Transformation of Dolly Dingle

It was February 2020 when I found this very cute 1997 Dolly Dingle Garnet doll by Karen Kennedy for Goebel on Etsy. I didn't realise it then, but she would become one of my very favourite dolly makeovers.

My little foundling arrived wearing her original dress, undies, socks, shoes, hair bow, but I wasn't at all interested in keeping them . . . I had other plans for her.

Dolly Dingle was in wonderful condition and had great eyes which really spoke to me. She makes me smile and has the funniest face I've ever seen on a doll . . . it looks like someone has sat on it!

Though if you look below at the original 1922, 1923, 1924 versions of Grace Drayton's Dolly Dingle paper doll illustrations which were published in the Pictorial Review, I think it's probably the closest representation of Grace's idea of rosie cheeks the manufacturers could muster.

It's these illustrations which I based my Dolly Dingle on, none of which have a top knot or ponytail on top of her head.

I had to remove her wig, wash and completely restyle it. I'm so pleased with the way it turned out, now we can all see her eyebrows.

Finally my Dolly Dingle, or as I prefer to call her, Dee Dee, as she is now. Do you think I did Grace's illustrations justice?

 

NOTE: Born Grace Gebbie on 14th October, 1877 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Grace was considered to be one of the first and most successful American female cartoonists, she was also an illustrator of children's books, postcards, fashion pages and magazine covers. You will also find her work (1904-1911) signed Grace Wiederseim or G G Wiederseim.

For Alejandra

Or for anyone who believes in the Elvin Folk. This map is from a book that I wrote about my BJD Elves, back when I was really into writing short stories and poetry, called Tales from the Elvin Forest.

 

Double click on the map to see the Elvin Forest in more detail.

Doll Props

Sometimes it can be a challenge when photographing dolls to make them interesting, that's why I am always on the lookout for props. Where to find good ones isn't always easy, and finding them in a particular scale is even more difficult.

Today I'm sharing a few photos of my BJD's with props that I have found when I've been out and about.

This Fairyland LittleFee Ante is riding a tiny rocking horse I came across in a toy store which only sold wooden toys. This was a tiny version of a child's and the only one in the store at the time.

This time we have a PukiFee Lindt riding a different rocking horse, this one I picked up at a doll and teddy bear show. It is still in need of a mane, the tail is hair from my first dog's ears. The horse's body still needs a paint job . . . I'm so slack at times.

The boys from the 'hood love this Vespa. Left is Iplehouse BID Serca, centre DollZone Choco, right is Iplehouse BID Peekaboo. This was purchased from eBay, it's in excellent condition for a second-hand toy. I'm not sure, but it could be a Barbie bike.

In this photo of my Iplehouse KID Lonnie, she is playing with a miniature ballerina teddy bear which I designed and made by hand. The fabric backdrop I used for this photo has always been a favourite and seems to suit the clothes she is wearing.

Tao Yue is from Doll Family-H, she is a pink skin girl who I have called Suzanne. She has been given multiple jointed hands, which mean she can hold things in them all by herself. Here she is holding an eraser designed to look like a biscuit (cookie). This came from one of the Japanese stores that sells lots of bits and pieces.

Luts Honey Delf Lolly is riding in a mini go-cart and carrying a hobby horse. I cannot, for the life of me, remember where they came from. However the Radio Flyer pull along cart was another eBay purchase.

Terrible photo, but the washing machine and oven shown in this photo with my with Fairyland PukiFee Cadbury, were purchased from Wooja for just $7.50 each.

Lastly we have Suzanne together with LittleFee Bisou in the gardening shed. The rusty watering can and gardening tools were purchased online from either AliExpress or Temu, I can't remember exactly.

Hope that inspires you to post some photos of your own dolls with props. Until next time be happy!

Perfect Day

The weather was absolutely perfect today, the temperature was 28 C, the sky was blue, and there was just a slight northerly breeze. It was what one would call an idyllic spring day.

So after enjoying a hearty husband cooked breakfast of bacon, eggs and button mushrooms, followed by buttered toast with marmalade and a cup of Earl Grey tea, we set off to enjoy some of that lovely sunshine.

Pup was sitting safely in his booster seat looking out the  car window as we set off up the road to Cardinia and Crystal Brook Park.

THE WATER TOWER

Cardinia Reservoir is truly stunning when the weather aligns as it did today . . . the water was a brilliant aqua and quite spectacular. Cardinia itself is a stunning expanse of water and is Melbourne's second-largest reservoir. The dam at the Reservoir is a rolled earth and rockfill embankment, and was completed in 1973.

