Kitty's New Outfit

 

Her pink floral dress is made from double gauze. This was the first time I had used this fabric and it's not the easiest fabric to lay and cut, but it turned out okay. The tunic (a new design) is 21 wale cord and they both close at the back with press studs (snaps).

Overalls for Christmas

Katie now has a short-sleeved jumper (sweater), a pair of coruroy overalls and beautiful leather boots to match the colour of her glasses. 

Her jumper does up at the back with buttons and her overall has buttons over press studs, they are lined inside with the same fabric that I used to trim the pockets.

Now what to do with her hair? I will not cut her hair, but I would like to give her a new style of some sort which would suit her cheeky nature.

Another Shampoo & Set

I kept looking at Sophia's hair and how dull it looked along side Greta's. The length wasn't cut evenly either, so it was into the bathroom for a wash then onto the table for a cut.

Looking at her now, in her newly completed outfit (with those very special leather shoes) and her hair at a good length, I'm happy with her. I will add, her hair is still not as lusterous as Greta's, but it's better than what it was.

A Sister for Katie

My little Gotz Happy Kidz Ella 2022 arrived on Monday. I had really been looking forward to receiving her as I particularly loved the way she was dressed in a pink, lilac, white & gold lurex thread Chanel-type dress, a pair of pink canvas espadrilles and a straw hat.

However, I was very disappointed with her clothing when I removed her from her box as the fabric had been cut slightly crooked and the waistline had also been sewn crooked, but in the opposing direction which emphasised the mistakes in the making of her garment. The saving grace was her lovely espadrilles & hat.

Nevertheless, she was undressed and redressed in no time at all and this is how she looks now.

She most probably won't stay in these clothes as the dress is slightly too big in the chest for her . . . another disappointment. I used the correct ply wool and needle size, so this pattern maybe more suitable for a chubbier doll.

New Do for Greta

I was very determined this morning when I sat down at the kitchen table. At last I had finally decided to cut Greta's hair . . .  I could stand those messy tangled curls no longer!

STAGE 1 - WASH & DETANGLE

Washing was so much easier than I thought it would be and using a detangler helped to loosen her hair beautifully. It's often the thought of doing something new, the fear of doing it wrong, which stops us from doing things we should do . . . today I am begining to dare!

STAGE 2 - CUT

The new hairdresser's scissors I had purchased to tackle the next scary job were being used at long last . . . once again, this task was easier than I thought it would be.

STAGE 3 - CURL

To curl or simply leave to dry? That was the question that held me up for a bit . . . then I decided to curl.

STAGE 4 - COMPLETION

Now doesn't she look the picture of innocence? I love how soft these curls look and feel, however, I may brush them loose at a later date for a more natural look. Let me know what you think. 😘

Katie's New Look

It was Katie's day to visit the eye specialist as she's been having trouble reading. After testing her eyes, the optometrist prescribed new glasses. Katie wasn't very happy about it at all, hence the rather grumpy look in the photo below.

When she found she could read the small print in her favourite book, she felt a little better. I made her a new dress and cardigan to cheer her up and think the dress fabric has just enough blue and green in the print to compliment the colour of her new specticals nicely. 

Oh Katie you do look so pretty. Maybe we should go shopping for a new pair of shoes that will match your outfit better? 

What do our readers think? Should we look for lavender shoes to match her cardigan, or aqua to match her glasses?

Renewed Interest

Sometimes it only takes one doll to create a spark . . . then before you know it, a whole new interest takes hold and two more dolls arrive in quick succession.

Immediately after the arrival of Katie I found myself ordering . . . Götz Happy Kidz Sophia 2020. What a stunner she is! I'm very excited about this doll and am looking forward to photographing her.

Then later . . . Götz Happy Kidz Greta 2025. Although I really love her pretty face and blue eyes, I felt the curly hair was just far to much. I also noticed the dress she was wearing had a funny smell and her stringing isn't up to the usual Götz standard, her legs are very floppy.

I must say it's really nice to own some Götz Happy Kidz with blue eyes, so fed up with brown. I'd also like another with green eyes to team up with my Chosen Kitty.

All three of the latest arrivals have had their clothes removed and are waiting for new outfits to be designed and completed. The Velcro, once again annoyed the heck out of me, especially when undressing little Greta, her hair kept getting caught in the back of the dress! GRR!

I think I may wash, trim and restyle all their hair, to give each a personality of their own. Any suggestions?

When You Least Expect It

No I'm not talking about my very belated post. I'm talking about a doll I purchased ten years ago, then sold because I received an offer I could not refuse, and regretted it there after.

Do you remember my Götz Happy Kidz Katie? The one with the beautiful red hair?

Well I found another quite by accident yesterday on eBay, all thanks to my dear friend Diane who had sent me there to look at a doll she had in her own collection. This is the replacement Katie (below) who comes complete except for her eyewear.

She was quite a find because this particular mold is difficult to come by, and to find her here in Australia was a real bonus (no expensive shipping to contend with).

There is quite a back story with this doll and how she came to be.

First there was Emily and Katie:

Emily and Katie (above) had the all vinyl toddler bodies of the Kinderland and then Precious Day dolls, with only the articulated arms and swivel legs. Emily and Katie who were released in 2011 were very successful, which no doubt is the reason why Götz included them in later ranges.

Then came Luisa:

Classic Kidz Luisa released in 2015 (above) with a multi jointed body, had blonde rooted hair and brown fixed eyes with delicate eyelashes on the top eyelid. She was a more grown up edition of Emily and Katie.

The Götz Classic Kidz line of dolls was discontinued the same year, with Götz choosing to produce that particular face mold only with red hair. While the specific line was retired, the body used for the Classic Kidz dolls was carried over to the current Götz Happy Kidz line.

Then there was Katie:

Katie, designed by world renowned doll artist Hildegard Gunzel, was the only Happy Kidz doll with this face mold produced by Götz after they discontinued the Classic Kidz range, until more recently. Now there aren other dolls from the same mold with blonde, brunette and even black hair, but none with this colour.

Götz followed up with the 36cm Little Kidz Elli in 2020 and Lotta. The likeness between Katie, Elli & Lotta is hard to deny, it's as if Götz revived Emily and Katie but with a new body and more mobility.

Elli

Lotta

No matter what your thoughts are (and I'd love to hear them), I find Götz very confusing when it comes to names verses molds and am just happy I found my replacement Katie.

Till next time, stay safe and happy, big hugs,

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