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

The Arrival of DD Garnet

Well the funny curly headed Dolly Dingle doll arrived today, and what a peculiar little doll she is. I soon stripped her of her clothes, bow and hairpiece to find her body in good nick.

She came with her shoes and stand. The top layer of her dress is sheer and the underskirt satin.

She really was in great condition and her clothes were like new, but I couldn't quite get over her face. It's the funniest face I have ever seen on a doll . . . it looks like someone has sat on it! LOL!

She has great eyes though, very alive and I think with a little styling her hair should be okay. It's a glued on wig and it has this little clump that sticks up at the top, which could pose a problem. However, I'm pretty sure if I do have problems, I could remove the wig completely and give her a new one.

Her undies will need a little attention if I want them to stay up, the elastic in the waistband is completely stuffed, but that's to be expected, elastic doesn't last forever.

Later this week I shall begin making her a new wardrobe of clothes, starting with her underwear.

I hope my Dolly Dingle makes you smile, she does me!

P.S. Below are original illustrations from Pictorial Review, which are what I want to base my DD on.

From left: 1922, 1923, 1924 versions, none of which have a top knot or ponytail on top of her head.

Friday

A Long Search is Over

I have been looking for a Tonner/Effanbee Patsy for quite some time, years in fact, but they are pretty scarce, like hens teeth! When I have, on rare occasions, had the luck to find one, I haven't had the dolly funds available and when I have had the funds, there either hasn't been any available for me to purchase, or none that I loved enough to warrant spending the money on shipping from the USA. Until today . . . now there are two on their way. :)

Of course this all had to happen not long after I said the famous words "I have no plans for any additions this year". Now we are only just a week into February and I've already purchased four new dolls.

-oOo-

The first little girl is a new 2013 Tonner/Effanbee Patsy Basic #5 with a black saran wig, hand-painted facial details, made from a combination of fine quality vinyl and hard plastic. She has a new Patsy head sculpt, 10″ bended knee child body in the cameo skin tone. Her lovely blue eyes are inset with applied eyelashes.

This Patsy is an open edition, dressed in pink and white polka dot top over bloomers with white lace trim and attached ribbon belt, white socks, hair bow and faux leather shoes.

The second one, is a new 2015 Lacy Summer Day Patsy also by Tonner/Effanbee. She has the Patsy head sculpt on an Ann Estelle body in the cameo skin tone. Her body is articulated at neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips and knees, which means she's almost as good as a BJD at posing. A classic blonde saran wig adorns her head along with two pretty pink bows, she has blue inset eyes with applied eyelashes and is limited to 500 world.wide.

Lacy wears a white stripe cotton dress with cotton lace trim and embroidered heart on the bodice completed with a pink ribbon belt. She has pretty white lace socks, cotton undies and faux leather shoes. Her companion, a tan bunny (not shown) comes with her.

Wednesday

100's of Dollies

They arrived yesterday, but these are dollies of a different kind . . .

My thanks to two wonderful bloggers who have inspired me ~

Firstly there was Rachael from Poppy and the Giant, when she began chatting back in November about the paper dolls she had drawn, printed and posted to the Royal Children's Hospital.

Then just recently, when I saw these little Minouche dolls playing with paper dolls on Minouche Doll. I have no idea who the blogger is, but if you recognize the watermark on her photos, please let me know. Her photos and her little dolls are exquisite and I adore how she has styled them.

However, I knew then and there, I had to order some of these wonderful little dolls for myself . . . and so I did!

The paper dolls are all of Dolly Dingle and her friends. I'll be using them for a project, well for the first of a two part project, along with information about the artist who created them . . . Grace Drayton.

Does anyone else have an interest in paper dolls? If you do, I'd love to hear how you use them. :)