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.

Featured post

Challenge Meme

Seven years ago I issued a challenge to celebrate 20 years of the modern BJD, that I had also done three years previously. As things have be...

Saturday

Challenge Meme

Seven years ago I issued a challenge to celebrate 20 years of the modern BJD, that I had also done three years previously. As things have been so quiet on the dolly blogs I thought it was time to revive it . . . just shoot and edit a magazine cover.

   

As October is when many of us celebrate Halloween, I have incorporated that theme in the covers above. If you would like to have a little fun this month, I would love to see you all join in and design one of your own.

1. You need to think of a name for your magazine.
2. Choose a theme (it can be Halloween or something completely different).
3. Take an appropriate photo using your own BJD or other doll.
4. Use your own editing programme (let us know which one you used).
5. Most of all . . . have fun!

NOTE: Now I know many of my readers don't own BJD's, but they do own dolls, so if they would like to do this using dolls from their own collections, I would be thrilled if they would join in the fun. :) I'm adding links below to each one that participates below.

1. My own 2026 versions. (Yes, I've added more than one).
2. Alejandra at Fantasywoods. You can find her older version here.
3. Inesa's Doll Art. She has expanded on the idea, it's a very interesting post.
4. Nina at Dolls Dolour. Previous covers here and here.

Wednesday

Transformation of Dolly Dingle

It was February 2020 when I found this very cute 1997 Dolly Dingle Garnet doll by Karen Kennedy for Goebel on Etsy. I didn't realise it then, but she would become one of my very favourite dolly makeovers.


My little foundling arrived wearing her original dress, undies, socks, shoes, hair bow, but I wasn't at all interested in keeping them . . . I had other plans for her.


Dolly Dingle was in wonderful condition and had great eyes which really spoke to me. She makes me smile and has the funniest face I've ever seen on a doll . . . it looks like someone has sat on it!


Though if you look below at the original 1922, 1923, 1924 versions of Grace Drayton's Dolly Dingle paper doll illustrations which were published in the Pictorial Review, I think it's probably the closest representation of Grace's idea of rosie cheeks the manufacturers could muster.


It's these illustrations which I based my Dolly Dingle on, none of which have a top knot or ponytail on top of her head.


I had to remove her wig, wash and completely restyle it. I'm so pleased with the way it turned out, now we can all see her eyebrows.



Finally my Dolly Dingle, or as I prefer to call her, Dee Dee, as she is now. Do you think I did Grace's illustrations justice?

 

NOTE: Born Grace Gebbie on 14th October, 1877 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Grace was considered to be one of the first and most successful American female cartoonists, she was also an illustrator of children's books, postcards, fashion pages and magazine covers. You will also find her work (1904-1911) signed Grace Wiederseim or G G Wiederseim.

Saturday

For Alejandra

Or for anyone who believes in the Elvin Folk. This map is from a book that I wrote about my BJD Elves, back when I was really into writing short stories and poetry, called Tales from the Elvin Forest.

 

Double click on the map to see the Elvin Forest in more detail.