My Doll Haven

Everyone Needs Playtime

In our hectic, modern lives, many of us focus so heavily on work and family commitments that we never seem to have time for pure fun. Somewhere between childhood and adulthood, we stopped playing.

When we carve out some leisure time, we’re more likely to zone out in front of the TV or computer than engage in fun, rejuvenating play like we did as children. But play is not just essential for kids; it can be an important source of relaxation and stimulation for adults as well.

There doesn’t need to be any point to the activity beyond having fun and enjoying yourself. By giving yourself permission to play with the joyful abandon of childhood, you can reap oodles of health benefits throughout life.

Sunday

Doll Meet Photos

We had a fun meet yesterday at the Country Club, with around twelve attending and over fifty dolls on display. I spent most of the day chatting, but did manage to take a few photos too.

The Early Birds

Cadbury and the Ladybird

Little Posers

Having a Cuddle

Rot: "What's so funny?"

Such a Cutie

Lookin' Shy

Pretty in Pink

"You're Mine!"

"Wanna Dance?"

"Twasn't us, we didn't do it.""

Chubby Chops Hershey Lost an Eyelash

Too Much Hair

Just Lounging Around

Now I finally think I may have the courage to attempt a re-string on my own, thanks to being able to watch Simmo and Shelbelly help Willoughby re-string her tiny Luts Centaur/Unicorn..

Tuesday

Our February Adventure

Once again we are joining Heather for another adventure, don't forget to pop on over there to see the others.

The sun is shining today, so Hershey and Lindt decided to pay a visit to Cadbury, to see if she would come out to play. Cadbury's home stood high on the hill, so it was quite a ride to the large double storey, white weatherboard house. Her house always looked so pretty with it's charming sky blue roof.

As they rode their trikes along the footpath they noticed the roses were all in full bloom and were poking their pretty heads out through the freshly painted white picket fence.

February Entry - The House On The Hill

Cadbury's home had once belonged to a Nature Fairy (one of the most beautiful glimmer fairies there are) and has the most wonderful garden. Everyone in Tinytown knows the house well and it has become quite a landmark. Since moving there, Cadbury has opened the garden to the public, and it's now THE place in town for everyone to visit, a real local attraction!

The Flowered Garden by Monet

Although Hershey and Lindt call in mainly to play with Cadbury, they also find the garden an interesting place to explore, there are so many things to see, places to hide and trees to climb.

Hershey particularly likes the garden in the morning, when the sun has managed to warm the earth just enough to make the mushrooms pop through. Lindt loves it best when all the flowers are in full bloom, which create a canvas of colour that looks just like an Oscar-Claude Monet painting.

Monday

My Obsession Minus Two

Fairyland, Iplehouse and Luts, all make exceptionally gorgeous dolls and in a wide variety of sizes. I have more of their dolls than any of the others and it appears that I am tending to lean towards the tiny end rather than the SD end when it comes to size.

I'm still learning about the terms used to describe the different sizes, but it's my understanding (and please correct me if I'm wrong) that most people align the sizes to the Volks range.

SSD's (EID) are about 27.5" (70cm) tall

SD's (Delf & YID) range from 22.5” (57cm) to 24” (60cm) in height

MSD's (Kid Delf, MNF & JID) are approximately 16.75” (42.5cm)

KID's are approximately 13.7" '(35cm) tall

YoSD's (Honey Delf, LTF & BID) are approximately 10.25” (26cm) tall

TINIES (Tiny Delf, PKF, PP, RP, PID) it can also refer to anything under 40cm

I have also noticed, I have unconsciously managed to group most of my dolls in sets of three. Apart from, of course, my Fantasy ones, which vary in sizes and which I hope to eventually tie together in a story.

It's not that I dislike the larger dolls, I am simply drawn to the smaller ones and those with a fantasy feel. Not sure why, the only explanation could be my love of all things magical and the fact I have always been a bit of dreamer . . . but I can honestly say, that when I do dream . . . I dream BIG!!!

Yep, this hobby which began in earnest just a year ago, has grown to quite a substantial family of 20 and will be 23 when the last orders arrive. Though I do have two that I would like to move on, as they really don't quite fit in with the rest of the family. So that will bring me back to 21, that is providing I don't order any more and knowing me that is more likely to be a probability rather than possibility. :)

Lia - Venus the Warrior

Now who's to go? Firstly an In Motion Girl, Lia, whom I purchased from Ruby Red Galleria complete with face-up and everything shown in the photo to the left and who was simply returned to her box soon after the photo was taken. (FS @ US$200 plus postage)

The other is Amy, a 5 Star Doll who came to me naked, with eyes, face-up, a wig and blanket, but only in a shipping box. I will need to take her out of the box to photograph her in something decent before I can show her here. (FS @US$160 plus postage)

If you are at all interested, please feel free to contact me through my Etsy store and if I receive no nibbles here, I'll take a few more photos and list them on DoA (Xanadu Dolls on there) and Paracosm (where I am just Xanadu).