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You are here: Home / Archives for Blythe dolls

The Blog, Broadway & Pip

December 21, 2021 at 8:29 am by Claudia

Remember when I told you that Google was no longer going to support Feedburner, which sends emails of my posts? And I told you to bookmark the blog and that I was not going to pay for an email service? Well, if you haven’t bookmarked the blog the time is now. Since I’ve been back posting regularly, the email version of the post has gone out at all times and hours. Yesterday morning’s post went out at 2 am today. I can always tell when this happens because I get no comments on the blog – or very few – and the number of people visiting the blog drops sharply. I’ll check on the blog and sure enough, the email hasn’t gone out. It’s clearly the beginning of the end for Feedburner.

I am not going to change over to another email service. I already have to pay quite a bit of money to keep this blog going and I have to draw the line somewhere. So it comes down to you. I always post by 11 am EST. I am back to posting every day. Come to the blog directly. Thanks!

Final coat of primer. Except for the green parts, they need one or two more. I’m ignoring the porch floor at the moment.

The list of Broadway shows that are closed because of Covid grows longer. My friend Derek Klena’s show, Jagged Little Pill, just announced that it would not reopen again. My heart breaks for everyone that is finally – after two years – working again only to have the show close because of breakthrough infections. (Derek was the lead in Anastasia.)

I could go into a rant right now but I’ll spare you that. You know how I feel and I know you feel the same way, too. Just imagine a stream of cuss words coming from my mouth.

An outfit arrived in yesterday’s mail and I immediately put in on Pip. Since she has never worn something her sisters haven’t worn first, I felt she deserved it. Oh my heavens, she is adorable in it!

The scarf, the dress, and the tights are from Miema Dollhouse, based in Germany. The little bunny came with the dress.

I can’t stand it, she’s so cute. I really love this dress.

Why can’t I get away with something like this? The only real-life designer that I know of that does stuff like this is Gudrun. Maybe I should shed my jeans and t-shirts and start wearing striped tights and print tunics…

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

Filed Under: blog, Blythe dolls, dollhouse, Pippa 57 Comments

A View of the Tree and Another Arrival

December 19, 2021 at 10:17 am by Claudia

Sunday morning Christmas cheer.

Thank goodness our Christmas celebrations are relatively simple. I don’t think I have it in me to do much more than basic decorating and buying a few little things for Don – which I have yet to do. But he has to have something to open on Christmas morning, don’t you agree?

This will be a quiet and peaceful Christmas.

Okay. I have to ‘fess up. One more Blythe doll arrived late Friday night – all the way from Spain. I couldn’t resist her – there’s a story as to why. The woman who created Olivia, aka Livvy, and I were chatting on IG one day. Her name is Natalia and I first became familiar with her sprite-like dolls through my friend Susannah. Susannah is a long-time blogger and I’ve followed her for years. She lives in London. In fact, she was the person who introduced me to Blythe dolls (I’d been aware of them, but not the world of customized Blythe dolls, which is very different.) Susannah is an incredible photographer and her photos of her ever-increasing collection caught my attention. I became enchanted. She has several dolls from Natalia whose account is (at) VegaDolls on IG.

Anyway, I consulted Natalia when I was thinking of adopting Livvy, as she was being sold through a a woman who had adopted her from Natalia and I wanted to make sure everything was on the up-and-up. She assured me that the owner was a longtime friend and completely trustworthy. This initial conversation initiated a dialogue between us. One day, after BlytheMadrid, a convention where Natalia displayed her creations, I commented that she must be tired after all of that and she responded that she was not and was going to create another girl that week. What, she said, would I want in a doll? (She was trying to figure out what direction to take.) I told her short brownish hair and no bangs, as all my dolls had bangs. A week later, she wrote me and sent pictures of her newest creation and I fell for her. She wanted to give me the first option if I wanted her, but there was no pressure to buy her. But, she told me later that she had created her for me. I took a deep breath and purchased her. I never say never, but I’m pretty sure my family of girls is now complete.

Here she is:

Her name is Pippa. I briefly toyed with calling her Scout, but I realized I couldn’t call any other being, whether human or non-human by that name. Scout will always be our beloved Scout.

So she’s Pippa and I’m calling her Pip for short. Her nose is slightly rosy, so Don and I have decided she has allergies like her mom.

Those shoes have ladybugs on them! This is how she arrived in the box, a beautiful wooden box with the VegaDolls logo on it.

And here she is with her sister, who is showing her where all the clothes are:

Now I’m going to concentrate on clothing for the dolls. Maybe a new outfit once a month. I already have some things on the way but shipping is very slow because of the holidays.

Between these girls and my dollhouse and my books, I have a lovely little world in which to live and I’m very happy about it. And that world is underscored by my husband’s guitar.

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.

Filed Under: Blythe dolls, Christmas, Pippa 26 Comments

Thoughts on Sunsets, Mask-Wearing, and Zoe

December 17, 2021 at 9:52 am by Claudia

Last night’s sunset. Winter sunsets – at least here – are often the best. I’m not sure why, though I’m sure there is a scientific reason for that. Or there isn’t one, and it’s just my perception.

We took a walk in our little town yesterday afternoon. We’re determined to keep walking. I was forced to walk, and walk a lot, while I was in the city. I actually love walking around a city. Here? Not so much. Nevertheless, I lost weight while I was in the city. I can see my waist again. Plus, we’ve been really watching our diet for a several months. Winter is when I tend to be a slug, so that’s the time I have to be especially vigilant in terms of exercise. In a switch, Don was winded on our walk yesterday and I was not. Whoo hoo!

Today I’m going to try to clean up the outside pots and put the outdoor furniture on the porch. It’s a lot of work, but it’s relatively mild out there today, so I’m going for it.

The rapidly climbing Covid numbers are alarming. Some Broadway shows have had to close temporarily. Masks are required indoors in New York. (I always wore them anyway.) A woman I follow on IG said she’d been exposed to Covid and that several of her acquaintances who have been vaxxed and boostered, have tested positive. I’m glad I’m not there now. The movie set was rigorous about testing. We were tested 3 times a week – at least in my Zone A group – the group that was around the actors all the time. Mondays: both a PCR and an Antigen test. Wednesday: Antigen test. Friday: Antigen test. In total, I had 24 tests during the six weeks I worked on the movie. Plus, I had two PCR tests when I was working on Anastasia. And I also did an at-home test. Masks were required on set – whether outdoors or indoors. Masks were required when we were in the vans. We were very careful. I realize that people are tired of it all, but it must be done. I don’t have any patience for those who won’t wear masks. I wore one for 14-15 hours a day for 6 weeks. So do medical workers. Suck it up and do it.

End of tiny rant.

I had to find a bigger suitcase for the girls’ clothes. Don has a set of decorative suitcases that we found at a local antique dealer’s shop and he graciously allowed me to use one.

Zoe likes it. Heavens, she’s adorable.

Okay. Have to go.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

Filed Under: Blythe dolls, Broadway, Zoe 17 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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