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.

Thursday

The Little Kidz

My models today are Elli and Grete both Gotz Little Kidz and the latest additions to the fold, although they have been with me for almost a month now. As we have been enduring lockdown #5 (which ended midnight Tuesday), I have been passing the time knitting for them both and this is their second set of clothes.

Once again, I have used patterns from Jacqueline Gibb (orange skirt) and Peggy Stuart (aqua turtle neck) combined with my own. If you are a member of Ravelry you will probably recognise their names and their patterns, if not and you knit, go join! If you don't knit and you'd like to, go join!

These photos were an experiment in composition. I still haven't decided whether I like them or not. What about you, do you like to offset your subject when taking photos?

The last two portraits show how beautiful the Gotz doll faces are. I know play dolls are not for everyone, but I am quite enamoured with these little dolls. But as always, I need a third and preferably a redhead with green eyes (Gotz, I hope you are reading this!)

I have a feeling these dolls will be with me for a very, very long time. If you had to select just one doll from your collection to keep forever, which doll would choose, and why?

Wednesday

A Touch of Fantasy

I've had Mae, my Key To My Heart "A Fairytale Wedding" by Linda Rick (The Doll Maker) since April. Initially I thought she was going to be a companion for my other Linda Rick doll which is fourteen inches tall, but was surprised by her shorter height when she arrived. Once I saw she was only twelve inches, I wasn't sure what to do with her, but I did remove her wedding dress. However, when I saw her naked I realised she had far too much hair, so the wig came off too.

During the days that followed (back in lockdown) I tried several wigs on Mae, finally settling on the J-Pop one she is wearing now. It's a very pretty combination of pale blue and lavender soft Japanese Kanekalon® fibre. Then, as she needed clothes to wear, I began knitting again. Using the same Jacknitss and PWT patterns as I had previously, making a few more mods and 4ply yarn with smaller needles (2.25mm), I managed to produce this dress and matching coat.

When she was dressed, Mae took a walk in the Elvin Forest and came across my little Pegasus (Luts Tiny Delf Centaur Jack Bubble Mint/White Ltd. Ed. default face-up).

Mae: Hello little one what are you doing here?

Pegasus: I'm looking for my friend Princess Hera.

Mae: I'm sorry I haven't seen a Princess today, but I am happy to be your friend.

Pegasus: Oh, I'd like that too. Let's shake on it.

Mae: It's a little warm here in the forest, so I'll take my coat off.

Pegasus: Okay, then we can get to know each other.

I also found some little white boots in my stash that fitted her perfectly. It seems boots are all the range, even in the Elvin Forest. 😊

Monday

A Website Worthy of Mention

I know some of my readers sew, knit and crochet quite well, while others would like to, but lack confidence. This led me to search the internet for some websites with clear, easy to follow free patterns which I could share links to.

Most are for 14" and 18" dolls, which by using your printer to reduce or enlarge the patterns, could be used for other sizes as well.

I found many websites which SELL patterns, but very few that provide FREE patterns. There were even less to actually provide tutorials in a way that anyone could follow them, even the most inexperienced.

The following website has some wonderful patterns that are fully explained with photographs, as well as with videos, which makes them perfect patterns for beginners.

Happy Bankky Crafty Mom

This website also has other crafty ideas which would be fun to make. I hope, should you take advantage of these patterns and either sew, knit or crochet something, you will share photos of what you make and give credit to Bankky!