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.

Thursday

Sew Happy

The grey and milk chocolate crepe de chine I ordered for the steampunk outfits arrived yesterday and it's everything I imagined it would be. There is something special about the feeling of silk and it drapes so well, it should be perfect for the overskirts.

Sometime back I ordered pyjama/jumpsuits for all my Pukifees as well a couple of spares for the two PF's to come. However, I couldn't order a yellow set for Cookie, because the supplier didn't have the colour. Well I used one pair to gauge the sizing and I made a set for her myself. Not the most ethical thing I have done, but I shan't be making them to sell and I couldn't see Cookie miss out could I?

Making them entirely by hand has helped me overcome my trepidation of working on such small outfits using stretch fabric. Even though I have made leggings before quite successfully, I have always worried about the fabric stretching too much as I sewed the seams. Now I feel more confident, I may even attempt a few casual tee shirts and dresses, as my Pukifees mostly own clothes which are quite dressy.

Monday

Mad Hatter

Sometime ago, I put together a hybrid, using a Volks Cyndy body with a Napi Doll Rogebell head, but never quite got round to completing her. Then recently, after putting an April Story Ishyllia on layaway, I decided to make these two SD girls my Steampunk sisters. They are a good size, which will allow me to put a good amount of detail into their costuming.

I have had some lovely striped silk pieces sitting in my stash for years, just waiting for the right project to come along and I knew they would be perfect for my Steampunk theme. I began by sketching a couple of different designs, one with knee length pants, the other without. Then, after ordering some coordinating crepe de chine to compliment the striped silk and some gorgeous boots from Etsy in similar tones, my thoughts turned to their hats.

Millinery has always been something I have loved making, and before long my hands had began busily working on these ~

Surprisingly, everything I used, I had on hand and I am pleased with the way they have turned out, although I may still add an embellishment here or there, depending on how they look with the rest of their costumes when completed.

Friday

Has It Really . . .

Been a week since I last posted. I am getting slack! Well it's been kinda full on here with gardening. Our front garden really needed to have some work done on it, There were five lavender bushes and a Mexican orange blossom that needed replacing as well as the borders to do. But with hubby at the helm and me doing the organising (that means telling him where to plant everything) it's now done and dusted!!

Now to the doll arrivals . . . two this week. The first was Impldoll's Gela, which I was bitterly disappointed with. The two pieces of bow wouldn't fit together, so I have to sand it, and one of the horns magnet was inserted on an angle, so the horn just swung around in the breeze, instead of sitting snuggly on his head. Also it said in the website description that random eyes were included, but when I asked where they were, I was told they no longer include eyes unless you get the face-up.

On top of this, the satyr legs are the biggest pain in the butt to change, it looks like I have to try and undo the knot that's inside the body, pull the doll apart then re-string it using the human legs. Anyway after exchanging several emails and sending photos, Impl have agreed to replace the horn and send me eyes, so I guess that's something . . . but this will be my last contact with this company.

The second doll was a breath of fresh air . . . perfect in everyway imaginable . . . THANK YOU FAIRYLAND!
Meet Gaea, my little Mother Nature. Of course she needs dressing and a circlet on her head, but that is underway. I love this little one, she is just how I imagined her to be. :)

RealFee Pano girl in mint resin with default face up. Wig by For My Doll.

P.S. After a lot of cursing and trapped fingers, I managed to get the knot undone in the elastic and have re-strung the Impl Gela with her human legs.