Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

Hey guys! I hope you and your family are having a very safe and merry Christmas and happy holidays. I hope you got all sorts of doll things and non-doll things that your heart desired. Have an extra helping of turkey and stuffing today...the new year is around the corner so we can just start over, right?  :-D

And on that note, I am off. I plan to play some Guild Wars 2 for more of the day before I have to jump back into busy work tomorrow. Have an awesome day everyone!!! Take care and bye for now. :-)

Of to eat some of the cheese ball she made yesterday,
Michelle

Image From Free Digital Photos

Where Do Toys Come From

Forgot one more post I wanted to make. I came across this on Tumblr. It's a project done by Michael Wolf. He took pictures of Chinese toy factory workers holding the very toys they make. I found this so interesting. It kind of gives you a moment's pause. For example, as I sat her tearing Meygana apart, figuratively and literally, I didn't give a second thought to where she came from and who put her together. Most factory workers live in dorms at the factory and barely make enough to feed themselves and their families, and here I am complaining about my "first world problems" because a doll didn't add up to the standards I expected it to be. Just kind of makes me see how "rich" I really am. I may not have the best of health right now, but I have shelter over my head, a bed to sleep in, and I know where my next meal is coming from. It's crazy to think that so many people don't have just those basics. It just reminds me again to be thankful for what I have. Check out all the pictures Michael took and the display he set up for them. I think you will be shocked and amazed at the pictures, and you will no doubt think twice next time you are getting ready to throw your next pity party. I know I will now. I'll talk to you all later. Bye for now.

Feeling thankful,
Michelle

Image (By Michael Wolf) From Imgur

Meygana Update

So I was just playing around with Meygana and I just wanted to see what kind of pose she can hold, and I found her upper body can be posed better than my beloved Liv dolls. Makes it kind of an extra bummer that the legs don't hold her up. And take a look at the hair, I brushed it out. Would you believe this is an improvement over how the hair used to be? Word of advice, don't use the cheap brush that comes with the doll. Won't work. Use a Liv doll brush instead, lolll!

So I tinkered some more with Meygana, and I tried to see if I could make her eyes straight. I couldn't, so I decided to pop her eyes out. The eyes are made to be side-glancing eyes, literally. They have pegs in the back of them that fit into holes in the back of the eye-well. I wondered if it would look good in a doll, so I popped an eye inside my sister's ResinSoul Bei doll and I liked how it looked. The one on the left is Meygana's eye and the one on the right is a Glib acrylic eye. I would buy more dolls for the fun eyes alone.

Then I was curious if another head would look good on the Bratzilla body. I thought maybe I could just have it in the background of a shop in my current story. Barbie heads do not fit nor look right. But oddly enough, Liv heads don't look that bad.

I still won't be using the body, but it was interesting to see how a different head looks. The head bobbles some and would need a slight build-up of the neck post, and of course the coloring is off, but other than that it works nicely. Maybe if I am really desperate for a character I will slap a Sophie head on her...maybe. Oh and for those who are Liv fans, no those are not her eyes. One night I went crazy and just swapped eyes out of several dolls to see what look I could get. I like this look. I notice I need to adjust the eye just a hair more on this one.

I just wanted to share my further findings about Bratzilla dolls. Still disappointed, but oh well. Live and learn. Like I said, I might get a few more for the clothes, eyes, and shoes, but not for the dolls. Maybe I will sell the bodies...with the eyeless heads. :-D  Awww come on! It'd be funny! I mean, couldn't you image opening a box and finding this?

Visual you could have done without today? You're welcome. :-) Bye for now!

Feels only slightly guilty,
Michelle

Distinctive Fabrics

So about a week ago I got my Distinctive Fabric samples, and I am impressed. I wanted to make a lot of these into wigs but two of them will be used for other reasons. If you haven't heard of Distinctive Fabrics, they are a fabric store that will give you 5 free samples for your first visit, you have to sign up and make a free account with them. If you purchase from the site you will get 5 more samples and I believe it continues that way with any purchase you make. This is a great way to try stuff out if you aren't sure about them. Their fabric is pricey, at least to me, and you have to purchase fabric by the yards, but you can buy a 5x3.5 swatch for a dollar. Not bad for making a fur wig or for a clothing item you just need a tiny bit of fabric for.

