Doll Owner’s Corner: It’s Survey Time!

First of the month, time for another Doll Owner’s Corner.  When I, the doll owner, talk about anything at all without the dolls.

This month’s topic:

Feedback Survey

I know, that’s a strange idea for a topic on a doll blog, but it’s been on my mind.  What do you all think of a blog written by a ball jointed doll?  Specifically what do you want to see her write about?

I have made a quick (3-4 minutes) completely anonymous survey.  Pretty please fill it out for me.  Or if you prefer not to, leave a comment below answering the two most important questions. 

“What do you want to see more of on the blog?” and “Which dolls are your favorite?”

Here's the link to the survey.

Thanks, and the results will be posted later for all to enjoy.  Look forward to it.

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Doll Owner’s Corner: Doll Blogs

It’s the first of November.  Time for another Doll Owner’s Corner when I, the doll owner, can talk about anything I want with a certain doll getting in the way.

 

This month’s topic:

Doll Blogs

For everything you can think of there is at least one or more people out there blogging about it.  It’s a fun and relatively easy way to express your passion for a hobby.

And who else are more passionate than doll collectors.  There are several blogs out there dedicated to the love of dolls.  Alas, most of them focus on more mainstream dolls (i.e. American Girl, Barbie, Bythe, etc.), but there are still many out there about ball jointed dolls. 

Sadly, many hobby blogs, doll or otherwise, aren’t updated as often as one would like.  With many hobbies, passion has to compete with life and sometimes a hobby blogger doesn’t have enough time to update a blog more than a few times a month.  I’ve seen some doll blogs that haven’t been updated in years.

That being said, they are still enjoyable to read and are packed with useful information.  Here are a few bjd blogs that I’ve found to be entertaining and/or useful.

• Antique Lilac – She makes beautiful clothes for dolls and has fantastic photos.  There are also plenty of great patterns/tutorials for clothes and accessories.
• Xanadu Dolls – Another one who is good at sewing and photography.  Her photos are so cute and so are her dolls.
• Jointed Love – This blog features several good tutorials for doing face ups and making wigs.
• Resin Rapture – She blogs about her dolls and their world, plus has several tutorials and patterns mainly for Iplehouse ball jointed dolls.
• Bjd Collectasy – This is a bjd news blog.  New companies, new dolls, sales and other events are all reported here.  They also feature the occasional doll tutorial.

These are just a small sample of what’s out there.  Do you have a favorite doll blog you follow or actually have a blog about dolls?  Please let me know.

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A Little News

Just a few small announcements for today.

First up, I have persuaded Anna to add  two new pages to this blog.  The first is a profile page,  to give my visitors a brief overview of who I am and what not.  I allowed Anna free reign over the description, so I’m afraid she added a bit too much information.  I mean why in the world would anyone need to know my measurements?

The second new page is quite remarkable.  It’s a directory for various doll-related sewing and craft tutorials.  Anna has found many such resources all over the internet.  Being such a generous and sympathetic doll, I thought it would be wonderful to offer up such useful information to doll owners who may be in need.

Okay the reason for her measurements is in case someone might need to know for the sake of comparison.  Like say I post a pattern for an outfit that fits Hikaru perfectly.  Someone might need to know how closely it will fit their own ball jointed doll.  Or someone may just be curious because they are interested in buying a doll.

As for the directory, Hikaru wasn’t originally on board with the whole idea.  Mostly because she misunderstood what I meant by a “directory” and what it would involve.  Once she understood she insisted that I drop what I was doing and start working on it immediately. 

Anyway, both pages are up and ready to view and will be regularly updated as needed, mostly likely by me.  Enjoy!

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Crafting With Dolls: No-Sew Fleece Blanket

Anna has once again taken an interest in making “miniature” items as part of her weekly pledge.  Her latest project for it was fleece blankets for dolls, you may view it here.

Naturally this involved making at least one blanket for myself.  Imagine my surprise when she requested my help to complete it.  She is quite aware that a doll such as myself was not designed for laborious work, but she insisted.  Elegant ladies are known for their refined handiwork after all, so I suppose it’s best to lend a hand. 

Though I must admit this is possibly my very first “craft” project.  I still thought it well to teach all my dear readers the various steps to make their own blankets for themselves or their precious dolls.  So let us begin.

