Kozy Kape!!!!!

The seemingly impossible has happened but to be honest I always new it was possible. It just required a bit of searching and careful networking.
The sale of Kozy Kape produced by Ashton Drake has become virtually non-existent online. And I swear only a couple of months ago you could find one on Ebay for like 70 bucks! I painfully watched the last one slip away in the last auction in my ebay account because I couldn't afford it at the time. Since then I have been browsing Ebay every week or so. Absolutely no ADG Kozy Kapes at all! In general searches in smaller online stores she's listed but unavailable.

Finally, a few days ago, I find her listed in a small online shop but I'm still suspicious about the availability so I add one to a sale cart and it seems they actually are in stock. But to be really sure I emailed the store, a place in Rhode Island, not really expecting to hear back from them at all. A few days later I get a short reply. They have two. I'm so excited just to know they're out there but I still can't afford it at the moment. The price is considerably higher than 70 but not over a hundred and after some more searching I realize it's probably the best deal I'm gonna get. But I don't reply to the email because I don't want to make any false promises.

Today I get another email from the store's owner asking if I ever got the message sent and whether I would like them to send a doll out to me. Excellent! I now feel better about replying that I definitely want one but won't be able to purchase until next week. I ask if there's any chance that they would hold one for me. The seller replies that they will! YESSSS!!!!

I just know that somewhere in the Midwest or even just some middle of nowhere antique store in upstate New York, there is someone selling Blythe Dolls in mint condition for like 20 bucks a pop! I just know it! That's my fantasy anyway. The internet covers a lot of businesses but not all. One day I'm gonna find that store. It's gonna be sweet!

And I thought it was over...

Ladybird House on Etsy


It will never be over...

Introducing Emily Sapphire!

So as you can see, even though Emily is a little blue after the second dye job, she’s still full of spirit and cute as a button. I didn’t so much mind that the back of her head and even her forehead got a bit stained but when I noticed the blue marks on her arms and legs I really got upset at myself and felt like a terrible mom for not being more careful.

However, these transformations I’ve put Emily through has made me realize that my true reason for getting Blythe dolls in the first place is mainly informed by photography and since she is still photogenic as heck if not more so, I haven’t totally screwed up. She’s still fabulous as ever and I love even more now that she’s a true original. I guess to me, she's more like a real person, with scars and imperfections to show for it.

Also, to be honest, she had to be my experimental girl since I felt I couldn’t afford to do anything this risky with my Takara. Emily is the doll I've learned from my mistakes with and that makes her really important to me. If I dye her hair once more I swear I’m covered her with masking tape and then saran wrap because just saran wrap did not work at all. I’m leaning towards blue at Jewels Blueberry’s suggestion. But Emily will now henceforth be renamed-Emily Sapphire.

Emily Dye Job Before & After

Emily's next dye job will be tonight. I was thinking about trying a funky blue but I don't know if I want her to go totally punk. I still have half a pack of black Tintex left so I think I'm just gonna stick to the plan. I'm really excited and happy with the results so far even though she got a bit stained in places.
Wish me luck!

Lady Gray

Dying Blythe's hair
black RIT dye
wooden fork
salt
bowling water
saran wrap
plastic gloves

I was going for black but I may have to dunk her a second time to get closer to that. This was fun. I really feel Emily has tons more personality now. I think that alterations and styles are the sign of a loved doll. Not some mint condition never been touched, thing collecting dust in a box on a shelf behind glass. That's not for me.

Pretty Pink Dress

Pretty Pink Dress
Originally uploaded by TRIO Blythe

When she gets back to me on those coats we need to start talking about this dress.

Back forest trench

Back forest trench
Originally uploaded by TRIO Blythe

Did I say I was done buying doll clothes? This is just too good!
*Fainting.*

Called out sick today

Had some fun with the dollies. More here!

My Dream Blythe

"Milky Way Sugar"

Not that I don't love Emily and Molly. In fact it's because I love them so much that this whole insanity started in the first place. I guess my definition of this dream doll has more to do with the that fact that I will never be able to afford her. And even if I could I don't know if I would feel right spending hundreds of dollars on a doll! But just look at her! I really just want a dark haired Blythe. But I could never justify spending that money. And if I did I would never take her out of the box.

I would like to say that this would complete my collection but there is still the matter if a black Blythe customization which I would rather do on a cheaper Ashton Drake Blythe. So that would make four and I think that would have to be it. And at that point I'm afraid I would have to consider myself officially nuts.

The Take Over

So I think my obsession may be starting to ebb a bit. I have received doll clothes in the mail like three days this week. My bed is covered with Blythe stuff which I was unpacking from the box last week and never put back. I just keep adding stuff as it comes in. I got two pairs of cowboy boots from BlytheDesires, a dress from PlasticFashion on Artfire another dress from Little Miss Boutique and today I received two absolutely sweet knit garments from Feltland which I had to pick up this morning at the Post Office because it came registered mail from Spain. The yarn work on these teeny things is amazing.

I'm done. I still have like five other things on the way that are already paid for but I think I'm gonna take it easy on Blythe purchases for a while. I really need to start organizing what I have.

197 (for lisa)

197 (for lisa)
Originally uploaded by valentine westphal

*LOVE!*

MDB models:

MDB models:
Originally uploaded by valentine westphal

Modeling my new House of Pinku original.