So I got several textures to see what kind of stuff I can come up with. I think the brown poodle fur will be made into a funky wig, the pink and brown fur will be wigs as well, the brown minky fur is for a character in my web-comic, and the purple-pink fabric is going to be an area rug. They don't sell just fur at the site, they sell all kinds of fabric, so be sure to stop by and give it a look. Curious on how to make your own wig? Take a look at this tutorial by MyFroggyStuff to see how she easily made wigs for her dolls.


Can't wait to try making a few. And on that note I am off. I will talk to you lovely people later. Bye for now.

Feeling sleepy,
Michelle

Bratzilla – Not Destined For A Long Run

Ok, so this line is not targeted towards me, but as a doll collector I have to say, I really dislike this line. So I swallowed my pride and bought a Meygana because I found the dolls for a decent price. I waited a few days super excited to be getting her and partly bummed I couldn't buy them all. After getting her and opening her, I am super bummed I got her and super excited I didn't buy them all. This doll is horrible, for my purposes. I wanted to use them in my new web-comic, and thought that since they had jointed bodies that they would have a nice body to do so. They also have “glass” eyes and that is a requirement to be in the story since it's based around Liv dolls and I want everyone to have that look in the story.

Well once I got her out of the box the first thing I did was try to stand her up. Her upper legs are hard but her lower legs are gummy, so she can't stand up. I was thinking they were completely firm like Liv dolls or Barbies, but they aren't. They are super gummy so she can't hold her weight up. Also all the joints are just crap. The hand and elbows need force to move them and the knees barely need force but they look super fragile. The feet are so odd that you can really only buy shoes from that line. I've only tried Liv doll shoes on her and they don't work. I'll try my Monster High doll shoes later when I find them. The bodies are very much like Monster High in where they are jointed and how the foot kind of looks, so they may fit. I'll update later on that.

The clothes are kind of decent, although mine have a ton of loose seams and the badge on this one goes right through the fabric with a plastic post so if you remove it the top is ruin. The hair is utter CRAP! It's like if you pulled out a doll from your childhood that has been seriously loved. It's that nasty cotton candy hair and it's already a nasty mess. Her face paint is smudged, and it looks like she was doing a ton of kissing and couldn't get the lipstick die off of her face so she said “Screw it!”, reapplied, and kept on keeping on.

Her eyes are beautiful. On my computer they looked like a medium blue but they are actually a light blue with glitter in it. I'd like to see what they look like, and if they are nice out of the head I have plans for them, I'll explain in a minute. Also, her pet does not come with her even though she is pictured with it. The pet has to be bought separately for practically 10 dollars! From pictures it looks like her pet can be wound up and the wings flap. Each pet has light-up and movement features, but so not worth it at 10 bucks each. Damn MGA, you have just really blown this line. So, my final say on the doll line is, I really dislike it. And from comments you see on videos based on the dolls, I'm not the only one. A lot of people feel this line is a Monster High rip-off. I didn't see it as that since they were witches...who go to the “Fashion Magic Academy”...seriously. Also, had to note this even though it's not shocking, she looks nothing like her sketched picture. In the sketch she looks kind of pale gray with gray-greenish looking hair and green eyes. I kind of like the sketched version better than this one and I LOVE red-headed dolls. But maybe it's a good thing she didn't come that way because I would have been disappointed in the end either way. Do I plan on getting more? It depends on some things. Keep reading.

So part of me was thinking, I wish I could return her, but I don't tend to return things just because I didn't like the way they look. And well I did just recently get a doll for 16 dollars for her outfit and wig since the body is crap for what I want us her for. So I looked at the doll and realized I can use everything on her really. Her outfit I can use on another doll, her shoes fit Liv dolls and might even fit Monster High dolls, her accessories can be used in some way, and I might even be able to use her eyes. So for the price I spent I got a pretty good deal for different dolls that are kind of hard to shop for. So it's not a total waste. Will I buy more of them? I'm going to look and see if I can use the eyes and if I can then I will buy maybe one or two more that I have my eye on and use their stuff and that's it. I won't be buying any of the pets, I won't be buying any fashions unless they really stand out to me, but I keep telling myself I could probably sew them if I really like them. So I don't see myself getting any more after the ones I have been considering.

