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.

Saturday

8th August Doll Meet

We took a few photos using backdrops at today's meet.

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.