit to the blogasphere, stay safe and be happy.
Big hugs,
X

Just in Case

I didn't want you to think I've deserted you, I'm still here, just busy with other things. 

There comes a time in your life when you realise it's time to downsize your collection. Not just sending one off to allow you to buy a new one, but really cull them hard. It's always been difficult for me to see them fly off to new homes, even though I may not have "played" with them for a long time.

All my Blythe dolls went some time ago, along with the odd doll here and there. More recently, several of my Paola Reina Las Amigas have found new homes. So I thought it would be a good idea to make photo books of my different collections, before they all go. 

The three books I have done so far are all quite different. The first was "Tales from the Elvin Forest", which not only features photos of all my elves, it also includes all the stories I have written for them.

The second one, "Ball Jointed Dolls ~ Human Versions" features photos of the dolls by themselves detailing how I created their characters, as well as some which were used for their photostories.

The third, "1:6 Scale Interiors" features all the dolls which have been photographed inside my 1:6 scale roombox. It also has information about how the rooms themselves were designed and arranged.

Books don't take up as much room as dolls, nor do they take much time or effort to look after. At least now, if I ever have to go into aged care, I can take all my dolls with me!

Photography Experiments

I don't use Photoshop, purely because it's all very techo and far beyond my capabilities. However, I have found a way to enjoy playing around with photos.

Step 1: I took a photo using my phone, of my little Acorn (RealFee Soso) standing on my desk with a very uninteresting background.

Step 2: I used Remove Background to do just that, then saved the "png" image to my computer.

Step 3: I used Paint 3D to import a background which I had previously purchased from Etsy.

Step 4: I overlaid the "png" image of Acorn and cropped the photo to the size I wanted.

Step 5: I overlaid a further "png" image, which I had also purchased earlier, so it looks like Acorn is singing a tune.

This was fun and for an oldie like me, I think I've done a fair job of creating an interesting photo. What say you?

Garden in Bloom

Autumn is such a pretty time of year in my garden, it would be perfect if it were not for all the leaves! We have three big deciduous trees in out front yard and right now we cannot keep up with all the raking. Hubby has got to the point of using the mower rather than the rake!

So here's some of my Azaleas in bloom ~

The tall shrub behind the Azalea is a Camellia, we have four of those, they are just beginning to flower, but they'll come into full flower a little later. 

The leaves that fall on the garden beds make great mulch and keep the moisture in our normally quite dry ground.

Don't ask me the names of the different varieties, I can't remember! I do know some of them have double flowers like the pretty pale pink one above.

Once there Was Two, then Three, now there's Five

We are not going to have anymore arrive, five mischievous little Wichtels is enough for anyone to handle.

Gretel (Rosi), Heidi (Lea ), Liesel (Fiona), Freida (keeping her name) and Renata (Paula)

Today, apart from unboxing Frieda and Renata, I have been busy changing eyes in a some of my dolls, that of course led to wig changes. The result of doing that has made me realise I don't need so many wigs, so I'm going to sell them.

Of course I'll have to sort them all out into sizes and make sure everything is labeled correctly.  I have no idea how many I have that are in the wrong packaging/boxes or how they managed to get so mixed up and I know just looking at this big box, it's going to take me a while. 🙄

Hope you are all enjoying your quiet time in the sunshine! 

Photo Editing

I wonder how many of you use a photo editing program and which one you use. This is something I haven't done for such a long time and there are so many programs to choose from now, I hardly know where to begin. I have looked at Photoshop in the past, but unless one is using it extensively, it seems an expensive way to manipulate the odd photo or two.

So today when I went looking for something that would allow me to remove the background from a photo I had taken, then replace it with a digital background. I came across THIS ADOBE PROGRAM which helped me produce the following photo.

I realise it's not perfect, but it was fun and I'd like to try making a few more of these types of photos using some more digital backgrounds once my blue Resinsoul doll gets here. Can you imagine how she would look against these backdrops?

