Playing with dolls: what did you do with your doll today that made you happy? <3

I was starting to have slight doubts in Nonoo as she's very different from the rest of my dolls and I wasn't getting a lot of ideas for her... and then I put a new wig on her massive head and she's so cute with it I could die! The long hair is a massive PITA but it suits her faceup so well, and gives me tons to thoughts for new outfits to make her :3

 

It's been fun. I haven't taken a doll out and about in so long. I used to do it so often. But had stopped. I felt a little nervous at first, but once I started it was no problem. I've taken my new boy Hikaru up to the Lavender Farm on the 1st and then this past Sun to the beach to take photos. Bit windy but I think they tuned out ok.

 

Yesterday was a rainy night and I watched Princess Mononoke with Mina. Howl today?

 

I work a corporate job and have a hybrid schedule where I’m home a couple days a week. I’ve taken to holding a doll in my lap while I work through tasks (when I’m not in meetings) and I really love it.

 

I went on a sewing spree today! I finished a hoodie dress for Suzuran and made a pleated skirt for Fei

 

Today the niblings came over, and I got to show my niece the dolls currently on my nightstand. My Dad and brother built me the Ikea cabinets I am going to be able to display the dolls in. I am very excited.

 

I dressed Michi up in what I feel like is a very successful outfit and I just can't stop looking at her. It's been a stressful few weeks so having a few doll moments definitely made me feel a lot better.

 

Ordered some patches for Anka's jumpsuit from Etsy because I realized, boy, there sure is a lot of blank real estate on this bad boy... I won't be sewing them on until I get all the accessories in (still waiting on a custom bag for her and such). Her new wig came in a few days ago and I really like it. Haven't taken it off her head since it came in, and keep hauling her out of her drawer to take another look. I'm keeping her old one because it's quite unique and I like it too, but I like the look of this desaturated brown one. I've been all about the cute/stylized dolls the last 4 years, so going back to the realistic world has been fun! Now if only I could figure out how to take photos of her...

 

Life has been draining me endlessly as of late, but I finally finished a faceup today that has sat half-done for 3 months. x.x So happy to be done with it, and I think it came out pretty nice! This is my bestie's girl, Calypso. ♥



I don't know why my friends put up with me at all when it comes to faceups, considering how long it takes me to get them done...but I am ever thankful for their patience and understanding. I am blessed to have such kind people in my life.

 

I got my new-to-me boy (Volks Kun) today, and while doing the faceup, he decided he was a she, actually. Luckily I had a spare girl body!
While her faceup isn't perfect, I can see I'm improving, which is nice, and it helped me bond with her. I also tried hand and foot blushing for the first time, and what a difference a little bit of pastel, paint and gloss makes to hands and feet! Tempted to blush all my dolls' hands and feet now

Excuse the bad lighting late night pic, but here she is with Aurelius, my DZ Jellyfish man. I think she's going to be his assistant lighthouse keeper.
I can't wait to start sewing clothes for the two of them: poor Aurelius is a new size for me, so he has no clothes to steal, and my new girl is wearing overalls made for a taller doll:

 

I've got this one doll for quite some time and I've never been happy with its look (eyes and wigs are not right for him). But recently I bought another doll from the second market and it seems that I finally got a proper eyes for my unsatisfactory one. It's so exciting to see pieces of the puzzle fell into place.

 

Got these two sealed and eyes in them, so now they can finally have their clothes worked on without fear of rubbing off paint work. Looking forward to dressing them for fall.

painted by Cryptic Cryptid, on Flickr

 

I re-dressed Della Robin in a Halloween-y look. Vibe was meant to be I forgot it was Halloween, so I have made a costume out of pieces from my wardrobe. Don't think it looks too bad, either.

