I'm still here........with new goodies for Talia

I am so sorry I've neglected this blog for almost a month!!  I have a sewing business on the side and have been so busy getting custom orders done for Christmas.  Things are finally settling down a bit and I wanted to pop in here and show you two AWESOME items that came in the mail for me today!  With some of the money from my own Etsy shop sales, I decided to buy Talia (my Blythe doll) a few items for Christmas.  I'm so, so happy with her new items and so glad to support other fine ladies making lovely handmade items.  It was also really fun to tell my oldest son (who loves geography) that we got a package from Great Britain and from Sweden on the same day.  THAT has never happened before!!  

Without further ado..........I present Talia in her new winter duds.

From the Etsy shop, Cannonbelle, in the UK, I ordered Talia a little green sweater.  Green is my favorite color and I fell in love with this sweater as soon as I saw it.  It fits perfectly and is completely adorable. 

NOTE:  I'm still getting used to how to best photograph Talia.  I realized after just adding this to the post that I should have slipped her stand under the sweater so it wouldn't show in the photo.  Oh well!!  She still looks sweet in her new sweater.

From GenePDollShop in Sweden, I ordered this fabulous Christmas hat. I loved the white eyelash yarn trim and the Christmasy buttons.  SO SWEET!! 

Since we just got our first snow of the year last night, I decided to take Talia outside to photograph her in the snow.  Although I'm still practicing how to get good doll photos, I thought these turned out pretty good!   The jeans Talia is wearing in these photos were made by me.  I'm hoping to have some Blythe clothing for sale in my own Etsy shop in the new year.  I'm completely revamping the shop website and blog right now.  I'll be sure to share more about the shop when it's ready to launch in its new format.

SQUUUEEEEEAAAALLLL!!! The Story of Laura and Blythe: Part 2

I told you this story would be continued, didn't I?  Well, exactly one week ago I took THE PLUNGE and ordered myself a Blythe doll!!  Online ordering is a dangerous thing because it's so easy to just click and purchase.  However, I have waited at least three years before allowing myself that "click", so I guess I do have self control after all.  I had some money from Etsy sales saved up and decided to treat myself. 

Thanks to the wonders of the internet, I was able to track my Blythe doll as she made her way across the Pacific from Hong Kong to California, then on east until she reached me here in Iowa on Thursday.  I bet you think I immediately ripped the box open when it arrived, right?  Well, that's not quite what happened.  Since this is a day I've looked forward to for a while, I'm going to document the details of how this all went down.

First of all, we have just had new siding put on our house and garage.  Everything has been in disarray outside with all the construction gear and what not.  Also, I've been busy like crazy getting things ready for a Holiday Boutique that I participated in on Thursday.  Most of my extra minutes on Thursday went into last minute details for the boutique.  I knew from looking online that she would probably arrive on Thursday, but also knew I'd be SOOOO busy.  Anyway, I was rushing to get my oldest son to his piano lesson around 2 p.m. and quickly walked out to get the mail.  As I walked back to the house with the mail, I looked through it to see if there was anything interesting besides bills and catalogs.  That is when I noticed one of those slips from the mail carrier telling that they've left you a package.  It was a nice day and usually they just leave it right by our door.  However, the slip said it was in the garage.  I quickly checked and, sure enough, there was a neatly wrapped brown package in the garage.  I knew from the Hong Kong postmark that it was HER!  BUT...........I had to get to a piano lesson.  So I put the box in the house and headed on my merry way.

AFTER the piano lesson, I had just a few minutes to load everything for the boutique, change clothes, then drop the boys off at my mom's house and head to the boutique venue to set up.  NO TIME to open the box.  Truthfully, I would have had time, but I knew I wanted to savor the moment.  So I was determined to wait until later.

I had told my youngest son about the Blythe doll coming and he knew she was here.  He REALLY wanted me to open the box, but I told him "later."

After the boutique I went to my sons' Cub Scout pack meeting and picked them up.  When we got home, my youngest asked me again when I would open the "Blythe".  I told him "later."  As I put him to bed he REALLY wanted me to go get the box and open it with him.  I told him I really wanted to do it by myself and that I'd show him in the morning.  I really knew from the moment the box came that I wanted to wait for a special quiet time to open it all by myself.

SO............at about 10:45ish p.m. I finally went down to my craft studio where I'd stashed the box.  I took along some nail scissors to cut the tape and got busy.  As you may well know, it takes a LONG time to get toys out of their boxes and Blythe was no exception.  I took several photos to document this process.  They did not turn out great since it was at night with flash photography and no natural light.  But it is what it is.  The photo below shows the return address on the box.  My oldest son who loves geography thought it was cool that we got something from overseas.  (I did too.)

The package was very neatly wrapped in brown kraft paper and taped very securely.  After removing the brown paper, there was a brown cardboard box inside.  The photo below shows what was printed on this box.

After slitting the tape on the cardboard box, I could see the pink end of the Blythe box.  I slid it out and below you can see my first glimpse of my new Nicky Lad Blythe doll.