I did another one because I wanted to try a doll sitting on a swing and it worked out okay.

 

Gloria Arrived Today

I just had to share a photo of her, she is so pretty. Her face-up is perfect and just as I had asked.

She came with her eyes, wig, dress, shoes and two extra pairs of hands.

One of her eyes looks like it may need adjusting, but that's not a big problem. I do hope 5StarDoll does bring out some new dolls. I did email them and they replied, to say they had hoped they would be ready to put up on their website in April, but things had been delayed. I guess we'll just have to keep checking in.

Also Obi arrived, fortunately I had clothes for him, otherwise he'd be on here naked!

Isn't he just the cutest little elf you've ever seen? That brings my Fairyland tiniest elves up to five, so that will have to do. Personally I don't think Misty could look after any more boys.  🤣

Not a Great Deal Happening

It's been so slow around the blogosphere, I've begun to wonder if it's finally reached its peak and is coming to an end. All the regular posters seem to be in hibernation or have just stopped posting completely. It's not good for me to be left up to my own devices . . . I buy far too many dolls!

I mean aside from Paula and Frieda who I pre ordered some time back, which are now on their way to me as I write, along with Gloria, and of course Lucy who has already arrived . . . I've now gone an ordered a ResinSoul Mei in Sky Blue resin.

You may be asking "why blue?" Well I have had this idea of making her into a similar version of the Na'vi from the movie Avatar. I don't really want to make her an identical copy of any of those particular characters, but rather a creature from my own imagination where I can build a story around.

You have to admit, Mei has a beautiful face and I have seen what some of the doll artists have done with her, they are amazing (just Google her). I have seen her in white, normal, tan and even green resin, but not blue, so she's going to be an interesting project to work on.

If she turns out just the way I imagine her to be, I may even add either a male partner and/or a small child somewhere down the track.

I've contemplated Song and Mai for the father, and thought maybe Bei girl or Bao boy would make great children.

Well that's it for today, I'm off to have a cuppa! Hopefully I won't continue talking to myself.

Three Out, Two In

I sold two PR dolls (Barbara and Dasha) and my Peak's Woods Lady Alice which has enable me to add two BJD's to my doll family.

White haunting DoA recently I came across an update for the 5StarDoll which led me to finding Gloria (not sure whether she's White or Normal Skin, it's a bit hard to tell from the photo).

Sculpt name: Gloria (super kid version)

Production year: 2016

The default set includes:

Assembled doll

Glass eyes, wig, dress, shoes and two extra hands as shown in photo

Birth Card & Box

Height: 41 cm (16")

Circumference of Head: 23cm

Circumference of Neck: 8cm

Circumference of Chest: 19.5cm

Circumference of Waist: 17.6cm

Circumference of Hip: 22.5cm

Width of Shoulders: 9.2cm

Length of Arm: 16cm

Length of Leg: 18.8cm

Width of Foot: 2.4cm

Length of Foot: 5.5cm

Eyes: 16mm

Wig: 8~9 inch

Although she was without a face-up I have requested one and hope she will look a little like the following picture of 5StarDoll's Alice, but without the black line across her mouth.

I also bought a Little Monica Luisie Full Doll (White Skin) from DoA, but I think I'll change the spelling of her name to Lucy. Fortunately she didn't have far to travel.

Sculpt Name: Luisie

Production year: 2012

Line: Honey Harmony

Body: Honey Harmony Girl

Default Set Includes:

   Fully assembled doll

Acrylic eyes & Sculpey for eye attachment

Head cover, box, 2 pillows

Certificate of Authentication

Height: 25.9cm (10.25")

Head circumference: 17.8cm

Neck circumference: 6.5cm

Shoulder width: 6.8cm

Chest circumference: 13.2cm

Arm length: 10.5cm

Hand length: 3.4cm

Waist circumference: 11.7cm

Hips circumference: 14.5cm

Thigh circumference: 8.2cm

Leg length: 13cm

Foot length: 3.9cm

Eyes: 14mm

Wig: 6~7 inch

Provided there is a reasonable colour match between the two dolls, they will either be siblings or a young mother and child.