Here we have two large pieces of fleecy material cut approximately 20 inches by 20 inches.  Anna chose this overly bright pink colored fleece.  I would have chosen something slightly more demure, and less bulky too. 

The corners are then cut off in little squares about two inches by two inches.  These measurements are based on my just under 18 inch stature and should be adjusted accordingly to other sized dolls or persons.

Anna thinks these squares should be save for a later project.  I wonder what she could be possibly planning with them?  Maybe something for me, but with more of this horrendous color?

Now our fleece is ready for the next step.

We must cut fringe like strips on all sides of the material, making sure to carefully cut both layers of fleece.  These strips are cut the same length as the small squares, about two inches.  They need to be cut quite thin since they are to be tied together securely. 

I believe I handle the scissors quite well, don’t you agree?

Now for the tying.  You take a strip from both the top and bottom layers of fleece and simply tie them in a basic knot.  It’s simple but exhaustive.  You have do tie all around the entire blanket.

Once the tying is complete, all one has to do is gently stretch the sides of the blanket.  To miss this key step would result in a oddly bunched up looking blanket.  After that of course, all that’s left to do is to sit back and admire your fine handiwork.  Mine is most excellent, despite the horrid color.  I did find one useful thing about this chosen material.  Mainly to do with the bulkiness of it.

When carefully folded up it does makes for a comfortable place to sit.  I shall have to make do with it until Anna finally procures some appropriate furnishings for myself.

Looking at this, one might think Hikaru made the blanket by herself completely.  Far from the truth, mostly all she did was pose for the photos and watched.  So she definitely did not do all the cutting, and she only tied one pair of strips before leaving the rest for me.  She claimed the first was to show me how it’s done.  At least she is now more open to idea of making things, and not just me making them for her.

Speaking of which, those squares may actually be useful for her next project.  I just need to work on a few things, plus make a trip or two to a couple of craft stores.  Sadly Hikaru will have to stay home.

Anna is going to the craft store without me?  But she needs my refined eye to chose fabrics!  And how will she find materials properly to scale without me?  I shall have to have faith in her abilities.  Until she returns I shall at least be comfortable on my fleece blanket stool and enjoy a cup of tea.  Be at peace.

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Of Blogging, Hopping and Sharing

Like many blogging humans out there, Anna participates in a fair number of weekly “blog hops” as a way to efficiently share her blog posts with others while simultaneously discovering new and interesting ones to read.  Anna actually hosts her own blog hop on Saturdays in addition to sharing her posts as well as my own at various blogs each week.  That is the reason for the increasingly lengthy list of links and blog buttons appearing on the side of my blog. 

Not that I’m complaining, far from it.  Blog hops and Link Parties are truly marvelous things.  They offer great entertainment for myself and a bounty of information on sewing and other useful subjects for Anna which is also of benefit to me. 

Anyway, the main reason I am writing today is that I have some truly great news.  Just last week one of my wonderful posts was featured here at the Turn It Up Tuesday Blog Hop, chosen by one of the lovely hosts out of all the other posts shared the previous week.

This particular individual has simply divine taste clearly.  I am flattered by her kind words of praise for my writing, I just wish she had refrained from mentioning that name, Barbie.  It however will not dampen my spirits.  I am honored to be among the featured and will continue to bring joy to others through these fabulous blog hops.

Funny to see Hikaru praise blog hops so much.  She used to not be able to stand them.  She thought I was wasting my time with them when I could be using it to sew things for her and what not, that is until I got her involved.  Now she’s hooked.

Now as for being featured, it surprised us both.  Hikaru of course was totally ecstatic about it, until she actually read the post.  She threw a fit over the Barbie thing.  She continued to deny her jealousy for at least half and hour before calming down, then she was ecstatic again.  What can I say, she bounces back pretty quickly.

It is certainly true that I thought Anna was wasting her time with blog hops, but that is in the past.  Let’s focus on the present.  Such as how Anna presently needs to get going already or we’ll be late for the next Link Party.  Happy blog hopping everyone.

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Of BJD Fashion: Lace and Ribbon Sandals

My previous fears were for naught.

Anna mentioned before that she would finally make me a few pairs of shoes, and for a moment the thought crossed my mind that she might attempt to make me something like sneakers.  Heaven forbid it.

Sure they may be appropriate for sporting activities, especially with well coordinated clothing.  But they are simply horrid beyond that.  My fine skirts need footwear that is delicate and refine, to complete the overall look and to complement my form and personality.  Athletic wear will not do, especially if it looks ragged.