NOT MY PHOTO

Crystal Brook Park that surrounds it, features a dedicated Kangaroo Viewing Trail, about 15 minutes one way, starting at the spillway carpark. The kangaroos are most active and easiest to spot grazing on the open grassy slopes during dawn and dusk. We were there mid morning, so all we saw was all the roo poo left behind after their dawn graze.

NOT MY PHOTO

Crystal Brook picnic ground is the perfect location to spend time relaxing in nature and exploring. There is plenty of parking, a playground which you can see here with the dam wall behind, barbecues, shelter and toilets.

We then drove to Emerald (the home of Puffing Billy) and stopped at the Over the Road Café for ice-cream cones. I had strawberry, hubby had mango sorbet and pup tried a little of both while we sat outside in the sun.

THE CAFE IS THE ONE WITH THE UMBRELLAS

Driving home via Beaconsfield meant hitting the Freeway and we were surprised by the amount of traffic on the road, it was like peak hour. Everyone has been airing their grievances about the cost of fuel here, however, it certainly didn't deter them from taking advantage the beautiful weather today.

Hope you enjoy the pics!

Big hugs,

X

A New Red Haired Doll

It was this time last year when I emailed Maxine at My Doll Best Friend to ask for a red haired Chosen Gotz Happy Kidz doll and she told me something was in the pipeline. I've been waiting ever since and had almost given up expecting one to arrive.

Then this morning at some unholy hour, I received an email saying there were TWO red haired Chosen dolls. I decided then and there to bring this one home . . . I mean look at her hair, it's gorgeous!

Her name is Orla, she is part of a really special double release in the exclusive Chosen series with Götz, limited to 250 worldwide.

For the very first time, they've used a brand new super pale vinyl colour. If you are aware of resin art dolls you will know exactly how special Orla is with her delicate pure appearance.

Orla will be my Christmas present to myself, and will make a perfect sibling for my Chosen blonde haired Kitty (2017).
Big hugs,
X

Things I Love and Those I Don't

Some of the things I love, apart from hubby, family (this includes my fur baby) & friends are :-
Dolls of course, teddy bears, doll houses, fabric & yarn (I have a stash of both), warm sunny days and being surrounded by colour.

I also like blogs which are interesting, and bloggers who really want to be part of a community, who want to converse with other bloggers.

Some of the things I enjoy doing:-
Designing clothes for my dolls (both knitted and sewn), writing short stories (especially fantasy ones) & poetry, illustrating, photography, going to fashion exhibitions with my daughter, blogging and chatting with my online blogger friends.

It's because of that last item, that I have been looking for more active blogs to add to my reading list, particularly those written by doll or craft enthusiasts. Well I did find a few, some were interesting, a couple that were . . . well they were just a bit boring (my attention isn't captured by a lot of moaning). Then there a few blog that would have really been interesting, if only they hadn't had so many distractions down the side columns.

Things I'm not fond of:-
Like most people, there are somethings I dislike, such as all white walls in a home, gossip, and grumpy people. There are of course, other things I just tolerate, like going for medical check ups.

However, one thing that really gripes me, is blogs that are inundated with advertising, so much so you cannot read a paragraph before you are bombarded with unwanted intrusions. Also blog layouts that are over the top, featuring highly decorated, maximalist or cluttered aesthetics.

I guess I'm a KISS person at heart and prefer people to . . . Keep It Simple Sweetheart!

What do you look for in a blog? Do you prefer to read simple style blogs, colourful blogs, "ad free" blogs or perhaps a combination?

Do you have any things you particularly love or dislike that you would care to share? Don't be shy, I'd love to read your thoughts.
Big hugs,
X

My First Attempt at Quilting

I have a bad habit of promising to show things on my blog and end up becoming so absorbed in doing other things, I neglect to follow through. Now it's been so long I can't remember who asked me to show them this. It's not something I am particularly proud of (the procrastinating), but photographing things to show can take up so much time, so I just tend to keep putting it off.

Each calico panel was drawn, then painted with water colours, then the outlines were embroidered as well as the flowers on the hat in the 4th panel, buttons were sewn on and the glass beads for eyes. The backing is in natural calico. It's not perfect, but I didn't think it too bad for a first try.

