Hello again world! As much as it would be wonderful to post all the time, being in the ranch means the slowest internet connection. But on the other hand, no internet means no destractions and I can focus on finishing little personal projects that keep me sane and deliciously happy.
Through the years, their have been many a little thing that keep me inspired. I tend to surround my work area and fill up my bag with little cute things that I can work on when I want to relax. But now, in my 30's, I have found that dolls keep me floating on tiny little clouds and bubbles :-). Of all these, for the past 6 years or so, I have wanted to own a Neo Blythe, that wonderful girl with the color-changing eyes. But since they were a bit pricey for my student budget back in the day, I decided to wait till the right time came along. Many things happened along the way, and the begotten son came and I grew up some more that my dolly dreams had to be filled with endlessly looking at their photos on Flickr.
I FINALLY met my very first real Blythes on a trip to Manila earlier this year on a visit to my cousin and her daughters. My cousin, another lover of all things cute (same cousin I mentioned in this post) had just gotten her girls that Christmas. We had first talked about Blythes on my previous trip, and she had set out to find them on her next flight out. Well, they now have a Cassiopeia Spice (left) and a Bohemian Peace (right), both Takara Neo Blythes. Oh the joy! It was so wonderful to be able to play with them and specially, to photograph them! Such pretty girls.
When I went home, I started practicing sewing little dresses, so that when the time would come that I would find a special girl of my own, she would have a lovely little wardrobe to choose from :-) I had also promised my little neice that I would sew little versions of their school uniforms for their lovely girls. A promise I have yet to fullfill as my sewing skills is still "getting there" LOL. I do would want them to be wonderfully made.
One of the main reasons I wanted a Blythe is because they are perfect for customization, and the world of customizing them is endless. Since I was scared to finally own a real one, and then practicing on her, I decided to get the affordable fake ones called Blybes to customize and give to my sisters.
So friends, meet Alexandra (this is her before and after shot) :-) She belongs to my littlest sister.
Alex has had a lip carving, two eyechips changed, sand-matted face, hair trim, lips repainted and her nose rounded and philtrum carved and nose holes carved too. :-) She was the first one I worked on, and she is actually far from done, but I couldn't wait to take photos LOL. I made her top on the after photo, but I am not happy with my basic sloper that I have been formulating, much adjustments need to be done specially on the arm hole part. That, and drafting a basic sleeve sloper scares me, but something I have to get to doing soon.
Presently, Alex is back on the work table and I removed her makeup as that was not really the final one. Littlest sister wants her to have brown hair cut like hers, so that will take a bit of time as I am still rerooting the hair of the other little sisters' Blybe, who is called Lili for now (she said she will change that once she's finished).
I am learning many lessons in carving in plastic and rerooting, and all the other little goodness that customization brings. Dear husband and little brother have been a wonderful help and their manly strength comes in handy in changing eyechips and carving hard areas. There is still much to be learned, and the excitement that each morning brings when I wake up and see my work desk!
Alex and my darling Holly (Takara Simply Mango) in the morning while Lili's head parts are all over the desk (yes, that will be her blue hair!). Files and folders are my day job, but the girls are nearby to remind me of clouds and happy things.
And that is my little happy secret place that I am sharing with you. On that note, time for me to go back home to the hill and leave this little town nearby that has fast internet LOL. May you all have a wonderful weekend whoever you are, wherever you are.
♥Peace. Love. Dream. Have a happy secret place.
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