The return

Untitled, a photo by Zanalee on Flickr.

Where it's been reported that the past week was spent in over a hundred degree weather, Penn Station was flooded bu a storm and some mad crazy sick person went on a shooting rampage at the "Batman" Premiere in Colorado!

No, I'm not looking forward to it. But I have to be a mature adult. It's been an absolute dream here in St. Croix and everyone here at "Sandcastle on the Beach" has been lovely. We will definitely be returning. This was so much of what I needed. It's been very very relaxing. I hope I can bring some of that calm home with me. Sounds like it's very much needed.

Blythe Vacation Commences

I have done nothing the past three days but meet with friends, hang out, eat, drink and walk and walk and walk. Today, Sunday, I do nothing. Or as close to nothing as possible anyway until tomorrow until I catch a plane outta here.

Stopping off in the Soho melee for a shot of Hendrix

Yesterday I spent a lovely afternoon and evening in Soho with Paula aka brooklynpablita. Remember that name because she's making some adorrrrrable Blythe clothes lately and I am so proud of her rapid progress as she learns all the ins and outs of sewing and patterns and things about miniature clothes which I am frankly bewildered by. All I know is it's really exciting to watch her progress photos and it was even more fun to walk around with her as she selected fabric at this place in Soho called Purl she had heard about and which we decided to visit for the first time yesterday afternoon.

Purl carries both fabric, yarn and notions in a small but sweet, well lit shop on Mercer Street. Paula has a very focused aesthetic and a great sense of pattern matching and I can't wait to see what she makes with what she chose. She was like a kid in a candy store, very much the way I feel around yarn in the winter. I can't get up the same kind of enthusiasm over yarn in the Summer somehow. But they did have some great yarn there that I couldn't help fondling and imagining in future projects, both Blythe and human.

Well, today is the check list day, I've been back and forth and back and forth over whether to bring two Blythes or three, but I think three are probably going to make it I just hope it's not too much to keep track of because I've never taken any Blythe on the plane with me before. The three are Hamsa, the still new, Ellington and Hendrix. I had all three along  with me yesterday to meet up with Paula's Ama, Felix and Max (who is allegedly visiting. LOL!) I think it should work out but I still have to stick a few other major things in with them. We shall soon be airborne where I will report back.

Happy Summer everyone!

Ellington is Here!!

I've been so busy taking photos of Ellington and taking her every where that I haven't had a chance to even blog about her arrival!

She showed up at work on Thursday last week and I have to say that it could not have been a better time! I was having a really crappy workday. In fact the entire rest of the week pretty much sucked. But seeing Ellington made me so happy! She's settling in really quickly. She just got her and already she's making friends, I've taken her to work and to the park and I'm pretty sure I will be sneaking her in with Hendrix and Hamsa to St. Croix! She's a California Girl so I know she's enjoying the weather and will love it there as well.

Ellington has the most incredibly sweet little photogenic face. Her beautiful skin tone is all sparkly and soft looking and she has a short brown asymmetrically cut bib which I requested.  Kyi also designed the coolest little habitat for her with really personally customized details. She was truly made for me. She's very artsy, cool and laid, back, loves nature and has a little blue bird which is sitting in the open doorway of a cute little cage. I adore that thing.

There is just nothing like bringing home a box of Blythe joy and unwrapping it alone in your home especially one like this which is just packed with all sorts of extra goodies and is just made with so much love you can feel it. As if all that is not enough, Ellington's hair also smells so good I could eat it! Kyi has informed me that is a mixture of warm vanilla, caramel and "Pink Sugar" a scent that I love.
It's going to be a great Blythe Sumer.

On her way to her new home in the UK!

On her way to her new home in the UK!, a photo by Zanalee on Flickr.

Vida has finally found a new home with a new mommy in the UK! I've had her listed up on BK for a bit but the new owner actually contacted me though the "Dolly Adoption" page on Facebook, a page I subscribe to but always forget about until Kyi Lynn reminded me on instagram. I really like it and plan on using it more.