Lucy arrived today and I was lucky enough to have clothes, a pretty pair of Luts boots and Monique ginger brown wig that fit her perfectly.

I took a quick snap with my camera so you could see her dressed, but I shall work on her a little bit more over the next few days and take better photos that show just how pretty she is.

Considering her age, she's in excellent condition, she stands on her own and holds a pose well.

I'm very happy with this little one and look forward to spending many pleasurable hours sorting out a whole new wardrobe of clothes for her.

Well until the next arrival, that it from me! 

Fairyland Puki Fees

 I was asked recently if I would share a photo of my Puki Fees, this meant trying to get all seventeen to look at the camera . . . I thought FAT CHANCE!

And wouldn't you know it one just had to jump down to the ground . . . and break her wing. GRR! I tried to fix it, first with superglue, then heating the plastic but all that did was turn it brown. 

So now I have to try and remember where I purchased  the wings in the first place so I can replace them and seeing as I have a hard time remembering what I did last week there's FAT CHANCE of that happening too!

Articulation in Dolls

I was thinking about this when I decided to list some dolls on eBay the other day. I wasn't sure whether I could use the word to describe their limb movement being only five way jointed. So I Googled and this is what I found.

"On Gotz Doll Wiki, ARTICULATION refers to whether or not a doll can move one or more of its body parts independently of its body and/or hold that body part in a fixed pose." 

So it appears as long as a doll can move its arm, leg or head and hold a pose with them, it's okay to say it's articulated. That made me feel a lot better about using the word.

Speaking of which, I ordered this little lady. She's very pretty but I already have this "Nora" face on a couple of Paola Reina dolls and I really only wanted her nine way jointed body.

She is going to have her head switched with another of my Paola Reina dolls. Thereby providing me with three different faces. As you see below I already have this "Nora" face on the multi jointed body.

I have always loved my "Barbara" but as I recently sold her (and regretted it as soon as I did), I shall keep this pink haired "Barbara" faced multi jointed doll instead.

I had listed "Cristi" for sale too, but I shall keep her head for the new body, her red hair and green eyes are just too nice to part with. The Carol Pringle dress and beaded headband will stay too.

My Wichtel Plans - Seven Different Faces

MIO-MILLION RM 15.0
Rosi 2017 arrived Feb 2017
GRETEL

KRUMEL-CRUMBS RM 6.0
Lea 2018 arrived May 2018
HEIDI

FLO RM 8.2
Fiona 2023 arrived 4th April 2024
LIESEL

ANIKA RM 1.1
Frieda 2023 pre-ordered due April 2024
FRIEDA

BUBI RM 7.0
Paula 2024 pre-ordered due May 2024
RENATA

SAMY RM 8.3
Will order when available
GRETCHEN

CONNIE RM 41
Will order when available
URSULA

So that's my all for this year (says she who cannot be believed when she says "no more"). Well that's all the dolls actually planned for in the immediate future. What about you? Do you have any plans for which dolls you will be bringing home in 2024?

Taking a Stand

After much thought about my collection, I've decided to shed a most of my Spanish made dolls. To begin with I plan on moving almost all of my Paola Reina dolls, except for the articulated ones. As well as my two Vidal Rogas, two Vestida de Azul and two D'nenes.

This will allow me not to feel guilty about pre-ordering this little one.

Her name is Paula (Wichtel Bubi face RM 7.0), but I really do not like that name as it reminds me of someone I am not at all fond of. I haven't decided what I will call her and will most probably wait until she arrives (later this month or early next month) to see what she has to say about her name.

Isn't she just the cutest little doll? As most of you already know, I am always drawn to dolls that show their tiny teeth. Of course she will bring my Wichtels back to an even number so I shall be looking to add another down the track, BUT NOT BEFORE I HAVE SOME ADOPTED TO LOVING HOMES.

