THE PRINCESS AND THE PEA

 

HOORAH FOR THE BREEZE

 

Well what a week it has been !! Hot , hot and well hot ! Anyone would think it was summer !! I think it even made it to being a heatwave !! Well I for one am happy to wave it goodbye! Too hot to actually do anything more than that which could not be left. We reached the burning heights of over 30 degrees !

Yes yes I know that's barely warm in some parts of the world but for a Brit, who expects to be walking along the promenade, head down into driving wind and rain and ten minutes later sitting back in the car eating a bag of chips, then needing to take off the coat and cardigan an hour later as the sun returns on 26 degrees ! The last week's been a trial ! 

But in other ways it's just been busy. The new sofa arrived Friday and is lovely and PINK ! lol yes that is what I said pink ! A lovely velvety shade of deep pink. There are , although not able to see in the photos, tiny pink dots in the wallpaper behind the sofa.

Alas it will need to spend a great deal of it's time covered up , since this is the room the dogs sleep in and they will climb up for a nice comfy snooze.

So we bought a lovely bright cover to save it from the dogs.

So it's been all change around the area. We decided to remove the rug that was in this part of the room and just go with the wooden floor. But then I remembered the long slim rug I had bought years ago from the first doll studio, the one that's now the prop store, and had never taken out of it's bag ! Yes that is orange you see in both the rug and the cover but I'm working on the fact it's mixed in with so much more !! 

Then because the bureau was no longer along the wall, the mirror and clock now looked one sided ! So it was off to see what pictures were sitting around waiting for a home. Lindsey A level art exam picture worked best, so that now in place, plus Paul found two signed prints we'd never even framed and got them sorted to go on the side wall.

Finally I found two plump cushions from up in the bedroom, to use for when I sit on the sofa, as the back curves away, which means I have no support where I would need it, so the cushions work great for helping with that.

Now we just have to decide where the standard lamp will go or if it will and that's all finished.  A perfect sofa for putting your feet up and relaxing with a good book while enjoying a view of the garden.

Plus we have found a use finally for the rug and five pictures were also found places to hang, two others landed up in the kitchen and three here. Along with two plump cushions also have a better place of more use.

Now because The sofa was arriving, we had to move out the bureau and also the doll cupboard needed to be emptied and moved across the room.

The bureau was put round under the carport photos were taken and it was listed but as soon as it went live I started to regret it ! But where could it go?? Then I had an idea and tape measure in hand a place was found ! In the doll studio ! It is actually not as deep as the small cupboard we placed in there and will take everything that was placed in the small cupboard and still leaving me the desk space and shelf and small glass cupboard at the top! and I get to keep it.

It was too hot to work in the studio this week, so now the weather's cooled down, I'll be able to get back inside and carry on.

Now because I had to move the doll cabinet I realised that most of the poor boys were still in their winter woollies !! Since it was too hot to do much else, it was a perfect time to change them all into their summer clothes, although I did have to wait until it cooled again in the evening to go back into the studio to get them some shoes etc.

Robin is today's headliner. Wearing the new Ginny shorts, shirt and bucket hat set that arrived this week.

On the selling front it's been going quite well with the bike and trolley selling really quickly along with the other ruby red dolls I listed and the pram ! 

So more biggish items going to make some space and help making the studio useable again.

Now I would like to say that I've not been looking at clothes and dolls but well I have, so still

plenty of things calling me, so the selling goes on along side the clearing out.

So even with the heat, a lots been happening and moving on.

It was my youngest daughter's 40th on Friday, yes I know how is that possible with having such a young mother ! in the words of Barry Manilow, Could it be magic? . . . .

So we went for a visit on Saturday leaving very early in the morning to avoid the heat, had a lovely time with them all and also took three large boxes of toys that belonged to Clara when she was a baby and also toys that had belonged to my girls, Lego, Barbies, Ken's etc. So yet more things cleared and gone ! 

Wishing Lora and Merrick also a belated happy birthday.

Have a great week ahead with plenty of doll play and fun.

Dee

 

REFLECTION

 

SUNDAY SUNDAY

 

So another Sunday arrives, this one bright but cloudy after a day or two of very hot weather with the threat of thunderstorms that passed us by, although others were not so lucky.

The sorting, tidying, selling continues, although Gill and Tony came to lunch again this week and Tony kindly. along with Paul, put electric sockets into my doll studio, so I can finally have a light fitting !! Not only that but he also contented power up to the water pump for our small waterfall, so two long awaited jobs done with the help of the wonderful Tony.

Naturally Gill and myself stayed out the way chatting and getting lunch ready while they faffed about , ;) , and lots of doll talk was had.

The next day, Paul worked on getting the water flow correct on the stones and now it's all done and working well.

Meanwhile, I've been making decisions and finally agreed that my dropleaf oak table with the barley twist legs could be sold, which allowed me to move the big box of dvd's and my bigger box of wool that sits on top of it, from the middle of the props store to the side. Which finally allowed me to actually walk unimpeded from the door to the back wall.

More sorting of boxes /bags was done, along with some listing of items for sale. 

