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.

Saturday

New Knitting Pattern

I have finished writing and posting a few free knitting patterns which are listed here. The last pattern being inspired by these 1920's nautical style day dresses.

The collar is separate from the dress, the band is also knitted separately and stitched on.

The dress closes at the back with seven small buttons. I have used this pattern with some personal adjustments for my other three girls and will show photos of them later when I have more time.

For Linda: Here is a Paola Reina Las Amigas in the dress, as you can see you would need to adjust the length of the sleeves, but otherwise the fit looks okay.

All Dressed

I had a visit the other day from Vicky, one of the team from Janette's Doll Studio. She lives nearby and dropped my order off as she was passing by. She also brought an outfit which I wanted to purchase for Eloi.

As you can see, everything fits my Minouche dolls beautifully.

I also received those long awaited shoes from Russia and paid for them again!

Now my RRFF girls can model their completed outfit No.1 ... Sara has had a hat change and Maya a different wig.

Sara

Maya

Stella

I'm still working on outfit No.2, most is done but I had to wait until I could find some white 4ply wool locally, which I did yesterday. So after I've checked your latest posts, it's back to the knitting needles for me.

Hope you are all well and enjoying some dolly time of your own!

Sunday

What a Waste

Of a week! I had full intentions of taking some fabulous photos of my latest arrivals, but unfortunately when they arrived I was feeling so ill I simply couldn't be bothered. I didn't even unwrap them until yesterday, yes, fancy me allowing three days to pass before doing so! Although I am feeling so much better, I still haven't gotten round to taking photos, but I am going to chat to you about them anyway.

Anais is just as I expected, and with such a beautiful head of hair, it's so voluptuous one could quite easily become lost amongst all those soft rolls of curls. Elois' hair is a little coarse, but in a nicely cut boy style. Both faces are typically Minouche, tender and innocent. They both have blue eyes with the distinctive qualities that only Sylvia Natterer dolls have.

Shoes are nice quality, but the rest of the clothes are somewhat ho-hum, though I did like Anais' undergarment bodysuit. I was thinking I would make new clothes for them both, but Elois' cargo pants not having Velcro, were quite acceptable, so I am keeping them and am going to knit him a nice jumper and hat.

Then while browsing Janette's Doll Studio last night I found this darling little outfit ~

And then again this morning ~ (both modelled by Paola Reina dolls, but they should also fit Minouche dolls quite well).

Now why would I bother to make something right now, when Janette has the perfect solution for both Anais and Suzanne (my older Minouche) with a push or two on my keyboard?? Needless to say, they both ended up in my cart.

So the week I initially thought was a waste, finishes on a more positive note. How was yours?