What happened to January, February and March???

I cannot believe we're about to leap into April already! I hope you all had a lovely Easter.

Now I've been wondering how many of you, if any, have one of these little cutie pies? They are called Wichtels, which is German for gnomes.

 

They were designed by the German artist Rosemarie Müller, who describes her gnomes as "balm for the soul". These adorable little ones have the most enchanting faces which are hand painted, full hard vinyl bodies, hand-knotted real hair wigs, and stunning hand blown solid glass eyes from Lauscha.

In this photo we have Heidi (formally Lea) and Gretel (formally Rosi). They are delightful little dolls and so much fun to photograph even though they have only five points of articulation. Both dolls are wearing their original costuming, which is extremely well made and far too cute to replace.

Gretel has a passion for teddy bears (I made this one especially for her) she says they are nice to cuddle and likes to carry one around with her all the time.

Are you a fan of names inspired by fairytales and story books? If so, you may recognise Gretel, from the fairytale Hansel & Gretel made popular by the Brothers Grimm. The name ultimately stems from Margaret meaning “pearl.” 

Heidi, with its sweet meaning of “noble and kind,” is a pet form of the German name Adelheid. Heidi is also the name of a classic children’s novel about a spirited little girl living in the Swiss alps with her grandfather.

For a long time I only had the two Wichtels, however, as I prefer to have uneven numbers of dolls I pre-ordered Fiona some time back and she arrived recently.

As I wanted these dolls to have names of a similar vein, I decided to rename her Liesel, which is related to the Hebrew names Elisa and Elizabeth and the German name Liesl. The meaning of Liesel/Liesl is "God's promise." The name was used for the character Liesel Meminger in the novel The Book Thief, and Liesl Von Trapp, the dreamy-eyed eldest daughter who featured in The Sound of Music.

If you look closely, you may notice all these littlies have tiny teeth showing through their very cheeky smiles. However, not all the Wichtel dolls have them, I just prefer the ones that do.

In's & Out's for 2023

Well I was going okay at reducing my dolls for a little while saying goodbye to two Wellie Wishers, one Fashion Friend, one Hearts 4 Hearts, a Holala doll and my little Berjuan Eva. 

However, I couldn't resist these two very special Zwergnase dolls . . .

Abelone arrived 24th January, 2023. This German made phthalate-free vinyl doll is 50cm (19.7") tall and is referred to as a Junior doll.

Nili, who arrived 6th March, 2023, is a limited edition of 25 dolls worldwide and stands 65cm (25.6inches) tall, which is also the tallest doll I own.

She has a complete phthalate-free vinyl body, which is fully jointed so she can be posed in various positions. Her vinyl colour is cappuccino, she has beautiful olive green hand blown Laucha glass eyes and her face has been painted by her designer, Nicole Marschollek-Menzner. 

AND three Gotz dolls . . .

Edda of Edinburgh Signature Edition by Elisabeth Lindner arrived 22nd January, 2023. She is my second Gotz Happy Kidz doll by this Artist.

While checking messages on MDBF to see if they had any news on Nili, I noticed this gal. The one Gotz face missing from my Happy Kidz collection. Laura is designed by Sissel Skille.

Needless to say, I immediately added her to my cart and she arrived on the 17th March, 2023.

Hannah Summertime was an 'Autumn Special' from Götz and she arrived 23rd March. I've shortened her name to Summer.

THEN there was the two Momoko dolls I purchased in Singapore in June while on holiday.

ALSO the six Monst dolls that arrived later in the year, which you have seen become the residents of my 1/6 scale doll rooms.

So in 2023 I really didn't do very well at reducing my doll collection at all!! Let's hope I can do better this year. After all, I have a doll house to decorate and that should occupy me for most of the year . . . I hope.

Still it's really good to be back reading & posting again. 😘

P.S. My second eye surgery went really well . . . thanks to all for your good wishes.