Today's headliner is our very own Hattie Bonham Carter Owen. It took a lot of arm twisting to get her to try on this dress for me, which I think suits her really well.

But she's having none of it and is now the photos have been taken, off searching for 'her' clothes to wear!

The new no navel boy has settled on the name Ruairi ! He had to chose the Celtic spelling , to keep me on my feet ! But at least he now does have a name.

His arrival seems to have stirred things up ! But more about that in a month or so!!!

On the selling front, things are going along slowly but are going. I decided to sell some of my Ruby red dolls and just keep a couple. So two, I'm pleased to say, have already sold and another's just been listed and I have a decision to make on which of the other two Forever Friends dolls go , then I can list that one. 

So things are changing although slowly, but since I still have enough to fill a small barn, the sorting, deciding and changing around continues but the patio table is starting to reappear from beneath the boxes and bags! 

The katkin book and bag on top contain 85 paperback books I'm selling which are too big and heavy to post, so could take some time to go. I think I'll have to move them into the old workshop to get them out the way ! I think this whole table may even be cleared by the end of this week !! 

That AG bike will be going on the market later today and hopefully won't stick around long, so more space.

Now I would like to say that I've not bought anything but I'd be lying ! Carried away by making a few sales, I did splash out on one of Petrana's sunsuits that I had in my watching and I've been chatting to Ginny but at least these are clothes that can be easily put away in the drawer and not large props that fill the space up ! 

So that's been my week, now I'm off to sort out that bike for sale and maybe move those books into the workshop, a Sasha doll lovers work is never done ! 

Have a lovely healthy happy doll filled week

Dee 

GETTING THAT SHOT !

 

Sometimes getting the shot you want involves many attempts ! I wanted the girls to have the beautiful large purple Alliums , given to me by Gill and Tony when they came for lunch, to appear behind them in the shot.

The alliums are very tall, so I used the little two drawer chest to stand them on. 

These are before any cutting and carving of the photo, so in all their glory !

b

So tried without the drawers to stand on and the alliums are way too high.

Next up I tried it with just the actual drawers, turned upside down and stacked on each other.

Much better the flowers were now around the dolls heads.

Much better position.

A little cutting and carving and the final photo is achieved.

b

A bit more tweaking and another photo, this time the close up. 

A SUNDAY IN JUNE

 

Sunday so soon ! and not only that the first one this month ! So far the weather for June has been choppy , one minute nice warm sunshine and then clouds and also some decent rain ! Good for the garden at least !

Not so helpful when it comes with a cooler breeze.

We had friends over to lunch in the week so a nice relaxing day and plans were made to put an electricity connection over to my studio, so that's hopefully happening this coming week ! I could finally have a light fitting after about five years ? 

I am continuing to be busy sorting out the doll studio and the props store.

re ! Posh old names I know but that's what they are and doll cabin doesn't have the same ring to it ! ;)

However one of the things I decided this week was that the dolls house was in the way ! I did not want to put it back on the chest of drawers again and lose the bedroom setup. So after having a sort out down in the props store, I found enough space for it to move down there while I sell it.

It is a shame to have to sell but it needs to be in the house where it can be seen but there is no room inside, so it's on the market hoping for a new home where someone will love it and enjoying setting up the rooms etc.

I also decided that my Maileg castle could go ! I can tell you know if that castle had been Sasha sized It would be staying but since it's mouse sized it's on it's way.

That reminds me that a good few years back I did have plans for Paul to build me a castle tower for the Sasha's in the garden but there was no easy place to put it where it would look okay, so that plan withered away. Plus now we have the folly, which can double up as the Sasha/ Gregor castle ...

Today's headliner is Ashley, wearing a new Ginny belted dress.  I have to say these dresses of Ginny's look great on the no navel's and I am hoping she'll be adding some new fabric's to the line.

Now I have been selling lots of bits and pieces. A few of the props have gone, a white 50's chest of drawers, some more shoes, a new Sindy doll, some other soft toys and one castle hall and the kitchen tower ! So half the castle's already been bought and is boxed up ready and waiting for collection.

I also finally found the Gotz Angela's original outfit, in a shopping bag in the cupboard in the props store ! No idea why it was there but must have been one of my quick tidy ups but because the back went all the down into there it was a pure fluke I found it ! So I asked the lady who bought her ,if she wanted to buy it, she did not, so I sold it on ebay today.

However I do have to confess I also bought a chest of drawers !

This was the chest of drawers I sold and 

I mean look at that bow front and mahogany finish ! and the perfect size for the dolls, even though I intended it to be used for storing small items, it will make a good background piece.

I also sold a Sasha, the brunette short haired girl, I did try to resist but it was a case of if I sold her I could use the money on another Sasha I really wanted to buy , having been watching her a while. So alas she had to go. If I'd thought about selling the castle earlier, she may have got to stay ! 

So things are definitely moving both in the studio and the props store, I may even be able to get into both places without having to move things out the way soon ! 

On that note I will wish you all a happy healthy fun filled , doll filled week ahead.