But enough about all of that.  Anna succeeded in making me these lovely shoes.  Five pairs of adorable lace and ribbon sandals, as part of her blog challenge.  Such a brilliant idea.

Being sandals, they are perfect for this Summer weather, but the lace and ribbon details make them perfect for my dainty feet.

They are quite well fitting and rather comfortable to wear.  Anna is improving in making items in 1/4 scale, such a relief.

They work quite well with all my new warm weather outfits.

Now if only I had a few accessories to complete the look such as a simple yet lovely hat.  Of course I would need some hair to work with the hat.  When is Anna going to get me a wig?

We have actually already settled the argument over wigs, but she seems to be taking her sweet time to place an order.  Maybe I should gently persuade her to take appropriate actions?

Yes, I did indeed make these doll sandals for Hikaru as part of my Five a Week Pledge.  It is an easy way to give her wardrobe a boost and keep her off my back.

I’m afraid that this will be the last one involving doll stuff for a while.  I intend to focus more on small human size crafts for awhile.  Not to say that I will stop making anything for Hikaru, just not smaller things or in multiples of five. 

Anyway, the sandals are based on a cute tutorial I found with just a few changes.  I go in more detail on this on my blog.

I’m glad they came out as well as they did, though Hikaru seems to be exaggerating about the fit slightly.

There was a pair of shoes that came out slightly too big for her.  I may have hinted about it being due to her “dainty” little bjd feet being so much more challenging to fit.  After a little more flattery she piped down about it.  Maybe that’s how I should deal with her from now on.

As for the wig issue,  I actually placed an order yesterday without telling Hikaru.  I actually ordered it from a different website than originally planned because they had the wig we need at a better price.  The problem is that the company is located farther away so that will probably affect the shipping time.

Meaning I saved a couple of bucks, but I will now have to spend extra time waiting for it with Hikaru.  It’s the ultimate way to test her patience and mine, at least when it comes to her.

Splendid!  The wig is on it’s way.  I am actually happy enough to hear this news to almost completely over look Anna implying that I can be manipulated by flattery.

But not enough to overlook what she said about waiting for my wig to arrive.  She mistakenly believes me to be an impatient doll.  I do not know where she could have ever gotten this idea from since I am the model of patience and serenity.  I shall be a good example to her while we wait together.

I’ll of course regularly ask Anna if she has received any notice about the progress of the package.

In the mean time I’ll just be right here, next to the computer with my tea, until it arrives.  Peace be with you.

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Doll Owner’s Corner: First Month

It’s Anna.  This is the start of a special series on this blog, Doll Owner’s Corner.  Where I, the doll owner, gets full reign to discuss anything I want without Hikaru butting in.  It will occur the first day of each month. 

Why did Hikaru agree to this?  Well as she puts it, she is a “gracious and generous” doll.   Plus, despite how she acts, I have full control over everything including the computer.  What I say goes.

Anyway, it’s over a month since this blog was created.  Time certainly does fly.  So far, no one has yet to tell me I’m crazy or what not for running a blog written by a doll.  But that’s probably on their minds. 

Why would someone relatively “normal” set up a blog for a ball jointed doll.  Simple, I like blogs.  Hikaru has mentioned at least once or twice that I have a mostly craft blog, although she does neglect to mention my maze blog.  I guess that one doesn’t appeal to her. 

Anyway, not only do I blog, but I read blogs.  Many are craft blogs, but also other topics too.  I have a tendency to seek out blogs covering many different interests of mine.  So when I became interested in ball jointed dolls, I started to seek out blogs on the topic.  I found there are plenty of people who blog about their dolls, some also vlog which is also fun. 

I started to think it would be fun to have a doll blog too, so I started thinking how best to go about it.  Then I thought it would be fun to see a doll blog written from the point of view of a ball jointed doll.  Luckily Hikaru was more than open to the idea, as she mentioned in her intro.  Things just went on from there. 

It really has been fun for the both of us.  One of my favorite things is taking pictures of Hikaru for the blog.  Also coming up with new topics for Hikaru.  You didn’t think she did it all on her own did you?  Sometimes I have to drop a few hints.  Whatever works. 

Anyway, we’re going strong and will continue on.  Here’s to many more months of “playing with dolls”.

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