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Finished Puzzle and a Bit More “Surgery”

September 22, 2022 at 9:11 am by Claudia

A sign that my back is much better:

I resumed work on the puzzle and finished it this morning. It’s a New Yorker cover from 1943, “Fishing Bridge.” Finally being able to work on it again was very satisfying.

We’re having a stormy, rainy day and I am loving it. It’s rare when we get up in the morning – and we are early risers – with a storm rolling in. It was so lovely to sit here drinking coffee , listening to thunder off in the distance, which quickly grew louder. I sure don’t take rain for granted these days.

But that takes mowing off the table for today.

The other day when I was adding the neck joints to Sophie and Maeve, I decided to replace one pair of Sophie’s eye chips. There was a little incident with hot glue and Sophie’s eyelashes. I had no choice but to remove them. Sophie had very thick eyelashes that, along with the former downward tilt of her head, made her look sulky all of the time. That was okay and I would never have opted to change her eyelashes if not for the ‘incident.’ Though I do like lighter, more realistic lashes as opposed to the heavy and thick lashes some customizers add.

I briefly considered no eyelashes at all, but yesterday morning, I decided she needed some. I set off for Walgreen’s and picked out some false eyelashes. One pair didn’t work because the base of the eyelashes was too thick to fit in the slot in the eyelid. But the other pair did fit. You Tube, again. I cut the eyelashes to fit the slot, added a thin bead of Elmer’s glue – water soluble – and gently pushed them in the slot with a long straight pin.

If I end up not liking them, I can always change them out in another one of my “Dr. Frankenstein” moves, as Don calls them.

New neck, new eye chips, new eyelashes. My very first girl, Sophie, has experienced a mini-makeover.

I love her freckled face.

All Blythes have four sets of eye colors. I might replace one more set in the future, but for now, I think Sophie needs time to get over the trauma of neck surgery and hot glue on her eyelashes. The girl needs some rest.

These eye chips were made by Puppelina Eye Chips, a creator who lives in Spain. I have no idea how she does it, but they’re beautiful.

Don has an injury to his right hand that the doctor said is not a joint/arthritis problem but a muscle injury. So he is now wearing a brace that supports his thumb because the muscle injury is on the pad right next to the thumb. It’s a bit a pain in the tush and he took it off too often yesterday so he’s in pain. I have lovingly ordered him to keep it on today.

I’m watching you, Don!

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday.

Neck Surgeon

September 21, 2022 at 8:57 am by Claudia

Sophie used to look like this. Her head tilted downward, as all Blythes do. That meant I had to take pictures from below – or just let it be, like this one.

Same with Maeve:

See how her head tilts down? I’m on my knees here, trying to shoot upwards so I can see her face.

Yesterday, I decided to go for it. I gathered all my tools (some of which I’ve had to purchase especially for Blythe work) went up to the office, put a towel on the hard surface of the desk, and started the process of adding a neck joint. First I had to take the head apart and pull out the body. Then I cut off a portion of the neck, sanded it, and made a hole in the center of the neck with an awl. I dry fitted the neck joint, made sure it fit correctly, and then screwed it to the neck. Then I inserted the neck joint, closed up the doll, screwed the head back together and:

Maeve, finally able to raise her chin and tilt her head to the side. Whoo hoo! I worked on Maeve first, thinking I should experiment on her before I worked on Sophie. I had to unscrew her head and take it apart twice, to make some adjustments, but I did it! Doesn’t she look lovely?

Claudia Hill, neck surgeon.

I had to come downstairs to show Don, I was so proud of myself.

On to Sophie. I learned from working on Maeve that the hair can get in the way of things, so this time, I put Sophie’s hair in a pony tail.

Much smoother the second time.

And here they are.

Look at Sophie raising her chin proudly.

They were complaining that the least I could do after putting them under the knife would be to change their clothes.

Thank goodness for You Tube. I ordered the neck joints from Palma Dolls in Spain because the customizer of my three VegaDolls, Natalia, recommended her. The parts are made with a 3d printer. Palma Dolls filmed a video just for this kind of body and neck joint and I’m sure I watched it 20 times.

I’ve been wanting to do this for almost a year but I was worried I’d screw up when I had to cut off part of the neck or make the hole for the screw. Every time I looked over at the dolls, both Sophie and Maeve would be looking down. All the other girls have some form of a neck joint. Anyway, it’s done. The girls made it through surgery just fine.

Sophie and Maeve were my first two Blythe dolls.

Okay. Just wanted to show off a bit!

I’m coaching this afternoon and fixing Sophie’s eyelashes. Long story.

And eating a piece of sugar-free apple pie.

And maybe crocheting another hat.

But first, I have to add all the changes that have been made to the script to my copy of the script so I’m all set for this afternoon.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

The Funeral, The Girls and Some Rain

September 20, 2022 at 9:21 am by Claudia

I watched all of the coverage of the funeral yesterday on the BBC. It was beautiful, moving, stunning, powerful – I’ve run out of adjectives. Don left the house for a bit to buy some groceries in that period between the funeral and the service at Windsor Castle but yours truly watched it all – except to take a shower, get dressed, and make the bed. It will stay with me a long time.

As I said in some of the comments: the most moving moments for me were the corgis waiting for her at Windsor Castle, the lone bagpiper at the end of the funeral, and her pony standing at the side of the road. That one made me cry.

I’m still thinking about it today and I suspect that will continue. Rest in Peace, Your Majesty.

My back is getting stronger. I still use the heating pad, probably because I’m used to it and it provides a sense of comfort. I want to mow so badly but Don says to hold off until Thursday. Sigh. He’s most likely right and since he’s taken very good care of me over the past two weeks, I’ll honor his request.

You knew it was coming: doll updates.

Madeleine is wearing a dress that I purchased from a woman named Mila in Ukraine. Isn’t it lovely? She also sent 5 or 6 pairs of socks (including the ones in the photo,) the bag, a hair bow, and a hat.

The hat fits quite snugly and it never would have fit over Madeleine’s hair, so Pippa offered to wear it.

I crocheted a tiny version of the hat I’ve been making. It fits Lily’s head, but just barely. I’ll play around with it in the next few days – I think I want a slightly larger version.

Yesterday’s mail included a package with the neck joints I’m going to use for Maeve and Sophie. Gulp. It involves some cutting and drilling, so wish me luck. I may try it today, we’ll see.

And we had a thunderstorm with lots of rain yesterday. After this summer, we sure don’t take rain for granted.

I’m coaching tomorrow and that will probably be it until I can watch a run-through. It’s not the way I like to coach, but it is what it is.

Don’s making a pie today. Always a happy occasion.

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

Finished Puzzle and a Bit More “Surgery”

Neck Surgeon

The Funeral, The Girls and Some Rain

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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