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.

Friday

What a Face

I have been seeing these little faces appearing around the internet for a while, but never really thought about ordering one before now. They are made in China and are available on AliExpress for just a few dollars with free shipping. However, shipping from China takes a long time under normal circumstances and with Covid 19 adding to delays, I wasn't prepared to wait indefinitely for an order to arrive.

So when I found one on Etsy, and from a store in Australia, I ordered a little nude doll to see exactly what they were like IRL. They are 16cm tall, (so about the same height as a PukiFee) and they have a large vinyl head with a twelve jointed plastic body. If you check my Pinterest you can see how similar dolls can be customised.

Now after doing some more research, I found a few listings on Ebay which were quite similar, but these dolls were shipping from Japan and called Holala Doll by Fairy Town. They share the same size clothes and shoes with Licca, Blythe and Azone XS dolls. However, these dolls sell for a great deal more than a few dollars. There are two dolls around 20-21 cm (closer to RealFee size), the other is called Pipita, neither doll appears to be as well jointed though.

Then I found this chart . . .

Even though there seems to be a whole lot of mixed info regarding these dolls, I think the size I purchased is called a Mimiko doll, and although she was more expensive than the ones on AliExpress, she was still cheap compared to those on eBay, so I have a feeling she may well be a fake. :(

Still this wee one that's on her way to me should be fun to dress and customise. So when she arrives, and after I have finished with my Blythe doll, I'm going to have a little play in the hope she turns out okay. If she doesn't, then I won't have wasted too many dolly dollars.

Wednesday

Simple Blessings

I received a message from "UNKNOWN" today asking me about the author of this little poem, but unfortunately the author is also unknown, as is the one I share with you today.

Lord, grant me I pray ~

Courage when the best things fail me,

Calm and poise when storms assail me,

Commonsense when things perplex me,

Sense of humour when they vex me,

Hope when disappointments damp me,

Wider vision when life cramps me,

Kindness when folk need it badly,

Readiness to help them gladly,

And when effort seems in vain

Wisdom to begin again.

This poem made me think about my snail vine ~

Snail vines (Vigna caracalla) can reach up to 20 feet long in a single summer, making them an attractive and quick-growing option for fences, trellises and living privacy screens. These perennial vines produce ample foliage and have cream or purple blossoms that curl up like a snail shell. The vines flower from spring through summer.

Mine has been in my garden for many years. At the beginning of this year (mid summer in Australia) it was looking very old and parts of it's stem/trunk were rotting away. It didn't look at all healthy and my hubby thought it was time for us to pull it out and replace it with something else.

I loathed the thought, but to keep him happy, I pulled all the vine from the trellis and cut it right back to the ground. Now look how it has sprung back to life!

Nature is full of wonder and just as this vine has recovered to full bloom . . . so will we!
Keep the faith, stay strong and healthy.

More New Arrivals

My Friend or Foe duo which I ordered back in December, arrived from Integrity Toys on Monday. The parcel actually was shipped long before they were scheduled for despatch (April) and I was initially concerned they may not have been as beautiful as their prototypes, but I was certainly not disappointed with the dolls.

All my Integrity Toys dolls come packed in their box, within a box, within a shipper, so everything arrives in perfect condition.

Their costumes are absolutely gorgeous and the detail amazing!

And I love their facial screening, though I think Ginger's lips are slightly more pink than the ones on the prototype, but that could simply be my computer. Kudos to David Buttry for creating the most wonderful doll for the Poppy Parker and Friends series . . . I adore her!

Of course Poppy is, as she always is, simply delightful.

Each doll comes with a wrap, short gloved hands with long glove extensions, jewellery, matching shoes and clutch bag.

These are the last dolls I'll be ordering from IT as I have not renewed my W Club membership, and the girls will be staying in their box for the foreseeable future, as I really want to concentrate on completing Cyanide.

I am still waiting on a few items for her to arrive in the post, including the Saran for her hair. Although all items were posted the day or day after they were ordered (all from within Australia), our Australia Post is moving really slowly at present. Yesterday I received an email to say some doll stands I ordered Friday would be delivered today, then tracking went down and now they are showing as delivery expected Thursday!

I have managed to change her eye chips and they aren't looking too bad (I'll post more on that later), but it's going to be a while before I can finish her. Until next time, make the most of your confinement, stay safe, healthy and happy!