I am really disappointed again in MGA when it comes to this line. It's poor quality, and like I said, this is compared to my need for them. Oh, and fyi MGA, your dolls are not that precious that they need to be hot glued into the box. Some of those tabs were hard to get to due to the hot glue, ahhhh! So back to the line, for little girls who will be holding them while playing with them they are perfect. For collectors who will use the super cheap and flimsy stand, this is perfect for them. But for me who needs them to be able to be posed on their own and not with their stands, yeah, not so much. So that's my take on these dolls. Kind of bummed, but glad that I can use the stuff for other dolls so not a total loss. Anyone else have these dolls? What do you think about them? Let me know in the comments section below. And on that note I am off my lovelies. I will talk to you all again soon as I want to share some of my sewing with you all. Be good until then. Bye for now.

Slightly disappointed,
Michelle

Novi Stars - MGA Sucks Me Back In

Ok, so the articles I am going to be writing are about Novi Stars, and I of course found their music video for the doll line, and I honestly love this video. MGA why couldn't you do this with the Bratzilla video?!?!?  Watch the video below.



Awesomely cute, right? Oh don't get me wrong, the Bratzilla one was amazing too, minus my little hang-ups, but this just was so cool and I feel this is more of a positive message for kids. This makes me think of the Monster High video because it is more reflective of society to me. Take a look at the Monster High video to see what I mean.



Ok, just had to come share this fun video. Off again. Bye for now.

Needs to get off of Youtube,
Michelle

Blog Layout

Blah. Blah! Blahhhhh!!! Ok, I've been trying to find a new layout for practically a year now. I just hate that my blog is boring looking now. I don't really want to do my own layout, but I can't find one I really like. Where do some of you find your layouts? Maybe I will have to make mine after all. *sigh* Ok, had to pout a bit. Back to working on articles.

She really needs more than 3 hours of sleep,
Michelle

Design Image From Free Digital Photos

Bratzilla - MGA You Disappoint Me

Ok, so I am researching for some information for some new articles I need to write by the 9th, and I decided to do them on a new doll line out. This new doll line lead me to another doll line I was considering buying, but after today I am not sure if I will. WARNING: This blog post is a discussion about whitewashing. If issues about race offend you, please feel free to skip to the next blog post. Thanks in advance.

The new doll line in question is of course MGA's Bratzilla line. Now before you assume anything, no I am not bothered by them being on the "spooky" side and "stealing" the idea from Mattel. You can't steal a theme. MGA clearly saw Mattel was doing good with Monster High, so they came up with witches. Fine by me. Now, what bothered me was their music video for the Bratzilla line. Take a look at it.



Ok, so maybe it's just me that's bothered by this, but if you look at the picture above, you will clearly see that Sashabella Paws, Jade J'Adore, and Yasmina Clairvoya are clearly girls of color. Sasha has always been of African descent, Jade has always been of Asian descent, and Yasmin has always been of Hispanic descent. Yet all the girls in the music video above are Caucasian. Now I am usually not a big pain over the major whitewashing in the media, but this really just upset me. What are girls who are of color going to think when they see this video and don't see a girl like them representing the dolls that look like them? Sadly, I think they are so used to the world being whitewashed that they don't notice, at least not according to the comments under the video that were all beaming about the video. One person even wanted a full length movie with these same girls.

Like I said, I am usually not big on the lack of people of color in the media, but these dolls I've mentioned at clearly not Caucasian. It just makes me wonder why they didn't have dancers of the proper race dancing for the characters. I think this is why Monster High is so accepted, these dolls tell the world it doesn't mater who you are or what you look like, you are still awesome. Take a look at the video for Monster High and see the difference.



See how you have people of all kinds represented and how it's more of celebration of being who you are no matter...well no matter who you are. LOL! Now the Bratzilla video is sending a mixed message. I wanted to get some of these dolls because of their eyes and how they would fit well with my web-comic I am going to work on, especially if they make the guys too, but this just made me feel funky about the line. I'll probably still buy it because they are beautiful dolls and will fit perfectly with my story, but I am still so disappointed in MGA. They dropped the ball in my eyes when it comes to this video. The girls in the video are very talented and very pretty, but it didn't represent those three characters at all and was a major distraction for me.

Am I the only one bothered by this? Should I just get off the soapbox and calm myself? Or is anyone else out there just a slight bit put off by this video? So many people love Sasha, Jade, and Yasmin, and I know MGA could have found dancers for the video who were of color, so what gives? Feel free to tell me your thoughts down below. Ok, getting off my soapbox now. Returning to article writing and then going to start sewing for Christmas. Blog post about that coming soon. Ok, bye for now peeps.

