Dilemma

This past week, over on Plastic Paradise, there's been a discussion thread I found very interesting and informative.  We were discussing collecting Blythe dolls, and in answer to my question about how one actually lets a girl go,  Happily Candied gave a very detailed and considered response.  In her reply she outlined many new collectors' patterns and I find they have mirrored my own - pretty much all that takes one's fancy (budget allowing) and then starting to narrow it down to personal preferences.  Interestingly mine are following Happily Candied's, redheads, now SBL's and on to BL's (not realised as yet).

In curiosity I've adopted a matte Aubrena, a red-head and to see what a matte is like.  (I need to find out whether she's a sand-or-spray matte).  I learned from PP that for many sand is better, it lasts longer and can't come off.   I've also just learned that matte girl takes a lovely photograph.

 In curiosity I've adopted an Odekake Kimono Museme (Linnet), again, a red-head.  I was very proud of myself for this one as she was advertised on eBay as a nude Blythe doll - no name.  I id'ed her and bought her.

Now, were I to start selling off some of girls, she (Linnet) is the one I would sell.  Why?  Because I haven't particularly bonded with her.  She doesn't have that "special something" for me right now.  And I say now because I've come to realise that I could develop a bond with all Blythe dolls given time - they all have their own special something.   (Except FBL's - not for me).

And therein lies my dilemma. On an emotional level I can let Linnet go (now).  But from a collector's point of view she's a CWC limited edition of 3,000 dolls (2007) -  SBL.  The Flickr group is relatively small - is that indicative of her popularity?  I do realise that not having her stock lowers her price but I'm pretty sure I have her box and/or shipper.  As a collector, I should keep her.  But then how do I fund my growing fondness for BL's.  Not to mention the grail girls!!

Antique Blythe Re-ment at the V&A Musuem of Childhood

The following pics are all from the same dolls house, made in about 1880 and 1:6 scale.  Can't you just see your girls living in the lap of luxury here?  (Not the greatest of pics - all behind glass and camera-phone).

Beginning at the top of the house and moving down. 

The nursery - the baby dolls, their toys....... 

and then, to the left of the nursery, the main bedroom.  I love that that writing desk in the corner - actually I think it's worthy of being called an escritoire.

This photograph above is the drawing room.  

Below is my favourite!  All of those little kitchen utensils and pots and pans and moulds made out of copper.  There's even a copper fish kettle.  Then on the right hand side the clay jelly moulds and a little ceramic rolling pin!  My girls would don their aprons in a trice!   

Since becoming a Blythe collector, I find I'm now looking at all toys differently.  I always have liked toys and dolls, but more in a "not for me, I'm supposed to be a grown-up" way.  I realise that I've always loved teddy bears - especially older ones - and doesn't everyone love Winnie-the-Pooh?      

So here is a VIB - a Very Important Bear, made in 1927.  He's got such a lovely face with bright eyes and a kindly smile.  He reminds me very much of  Winnie-the-Pooh (who dates from a little earlier) in his proportions and the shape of his arms.  I can almost see Piglet and hear Christopher Robin calling.  (It's only tea, I promise!).

Busy Days for Juniper

Happy New Year One and All

Juniper and I have begun the 365 Days Blythe challenge on Flickr.  I've been following it for a while and it's part of my New Year's Resolution to create/craft every day.   As it's the tail end of the school holidays, we've been out and about a lot.   I've tried to explain the Juniper that this will end and life will become more more routine and home-based - until the building works begin anyway.

On New Year's Day we went to see "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" - a great film.  I loved the story and it was beautifully shot and really well acted and directed by Ben Stiller (no, he hasn't paid me for this unequivocal endorsement!).

The next day I took my youngest to the V&A Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green.  After an excellent, fortifying lunch in their cafe, we wandered around.  My youngest came running up to me and said, "Mummy, come here, I've got a surprise for you!!".  He led me excitedly to a display cabinet housing....

...a brunette, chunky-bangs Kenner.  He's not indoctrinated then, LOL!  I hugged him, thanked him, and then....DROOL.  What a beauty.  All sorts of scenarios flashed through my mind, including offering the information officer at the Museum vast sums of money (which I didn't have) to let me take her home that minute, offering to swap Juniper for her - the thought darted across my mind and was gone - reader, I couldn't... could I? Note to self, don't let Juniper read this post. Back to the real world.

The dolls were fascinating.  I can't believe I haven't been to anything like this before - all those doll-free years.

This is a little 1920's Italian doll

whose owner had a matching dress made - apparently the done thing for little girls then.

More dolls - obviously the stitching is exquisite.

Then these caught my eye.....

I love the fabric on this puppet's dress.

Look out for the amazing 18th and 19th Century doll houses in my next post.   

Festive Girls

Iolanthe, my party girl, with her Christmas staples!

Annaluce, my forest girl 

My beautiful twins, Marisa & Solange, in their pretty dresses from Minijijo

Rosabela & Juniper modelling their PP swap outfits

Madison enjoying both her new PP swap pjs with sequins and her bedtime reading

Gorgeous Saffy being Scandi (sort of) as she contemplates my friend's delicious home-made choc truffles....

Wishing everyone a very happy Festive Season,

and may 2014 be all you want it to be.

Introducing....

...the exquisite Princess Reneé (self-styled).    Reneé, sorry, Princess Reneé, has been with us for a few months now, but refused to reveal her real name (or nature) until recently.  She also refused to be photographed until she'd found a dress she really liked and would like me to point out her generous nature in allowing herself to be photographed without shoes.  Actually she doesn't really care - somehow all of the girls are of the same mind - rather no shoes than the wrong shoes!

Here she is in all her exquisiteness.  

The Exquisite (modom has requested a capital "E") Princess Reneé and Rosabela are lying in knitty comfort on my tray of ongoing projects (sounds better than knits waiting to be sewn up/have fastenings sewn on to them) ....

....before having a good old riffle through and choosing an item each for me to complete next. please!  (The little green sweater was knitted by a lovely friend who finds Blythe dolls creepy, but still produces some adorable knits for my grateful girls).  Thank You! X

Halloween

I hope you've all had a great Halloween.

Technically it's still Halloween in my house because I haven't gone to bed yet!  (On chauffeur duty for teenage son).   

On to the girls.  I sewed this evening - right up to the wire (lots of real life stuff today - flat tires, and other not very interesting but sometimes necessary stuff).  Here they are in their new frocks (I sound like my Mum - ok dresses then!)

They decided to do a zombie advance over Iolanthe - I don't know if they were as fed up as me about her muttering about not having a new Halloween dress - never mind that she did very well at Blythecon with her gorgeous knitted silver dress made by Violine.

Annaluce and Rosabela agreeing that they don't really like the mussed up look favoured by zombies, and did I have the hairbrush?  (No, I didn't, so a little more muttering there). 

Iolanthe insisted on another picture of her to make up for her lack of a new dress.  Oh, had she already mentioned it?  She didn't realise.  But would I mind explaining again just why she didn't get a new dress......?

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

.

What to do on a Blustery, Rainy Monday?

Well, Meredith sought out the Plushies for a cuddle...

...whilst Peony ticketed all the cars that were parked illegally (allegedly) in front of the Dojo

And Portia and Saffy ...

 ...polished off the gingerbread men.

 Now Peony's resting her feet - apparently it's hard work being a traffic warden and ticketing 4 cars.

That was Monday at our house.