Some Days

I don't much feel like posting, however, today I'm in two minds. Firstly, I'd like to thank my readers for their lovely comments on my Singapore holiday photos. I am so pleased you all enjoyed them.

As most of you know, I have another blog called The White Panther Jazz Club and that I have been working on a diorama so I can photograph the story with my Integrity Toy dolls. The story includes two males, both are jazz musicians, but I only had one doll to play the part and he needed some minor adjustments as seen here.

To cut a long story short, I ordered another male doll from the USA on the 3rd July, records show it was despatched via USPS and departed LA on the 10th July. According to Australia Post it hasn't arrived in Australia, fortunately it was insured so a refund will eventually be given to the sender, but they wanted me to wait indefinitely before replacing it or refunding me. Which I, as a former business owner myself, would not have done. I think it's a mistake to let customers wait without providing a time when they can expect a resolution, so I've asked for a refund which is now in the hands of PayPal.

In the meantime, I managed to find the same doll on eBay (in Australia I might add and less expensive too) so I have ordered him and he should arrive soon.

Now if I could only see to make clothes for all my dolls I would be over the moon, and hopefully that shouldn't be too far away from happening. Cataract surgery is next on my agenda!

I do hope you are all doing well and enjoying your northern hemisphere summer, I am looking forward to seeing ours arrive so I can enjoy the outdoors again.

P.S. Thursday, 10th August: PayPal have given me a refund.

Things Sent To Try Me

I'm feeling a little low today, you remember I said I was waiting on a few more items for my mid century diorama, well the parcel arrived a few days ago, but what I ordered was not what was inside. Instead was these . . . a teeny tiny car, a teeny tiny truck and plastic sheet!

Needless to say, I was really disappointed and immediately contacted the supplier who has continued to give me the run around for the past two days. After thinking about what I ordered and considering that the supplier could not give a care, I have requested a complete refund. Whether I receive one or not is completely in the hands of God and I'm certainly not wasting any more money by returning unrequested items.

BEWARE of "Shop910680008 Store" on AliExpress.  After several messages back and forth to AliExpress, they (not the store) FINALLY refunded my money.

Hubby will make the wooden items I require to complete the diorama and I will do the rest myself, which is something I should have done in the first place and probably would have done if I wasn't so impatient to finish this diorama and move on to the next before I lose the inspiration.

On the upside, my backdrops arrived and look great! So much so, I'm going to order a few more. The high resolution photos I chose were completely royalty free from Pexels and I had them printed as A2 wall art posters by Vista Print, which I need for the large mid-century windows. I then stuck them on 3mm MDF using adhesive spray . . . one image on each side. Of course if I was going to use Pexels photos for smaller windows, I'd just print them myself on A4 photo paper.

Here's another sneak preview to tide you over. Of course sneak previews are just that, they are not finished rooms. However, in saying that, it doesn't mean my girls will wait until it is, to have a photoshoot. :)  I think Holly is looking a little peeved she didn't get any cake!

Still waiting On: Rugs, wall art, curtains & a more proportioned backdrop.

Happy weekend to all!

I'm So Excited

I just received a message this morning to say my sweet Nili 3 is on her way! YAY!

I also received a lovely email from "Sharon in Spain". I am trying to convince her to return to blogging, but she's concerned all her followers may have forgotten her, I need you to help me convince her she definitely IS NOT forgotten.

Now having completed the enormous task of adding all my 195 dolls to "Studio 1283", I am turning my attention to the 1:6 scale furniture pieces which I received for Christmas back in 2020. It's not like me to leave something dolly related in it's box for so long before opening it, but it's been a crazy couple of years, so I'm excusing myself this time.

I did manage to pull them out today and I'd forgotten how many pieces would need assembling . . . here come gluey fingers again.

It's going to take some time for me to assemble all of them as they are so fiddly. Perhaps I should paint the pieces first, well at the very least, the surfaces that face inside each of the cabinets etc.

