Happy Anniversary to Me

I just realised that this year marks Xanadu's Dolls tenth year . . . how time flies when you are having fun with like minded souls. Little did I know when I posted about my 1st Anniversary bunny Jax that I would still be posting on this blog ten years later.

Many of the original bloggers who I chatted with over the years have moved on and new ones have joined our ranks. I'd like to thank everyone for their visits and friendship, especially those who have stuck with me through the ups and downs we all faced with Covid and my recent ill health.

To celebrate this occasion I've taken a few snaps of the dolls who haven't been seen for a while.

If you go down in the woods today, you're sure of a big surprise

If you go down in the woods today, you'd better go in disguise

For every bear that ever there was will gather there for certain

Because today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic

To see the full lyrics and hear it sung by Henry Hall click HERE

Eloi and Suzanne with their teddy bears

Ava and Anais

(who's wondering why she has the small teddy bear and who stole her hat)

These little Minouche's will soon be a group of five (yes, back to an uneven number) just as soon as Emile arrives home.  I'm feeling happy today and hope you are all having a wonderful week.

Photoshoot: One, Two, Three

I have just finished sewing some simple dresses for three of my KID's and had a quick photoshoot today in keeping with the current season of Halloween . . . so stand by for some more "double, double toil and trouble" from siblings Irene, Lonnie and their older cousin Paige.

I ended up keeping the red wig for Lonnie, and just restyled it so it didn't cover so much of her face. I may replace it at a later date if I find a red one that's short and curly.

Photoshoot: Puppy and Truffles

What a lovely day . . . shall we go for a walk?

Perhaps I'll just pat you first.

You didn't have to push me over!

Can't you just play nicely?

Now where have you gone?

Oh there you are.

That's so naughty of you to hide from me.

Especially when it's nearly time for tea.

There's no need to be pushy!

Dolly said, if you're  a good puppy, you can have this big biscuit.

-oOo-

And so we end today's fun in the sun!

Photoshoot: Marina

This morning I spent a little more time with my pretty Marina and after dressing her and tying her hair back with a ribbon, I thought it was time for a photoshoot ~

As you can see, her hair is absolutely gorgeous, it's very full with just the right amount of wave and a lovely sheen.

I still haven't done anything about her eyebrows, but I think Marina would make a wonderful Snow White given the right costuming.

She has the most beautiful face. When I look at her lips and the way they have been sculpted and painted, I think some of the BJD artists could learn something from her . . . there is absolutely no need for a black line to be painted across these lips!

Well that's it for today . . . hope your weekend is off to a good start too!

Big hugs,

X

Photoshoot: Bunnies, Owls & Roses

I've just finished these outfits modelled by Gotz dolls, Katie, Hannah and Clara. It's a little unfortunate that the lighter printed fabrics look a little washed out in the photo . . . they are more colourful IRL.

I was hoping to have co-ordinating shoes/boots for them in time for this photoshoot, but I am still waiting on their delivery.

The short sleeve top is a easily understood FREE pattern to knit and has a four button closure at the back. The dress is made up of five rectangles of fabric, no fancy cutting or pattern needed and can easily be made to suit any size doll.

The dresses are really simple to make, no pattern needed, I made it up as I went along. It’s just 5 rectangles of fabric, 1 for the skirt 5.5″ x half the fabric width, 1 for the contrast hem same length x 4″ which folds up over the seam to form the hem, 1 for the waistband 12″ x 4″ which folds down over the gathered seam, and 2 for the straps (2″ wide then folded in half). I closed it at the back with buttons (no back seam), straps stitched at the back crossed and fasten with buttons at front.

Hope you all are having an enjoyable time with your own dolls & crafts. :)

Photoshoot: Fashion

I don't often change the clothes on my dolls, once I have made an outfit for them, they usually stay in it. However, this year I plan to do a little more purchasing of clothes and less making, to give myself a chance of sewing something different. 

If you remember, I recently posted a photo of Sophia and Claudia in some of the clothes I received from Jacqueline (Poinsettia04). Here are the rest, that came in my second order yesterday and as you can see, the YoSD size fits them all quite well.

Claudia (Iplehouse BID Bonnie) is wearing her new spotted pants to match her top, Angelique (LitttleFee Luna) is wearing a new top and pants, and sporting a new wig to boot, then we have Gina (Honey Delf Lolly) sitting on her bike in a new mint set comprising shorts, top, hat and socks, and lastly Sophia (Iplehouse BID Anne) in the same outfit as previously shown.

The sneakers are from Eva at evali905 and the lime shoes are from Coolcat.

Photoshoot: Parisian Preps

I thought today I would take the opportunity of a quiet morning to snap a few pics of my latest creations. But honestly, trying to do a simple photoshoot can be a real headache when my girls won't stand still and decide it's much more fun to look in every other direction instead of at the camera.

Antoinette looks like she's off with birds and Angelique is being her bossy self, telling Ancelina to "Sit on the floor and be still!"

The dresses & bloomers are styled using the skull dress pattern I made the other day, each in a different fabric with a variation in trim.

While previewing this post, I noticed a post from Night Owl in my side column and I must say it took me by complete surprise! So Night Owl if you are reading this post, I am really sorry to see you go, I enjoyed your company and comments, but I do understand that all good things come to an end sooner or later. Please know you will always be welcome here and I wish you much happiness for the future.

P.S. There is a little photo story for you here!

Photoshoot: Lonnie

My new backdrops arrived last week and this morning I decided it was time I did a photoshoot of Lonnie in the beautiful black and white Ballroom. 

I made her outfit myself, which is comprised of an underskirt, overskirt and soft style corset top.

Lonnie (Iplehouse KID) is a stunner and very photogenic. She may well be a KID, but she can look quite grown up in these clothes.

 I'm happy with the photos this time and when I look at them, it makes me think I definitely need another girl this size, after all I seem to like having groups of three and let's face it, Iplehouse have some gorgeous sculpts. :)