My First Blythe Doll Helmets

I'm supposed to be studying for my environmental Science midterm but instead I'm thinking about making more Blythe Doll helmets.

I have a strangely combined nature of easily distracted, bored, discouraged and yet determinedness that I don't all together understand as yet. That's just to say that I spent most of this week crocheting furiously, watching youtube tutorials, doing research in the craft sections at a couple of Barnes & Nobles bookstores, just trying to get a working knowledge of things I thought I understood about crochet's basic stitches. While trying to understand crochet is  infuriating to me, it's seemingly endlessly potential to create alternative patterns is fascinating to me and keeps me coming back even when I think I've given up for good. I  do tend to get ahead of myself when I'm trying to learn something new so I'm not completely blameless in my frustrations. It's hard for me to start at the bottom when I think I understand something sophisticated about a process.

I don't know how many hats in how many different yarns I started this week before throwing my hands up in exasperation and dropping them because they didn't turn out the way I thought they should. I'm also really bad at following patterns. Yes I will start on one at first and then decide to go my own way, thinking I know better and end up, well...unhappy.

So this Friday I did a simple google search for crochet hat patterns specifically for Blythe Dolls since there are no youtube tutorials that I know of. And I found two really good ones. One of which I will share here is from a blog called "This is a Story About Five Girls". It is the pattern I used to create the Blythe Doll helmets in above which I will put up for sale in Blythe Warmers some time this week.
The pattern is so simple and easy to remember. I was so jazzed that it turned out absolutely perfect! I didn't do the bear ears as this pattern called for although I might try that one day. I simply wanted to get the pattern for the hat itself that it is possible I can start to improvise from there with some measure of confidence.

Pretty Blythe Weekend

NYC Blythe Meet

The NYC Blythe meet was at the same location as the last, Cowgirl NYC. I won't be giving them any shout outs in this entry though because they were kind of irritating about reservation size limits and just generally giving the coordinator, Melissa a bit of a hard time. Whatever. It was a small group but a pleasant afternoon and it was good to see some old and new faces.

Ramona Rae and Castaneda at Lenox Coffee in Harlem

Later on that day I was delighted to be a working photographer for my dear friend Cece at her fabulously attended even "Love Songs and Curvy Conversations" at Lenox Coffee. She sang and talked with a packed house about a range of issues affecting curvy and plus sized ladies from clothes and men to online dating and self esteem. It was an amazing night and I was so proud to be apart of it. On Sunday we met at Lenox Coffee again to go over some the press photos I took and she brought Ramona Rae, one of the first Brown Blybe I ever made for her birthday a few years ago. She is now visiting with me and I'll be giving her new pull rings, strings and maybe a few hats and things. Looking at her, I just remember everything that went into making her and how much Cece loved getting her and I'm still really moved by all that. I would love to make another Brown Blybe, but I already have several unfinished custom projects on hold so need to complete those first. But I have some ideas brewing and I'm really excited about them. So stay tuned.

Beanies at Blythe Warmers!

I had the urge for knitting and crocheting last weekend and whipped up a couple of fun colorful beanies for the shop. I've stayed away from bright colors in my crocheting for some time now but I decided to go the other way lately, especially since I love color. I think I've been afraid that too much color might look tacky or too silly or something but I love it! These two beanies are available at Blythe Warmers now.

I will definitely be experimenting with more color in the future. It's very exciting to me to see the finished product in these pieces. It just makes me want to make more and more.
: )

Rainbow Beanie

Sunset Beanie

Sunset Beanie No2

Sunset beanie, a photo by Zanalee on Flickr.

Been doing a little knitting this weekend. This is one of two that I have completed to satisfaction. I need to work on a few more to get a consistent pattern down and then I'll probably put a few into the Blythe Warmers shop.

Castaneda Yesteryear

Castaneda Yesteryear, a photo by Zanalee on Flickr.

Our Moshi Moshi "Annie Hall" shirt just arrived today! I wasn't sure who would get to wear it first and then I spotted Castaneda in the same halter dress she's been wearing for nearly a month and grabbed her.

This girl can work anything! I just adore her! I'm starting to doubt I will ever think of selling her again. She just brings me so much joy and smiles. I love what she does for this shirt. EEEP!!!I need one more! LOL!

Dolly Mail News!

Moshi Moshi Annie Hall Shirt

So I was sitting at my desk at work yesterday at 5:00, normally the time I'm running for the door, but instead I'm counting down the seconds to the Moshi Moshi Studio Etsy update. 5:00pm on the dot, 10:00pm UK time, all the goodies are up but there's only one thing I want and it's my second Annie Hall Blythe shirt.

I've learned to think quickly during these updates because I've had several items ripped right of my cart on the way to check out and it is never cool. With the Annie Hall shirt Hilary makes, of which I have become a huge fan, I've learned to look first at the shirt material and then at the tie material. If I like one or the other enough, I grab it. For my last purchase I went for the tie material. This time I went for the shirt. I really love the pattern and the olive green color. Miraculously, it is mine. I would love to say that this is the last one for some time but I just can't. It's almost like winning an auction on ebay! It's just too much of a rush! And I adore these shirts so much! I wish she made them in my size!

Hendrix in her Pom Pom Dress

As if that was not enough, I get a text from my sweety right after I leave work that I have dolly mail at home!!! What could be better? I finally got a Shershe original Pom Pom knit dress! I've been loving them forever and finally got around to contacting her for a commission a few weeks ago. It is the softest, most delicate, floofiest most darling thing ever! I just love looking at it! It is so sweet, I knew it had to go on Hendrix first. But I'm sure she's willing to share. Sherri's Pom Pom dresses are just so sweet and simple, with colors that are just so cheery and textures so dandelion like, they appear to be able to float. I may need one more. I'm hopeless. In the mean time, as per usual, I haven't shopped for myself in ages. LOL!

Been out sick

Untitled, a photo by Zanalee on Flickr.

Sorry for the long dull silence but I have had bronchitis for over two weeks and have only started to recover recently.

During that time I was so lethargic and even a bit depressed that I almost felt I was no longer even interested in taking dolly pics or making reports. Bronchitis, while it runs it's course through your system, only gives you enough energy to hold your body up so you can cough your brains out before collapsing again. But I think I'm steadily beginning to make a come back.

There is an NYC Blythe meet coming up soon which I do plan to attend, at least for a couple of hours or so. Sometimes you just get sick of your own dollies and really need to see others in order to be inspired again. It's what I really love most about Blythe meets. That and having all the patrons at the selected venue stare at us with combinations of wonder, shock and unexplainable envy.