Dee

READY FOR THAT HOLIDAY

 

Valentine is feeling full of the holiday spirit ! 

He nabbed the new set of boys togs by Ginny of A Passion for Sasha that arrived a couple of days back. 

Grabbed one of the summer backpacks , slipped on some Rosie Bloom sandals and he is ready to Rock n Roll . . .

"Are you off camping? " Mum asks with a smile

" Mother ! " exclaims Valentine , giving her his most superior stare " One does not go camping dressed thus! One goes to the Cote d'Azur and sleeps on a yacht , don't ya know "

"Well good luck doing that " laughs mum 

" One can but dream " sighed Valentine " meanwhile I will go for a promenade around this glorious garden of ours. Toodle Pip old thing  "

IT'S THE FIFTH SO TIME FOR THE DOLLS

 To have their photo's taken. So let us begin. . . .

Chaos reigns over at RoRoPo while the children try to find some summer sweaters Ruben is asking Julchen if she wants the yellow mixed sweater for the summer, since it's her favourite colour.

Gregor, Caleb and Otto seem to be totally confused as to which they want to wear ! I fear those three will be there for some time ! 

Gill's girl D'arcy is happily showing off her new cardigan which goes nicely with her summer dress and shoes.

Taylor, Tia, Severine and Tiffany  are all ready for summer and wonder just when the rain will stop ! 

Over the pond in Gregoropolis , Emma and Wesley are showing off their new togs just in from Ginny's clothes shop in the UK. Both are looking very sunshine/holiday ready. I hope the sun's out there because it's raining here !

Ashley and Martha are watching the rain and wondering if they should go get some cardigan's against the chill ? Hold fast! Is that some sun fighting it's way through those clouds? Mm maybe we'll wait they decide.

Sweet Tiffany joins us again showing off a beautiful Petrana smocked dress with the perfect matching shoes. . . sigh  . .

Many thanks to all those sending in wonderful photos for us to all sigh over , there is always space for more, just send them in to have them added 

Dee

A SHELF OR TWO

Looking organised but early days, still items to add when they are found.

The shelves are slowly filling up.

SUNDAY THE FIRST OF JUNE

 

So a new month starts.     As I mentioned in the week, I have started on the doll studio big tidy ! and it will be big !  Not a lot got done yesterday in the studio due to an unexpected visit from my eldest daughter, so time was spent enjoying a chat out under the gazebo in the warmth. 

However before she arrived and Paul went off to his bowls, I had helped Paul move the big chest of drawers into the corner by the window.

So apart from that, not a lot got done yesterday but in a way that may have been for the best, because I woke at 6.30 this morning and was wide awake, as in my body was not interested in any more sleep ! Which meant I had time to think about the studio and placement of items.

Now I am five two or I was in my younger days and a problem with the dolls house being on top of a tall chest of drawers, is I could not access the attic, without standing on a ladder or some sort of step.

Also having the dolls house on top of the drawers meant that nice big space was unavailable and I really wanted a bedroom setting.

So one of the first things I did once the clock hit 8 and I got up and when downstairs, was to go out to the studio with a tape measure to confirm my new plans would work.

Which was to bring in a small pine cupboard, we had been planning to sell on as we didn't think it was needed, and place it between the window and doors, if it was the right size to take the dolls house. 

Well the dolls house is 27 inches wide by 14 deep and the little cupboard is 25 inches wide by 16 deep., almost perfect fit.

I explained my idea to Paul and he said he'd cut a piece of wood to place on the cupboard slightly wider than the dolls house, so it would sit safely, which he did.

Above shown in it's new place. Not only does it give me the space on top of the drawers, I have now also gained a small cupboard for more storage .

So eager was I to see if the space would work for the bedroom setting, Paul put the back board up for me and I had the bed quickly in place and the wardrobe etc.

Well lit by the window.

A little rearranging of the chest of drawers and making up of the bed and the space works well.

A couple of pieces of paper to see if it needs a wallpaper to pretty up the wall? Maybe but would need to have a white background to keep the area light.

And no ! I don't need a chamber pot under that bed ! What I will need is a valance.

So I was originally planning on having just one moveable set of drawers at the end, but have placed another on top because the 'wall' behind the bed reduces the light a little anyway. I'm hoping I'll be able to still move it all together if needed but I'll not find that out until much later in the tidying.

My next task is to empty the display cupboard and re arrange the shelves, adding one back in and lowering the room setting that is inside at the top since again it's a little high when trying to take photos and is also stopping the extra shelf going back in.

Once that's done I can start on this !! Hopefully some of this will have been moved as I sort out the display unit and now I also have the small cupboard.

Oh and lets not forget that all those boxes etc are still outside on the patio table ! But hey I did remove one thing from there ! The chest of drawers for the bedroom setting, so technically speaking I've even made a start on that. . . . .

So as no name was todays headliner, due to not having time to take another photo, cannot take the chance of getting side tracked !

Have a lovely wonderful fun filled month ahead , don't forget those doll photo's for the fifth and remember to relax and enjoy some doll time.

Dee