 

So I got a new doll recently and I've been dressing her in different outfits to try find her 'style'. I borrowed an outfit from another doll. And everytime I take this doll from her box I remember how friggin beautiful she is. And it made me happy just to sit infront of the tv with my partner while he watched rubbish on youtube, just looking at this doll. Playing with her hair. Tilting her head. Just... admiring

 

I finally finished two unfinished doll-related projects - one jewellery, one sewing. Relatively small projects, but both had been languishing on the to-do list for months. All done now, so today I put the jewellery and the clothing on the dolls, and took the photos that I'd always wanted to do with them. The pics turned out great!

 

Thats awesome

 

Some great ideas and projects going on!

Today I set up a little scene & took photos with my new Impldoll Umelia (Vilma sculpt). I love doll photography! I also bought her a newborn size jacket from the Thrift store.

 

I went crazy again yesterday and cut Anka's hair. Wig management was always one of the more mystifying and intimidating parts of doll ownership for me (actually, hair management in general. I have been blessed with very easy to care for hair, and I still can barely tie it into a braid). I hate it when the wigs get frizzy or tangled and it used to really restrict what I felt comfortable doing with a doll. Now it seems like I need to bite the bullet and wash/style the hair myself to get over the fear.

The wig I got for Anka felt a little too long for her character out of the box (the promo photo of the wig on larger dolls was chin-length and on her small head it became shoulder-length). I tried just going with it as-is, but apparently my brain decided yesterday that it wasn't working, so I ended up giving it a wash and trimming off ~1 cm, and I am once again happy with the result! As a bonus, washing the fibres in cold water seems to have revitalized them. They were a little dull-looking, but now they look a lot more shiny.

 

Thank you for the care tips! I went to a beauty store and got wig spray and even then, I'm afraid I will mess them up. I'll try your cold water tip!

 

Today I did my last face-up. It wasn't great, but it was OK, and now all of my dolls have at least an OK face-up. All but three have wigs, they all have eyes, and only one doesn't have a decent outfit.
So I'm happy. No more nude neglected dolls silently reproaching me for ignoring them.

 

Finished glueing on wefts onto Pihla's new wig. She'll now be a stunning brunette, I'm very excited to style her hair tomorrow! I'm so so so happy with how well brown hair suits her, she just didn't look right as a blonde. I can't really explain it, she just felt slightly off. But now I can see her and her personality clear as day!

 

I did a head swap experiment with two of my dolls, and wow! What a difference! Their personalities are really starting to shine through!

 

I got my 2008 Delf Breakaway vamp out and dressed him. I was previously thinking of selling him, because I got a 05 Breakaway instead, but lately I've been thinking I'd like to keep them both So I wanted him on display again. I also redressed my dreaming El. Somehow this took me all afternoon And I didn't even get around to changing the Soony's outfit!

 

I gave her fake black roses to complete her gothic outfit

 

I went to a doll meet for the first time in over 5 years yesterday. (I used to go once or twice a year every year!) Got to see and talk to friends I haven't seen in even longer than that and it was wonderful, even for my poor anxious self. Glad I pushed through everything and went! ...and I managed to NOT come home with a new doll, which is great! xD

 

Launched a project - A Marie Antoinette style dress! It will be yellow with light blue trimmings. And i have plan for a male costume too: yellow with grey - green trimmings.

 

I started a photoshoot on the weekend but had to interrupt it before I got far. Today the lighting was also good, so I resumed and got the photoshoot into the can before the day was spent. I was also able to get my photos reasonably close to the vision I had in my head -- very pleased about this.

I also did some work on my doll website. I'd been procrastinating on this webdesign task for months, and finally sat down to figure out the CSS... which took less than 30 minutes. Not as onerous as I thought. At last, I can add photo galleries to all my doll profiles

 

Nothing today, but yesterday I bought some supplies at the stationery and fabric store because I plan to make a costume for my littlest doll for the posh masquerade ball.

 

It's my first doll's 16 year anniversary being with me! We're hanging out and I took some photos. He's still so so cute and has my entire heart, always. ♥

 

16 years! That's impressive.

 

I styled my guys wig and worked on tailoring some pants for him.

 

I learned how to tie more styles of headscarves/turbans... I figured my boys would realistically need them from time to time since they live in a desert city...

