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.

Monday

Kids Wigs

Had a little play with my KID's wigs yesterday . . . I decided to keep Irene's wig, but restyled it to a hopefully younger look. There are some fly-away hairs that need tidying up, but I'll get to that after I have dressed her.

I turfed Lonnie's curls for a short bob, though I am not enamoured with it and am now thinking . . . maybe I should change her eyes, or at least re-position them?

I gave Paige some plaits in the hope they would also make her look younger, but as I said to Rachael recently, there's something about this doll that doesn't quite work and I just don't know what it is. I suspect, aside from the very rosy cheeks, she has an old face for a KID . . . what do you think?

Sunday

Taking a Different Direction

I have been spending most of my time in recent days, reorganising my blogs and am finally happy with the way it's all progressing. I know there are doll collectors who only collect BJD's, others who prefer Barbie, fashion dolls or play dolls, so each of my blogs will concentrate on a specific type of doll or indeed a clearly defined story.

Hopefully, I will be able to maintain all of them in the way I would like and that over time, each blog will have it's own roll of visitors, who are interested in reading about those particular dolls and stories.

To be brutally honest, I am not even sure where blogs are headed any more, but blogging about my dolls and their associated hobbies is something I really enjoy, along with the company I keep here. Sometimes, I find it hard to believe I have been blogging for so long, the ten years have slipped by so quickly. However, there doesn't seem to be the interest in blogs or blogging as there used to be when I began back in 2009, which for us who write them, is a damn shame.

What's more, technology has changed drastically during that time . . . what was supposed to save us time and bring us closer together, is just eating up all our time and creating a greater distance between people. It has become so overwhelming . . . a good proportion of this so called social media has managed to discourage conversation altogether and for my own sanity, it's made me do away with the majority of social media completely.

There have been occasions where I've wondered, whether at some point in the future, people simply stop talking and reading, and merely press buttons and look at pictures . . . I truly hope not . . . I find that a really sad thought.

Now I'm going back to working on my KIDS, but I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts . . . which social media do you enjoy the most?

Thursday

My Kids

I'm not sure what I am going to do with my Iplehouse KID Paige (Normal Skin), she's had a difficult time trying to find herself and I'm not sure why. She's not had much attention since I got her and she desperately needs shoes, I'm not even sure if I like her in this wig.

Lonnie (Peach Gold Skin) has changed her styling a few times and this is her latest phase. She told me she wanted curly hair, but it kind of swamps her face.

Irene (Special Real Skin) was my first KID. She grew up far quicker than I expected and was into more mature fashion long before I realised I hadn't given her character much thought. :)

I love her face, but she needs a new body as her resin colour has begun to change where she caught some sun on her shoulder. Stupidly, I left her in the wrong place in the doll room.

I shouldn't think it will be long before I give all three a complete make over, especially now I have them in my studio where I can see them. I need to really think about using all three in the same story though, maybe as cousins or room mates . . . any suggestions?