Thinking 3 hours of sleep was not enough, it makes her cranky,
Michelle

Junky Spot Black Xmas Sale

Hey guys, just thought I'd mention this for those who might not have heard. Junky Spot is having a "Black Xmas" sale this weekend. Starting today, on special sale pages on the website, you can get some nice deals on some dolls you my have been coveting. Right now on sale are various Hujoo dolls. If I had the funds, I would be so broke right now. LOL!

There will be more sales tomorrow and Saturday. I believe they will be different items because he said they couldn't combine shipping for multiple orders. I'm assuming people would buy all they wanted in their first order and would only buy more if there are new items for sale. So be sure to check back the rest of this weekend. He may put Obitsu dolls up for sale, and you 1/6th peeps can snag some dolls for a little bit cheaper. So fingers crossed on that.

Ok, just wanted to pop back on to mention that. I will talk to you lovelies later. Bye for now.

Still feeling sleepy after eating turkey,
Michelle

Image From The Junky Spot Website

Happy Thanksgiving

To all my United States of America followers, I hope you all had a very happy and safe Thanksgiving. Mine was ok, nothing eventful. Good food with my family. It was an odd one as well with certain things just throwing off the balance of things, but for the most part it was good. Woke up and watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, some wonderful talent in the parade this year. And then I just mostly worked on articles that won't be of any use really for 365 days, and helped with dinner.

So I wanted to take a moment to say openly what I am thankful for this year. I'm very thankful that I got to have another year with my family. Earlier this year it didn't look like we may have another Thanksgiving together with my mom's health, but we did. Now I start my hoping for another year together. I never did fully update about my mom. So it seems she had two mini strokes one right after the other, one on each side of her head. On top of that none of the medicine they gave her to calm her heart down worked, so she got a pacemaker too. Since then, her heart hasn't calmed down much, and her pacemaker had to give her a slight shock once, she was not to fond of that. She's been bruising and having headaches lately, which she worries is a side effect to one of the medicines keeping her alive. I hope not, because on tv every other commercial is one of those commercials talking about becoming part of a lawsuit to sue for wrongful death due to the very same medicine she is taking. Her doctor swears she is fine. We are still working on getting her healthy, but its hard around the holidays to break her of old habits. But we won't give up.

I'm thankful I made it to another Thanksgiving. My stomach has been giving me more issues, one bad episode a few weeks ago made me 100% sure I would be dying that night. Well, I made it through and I'm fine...ish...fine-ish. My stomach still gives me issues, but I am not giving up on getting healthy either. I'm forcing myself to return back to things I love like dolls and blogging, and just trying to ignore the tummy pain and discomfort. What doesn't kill us only make us stronger, right?

I'm thankful for all I have right now. Of course we all strive to have more, but I am very thankful for what I have. It may not be much, in United States terms, but it's more than I really should have. So I refuse to complain about what I'm missing in life, because I have the basics of food, water, shelter, and clothes on my back, I truly have all I need right there and have no room to complain.

I'm thankful for all of you who read my blog. I know the past couple of years have barely had any updates due to me not feeling good, but I truly do thank all of you for sticking around. In the next year I plan to do more updating as I relearn how to have fun in the hobby again. Ugh, and I still owe some people some things as well, I'm so behind on things, but I will get there. I'm also thankful for doll people in general. From you I have learned so much and have been so entertained for the last 13 years since my return to the hobby. Please continue to be awesome and continue to teach me more about the plastic little things that we so happily let take over our lives.

And lastly, I'm thankful for this life. I may feel depressed about certain things going on with me, but this life given to me was a precious gift and I'm thankful for it. I can and will make it better again, and will continue to appreciate it with each day I am given.

I feel I have forgotten a lot, but in the end, whatever I've forgotten, I am thankful for. I hope all of you are well, and if you go out tonight or tomorrow to shop for some super deals, please please please be safe. Unfortunately we all know we will hear about someone being seriously hurt tomorrow, but I hope no one loses their lives. Just be cautious and courteous. Nothing is worth knocking a few dollars off an item. You will get another deal again, just let it go if it means someone might get hurt or worse. Ok? Ok.

Alright, big hugs and kisses to you all and I will talk to you in the next post. Bye for now. And again, Happy Thanksgiving!!! Bye for now.

