Sidetracked by a Circus

Although I've still been working on the Tailor's shop in between all our Christmas preparations, I found myself a little stumped (forgive the pun) when it came to the interior walls of the tree, so I had finally reached a standstill. But as luck would have it, I did, after some searching, find just the right lining, but had to place an order and wait for the parcel to arrive after the holidays.

Not being one to simply sit and wait around twiddling my thumbs, thoughts crept into my head . . . one in particular stuck there. At first it was simply an idea, then I found a picture on the internet suitable for me to put the idea into practise. I downloaded it, cut it into three sections using photo editing and printed it out on A4 paper. Using a glue stick, I mounted each sheet on foam board and made matching paper hinges (using photo editing once again) to put it all together.

Of course a Circus isn't complete without a clown or trapeze artist, so I made new costumes for my PukiFees, Tika (tan) and Rin (white), which also created a gender change. 😏 Though I still need to finish Rin's hat and Tika still has his/her wolf fangs, but they are not really out of place in a Circus are they? After all they used to have bearded ladies and others with human oddities.

Speaking of oddities . . . these  body parts arrived yesterday, I intend on painting them and using the tiny mannequin in the Tailor's shop and the larger one in my Fleur and Mason boutique when I finally get round to putting it all together.

Looking at these photos now, I see I probably need new ink for my printer. So what's new about that? I always need something. Well that's about it for today, so once again . . .  HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas!

Have Yourself a Very Merry Christmas

Here's a quick photo of our Christmas tree decorations this year, it's a mixture of cream hand tied bows, flock and ceramic teddy bears, a few tartan drums, vintage decoupage and red balls. I like to have a different look/colour each year, last year we had a burgundy and gold theme.

And look who arrived today, just in time to sit under the tree . . .

. . . my sweet little JUDE! Except he probably won't be called Jude, it's not quite the right name for an elf TAILOR!

Yes, he's going to be quite at home in the Tailor Shop, just you wait and see!

It's becoming even busier here now, so I shan't be around as much as I normally am, not until after the new year.

However, I will attempt to catch up on all your blogs this afternoon.

Have a wonderful time with your respective families, stay safe and try not to eat too much or overdo the alcohol! :)

Last Doll Purchase

I didn't manage to find the red haired Poppy Parker that I was hoping for this year, but I did manage to bag these two . . . an extremely nice compromise I think. However, they won't be arriving until next year.

Item # PP151 Friend or Foe Poppy Parker™ and Ginger Gilroy™ Gift Set

The Poppy Parker™ Collection 2019
W Club Exclusive
Estimated Arrival: End of April 2020
Edition Size: TBA
Head Sculpt: Poppy and Ginger (new character sculpt!)
Body Type: Poppy Parker
Skin Tone: FR White (Poppy) and Cream (Ginger)
Hair Color: Dark Ash Blonde (Poppy) and Titian Red (Ginger)
Foot type: High heeled
Eyelashes: Yes, hand-applied
Quickswitch: No

Hope you are all having a happy dolly week!

A Day at The Tailors

Remember this story ~ Finding Ferny Dale ~ which I posted back in August this year?

I continued writing the story without photos . . . however, as I was writing, I found myself picturing it in my mind. It was this little story which inspired me to make the Tailor Shop diorama which I am still currently working on.

As it is taking me longer than I anticipated and with Christmas looming, I thought rather than make you wait, I would share the story with you today, and hopefully it will tide you over until I complete my little diorama.

-oOo-

When the the tiny travellers arrived at the local tailors shop, they asked Mr.Tailor to make a new suit of clothes for Ferny to wear. Unfortunately he wasn't feeling too well, as he had hurt his back while bending over his cutting table. So rather than take a series of measurements, which was normally the case, Mr. Tailor asked Ferny to try on some prêt-à-porter clothes.

The first set he tried on made him look a little effeminate, what with the funny little skirt around it. The second felt a little too bulky, as if the cloth was more suitable for winter than spring.

Ferny was frustrated by having to continually try things on and take them off again, that he was beginning to wish he hadn't bothered to come to the tailor at all. If he was to have new clothes, he wanted them to fit perfectly and feel comfortable to wear. It was also important to Ferny that his outerwear should all be of the same fabric and in a colour that would blend with his forest surrounds.

It was then he spotted, hanging on a peg at the back of the shop, the most attractive pair of breeches that Ferny had seen all day, and with a matching pixie hat to boot! "That's what I want!" he exclaimed, pointing his finger in the direction of the clothes.

His three little companions and Mr. Tailor turned to look at what Ferny was pointing at. "Oh those old things" Mr. Tailor replied, "I made them long ago when I was only trainee tailor". Ferny didn't care when they were made, these looked perfect as far as he was concerned.

Misty was becoming impatient and said, "If that's what he wants, then let him try them on for size." Mr. Tailor nodded, took them of the hook and handed them to Ferny, who went into the changing room once more. This time he was really happy when he came out, dressed in a smartly striped outfit that fitted like a glove, so extraordinarily happy in fact, he couldn't stop smiling. "It's like these clothes were made for me" he beamed.

"Well looks like we have a winner, don't worry Mr. Tailor, it doesn't matter how long they have been made, will pay for them just the same" said Mossy from his chair by the window. So Mossy put his hand deep into his pocket and took out five gold coins which he handed Mr. Tailor. Then the four tiny elves thanked Mr.Tailor and left the store.

As the four walked hand in hand up the cobbled street towards Beechwood Hall, Missy sighed "Well I'm glad that's all over, now we can concentrate on celebrating Hollow's birthday", which was the reason for Ferny's visit in the first place.

-oOo-

Perhaps in the new year, I shall post photos of the final construction stages of the Tailor Shop, as well as some to match this story, which may also include Hallow's birthday bash. :)

Lucy Locket

After spending the last few days with her, and in keeping with the Nursery Rhyme theme I used for my previous three Liz Frost (Wizworx) dolls, Willowmenia has chosen the name Lucy Locket as hers. But of course she couldn't possibly be Lucy Locket without a "pocket" of her own, so I made her one.

Do any of you remember this singing this nursery rhyme when you were a child?

Lucy Locket lost her pocket,

Kitty Fisher found it;

Not a penny was there in it,

Only ribbon round it.

Historically, the term "pocket" referred to a pouch worn around the waist by women in the 17th to 19th centuries in which they would keep their small belongings. Skirts or dresses of the time had a slit at the waistline to allow access to the pocket which hung around the woman's waist by a ribbon. They were a pre-cursor to the 19th century handbag and the pocket that we now find in our skirts and trousers.