The next two photos show the back of the box.  All the Blythe boxes are different and I love the retro colorful graphics on this box in particular.  I also love all the Japanese (or maybe it's Chinese?) writing on the back of the box.  The second photo shows this close up.

After photographing the box, I opened it and slid out the insert.  As expected, everything was securely taped inside.  There was only one of those annoying wire tie things though, which was nice.  I took my time in removing all the accessories in their taped bags.  I didn't want to damage the yellow cardboard insert.  After I carefully removed all the accessories, I finally retrieved Blythe herself from the box.

One of my first observations of her right off the bat was that her legs were more rubbery feeling than I expected.  Her torso, arms and head are a hard plastic, but her legs are more rubbery.  They're still rigid, but have a different feel than the rest of her.  I also noticed (and loved) how silky her hair is.  I really love her hairstyle.  She is SO cute.  Of course one of the first things I did was pull her string to change her eye colors.  You have to pull kind of hard and her lids close, then there's a distinct "click" sound and her new eye color is revealed.  My favorite is her green eyes which are in all the photos below.  I really apologize for the crappy photos.  I can't wait to try to photograph her in natural light tomorrow.  In the photo below she is propped on my treadmill which is in the craft studio. (Blythes all come with a stand which is really nice since they can't stand on their own.)  She's wearing a dress I made a few weeks ago before I even had ordered her.  I was really happy that it fits perfectly.  I think it's very sweet on her.   I just need to sew some snaps on the back.  Another observation I made when taking these photos is that her head is slightly tilted down (and I couldn't figure out how to tilt it up anymore) which meant that I had to lie on the floor to get photos of her.  Otherwise, I don't think her face would have shown in the photos.

This next photo is her "meet" outfit.  It's pretty cute, although you can't tell in the photo.  ACK!  Flash photography.  It's a polo shirt with little white denim shorts.  She also has these bulky gray socks (which I don't care for and which are hard as heck to  put on) and bright pink high-top sneakers.  I love the sneakers.  Probably won't use the socks much for her though.

She also has a pair of hot pink glasses and a yellow "raincoat" with pink trim.  I will try to get a better photo of her tomorrow in natural light.  

After playing with her a bit, I set her on the table behind my sewing machine and did some other things in my studio.  It made me VERY happy to look over and see her there.  I am SO glad I am finally a Blythe owner.  I definitely don't want to stop at just one!  Now I know why they're so addictive.  I LOVE HER!!!

Oh..........I'd decided to call her...........Talia.  Many years ago when I taught in a Montessori school in Iowa City, I had a student named Talia and I've loved that name ever since.  I never had a little girl of my own to name Talia.  I was thinking of naming her Talia but wanted to "meet"  her to see if it suited her and I think it does. 

Well, I guess that's all.  For now.  I'd better go to bed as it's 1:00 AM.  I may just pop down to the studio first to say 'night to little Talia.

Doll Crafter Interview: Jane Street of the Etsy Shop "On Blythe Street"

Today I'm so excited to share this interview with Jane Street from the lovely Etsy Shop, On Blythe Street.
I found Jane's shop when doing a search on Etsy for Blythe clothes.  Oh. My. Goodness.  Her items are SO yummy!  I love her hand-knit Blythe sweaters and can't wait until I have my own Blythe so I can outfit her in one of Jane's creations.  Don't you just love the above photo of Jane in her studio?  It looks so colorful and inviting.  I love the little finished dresses hanging up.  DARLING!!  After you read all about Jane, please be sure to head over to Etsy and show her some Etsy love.  I know she'd love sending you one of her beautiful items!! 

N2O4Dolls:  Tell us a bit about yourself.

Jane:  I am originally from the tiny Island of Jersey, one of the Channel Islands, just off the West coast of France. I went to university in England which is where I met my husband Ollie and we moved around quite a bit with work but have finally settled in Devon in the South West of England. We live near the coast and love long walks on the beach with our little dog Molly. I am a medical scientist at my local hospital. In my spare time I love photography, knitting, sewing and Blythe Dolls!

N2O4Dolls:  What kinds of dolls do you love and/or collect?  And, what got you started on doll collecting?

Jane:  My sister introduced me to the world of Blythes early this year and I was instantly addicted to these gorgeous and very photogenic dolls. My sister Zoe bought me my first Blythe doll (Bohemian Peace) and I have added 3 more to my collection (I’m sure there will be more)! I started making things for my own dolls and for my sister's and she suggested I open a Blythe shop with my creations!

N2O4Dolls:  Do you have a special place to keep your dolls? If so, please describe it.

Jane: I moved house last year to a larger house and I was finally able to have my own den (in the small box room). I have bought a tall bookcase specially for my Blythes which has a few spare shelves to allow for a few more to be added the the collection! I have an area for my sewing and knitting and have an extensive collection of wools and fabrics. Although I have concentrated on my knitting I want to do loads more sewing next year. I have so many ideas for things to make.

 

N2O4Dolls:  Which is your favorite doll and why?

Jane:  I can’t choose a favourite from my Blythes. They are all so lovely and so different and all help with the modelling for my creations. Once you start with these dolls it is so easy to get addicted and there are so many more I would like!!