Feeling sleepy from eating turkey,
Michelle

Image Source

I've Got Two Free To Play Guild Wars 2 Codes

Ok guys, I'm back with 2 codes to play Guild Wars 2. If you are interested please leave a comment with your email address below so I can send you an invite. Feel free to put spaces in the email address to keep it from being picked up by crawlers. They say that codes are limited so I am also going to post this on Facebook with the few peeps I know on there and give them a chance at the codes too. This is open to everyone and it's first come first serve. If I end up giving the codes out I'll update here about it. Ok, I'm off to post this on Facebook now, talk to you lovelies later.

Telling her hungry tummy to hold on a minute more,
Michelle

Image From Guild Wars 2 Website

Happy Veteran's Day

Ok, so I can say "happy" right? I believe I can. LOL! Well I couldn't let today go by without giving a nod to the men and women protecting our great country. Without getting political on how great or how not so great our country is, I'd like to just have us all take a moment to be grateful to those who put their lives on the line so that we can sit here on our rears and debate how great the country is. These brave men and women do something I honestly don't know if I could do it.

Living in a military town, you notice when the country is in a state of duress, it gets eerily quiet as troops are deployed to places unknown. You hear stories while standing in check-out lines at the stores, and as a child you see the kids respond to good or bad news. I remember in middle school one day, in the middle of gym, a girl I knew was crying, and we all asked her what was wrong, and all she could say between tears was something happened to her daddy. We were at war then in Iraq I believe, and I felt so bad for her. We never found out if he was ok, but I do hope he's still with his family. But it's things like this that always kept the truth about what these people did fresh in your mind.

So today, if you know a veteran shake their hand and let them know how thankful you are for what they do. And if you are a veteran, again, thank you for all you have done for the country. And on that note, I'm off to hug my veteran dad for all he's done. Talk to you guys in another post soon. :-)

Proud to be an American,
Michelle

Image By MDGovpic on Flickr

Anyone Play MMOs?

Ok, don't hold me to this right now, but I may be getting three friend invites to give away to play Guild Wars 2 from November 15-18. They are adding a new land on November 15th and it will be a great time for you to join in the fun. One friend invite is already gone so I have two left to consider when I get them. I thought I'd offer them here on my blog to you dolly peeps. I don't mind if you want to give the invite to someone you know who will play the game or if you want to keep it to try the game out yourself, I just really want someone who will play the game to have the codes. I personally love the game and love how it allows me to play when I have time, and even if your friends are level 80, like my sister is, their levels will be lowered to come play with you if you aren't their level, like my sister does with me. You may even decide you want to play the game after the trial and get a copy for yourself.

Now like I said I am offering this to my doll peeps, but if you are a gamer who has a blog and comes across my blog looking for codes go ahead and leave a comment that you'd like it as well. I will pick dolly peeps first but if no one says they are interested in the codes then I will pass it on to a gamer. You must have a blog or something to show me you are a gamer and not someone just collecting codes. If I can't find proof of you being an actual gamer then I won't give you the code. Oh, also leave me a way to reach you, this goes for everyone, so I can send the codes when or if I get them. I will update you all on that in a few days. I'm super excited about the new event and the new land.  Oh, and before you leave a comment for the code, please check to make sure your system meets the game requirements.

Ok, so I will know more about the codes in a few days and will make a post about if I have them or not. Just thought I'd mention it here now since it may take a while for people to see I am blogging again and for those interested in gaming to see it. Ok, I'm off to work on articles again. Bye for now my lovely peeps.

Writing and article about apps,
Michelle

Image From The Guild Wars Wiki Website

Super Sale On Liv Doll Jake

I hope I have time to type this out for you guys. If you are in the market for a Liv Doll Making Waves Jake, he is being sold for $4.97 right now. There are only 3 left though, so if you want him, snap to it.

However, if you do miss out on this deal, never fear. Toys R Us has him for $7.98, but I believe that is an online price only. I would advise you only buy him from Toys R Us if you are making a purchase that gets you the free shipping because Toys R Us shipping is crazy expensive otherwise. So this would be good if you want to get other discount Liv dolls or other dolls or doing Christmas shopping. Ok, hope I got this message out in time to you guys. Bye for now.

ETA: Umm, correction guys, there are 2 left. My mom found out my sister didn't have a Liv doll and so she got my sister a Liv doll couple for Christmas. LOL! Sorry. ;-) I promise, the last two are all yours! :-)


Off to write,
Michelle

Image from Amazon.com and is linked to it's sale page.

Crafting...