Talking to you is not getting me anywhere fast, so until next time, have a lovely weekend!

Time Out

I have been trying to clean out my studio, but things are moving much slower than I'd like. Having a six month old puppy underfoot and renovations has left me feeling like blogging is too much to handle, so for my own well being I'm going take some time out.

Although I shan't be commenting on your blogs or writing on mine, you will always remain in my thoughts.

I'm Still Here!

... and I'd like to send a special thank you to Linda, Dee, Quinley, RM, Chiriann, Maribel, Xaya, Barb, Dorian, Niina, MC, Mia, Uschi and Alasse for your very kind New Year wishes.

Things have been very busy on the home front since we decided to make the most of summer and the salad come BBQ season to renovate our kitchen. Hubby has been extremely busy coping with all the hard to do stuff, while I have been busy working as his TA (tradesman's assistant) and managing the order & finance department.

There was a lot to do, as we wanted to close off the wall to the former dining room (now studio) and turn my galley kitchen into an L shape with an island. This meant redoing the floors as well. I have taken a few before and in progress photos, here's one, but I'll wait until I can show you the finished kitchen before sharing them all.

Looking through the wall into the kitchen . . . gas heater & doorway removed, along with all the previous kitchen cupboards etc.

The studio is also getting a makeover, so I shan't be on the old 'puter for a little while yet, but like McArthur ... I shall return!

I hope you are all keeping yourselves safe and healthy. I shall try to catch up with your blogs soon.

Back in Lockdown AGAIN!!

 I just wish everyone would get vaccinated and put an end to this bloody virus!

I was really looking forward to going out to dinner with friends tomorrow evening and getting my hair done next week.

On top of that eBay have changed their payment system requiring all sellers to provide them with banking details, which I shan't be doing . . . so there will be no more sales from me on eBay after the 18th June.

Hope you all are having a better week!!

P.S. If anyone needs or wants to contact me privately, just send me your email address in the contact box at the bottom of the right hand column and I will reply.

Quick Note & A Belated Happy Halloween

Some of you have already picked up on this, but just to bring you up to date . . . I recently changed the title of A Little Dolly Toybox to The Little Dolly Toybox, so you may want to change any links you have to it.

An oldie but a goodie :)

I'm still working on my diorama, but should have some new photos for you soon. Things have been kinda hectic here lately as Victoria has finally come out of stage 4 lockdown and we can now travel up to 25 kilometres from home, shops and food outlets are open again too. So after 112 days of total hibernation, I have managed to have my nails done and actually have a proper lunch with my daughter and dine at a restaurant with my hubby . . . feels sooooo good!

I know things are not going well in the northern hemisphere and I hope and pray you all stay safe and healthy. Keep safe distancing and WEAR YOUR MASKS!!! I know they can be horribly annoying, but believe me it helps.

It's Not Easy Being Green!

No dolly news to share with you today, but I think we could all do with something to make us smile in our lives right now, so I am sharing a conversation which took place with an elderly friend of mine some time ago.

While staying with this friend, we spent some time sitting on her verandah admiring her pretty garden and chatting about how things are different in the country compared with the city. We also talked about the animals on her farm and how loudly the frogs in her dam croaked at night, when she asked me,

"Have you noticed how they quieten down after you go to bed and turn out the light?"

I looked at her rather strangely and replied,

"I think you must drop off to sleep very quickly,
because I could still hear them croaking long after we had gone to bed."

No more was said about the frogs and we went inside to make ourselves a cuppa.

It wasn't until a couple of days later, and quite out of the blue, she said to me,

"I just realised why those frogs don't croak after I turn out the light,
I take my hearing aids out before I go to sleep!"

Needless to say, I couldn't help smiling. Hope you all have a wonderful week, stay safe and keep on keeping on!

WHY??

What is it with Blogger, do they get bored or something?? Do they not have something better to do? Why is there a need to continually change things all the time? Every time, when I'm just getting comfortable with Blogger and think to myself, "okay, things are finally running smoothly", they go and change the whole darn system AGAIN!