 

Today I received a batch of doll stands. I haven't got enough for all my 40/45 cm dolls, but I tried all the ones in the shipment and ordered more of the ones I like best.
I also made a list of the "essentials" I still need to order for my dolls, and I realised that I mostly just *need* some underwear for the big girls, and other than that they all have the basics. Until now I always felt a bit guilty if I played with a doll that didn't "need" anything while I had a whole shelf of semi-naked dolls staring down at me...

So that's what makes me happy. The fact that I can now just chose the doll that speaks to me that day, instead of feeling obliged to pick up the doll that needs the most work...

 

A couple days ago was my first doll's birthday yay! (11 years and she still looks so young, it's amazing xD)
So I took her out of the glass cabinet, changed her clothing, brushed her hair, took some pictures of her and sit her in my lap so she could give me advice on a few dolly-related tasks like checking future doll plans, browsing through (and answering) discussion threads...
Just being able to see her smile did make that day brighter for me.

 

I like to change their poses, take a couple pictures of them and sometime swap their outfits it allows bonding time for me!

 

Working on faceups and body blushing's today for my two new dolls!
I'll also need to dress them and style their wigs later.

 

@Akai Okami 16 years! That's so sweet.

 

I did some more blushing on my humongous dragon and feeling that the end is in sight thankfully, maybe to be completed by end of next week just want it done so I can relax, gather some energy and then move onto other projects which need outdoor spraying (before this mildish dry spell is over).

 

I changed the outfit of my Blackcherry Ichigo, Joan, and put her next to my screen, and I'm happy ^^

 

I cleaned and tidied my “slumber party” display, and then redressed the dolls in it (all Volks old school MSDs.) It was so much fun reconnecting with those characters. It’s such a fun and cozy display.

 

This happened last night, but before bed I took some time to put my three most spoiled kids in their warmer outfits. The two boys are wearing clothes in a different style than they normally do, and they look really cute! I haven't played with them in a long time (maybe April?) and it was really fun to see how I could utilize what I already had in a new way.

 

Dragon isn't yet finished but finally done the first layer on my DZ long head which I have been putting off for ages as my plans went out of the window when I got the head as the resin is absolutely gorgeous and makes the head look like carved jade and wanted to do the sculpt justice Thankfully my lessons/mistakes learned on blushing the large dragon helped me decide and start on DZ head and that I am deciding on the final finishing touches to be made on the large dragon.

 

Today: looked at one of them at all
A few months ago I moved out of the horrible place I was living for years and into a small apartment sharing with someone, there is not much space and I wasn't able to bring that much with me, but I brought the remaining dolls because the market has been so bad they wouldn't sell. Anyway, they've been almost the whole time in boxes under my bed. I don't have a sewing machine or place to photograph them or energy to even go outside with one or anything, and realistically feel frequently bad about life overall and the future, not having any time for any interests. So a few days ago I was sifting through, painstakingly, in their boxes. Trying to consolidate bodies and heads and everything I took a favorite character out on a different body with someone else's hair and he's just on my desk naked (although I could dress him) except for some jewelry, but it's nice to have the company.

 

Moving to a new place is on the same list of major stress inducing events as a death of a loved one. Take your time and be gentle to yourself. It will be better once you have a breath and see that you got out of the horrible place.

 

I was lucky to get a Piposland B.Minuet full set this summer and I new after I got her, that she would never have her full set on, as long that I own her.. I had another plans for her. I was looking for a blue dress ( not too cinderella looking, but a little I that direction). Just got the dress and crown yesterday, but first have time to day to put it on, the necklace came with the dress. It fit exactly what I have in mind.. im soo happy ^^. - Now she just need shoes.. that's for next projekt!. . - it is dark in Denmark now, so it was hard take pictures of her.

Spoiler: picture of the dress and crown

 

I made a cute Lolita skirt! It was a test skirt before I use my printed fabric, so now I know what modifications I need to make to the pattern.

