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

A New Model Coming Soon

I have been tempted on several occasions to purchase an American Girl doll purely as a model for making a new range of clothing. However, I'm not overly fond of soft body dolls and have never really liked that the neckline on these dolls doesn't look the best as you can see in this photo.

So in my search for a suitable replacement I found this little home bred sweetie on eBay . . . Matilda, an Australian Girl.

Australian Girl dolls are 50cm tall (5cm taller than American Girls), made from firm phthalate free vinyl. They have two thirds soft body with a vinyl breastplate which, unlike most soft body dolls, makes it possible for them to wear garments with lower necklines.

They have strong fully rotational ball joints with durable elastic cord, can stand alone and be posed in different positions. The hair is finest quality kankelon (used in human wigs) and can be washed and styled.

Although a new American Girl sells for around US$115, by the time you add international shipping and then convert it to AU$'s they work out costing over $200. So at AU$159.95 with free delivery, I thought Matilda was a reasonably priced purchase.

She's being shipped via Fastway Couriers from Queensland, and her ETA is 22nd May.

She also has the bonus of red hair, green eyes and little teeth. :)
Hugs till next time!

Friday

Been Busy Off Line

But I'm back on again now! I just found that Schildkrot have finally been able to attain the Krumel face mould from Rosemarie Muller's own collection, and have produced two extremely happy little dolls . . . Felix and Lea Muller.

I have wanted to get my little pinkies on this face mould forever, but just could not justify a purchase from the artist herself. So you can imagine the joy I felt when I saw these two happy little souls up for sale. You may even have thought from my love of redheaded dolls, I would purchase Felix first, but Lea looked so pretty in the little outfit she was wearing, my heart melted.

It will be nice to have a blue eyed blond in my collection and as she wears a wig, I can always change it whenever I like. She isn't a big doll (30cm tall), nor is she ball jointed, but I know she will pose well regardless, as her five joints swivel, which allows the arms, legs and head to move in many different directions.

The wait for this doll shouldn't be too long, just long enough to fly from UK to Australia!
Well now you have my happy news, I hope you have some too!

More Pretties

Not much dolly news to share today. We have been busy outside while the weather is still reasonable and have planted a couple of Camellias. One in front of my studio window (we've tried other things, but had no success), it's an informal double called Hawaii. The flowers are so pretty and it's not expected to grow very tall, so should still let enough light into the house.

Camellia Japonica Hawaii

The other, a Paradise Petite Pink, will be planted in our courtyard, where we have just finished adding a new larger patio. Unavoidably, the workmen destroyed a small section of our garden when they had to bring the concrete in, leaving just enough room for a slender plant.

Camellia Sasanqua Paradise Petite

This will grow up to 1.5 meters tall and just 1 meter wide, so should be perfect there.

The patio looks great, but we are still waiting for the balustrade to be installed. I will post photos when it's all completed, as it just looks like a big bluestone blob right now!

Next thing on the agenda is repainting all my old pots terracotta, to match the more recent additions.

Hopefully there will be a little time left over for dollies. :)

Have a wonderful weekend!

Hugs,