This is very annoying for this ol' duck!! I mean I am not stupid, and I can still figure out things, but who wants to be wasting good dolly time, learning how to use this b****y new system? Of course, you can bet your bottom dollar, this latest move of theirs, is most probably the reason for all the photos mysteriously disappearing from our blogs in recent weeks!

Does anyone else get as fed up with the constant changes as much as me? Blogger you are a pain in the butt!

Dolly Thoughts

I sometimes find myself wondering how we all became so involved with dolls, and why each of us are drawn to different types of dolls. I mean, some people like to collect antique dolls made of porcelain, some like the vintage dolls from the 1950's and 60's in either plastic or vinyl, some prefer baby dolls while other prefer fashion dolls, some like to specialise and only collect Patsy, Nancy or Barbie dolls. Others will only collect BJD's, or limit their collections to anime dolls.

Where as me, I never intended to collect dolls at all. I really mean NOT EVER! I was a teddy bear collector all my life! I had spent sixteen years designing, teaching and making teddy bears the traditional way, by hand. Looking back, I cannot remember exactly how the doll collecting all began now, but if my recollections are correct, I can blame it all on Blythe and the few lessons I took to learn how to customise them.

That initial purchase of a single Blythe doll, turned into twenty seven, many of which I customised and sold on, keeping just two.

One was my beautiful Amaya, customised by Kate Hardin of Chantilly Lace in 2012. Kate also used the names Moofers and Moofala. Amaya was the first chocolate coloured Blythe I had seen and close to my last Blythe purchase. I fell in love with her as soon as I saw her. The dress and cardi she is wearing in these photos, is a replacement outfit which I received in a swap and the hat I made for her.

The other Blythe is the Petit Dejeuner Champs Elysees who sat in her box for so long I had forgotten about her until recently. As you already know, I am currently working on her and as I am really happy with her progress, I shall probably keep her. Now that in itself, presents another dilemma. I don't usually like to have even numbers of a particular doll, so maybe, just maybe, I will add another to make them a trio. :)

For some unknown reason, I seem to progress from one type of doll to another, which means my collection is very eclectic and most of the time, I find it hard to part with any of them. However, there are some exceptions. I took quite a fancy to the Disney Animator dolls for  a little while, but they just take up far too much shelf space, so those are disappearing from my collection slowly (much too slowly for my liking). It's not that I dislike them, I don't, I still think they are cute and they are a good size to knit and sew for, but I really need to make way for my latest compulsion, which at approximately seven inches, are really quite tiny in comparison.

Do you ever wonder what it is that other collectors see in the dolls they collect? Help me out here girls, what is it about your own collection that reeled you in hook line and sinker? Why do you collect the dolls that you do? I'd really love for you to tell your stories and I think everyone else who reads my blog, would enjoy reading about how you began your journey into the wide world of dolls. :)

The Long and The Short of It

When I'm not playing with my dolls, I often wander off looking for interesting things to cheer me up on the internet . . .  things like this!

Being a dog owner and previous carer of my daughter's herd of pet Cavies (Guinea Pigs), as well as a general lover of all things cute, I couldn't resist spending time looking at these wonderful photos over at Warren Photographic. If you have time on your hands, or just need a pick-me-up, go take a peek at his website (simply click on his name above), it's sure to make you smile!

"Animals are reliable, many full of love, true in their affections, predictable in their actions, grateful and loyal. Difficult standards for people to live up to." 
~ Alfred A. Montapert ~


Best Wishes for a Happy Easter!

Something Is Leaving Me With a Nasty Taste

WARNING: Venting Session in Progress!

I am so sick and fed up with the media in this lovely country of ours, especially when I see headlines like "Baby Boomers Spending the Kids Inheritance". What gives anyone the right to feel so entitled to what most "baby boomers" worked their butts off for?