 

Not today, but yesterday I got Peter (Migidoll Jina) out and dressed him and put him on a stand on my chest of drawers. I've had it in my head for a while now that I'd like to turn that corner of my bedroom into a Migidoll corner. He looks so good there! I really need to restring him, so that's a job for my next day off.

 

Cammy is my current work buddy... AND I'm crocheting her something else~~~ So much fun! I like watching anime and scary movies with her! I might watch Yami no Matsuei with her... I just wish I had a mini drink for her too... I'll send pictures of her sweater when I'm done

 

Wiped the previous face and gave the new doll my own faceup - instantly so much happier

 

Yesterday, my bff and I brought Cheby to a cafe~ I've been wanting to bring him to one for a while since he's a part time barista. I should have brought my camera!!

 

I made my guy a harness, it was shockingly easy since I could just use 1/4 ribbon.

 

It's been a long time since I have the time to do anything with them so today I took them out and brush their's hair and switch their outfit around. I must say it feel pretty to hold and be interest again. I feel so sorry to my bjds as I have neglecting them due to work and other stuff.

 

Yesterday night, but I finally made my guy a doa profile!!!

I had been putting it off because I needed to move some lamps around to for good lighting, but the photo turned out well I think.

 

I brought my newest girl into the main room with me while I watched TV and crocheted, I adore her so much already I needed to have her in my immediate vicinity xD

 

Tonight I tightened elastic and restrung my newest doll, put on his head and hands/feet (I'd been painting them) then spent about an hour posing him to see what he can do. He's very good at posing, and I'm so delighted! Then I disassembled him again because I still have one more bit of painting left to do, and felt kind of sad about it. But he's getting closer to completed.

 

This morning I made Lena a doll profile here for the millionth time and feel mildly positive about that. Yesterday I took some time in the evening to take her out to look at and try on some porcelain doll dresses from these Franklin Mint Coca-Cola dolls I was given for free at work last month. I was pleased that she (gem of Doll) is so close to the same size. I'd always heard of people harvesting porcelain doll dresses but it had never come up for me! As much as the dolls themselves are pretty, I still hate having extra stuff... I would feel differently if my housing were more sorted and stable. So it's relieving to think I can move on those bare dolls and just keep the outfits that make me feel nostalgic.

Spoiler: TW: grief

have this soft spot for a very particular boudoir decor of the deep south. I bought myself a very tall, slim lamp a couple weeks ago with dark brocade bead fringed shade I'm finally no-contact with all of my family, and even though it hurts to know them it hurts too, having the emptiness looking back through your life. These things remind me of something kind of good way back there among everything horrible. I think I used to have a single franklin mint doll like these once... I think of her a lot.
Anyway, I took some photos of her in the outfit. I never really experience any sense of accomplishment or happiness from these things. But I try to congratulate myself for making the effort to occasionally go through the motions, because I know not trying at all isn't helpful either.

I'm happy whenever I feel like I'm keeping Lena again. I've tried to sell her so many times over the last few years and nobody wants her! But she really does make me happy to have around. It's been painful selling dolls I loved feeling like there was no other choice.

 

What I did yesterday lmao was go check were my dolls alright and survived the big move into my first house over a year ago now, Yikes I know. I am coming off a hiatus of over five years and I came back in strong buying 5 bjds to make up for lost time since I rekindled my love of dolls again. Now to make a designated spot for them so I can see and play with them.

 

Well, yesterday I braved a black Friday weekend JoAnn's to bring home a new sewing machine. I don't think anything I bought was that much especially on sale it's just that I couldn't take it any longer. I'm proud that I handled having to make the decision on which machine I wanted and getting it in store, plus relieved that I found it intuitive and agreeable!

So, the thing I did with my doll yesterday that made me so happy was getting to make a new piece of clothing for him!

 

I procrastinated on things I needed to do, but I made my guy a cute harness with a charm I had.

 

Every couple weeks or so, I rearrange my collection into a new “scene.” It really makes me happy to try and find new ways to display them, and sometimes I get new ideas putting different dolls together