I made this quilt some time back for the beautiful antique crib that my sweet hubby bought me years ago, and which my fur baby sleeps in from time to time . . . and often just sits in to watch the passing parade through the window. He's very good with my Zwergnase Nili 3 and the teddy I made, that both sit in the crib . . . he looks but doesn't touch.

The photo below my hubby took another time, where my little furry one was sitting in his own bed inside the crib. You can see some of my dolls in the background which were on display in the studio at the time.

Do any of you make quilts? Do you have any pets? I'd love to see them if you do.

Big hugs,

X

Let's Share a Secret

Each day as I read the stories and snippets of each of my blogging buddies daily activities and interests, I am reminded of how small a world this really is and how many talented people fill it. I love seeing the friendships that are developing between people living on the opposite ends of the earth.

With this in mind, I thought it would be fun to invite my followers and fellow bloggers to post one thing that I don't already know about them. In essence . . .


I'll begin . . . My hubby calls me a hoarder, I call myself a collector. As many of you already know, I collect BJD's, play dolls, bears, fabrics, yarn and antiques, but you didn't know I am also an avid collector of buttons (though not intentionally) and have enough to start a shop of my own!

Big hugs,
X

More on Dolly Thoughts

It's hard to believe it's been six years since I wrote my post Dolly Thoughts and so much has changed. Some of those who commented on that particular post have left the hobby or simply stopped blogging.

Generally, my own journey hasn't changed much, apart from getting much older and less mobile (one seems to age more quickly once they pass 60), I still enjoy all my dolls. From the one and only inexpensive Khurn doll, to my Gotz play dolls, IT fashion dolls, Asian BJD's, and more recently the wonderful Zwergnase Spoon Dolls. They all keep me company and stop me from becoming completely bored.

Now I'm left wondering about those of you who are still posting, though much less frequently. I know some of you are still interested in your dolls, but cannot find the time to chat for one reason or another. Whatever the reason, I hope with all my heart you don't stop blogging all together, I miss chatting with you and seeing what you are doing with your own dolls.

Maybe you have a new hobby that's occupying your time, if so, why not share it. I'm sure there are other bloggers who would all be interested in knowing where this new path is taking you. Although most of those who used to chat regularly through our blogs spoke mainly about dolls, we all have lives apart from dolls that is just as interesting, so if you'd like to share a little, please do.

By the way do you realise it's only 103 days to Christmas?

Big hugs,

X

Surprise Email

It arrived yesterday from my friend Trisha, to tell me the new Zwergnase Spoon Dolls had been released and were about to be posted on her website. I looked and it only took a second or two for me to fall in love all over again . . . and yes, I have pre-ordered Dalia.

These are Zwergnase stock photos, I will post more pics of her when she arrives in October. I think she has the most darling face, don't you? You could say she's one foxy little lady in that mohair hat. 

Dalia Spoon was introduced on 10th September 2026 and is one of four Spoons with a new face sculpt. She has beautiful amber coloured glass eyes from Lauscha, real leather shoes, a hand painted face and gorgeous mid-brown wigged hair. Beautifully dressed, she stands at 42cm and is limited to 25 worldwide. Her skin colour is NM Original and she has16 fully moveable joints . . . a real BJD. Designed by Nicole Menzner and made in Germany.

Big hugs,

X

Three Happy Kidz

I completely forgot to share the dolls my hubby bought me last Christmas. They are all Götz Happy Kidz. On the left we have Lea, in the middle Greta 75th Year Jubilee Special and on the right Elf Anne Christmas Signature Edition 2024.

Anne has a much smaller face than the other Götz Happy Kidz and was last seen as Anna Snow Rabbit for Christmas 2021, the next doll using the Anne mold to be released will be the Pippa Signature Edition 2026.

Here is Lea in her undies and already she is looking much prettier than before. I'm really not fond of the way Götz dresses their dolls. The quality of the clothes is usually pretty good, but some clothes are not age appropriate.

 

This face mold appears to be much younger looking to me and needs to look cuter, not older. I'm not sure whether I will do the same to her hair as I did with my first Greta, who I currently have her dressed in her night attire ready for bed.

My second Greta (below) will also need her name changed . . . any suggestions? The poor thing didn't have anything under her clothes except nickers and some crappy marks on her back and shoulder. I was not impressed! It looks like ink from a ball point pen, which is not easily removed.

Now Anne on the other hand, needs even more attention, but I'll leave her to another post.

All of these dolls desperately need suitable clothes, I have plenty fabrics and patterns, so I just need to keep sewing.
Hugs,
X