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.

Tuesday

Unannounced Arrival

Remember this post? Well without a word from Fairyland, my full set Toki arrived along with his sleeping plate with face-up.

Although I loved Toki as he was, I really needed someone to become Linaria, so with a quick change of lower body and the addition of a few items that had been waiting especially for her, here she is!

Li (Linaria) ~ Charming, delicate and graceful best describe this one. Although she is quite tall, Li looks a little fragile, but don't be misled, she comes from hardy stock. Li spends a lot of time in the sunshine and enjoys wearing bright, strong colours, her favourite colour being pink!

Li is also the senior fairy and as such, makes all the decisions regarding the other two, (Wi and Pi).

Friday

Another Arrival

She arrived on 2nd August, and as I already have a Hannah sculpt (with red center parted hair) I have renamed this little one Hope.

She is another Gotz doll (Hannah Princess), who is 18 inches tall, with beautiful deep blue eyes and pretty mocha/pink lips.

Hope is my third Gotz doll with blonde hair, having previously purchased Kitty with green eyes and a left side part, and Emma with grey/brown eyes and a center part (no fringe).

This doll now completes my blonde Gotz collection.

Monday

Merida's New Outfit

I thought I'd show you what Merida's outfit looks like on her before her re-paint. I doubt if she will look much different when she's finished as I love her expression and only want her eyes to be slightly smaller.

I used the Bloomer Buddies "Oh Sew Kat!" pattern which is available from Pixie Faire to make the dress, though I wish I had added more fullness to the dress below the yoke, as it falls too straight for my liking . . . which of course means I will probably make her another dress to wear before too long.

The beret, scarf, fingerless gloves and leg warmers were adaptions I made from a Kiltie Combo Accessories knitting pattern to fit 18 inch American Girl Dolls by Jacqueline Gibb on Ravelry.

As Merida is a 16 inch doll, I simply used size 2.75mm needles instead of the 3.25mm and knitted it in one colour throughout. The scarf was knitted horizontally in garter stitch, rather than vertically like the pattern suggested.

The brooch on the side of the hat I made myself and the Joyce Nicholson boots she is wearing I had in my stash. These soft real leather boots were originally purchased at a bargain price from a doll fair long ago . . . always knew they would come in handy some day. :)