This is all actually really timely as I have a new Brown Blythe on the way from Kyi who will be arriving any day now. I can honestly say, I don't regret letting Vida go. I just wasn't giving her the attention she deserved and she's a great doll so I hope her new momma appreciates her more than I did. She is the first doll in my collection I have ever parted with and I feel totally fine about it because now I feel closer to being totally happy with the dolls I do have.

Travel Bags!!! (BLYTHES SUMMER VACAY!)

So I've known for a while, actually for some months that we would be going on vacation in July, to an island where there is beach and sun and sand and sparkling clear water. But I can only take two Blythes with me. It's all I can handle and I don't want to take any chanced taking more.  I'm trying to be really streamlined and this will be the second time I've leaving the country with Blythe but the first time on a plane.

Hamsa and Hendrix are of course the lucky travelers. I might sneak in one more. I'm not sure yet. So I made certain to get a hold of Sewpixie to order a couple of Blythe carry bags. After I hosted Makani and got to spend time carrying her around in a Sewpixie bag on the daily, I realized I had to have one. Her bags are just perfectly made and the design really has the protection of your Blythe in mind. It's made from quilted material which acts as a nice padded buffer between your doll and hard surfaces. Plus there's a little flap inside at the top where her head would be that folds over the dolls face for extra protection against nicks and scratches before you zip her in. You can also stick other small things in the bag with the doll. With Makani, I used to stick the wide tooth comb I use for their hair right behind her and the little camera she came with at her feet. It also does a nice job of keeping the hair in place. On top of all this, Sewpixie also has a great selection of beautiful quilted and non quilted materials to chose from when you custom order your bag.

I chose the one with pink dots for Hamsa because I think she is serious but very cute and the one with the purple, orange and pink flowers for Hendrix because it so beautiful, psychedelic and sweet. They are both en route to me so I guess I'll get them some time next week and just in time too. Now I just need to square away what clothes to bring for them. LOL!!

Monster High 2012

Ghouls Rule Clawdeen and Cleo DeNile

So I guess I will never really be done collecting Monster High Dolls. They keep coming out with these amazing lines! I was looking at someone's MH photos on flickr last night which led to my discovery of "Ghouls Rule" Clawdeen and Cleo Denile and the "Roller Maze" line! Holy sh*t! "Ghouls Rule" Clawdeen is THE BOMB! She's just amazing! And I already know I'm getting "Roller Maze" Lagoona! She's my favorite of the bunch! I'm not going to mention the total this brings my MH collection to but umm, I think it may be time for a group shot. LOL!

Delicious Bliss Headed my way!

Just a few weeks ago I was having a shop chat with Kyi through flickr mail when she announced to me that she would like to create one of her fabulous Black Blythes in my honor. I nearly flipped. It's still taking me a minute to really believe it. One of the things I love most about Kyi's custom Black Blythes in addition to their sweet girlish charm is their sparkly skin tone. I just love sparkle and glitter and when I see Kyi's girls in photos I am blown away by the shimmery sheen of their tone.

Kyi has been posting process photos of this girl as she designs her for the past few days. She takes some of my favorite progress photos. I just love watching her step by step process. Everything just seems so neat and and clean, organized and perfect! This girl will be on a licca body which I adore! I'm hoping to learn how to paint them more successfully myself as the ones I have attempted for Angora and Neige have been less than adequate.

I have already named the new girl but I will keep the name a secret for now until I see her and her wonderful habitat. Kyi also creates these lovely, detailed little traveling flats for her custom Blythes. I am always in awe of all the attention that goes into these miniature worlds.

I just want to say to Kyi Lynn how deeply thankful I am for this incredibly gracious gesture. Your artfulness, imagination and creativity are a great inspiration to me as well. I am so happy to have gotten to know you through this quirky, crazy, fun hobby that somehow seems to keep feeding us in this unique and constantly renewing way. Here's to the gift of deconstruction and customizing!