Still Here.......

 Haven't been doing much doll stuff lately.  Not sure why.  I did try my hand at making some houseplants.  I think they turned out nice.

Elise likes them but not the blue pots.  I may have to make some more neutral ones for her place.  And I still need to paint that round storage table for her.  Just not sure what color..... black, white or gray with a marble look top?  

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I Made a Sofa or Chaise or Something......

 I made a chair a long time ago, this was harder probably because it is bigger.  

My edges didn't come out as neat as I had hoped so I covered them with a black trim. Looks a little better. I also wanted to make it have storage for her bedding but forgot when I was making it and glued the top down.

Elise seems to like it, especially the little pillows.  Now I have to work on accessories and making her little space a home.

As always, thanks for stopping by.......

A Room for Elise

 A nice size box arrived from that famous online shipping place, a 1:6 scale room size box to be exact.   Elise marched in the minute it was cut open and claimed it as her own.

It's a tiny  cozy space, only 18.5" by 12", but she believes she can make it work.

Elise's favorite color is pink, duh, and prefers to temper it with black, white and shades of grey.  

I have always wanted to make a room with the ability to change out wallpaper so that I can get more use out of the room.  I finally found a blog that illustrated how to do it (unfortunately I don't remember the name of the blog at the moment).  Basically you install wainscotting and trim that is slightly raised so that you can slide sheets of wallpaper in and out of the top portion.

Elise choose this black and white design for her room.  Each wall was measured between the trim making sure to add 1/8" to 1/4" on each side.  I cut posterboard a little bigger and the wallpaper a little bigger than needed then glued together.  Make sure you place the wallpaper in the correct direction if you have a repeating directional design such as this.  I then tested the sheet for each section, trimming as needed until it fits and slides in (make sure to note the finished size and where each piece goes on the back).

Here is the sheet being slid into place.

Viola'!  Elise is very happy with how it turned out and if she wishes to change out her wallpaper or sells her room box to another doll, the wallpaper can be changed easily (just the top, the bottom is permanent).

Flooring will be next. I think I have a nice light planking Elise will like and then it's on to decorating!

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Woodworking Class

 I've put the outfit cataloging on indefinite hold, it was just to time consuming.  So on to other things!

I've actually sold about 20 dolls and a few odds and ends Ken outfits.  I am in a spring cleaning mood so may let go of a few more dolls. Now if I can just keep from buying any new ones!

I've also been in a furniture making mood too. My woodworking skills could use some improvement but I have managed to turn out a few cute items.

These are my main tools, a 6" hacksaw, mini mitre box and medium duty wire clippers.

The wooden crate on the left is completed.  I may paint it but can't decide on a color.  The bench on the right is going to be the lower portion of a shelving unit.  The shelves lying there will complete it, one more shelf is the same size as the first at 4", the second one is 3" and the smallest is 1 1/2".  I will definitely paint it, either black or white.  Hopefully I get all the legs straight and even, which isn't easy.

Here is another crate in progress.  It is a little smaller than the first one.  I use the wire clippers to cut the popsicle sticks (it's easier than sawing them but not quite as neat as accurate).

If you're not keen on cutting and sawing wood look for small wood boxes at Hobby Lobby or Michael's.  This is a perfect size round box with removeable lid.  I added 4 roundish wood beads for feet.  Painted or stained it will make a very cute cocktail table ......with storage!

Except for the past 2 days our weather has been absolutely gorgeous here.  I've been spending many hours outside cleaning up flower beds, trimming shrubs and trees and planting flowers and herbs.  I planted some dwarf sunflower seeds a little less than a week ago and they are already coming up...yea!  Hope your weather is getting warm too!

Thanks for stopping by........

Happy Valentine's Day

 

Two More New Dolls

Christmas and my birthday are a little over a month apart, so I tend to get quite a few dolls in December and January.  I really am trying to cut down on the dolls coming in but I did want an articulated Ken to go with the MTM ladies and well, the other doll was just too cute to pass up.

I really didn't want the wheelchairs but did want the dolls...oh, well.

She is so cute. I love her hair although it was pretty frizzy at the ends and I had to trim it some.

I think she will be Jaelene.

I don't know about this Ken, he looks so young and dorky.  But I really want an articulated guy or guys to hang out with the MTM ladies.  The World Peacekeeper doll looks like their Dad, so I guess it has to be this guy.  I wish they would do an AA articulated male also.  Anyway, this guy is now Troy.....he definitely looks like a Troy.

As always, thanks for stopping by...................

New Guys in the House - Updated 1/29/2021

 I got 2 new guys recently, one for Christmas and one for my birthday.

I wanted a partner for my repro Enchanted Evening doll, Ava Winter.

In my little world Ava is a 1950's glamorous actress and singer and she needs a 50's handsome escort.  So for Christmas I asked for the Rock Hudson doll from the Pillow Talk giftset.

I've named him Brock Hutson.  I think he looks a little more like Cary Grant than Rock Hudson but I think he will be a great partner for Ava.  I am not sure what his profile will be yet, actor, singer or maybe movie mogul.  He definitely needs some clothes though!

I am always on the lookout for articulated male dolls and found this guy.  He is from the World Peacekeeper Action/Adventure series.  I got him for my birthday.

He's not a bad looking guy and has 30 points of articulation.  I thought he might go with my MTM dolls but I think he looks to old for them.  I will try them all together in some pictures to see how they look.  But he is definitely good arm candy for my Barbie Look and Model Muse dolls if he doesn't work with the others.

I have looked at other World Peacekeeper dolls and most are military (I like the quality of these dolls so may get one of the military ones also) but was glad to see this one came with a surfboard and other beachy accessories.  I don't know if he can wear any of my current Ken outfits, maybe a little beefier, will check a few out but I will probably make him some clothes too.

I think these 2 additional dolls bring me up to 160 dolls in the collection!  I think it might be time to take a close look at some and maybe start weeding them out to bring it down to a more manageable level.  Or else I am going to have to start a one in/one out rule.........we'll see.

1/29/2021 Update:  I wanted to see which clothes fit these two guys best or if I will have to custom make them some outfits.

Brock is wearing a Ken outfit from around 2012/2014.  It is tight on him but wearable.  The Peacekeeper doll is beefier than Brock and the current Ken dolls.  He is wearing a Fashion Avenue from late 1990/early 2000 and it is a little tight but good.  His problem is his feet....they are wide, large and flat.  These orange slid-on sandals were the only shoes I could get on him.  Not sure what I am going to do for other shoes for him, maybe he is destined to be a beach bum his entire life.

Thanks for stopping by............................