When my hubby and I first bought our house of a moderate size (not 40 squares with a media room) in 1979, we couldn't even afford to put carpet on the floors or curtains up at the windows . . . we had bare boards (not polished) and sheets to cover our windows. Like many of our peers, our furniture was either cheap or secondhand, but we kept our spending within our means.

Continued hikes in the Reserve Bank rate pushed 30-year mortgage rates to record highs throughout the 80's & 90's. To put this into perspective, the monthly payment for a $100,000 loan at the historical peak rate of 18.63% during this time was $1,558.58, compared to $421 at today's U Bank historical low rate of 2.99%. You might reason, land and houses are more expensive now, but wages are so much higher, and if people would consider buying a smaller home their mortgages wouldn't be to hard to meet . . . but these days there are those who have to have it all as soon as they move in!

The "baby boomers" also went through “the recession that Australia had to have”, when wages were low and jobs hard to find. Like many of our generation, both of us continued to work just to survive and so as not lose our house, my hubby worked three jobs.

Those parents have loved their children, fed them, clothed them and educated them, but obviously not well enough to make some of them and/or theirs, stand on their own two feet! To be honest, our generation has probably given them far too much already, we've spoilt them and our government has also had a hand in this.

When we were young and looking for work, we took any job we could find, we couldn't afford to be picky as we received no government assistance. A single person in Australia today who is “looking for paid work” is entitled to up to $555.70 a fortnight and could also qualify for $138 in rent assistance a fortnight. Australia is also one of few countries that does not charge a specific tax to employees or employers to fund unemployment benefits. In the UK, Canada, Germany and the US, employees pay to be “insured” against unemployment. In other words you have to have worked before you are entitled to anything.

Then when our parents passed we expected nothing and got nothing. Just knowing that they had the foresight to make sure they didn't leave any debts or funerals for us to pay for was enough of a blessing.

It took us 40 years to get to where we are, and now when the "baby boomers" could do with a hike in the interest rate to be able to live off their superannuation, it's at an all time low. So yes, reading those headlines did leave a nasty taste in my mouth . . . how dare anyone make claim to what we have worked so hard for all our lives!!! We earnt it, so we are going to spend it when and how we like! If that means some may choose to use their equity in the home they have paid for, good for them! After all it is theirs to do with as they please! "The good to come from this", you may well ask? Well if there's nothing left, the kids can't fight over it, can they?

Well now that I have got that off my chest, I'm going to have a cuppa and play with my dolls.

P.S. Please don't take this vent the wrong way.

-oOo-

I don't believe everything I read, but I do worry that others do.

I don't think for one minute that all people are likely to take their parents for granted, but some do.

Nor do I think all people are greedy or lazy, but some are.

As the journalist obviously believes that there is a generation which is entitled to receive an inheritance,
I wanted to point out they are not.

I simply get a bit fed up with those who continually take and give nothing back.

If parents wish to leave something to their children, they will do so.

If parents want to spend it on their children while they are still alive,
to see their kids happy and enjoying what they have been given, they will do so.

Whatever anyone thinks, it's up to the parents to choose what they do with their own money.

-oOo-

You may feel free to comment on this post and I will read them, but I will not post them or reply to them,
this is my vent and not an open discussion.

My Garden . . . That Hubby Attends To

Thought I'd lighten the mood and share some photos of my garden. First are the photos I promised Alasse . . . my herb garden.

From the front: Flat Leaf Parsley, Sage, Oregano.

From the Front: Sage, Oregano and Basil.

We have been picking the herbs and using them, but I do wish the Basil would grow a little quicker, it's my favourit herb. I also have a Rosemary bush in my front garden.

Parsley, Cos Lettuce (2 types) and Snow Peas.

Leeks

I don't know why, but the Snow Peas are just not doing very well, neither are my Tom Thumb Tomatoes. In previous years we have had great crops from both of these. I think all the crazy weather is to blame.

We also planted Rocket, but that bolted and just went to seed in a week!

Now to my beautiful roses, these are called Double Delight. They also have the most beautiful fragrance, hence their name . . . they really do delight me in two ways!