1668 (for zanalee)

1668 (for zanalee)
Originally uploaded by valentine westphal

Here is the most expensive dress I have purchased for Blythe so far. This is because I basically designed it. I found Valentine Westphal of House of Pinku on flickr. You cannot look at all her dresses in one sitting. She's that prolific. She is working at it like every week. Her dresses are categorized by charming and simple silhouettes and she has a gift for combining an eclectic array of patterns which really appeals to my abhorrence to too much matchey matchiness.

She does tons of custom stuff and most of the dresses on her flickr photostream have already been sold.

When I commissioned her to make a dress for me, she asked what my favorite colors, patterns and silhouettes were and then she sent me links to postings of several fabric choices. I chose these two before I had too much time to think about it because most all the fabric selections she sent me were beautiful. I was instantly drawn to that lime green hexagonal pattern on the bodice and although I told her I didn't care which pattern made up the most of the dress, I'm really glad she chose to use the flower and cattail fabric for the skirt.

Lastly, she asked me what buttons I wanted for the dress and I knew for sure I wanted those hearts. I had seen them on other dresses she made and just passed out with adoration. That orange polka dot lining was her choice and I love it. I mean I love that it has lining period! I just paid for it on Paypal, which is fast becoming my new favorite secure monetary transaction source. That shit is better than Western Union!

Anyway, I hope Emily and Molly appreciate this. After this purchase, Mommy will be cutting her dolly clothes spending off for awhile. I need to save money for upcoming human activities. Besides, I think I now have enough to start working on my fourth Blurb book.
More on that later.

Nutella Thief

Nutella Thief
Originally uploaded by zanalee

Molly's been at the Nutella again.
: )

New Clothes for the Bobsy Twins!

I held my breath a little before I unlocked my mailbox this evening. It was worth it. I let out an audible squeal of joy in my room. Francis could hear me from the livingroom.
"You're so cute." He said.
He could see that I was beaming as soon as I walked in the door.
"I got doll clothes!!!"
I haven't put them on Molly and Em yet. I want to be able to enjoy it and take advantage of optimum natural light for pictures, and I still have some stuff to take care of in the world of non-plastic eye color changing carbon based people. But I did take a few shots of them checking out their new stash. Everything is so beautiful. It just really makes such a difference when you're in contact with someone who is making stuff for you with their hands, with care and love of what they're doing. They really value feedback and are thrilled to get buyers who really love what they make. Plus, 85 percent of the time Etsy sellers send cute little freebies! Freebies above include, that little faux leather fur bag which I nearly passed out when I saw. It's from Hilary Wagstaff who made that black pintuck blouse which I commissioned her to make me. She says in a little note (I love little notes) that she sent it to make up for the blouse arriving a bit late. I could die. I've been wanting a bag like that for Blythe so badly. The other freebie is the pair of red knit flower barrettes that came with the knit brown cap and beautiful green dress I commissioned Amanda Ruth of Creative Blythe to make me as well. Also you may notice Molly is wearing a pair of new blue tights. I got those in the mail from Caraline Mellor a day ago. They are brilliant!

Umm...and it's still not over. Erhem! I have five more things still waiting to arrive. My Blythe Box runneth over. : )

Blythe Photography in Public (part 2)

I went out early this Sunday morning to take pics of Molly in Marcus Garvey Park. I still feel weird about it. I go to really remote places so that no one will see and so early, barely anyone is ever up. I'm more comfortable when I get into it because then it's just like photographing anything which I do all the time but I'm always super conscious of sounds of footsteps or low voices. The other thing is that that early in the morning, the sun is often way too hard and washes out a lot of detail in your subject. Great natural light is the kind we're all familiar with. It allows you to not only see marvelous detail but it also creates a mood and an emotion. I think I'll need to do like an afternoon in Central Park with Emily and Molly. There are just so many places to shoot there and perhaps, since it's not in my own neighborhood, I may not feel as self conscious about it.

As I mentioned recently, I got some really great responses from people to my "Blythe Photography in Public" discussion post in the flickr group "BLYTHE BLYTHE BLYTHE." I discovered there were more this morning. Below is another one I really appreciate.

momoko_girl_1 Pro User says:

Zanalee, I have been taking my dolls out for pics for years now. My suggestion is that you just do it! At first, you will feel self conscious, but it gets easier and easier each time you take them out. You will be surprised by people's reactions. Some will snicker, some will embarrassed for you, some will be curious and ask if you work for a magazine or why are you doing this. Some will offer to hold the doll for you to take a picture of you and the doll and some will ask what kind of doll is she. Some people will think she's pretty, some people will think that it's cool! Most of all what you will find is that most people are actually very nice and curious about what you are doing.

But, the reason why I tell you to "just do it"? You will open up your world of photo taking, you will become enthused about taking her to different locations, you will put a smile on your own face!

As for being nuts, I don't think anyone can explain what it is that makes Blythe such a fascination for us. But then, why do we feel the need to find an explanation? The fact is, we love a doll with a big head and changing eyes. She is our muse, she is a source of happiness and fills a need for each of us. I say, "embrace that" and don't ever be shy about it! After all, many adults continue to play basketball or baseball (activities associated with children), many still read comic books, many collect miniature cars, many still roller blade, and some even dress up as cowboys and go to the range the 3rd Saturday of every month to join others in cowboy action shooting (my husband and sometimes me). So, you see there are many people other than us enjoying things that are associated with childhood. I would be willing to bet that people who have hobbies, indulge in them, and enjoy them are happier people than those who have no hobbies at all.

I hope to see some of your "public place" pics of Blythe soon! :0)
Maggie