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

Sewing for Gotz Happy Kidz

The weather hasn't been very nice lately so I've been knitting these little bolero style tops for my girls. You can find the knitting pattern (which is also suitable for Zwergnase Junior, Carpatina and Kidz'n'Cats) at Swish & Swirl. The skill level is easy and it only requires 50g ball of fingering yarn and a pair of 2mm knitting needles, a yarn needle for finishing, stitch markers (I just use a slip of contrasting yarn) and a button.

Not finding any suitable clothes to complete their outfits, it was time to look at my fabric stash and decide what to work on next. I'm using a Dianes Doll Designs romper pattern for my Greta with the ringlets which I will modify to fit as necessary. For Lea and Greta (above) I'll be using my own patterns.

These are some of the fabrics I have selected . . . the one on the right will be for Greta (above) the two on the left will be for Greta with the ringlets and the center fabric for Lea. They will all wear coordinating leather sandals.

Oh the weather outside is frighful, but this fabric is so delightful,

and since I've no place to go, let me sew, let me sew, let me sew.

Okay that's all for today folks, I'll be back when I'm done sewing.
Big hugs,
X

Saturday

Portraits of Lina

Lina Spoon has been keeping me company ever since she arrived, and I cannot stop looking at her.

I believe when collectors are asked "which is your favourite doll?", it's nearly always the last doll they have brought home. It's certainly true with me, I just adore my little Lina Spoon!

Big hugs,

Tuesday

Hard Vinyl or Resin

On every website that sells Zwergnase dolls, even Zwergnase itself, they say the Spoon Dolls are made of vinyl, but my 42cm doll feels very much like the same resin all my Asian ball jointed dolls are made from. She quite hard and very heavy for her size, weighing about the same as my Liz Frost (Wizworx) dolls which are roughly the same height.

When I compare my Spoon Doll to my Zwergnese Art Doll Nilli, which is made from phthalate-free vinyl, they look and feel completely different.

After researching further I found this on the internet:

"Hard vinyl and resin differ primarily in their material composition, flexibility, and physical behavior.

Hard vinyl (PVC) is a tough yet slightly pliant thermoplastic that bends under stress and resists shattering, whereas resin is a rigid, thermoset polymer that offers ultra-fine detail and a heavy, porcelain-like feel but can chip or break upon impact.

Material Properties and Feel:

Hard Vinyl: Feels slightly warmer or more forgiving; can absorb minor shocks without breaking.

Resin: Feels heavy, dense, and rigid; sounds "clanky" or glass-like when tapped.

Durability and Damage:

Hard Vinyl: Prone to surface staining or denting under heavy pressure, but very difficult to shatter.

Resin: Highly resistant to denting and chemical wear, but prone to chipping, cracking, or shattering if dropped."

This information leads me to believing these dolls are more likely to be resin!

Now aside from all this info . . . I found another Spoon Doll . . . her name is Lolly Spoon and I just ordered her!

Hopefully she will be arriving soon.