As you can see they begin opening as a deep pink and eventually you see their cream centre, every rose is different, it's like they have been hand painted. They have lovely long stems which makes them perfect for cutting. I don't know how many vases I have filled this year, they have been blooming for weeks. As one vase full of roses fades, another set of roses are ready to come inside.

An update on Willowmenia . . . she has arrived and I am sewing her outfit at present, so photos coming soon. :)

Plans Gone Awry

I had been planning to share photos of Willowmenia (my Liz Frost doll) this week, but unfortunately her shipping has been delayed due to the fires throughout the north east coast of Australia. There are fires burning from The Sunshine Coast through to Canberra. You can see the extent of them here.

PHOTO: Brittany Daly

These fires are horrendous and so many people have lost their homes (577 in the last two weeks) and all their belongings. The homes can always be rebuilt and furniture can be replaced. However, you cannot replace photographs or personal items that have special memories attached to them.

Over a million hectares (2.5 million acres) have now been razed across New South Wales since the start of this year's unprecedented bushfire season. People have been killed and there has been so much destruction on the state's mid-north coast and northwest where bushfires ravaged regional towns. The rail between Brisbane and Sydney has been shut down, as the the lines have been warped by the fire.

Liz is right in the thick of this, at present she's okay, but it must be scary to have these fires so close to home. Being right on the coast, I think Liz should remain safe, however, the highway is closed and not knowing which way the fire will head next, my doll will remain with her until Liz knows it's safe to send her.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all those in the fire zone as things have been predicted to worsen. With forecasts of a heatwave later this week and temperatures expected to climb past 40 degrees Celsius in some areas, I am really dreading the outcome.

PHOTO: ABC

Sydney has been covered in smoke haze, South Australia has also had fires with 111 schools closed due to temperatures of 42C. Now fires are out of control in Western Australia.  What makes me really sick to my stomach is that some of these fires have been deliberately lit by teenagers . . . I don't know what goes on in those people's heads.

Meanwhile, the northern part of Victoria faces scorching days as northerly winds will leave temperatures well over 40C both today and tomorrow, which has prompted the CFA to declare a total fire ban for the Mallee region.

Melbourne was expected to heat up today before hitting one of its hottest November days ever, as temperatures are forecast to hit 39C tomorrow, so I'm going to take my doggy for his walk now before it gets too hot and I'll be back in a few days, hopefully with something more positive to talk about.

A Blessing in Disguise

Remember this post? Well I guess owning a red haired Poppy was never meant to be this month. There were none left after the convention, not one, but funnily enough, there are quite a few listed for ridiculous prices on eBay. However, this little chick won't be paying the prices they are asking for them! No matter how much I desire a red haired Poppy, I don't like being ripped off, and it really annoys me that so many convention attendees purchase dolls, when they have absolutely no intention of keeping them.

As I like to put a positive spin on negative outcomes, I looked on the bright side and figured this was a good result for my purse. Now I don't have to stress about a poorly depleted bank balance and will be able to bring home my Fairyland Pukifee earlier than expected and thanks to hubby I've made my final payment on my Liz Frost Willowmenia.

PHOTO COURTESY OF LIZ FROST

On the other hand, if I don't manage to find a red haired Poppy through Integrity Toys before my W Club subs run out, I have made up my mind not be join the W Club in 2020. To be honest, those who live outside of the USA are really at a disadvantage. Not only do we have to pay to be a member, we have to deal with exchange rates, cope with the extremely high price of shipping and many collectors on "foreign shores" also have unforgiving customs duties to pay as well.

And what's the positive spin on that? Well it means I'll have more spending money when my daughter and I arrive in Paris next September!!

Taking a Different Direction

I have been spending most of my time in recent days, reorganising my blogs and am finally happy with the way it's all progressing. I know there are doll collectors who only collect BJD's, others who prefer Barbie, fashion dolls or play dolls, so each of my blogs will concentrate on a specific type of doll or indeed a clearly defined story.

