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You are here: Home / Archives for Blythe dolls

Eight and Done

January 30, 2022 at 9:21 am by Claudia

We got about 3 inches of snow, but the winds were/are bitter and it was well below zero last night. Still, we have power and the snow can be easily shoveled. Next Friday, we’re supposed to get snow and ice and that is worrying. I know many of you were in the path of this storm and got much more snow. I hope you are safe and I pray you have power.

Today, I introduce you to Madeleine. I wanted one more girl and I wanted her to have curls. Most of the curly haired Blythes have too many curls for my taste, but one day last week, I saw this girl and I was enchanted. There is no other way to describe it. I thought about it for 24 hours and then I went for it. It helped that she was very reasonably priced.

Here she is. She arrived on Friday afternoon all the way from Spain. I now have 4 girls from Spain.

She was dressed this way when she arrived. The dress, the little sweater, the scarf, the socks and shoes, and that adorable tote bag: all of it charming.

She had originally been named Kate and I was going to keep that name, but to me, she looked French. I started thinking of names and right before she arrived, I came up with Madeleine. I think it suits her. (My paternal grandmother was named Madeline – different spelling – but there’s a nice connection there.)

The tote bag had a scroll of instrumental music inside, as well as a book. When I examined the book more closely, I saw it was a Tintin book! Tintin is a beloved French comic book character. So my instincts about her were right. And, of course, wearing a scarf is very  French.

Isn’t that the sweetest face?

Normally, I immediately want to dress a new doll in something I have in my wardrobe stash, but this outfit is so adorable that I’m going to keep her in it for a while.

Of course, the other girls in this family are fascinated by her curls. Sophie, for so long the only child here, now has 7 sisters. (I’m not sure she’s thrilled with that.)

Quite frankly, I have no more room on the top of the sheet music cabinet for another doll. I managed to create some room for Madeleine and her curls, thank goodness, but 8 (!!) is enough. Or to spin it more positively, 8 is great!

I now have 2 girls from Russia, 1 from Belarus, 1 from England, and 4 from Spain.

Can I say that few things make me happier in my daily life than looking up from my chair and seeing my girls. I’m so lucky that Don is almost as enchanted with them as me.

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.

Filed Under: Blythe dolls, Madeleine 34 Comments

Whimsy

January 28, 2022 at 7:17 am by Claudia

For some reason, both Don and I woke up at the same time this morning feeling quite rested. I turned on the light. We got up.

It was 4:15.

I reminded myself that I routinely got up at that time when I was working on the movie and then proceeded to work for 12 hours. I don’t have to work a twelve hour day today, so no big deal!

I actually like waking up early – maybe not quite  this early – but I love to rise when it’s still dark. There’s something lovely and quiet and mysterious about it.

Some guidance for my day today, and every day: a quote that appeared when I opened Upstream  by Mary Oliver to a random page. These words jumped off the page:

               You must not ever stop being whimsical.

Mary gets me.

You know how much I love whimsy, how much I believe in whimsy. I cannot imagine my life without it.

On that note: Ben (from the movie) sent me an email yesterday and one of the things he asked was “How is the doll’s house looking? Show me!” So I sneaked into the office where Don was recording and took a quick picture.

Lots of little details yet to go, including dressing the bed – something I’m avoiding. I need some lamps, a couple of plants, more kitchen stuff, a few more books. And I need to address the porch area and add some window boxes.

And more whimsy:

Maeve in her hat. My longtime online friend, Jill (I met her many years ago through miniatures) left a comment on Instagram re this photo. “I see a little attitude in this one. Or is it just me?”

That made me laugh out loud. Jill is right!

Maeve does have some attitude.

Okay. Time to go.

Yes, we’re getting snow tomorrow but only 1-3 inches, which is nothing. We’re relieved.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

Filed Under: Blythe dolls, dollhouse, miniatures, whimsey 20 Comments

Zoe and What Are You Reading?

January 26, 2022 at 10:27 am by Claudia

Speaking of the desk, Zoe decided to perch there for a while yesterday.

You’ll notice she’s wearing the new red and black boots.

Of all my girls, Zoe most reminds me of me as a child. I had thick brown hair, bangs, big dark brown eyes, and I was a serious kid who worried a lot. My hair was long, which is the only difference.

I guess Zoe is my “mini me.”

Waving hello to all of you.

I finished Cloud Cuckoo Land  last night. Simply extraordinary. Anthony Doerr is an incredibly gifted writer. There’s no way I could summarize the plot here, as it’s complex, but suffice to say, it’s an ode to books and libraries and the human spirit, which spans generations, countries, space, and time. A book to savor and take your time reading for the sheer pleasure of it. I still can’t stop thinking about it. I spoke about nothing but that book to Don this morning during our coffee time on the sofa. I couldn’t stop!

I read a lot and, of course, you know I love mysteries. But if I had to sum up the most powerful and extraordinary books (and I’m talking new  books) that I have read in the past 10 years, I would list these:

All the Light We Cannot See – Anthony Doerr
Station Eleven – Emily St. John Mandel
A Gentleman in Moscow – Amor Towles
Hamnet – Maggie O’Farrell
Cloud Cuckoo Land – Anthony Doerr

And I have Towles’ newest, The Lincoln Highway, here in the den.

But first I’ll read Julia Dahl’s newest mystery, The Missing Hours, which I purchased at the Mysterious Bookshop when I was in NYC. I reviewed Dahl’s first three books and was an immediate fan. (She lives in Brooklyn, by the way.)

Which leads me to my favorite question for you (one I’ve neglected for too long.)

What are you reading?

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

Filed Under: Blythe dolls, books, Zoe 50 Comments

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Welcome!

Welcome!

I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating, I love gardening. My decorating style is eclectic; full of vintage and a bit of whimsy.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

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Scout & Riley. Riley left us in 2012. Scout left us in February 2016. Dearest babies. Dearest friends.

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