(N2O4Dolls:  I agree!  My Blythe wish list is quite long and I haven't even started yet!) 

N2O4Dolls:  Share a special childhood memory involving dolls.

Jane:  Thinking back to when I was a young girl I loved designing clothes and outfits for dolls even then.  I had tiny Pippa dolls (not sure if you can still get them today). I guess its a bit like I have gone back to my childhood with the Blythe dolls!!

N2O4Dolls:  Obviously your love of dolls has inspired you creatively with your shop. Explain how you got started with your Etsy shop and creating your lovely items for Blythe.

Jane:  I have always loved knitting and sewing and also photography and can combine all these together to make and photograph things for my Blythe shop. I had my first camera when I was 4 years old (my Dad is a photographer) and I probably started knitting a few years after that. 

I love the fact that making dolls clothes involve smallish projects which take a few evenings to complete. My creativity finally has a very satisfying outlet!

N2O4Dolls:  Any other thoughts, words of wisdom, advice for the rest of us doll lovers?

Jane:  If you start collecting these gorgeous dolls, be warned you won’t be able to stop!!

 THANK YOU so much, Jane, for participating in the interview.  I'm so happy to have become acquainted with you and your lovely work.  Best wishes on your Blythe adventures.  I hope to be a customer soon.............

The Story of Laura & Blythe: Part 1

Blythe is a big reason that I started this blog, so for sure she deserves at least a post or two so you'll all know the back-story.  So here goes...........

I discovered blogging back in 2008.  At the time, I was reading a few craft blogs and a few Montessori blogs.  At the time, there were not nearly as many blogs as there are now.  I was a Montessori-certified elementary special education teacher who had just gotten a dream job teaching in a private Montessori school in my hometown.  I decided to venture out into the blogosphere and started the blog My Montessori Journey to document my move from public education to a Montessori preschool setting.  I loved doing the blog and posting about my classroom.  I was blessed to develop a pretty huge following of fellow Montessorians from all over the world.  (Don't worry.........I'll get to Blythe.)

After three years of teaching and directing the Montessori preschool, I left it all behind in the fall of 2011 to homeschool my two sons, then beginning fourth and first grade.  Because I loved blogging so much, I started the blog, Walnut Hill Homeschool, to document that new phase of our lives.  I don't post on it very often, but I'm grateful for the record of our early homeschool days.

Around the time I started blogging in 2008, I was a reader of a popular blog out of Australia called Day to Day (AKA "One Crafty Mumma") written by Melissa Goodsell.  I loved reading about her crafty life and her two lovely children.  In fact, I was inspired by Melissa to create a blog about our family life called A Day of Wonders.  (MMJ is my only Typepad blog.  At the time I started it I didn't realize you could blog for free on Google Blogger.  Once I discovered that, I've had fun coming up with a bunch of other blogs, as you can see!)

Although I loved everything that Melissa wrote, I was particularly captivated by her posts about a doll named Blythe.  Prior to reading Melissa's blog, I'd never heard of Blythe before because 1.) She is made in Japan and not available for purchase in the US and 2.) I had two boys and wasn't really buying any dolls at all.  However, I just couldn't get Blythe out of my head.  There's something about her that is so mesmerizing, to me at least.  So..........I researched all about Blythe online.  I looked at all the different types of Blythe dolls on Ebay.  Back in the beginning the doll I was really intrigued by as a possible doll for ME was Casual Affair.  I liked how she somewhat resembled me in appearance (hair color and glasses).  I liked everything about her.  I can't tell you how many times I would look at her longingly online.  BUT........I just couldn't bring myself to purchase her.  First off, Blythes are pretty expensive.  And secondly, it just seemed so frivolous to spend money on a doll for myself since I'm an adult and my boys would not likely be interested in playing with her, dressing her up, or posing her for photos.

  Casual Affair

Still, I kept coming back to Melissa's blog and reading about how much fun both she and her daughter, Bella, were having with their Blythe dolls.  I loved all the little outfits.  I loved seeing posts about Melissa or Bella making something for Blythe.  It just seemed so much fun!!

Well, the years went by and I'd forget about Blythe for a while.  Then something (probably in a post from Melissa since I have her in Google Reader) would trigger my memory and I'd be off again, fantasizing about owning a Blythe doll myself.

While I'm not yet the owner of a Blythe, I am, for now, embracing the concept that you're "never too old for dolls".  I'm coming to a place where I think I could be okay with buying a doll just for me.  As I indicated on my "Wish List" page, I'm thinking that Nicky Lad will most likely be my first Blythe because she is less expensive.  However, I was looking at all the dolls on that page the other day with my youngest son.  He was telling me all the ones he "hates".  When I got to "Casual Affair" he said, "Hey, that one looks kind of like you."  So........maybe she'll be the first after all.

   Nicky Lad

I can see why Blythe collectors always say you can't stop with just one.  Which Blythe do YOU think should be my first purchase?  I'm hoping to be able to order one before the first of the year.  I've already made two dresses for her and hope to offer some doll clothes in my Etsy shop, Walnut Hill Handmade, beginning in the new year.

So............time to vote.  Should it be Casual Affair or Nicky Lad?