Hopefully, I will be able to maintain all of them in the way I would like and that over time, each blog will have it's own roll of visitors, who are interested in reading about those particular dolls and stories.

To be brutally honest, I am not even sure where blogs are headed any more, but blogging about my dolls and their associated hobbies is something I really enjoy, along with the company I keep here. Sometimes, I find it hard to believe I have been blogging for so long, the ten years have slipped by so quickly. However, there doesn't seem to be the interest in blogs or blogging as there used to be when I began back in 2009, which for us who write them, is a damn shame.

What's more, technology has changed drastically during that time . . . what was supposed to save us time and bring us closer together, is just eating up all our time and creating a greater distance between people. It has become so overwhelming . . . a good proportion of this so called social media has managed to discourage conversation altogether and for my own sanity, it's made me do away with the majority of social media completely.

There have been occasions where I've wondered, whether at some point in the future, people simply stop talking and reading, and merely press buttons and look at pictures . . . I truly hope not . . . I find that a really sad thought.

Now I'm going back to working on my KIDS, but I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts . . . which social media do you enjoy the most?

Midweek Update

As you already know, Nigel North was on his way on 18th April. Shipping was progressing reasonably well until April 21st when he departed O'Hare International, Chicago USA at 6.09 am and I haven't heard a word from USPS since.

I think my poor boy is lost in the mail, as he hasn't touched down in Australia yet and I am really feeling pretty p****d off with USPS. Don't know why I bothered to pay for Priority Post!! Even taking the Easter break into consideration, he should have been here by now. My sender is checking on him for me, but I don't know how long it will take before I hear anything positive.

Anyway on to brighter things, here is today's photo of the fireplace. It looks really cool IRL, but the camera always show up the areas that need more attention, so I still have some minor touch ups to do.

And here's a sneak peek at things to come. :)

Can you guess what I have planned?

Until next time, have a happy dolly week!
Big hugs,
X

EDIT: After not hearing anything from my sender, I lodged a missing parcel enquiry with Australia Post at 5.20 pm Wednesday and finally, this morning when I checked my Australia Post tracking, it said Item processed at facility (meaning rotten Customs) Sydney NSW Thurs 2 May at 9.31 am.

Quick Update

"When one door closes, another one opens." Isn't that how the saying goes? 

Well it did for me . . . I purchased another full set Tulabelle this morning and for US$10 less than the one I previously ordered. :)  I've already received my tracking number and now I just have to wait until she arrives.

Seems that's all I ever do is wait! I'm still waiting for the original payment reversal to top up my dolly bank balance though, which I am not so pleased about, as I have already made plans to spend it!
Fortunately I managed to scrape together enough to make this purchase. :)

Just not sure on which doll though. I have been thinking about my Alysa on the CI body and she is much taller than my other Integrity dolls, which makes her all on her lonesome . . . poor thing, she really deserves a sibling or friend at least. So perhaps the kindest thing for me to do, would be to purchase a doll the same height.

You all agree right?

Somehow I can always find a valid reason for buying another doll.

So who do you think would make a great sister or friend for her?

Sunday in the Park

Quick snap this morning . . . anyone for cricket?

We have free entertainment each Sunday through summer with cricket in the park.

Our temperature reached 42c on Friday (some places in our state actually reached 47c), but dropped to 21c when the cool change came through, and it's been like this ever since. 

Hope you are all having a lovely relaxing weekend.

Big hugs,

X

It's a Brand New Day!

Went to bed last night after this . . .

and awakened to this . . .

What a wonderful beginning to the new year! Bright golden sunshine and as the day developed, the sky turned to the bluest of all blue skies.

THE VIEW FROM MY FRONT DOOR

Not a drop of rain or cloud to be seen anywhere! It truly has been a day that makes one feel glad to be alive.

A huge thank you to all those who left their kind wishes for a happy 2019, I hope where ever you are in the world, your day begins with beauty.
Big squishy hugs,
X