Use the Search box below to find keywords that you're looking for quickly and easily!

Tuesday

2015 To Do List

I really need to organise myself better this coming year to make sure I finish all that I have started! I must be more focussed and learn not to be distracted, which is going to be a rather large challenge in itself . . . it can prove to be very difficult to teach an old dog (like me) new tricks.

After giving it some thought, I decided to list the top ten projects requiring attention, hoping it may help me keep my eye on the ball.

1. Finish the Tree Stump House 
2. Complete the pattern designs for MoriKei 
3. Cut and sew all my proto types 
4. Paint and reupholster my bedroom chair 
5. Paint and make a new shade for my standard lamp 
6. Photograph all my unwanted/unloved items for sale on eBay or Gumtree
7. Write the second chapter of The Christmas Tale 
8. Face up for Legolas 
9. Blush Singe 
10. Complete all my dolls outfits

Mind you I may not tackle them all in the sequence listed, it will depend entirely on which direction my creative mood takes me when I get up each morning. Wish me luck!

Oh BTW I hadn't planned on buying any new dolls just yet, but couldn't help myself Christmas Day and ordered Darin from Luts!


Those little teef get me every time!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Wednesday

Christmas Eve Downunder


'Twas the Night before Christmas
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"

Clement Moore, the author of the poem 'Twas the night before Christmas, was a reticent man and it is believed that a family friend, Miss H. Butler, sent a copy of the poem to the New York Sentinel who published the poem. The condition of publication was that the author of 'Twas the night before Christmas was to remain anonymous. The first publication date was 23rd December 1823 and it was an immediate success. It was not until 1844 that Clement Clarke Moore claimed ownership when the work was included in a book of his poetry.

Monday

Quick Update

Made a few adaptions to the originals and listed them in my Etsy boutique.


MIDNIGHT ROSE


LIME SPLICE


SATIN 'N' LACE

I think they look much prettier now and not quite so plain.

Thursday

Last Photography Session for 2014

I managed to do one last session before Christmas of the two new skirts made in these pretty Tilda fabric coordinates. This time I added a bow as suggested and made a simple crop top for my model to wear during the session. I also made the skirt a teeny bit longer this time round.


The back of the skirt closes with three tiny press studs and the crop top is a feet first pull on.


My Rogebell / SD 13 Pure Skin still hasn't had a face up, hence the no head, no feet photo look! :)


After seeing these, do you think I should add a bow to the other skirts?

Saturday

Twelve Days To Go!

With Christmas almost upon us, I doubt if I will be posting much more on here over the coming days so the family (such as it is, some without faces, others without clothes) and I would like to wish you all a very . . .

CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO SEE FULL SIZE

I hope you all find what you wish for under your Christmas tree!
 
P.S. With any luck, we will have another new member of our real life family arriving this week. He's white and creamy beige, has four legs, a curly tail, is cute as a button and doesn't shed hair. :)

TUESDAY EDIT: He arrived yesterday and he's just one cuddly teddy bear with a Panda bear face. . . meet Coco.  :)

 
Coco is 2 years and 7 months old and was handed in by his previous owners . . . we were lucky enough to rescue him.

Tuesday

A Pledge To Myself

After counting up the dolls in my collection and finding I had managed to amass forty two dolls ranging in size from11.2cm (4.4") to 58.5cm (23") since 14th February 2013, I decided it was time I spent less time adding to my collection and more time playing with my collection.
 
So in 2015, I will continue with my sewing and knitting (as well as eventually finishing the tree stump), while continuing the story (and adventures) of the three little rascals in my latest story "A Christmas Tale". Please click on the link to read.

Chapter 1 . . . The Introduction.

-oOo-

In the meantime, I have also finished a new skirt design for SD size. The Basque is fully lined with white batiste, the skirt has a hand finished hem and it closes at the back with metal three press studs (snaps). I'd love to know what you think of them . . . are they too short? . . . too plain? . . . would you prefer to see them in pastel colours? . . . any other suggestions?

 
Model is a Volks SD13 body.

 

Friday

Her Face

Is one to launch a thousand ships! Well it is as far as I am concerned. :) My sweet little girl's face up arrived today and I am so pleased with her, I couldn't wait to show you. Unfortunately, my lousy photography just doesn't do her justice. I think she will make the perfect Christmas Truffle, but of course I will need some quiet time with her to:
1. put her eyes in correctly (I was so excited for her to see for herself how beautiful she is)
2. Style her hair properly and perhaps make her a coronet
3. Find the perfect dainty pair of shoes that will match her outfit


When all is done, I will take my time and take some better photos . . . ones that are in focus. :)

I love her so much, she is here beside me and I just can't stop looking at her.
I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH M!

Thursday

Welcome to New Friends

Just a quick post today, to welcome the new followers to my blog. I hope you all enjoy reading my ramblings and pop by often, it's always lovely to hear from people with similar interests in BJD's and other collectible dolls. Makes one feel like they are not alone in this crazy, sometimes upside down world of ours.
I have been knitting Alejandra's jumper these last few days and finally finished it today. It's on it's way to her now. :)


Still waiting for my faceplate to arrive, that's the worst of doing things around Christmas time, it seems to take forever for the mail to get through. I also have a few things coming from China (see the backdrops above) and Thailand that were posted nearly three weeks ago, that still haven't arrived and I am getting really antsy. I know they have been posted, but I wanted to use the backdrops to photograph my Mori Kei outfits.

Speaking of Mori Kei outfits. I was hoping to post some in my new store, but then I thought maybe it would be best if I sew several outfits first, then spend a whole day just doing a long photo session . . . that way I probably wouldn't waste as much time. Then I could list them all together, giving people a choice of outfits. What are your thoughts?

Oh and just in case you were unaware, I have a special deal running through December.

Monday

Who's a Winner Now?

Well here's the latest on the knitwear give away . . . hubby pulled Alejandra out of the hat last night, so Miss Fantasywoods, you had better let me know your address quick smart if you want me to knit a violet/lilac jumper for your YoSD girl and get it in the post to you before Christmas! :)

CONGRATULATIONS!