Today was an interesting day. I decided to do something I'd been avoiding, fearing I couldn't do it. I decided to switch out some Liv doll eyes. Sounds simple, and for all the dolls I did it too it was simple. I decided to practice with several before I did the doll I really wanted to do it to. Yeah, what should have been a 5 minute craft with this one doll turned into a 3 hour adventure. For an hour I couldn't figure out why her right eye was wonky. I finally saw, after taking the eye out and putting it back in a million times, that the vinyl was very thin in one part of the eye well and ripped. So I couldn't put the eyes in as is. So I decided to cut off the cap of the head and install the eyes with some putty. I put some bjd acrylic eyes in, tonssss of putty, and now her head is drying from glue. I used plain clear glue so I can change her eyes if I want. In the morning I may not like her eyes. If I do then I will go back in and use E6000 to make it more sturdy. Ugh! It was suppose to be simple. I switched eyes and bodies all evening with no issues, and then the one I really wanted to turn out right doesn't. Oh well, I wouldn't have been able to use the eyes I finally did if I hadn't cut the eye well open. I just hope the cap glues well so the wig won't pull it off again. Fingers crossed. I'll update on it tomorrow. It's crazy, I was so crafty today. I finished the lips on the doll and it turned out really nice. I'll have to post about that later as well. And on that note I am off peeps. Time to get to work on some lenses. Bye for now.

Frustrated and tired,
Michelle

Image From Free Digital Photos

Mattel...Get It Together!

Ok, so about a year ago, while browsing through Tuesday Morning right after Christmas, I was lucky to find one single Monster High doll. That was lucky alone, but the extra luck came when I saw it was one of the ones I really wanted and hadn't had a chance to purchase yet. It was a Draculaura doll, The "Day At The Maul" one, to be exact. I looked at her in the dim light and thought she looked perfectly cute, and at $9.99 she was steal. So home she went with me.

Now, when I got her home, I bust opened her box to enjoy my plunder of the doll shelves and was instantly disappointed. Her eye shadow on one eye was scratched, her eye was scratched, her fangs were completely off center, the heart on her face was only half finished, and she just looked so derpy. I tossed her to the side and forgot about her, thinking I'd try to fix her when I could. Today I picked her up and thought "I'm going to wipe her face and try giving her a new one.", but first I had to remove her head. So I went and used a hairdryer on her and got the head off in about 5 minutes. I thought I was ready, but figured her broom stiff bangs would cause an issue with customizing, so I washed her hair with hot water and Lever2000 bar soap. I am not sure if she is keeping her hair yet so I didn't care what the soap would do to it because it tends to be fixable.

So after a good wash to get the glue out of her bangs, I dried her off and looked at her and noticed something odd. The wonky eye I mentioned was her left eye, but it was her right eye that shocked me.  Her right eyebrow is completely gone, her eyeshadow on that eye is only half there, her eyelashes on that eye have been cut in half, and on her wonky eye her eyebrow is just a bit worn and her eyeshadow on that eye is a bit worn. So the perfect looking eye was just wiped clean off. I wondered if it was the soap, since it is meant to get tough stains and grease off of hands, so I went back in and gave it a really rough cleaning in really hot water, nothing happened. So it wasn't the soap, I don't think, I think it was crap work at Mattel. The thing that gets me is that little kids are taking these dolls into their baths and the soap I used was meant for all over cleaning, it doesn't have those granules in it like the original, so it makes me think any soap would have ended in the same outcome. If a little kid had gotten my doll they would have been gutted to see their doll's face half gone. I know quality control will slip, but this is just a bit much. The doll was clearly not painted right in the first place and her face just washed off with soap and water. Oh and her hair is just pulling out and it's not from brushing as I have never brushed her hair at all. So yeah, I wonder if others from this batch ended up so bad.

I mean tell me guys, is it just me or are Monster High dolls quality just like this? Is it a hit or miss on what you will get? I only have three dolls and I plan on selling them eventually, that's for another post, and so I don't really know what to expect on Monster High dolls quality. I'm sad the paint was so messed up on this little one, but it also gives me a reason to do what I had planned to do after seeing her wonky face. I want to try customizing her and giving her new life. Excited to try it after watching some tutorials on face-ups. So yeah. I'll update you guys on how that is going. Need to get my craft area cleaned up before attempting it first and that will take a while since I need to write several Christmas articles and actually start Nanowrimo. I started on day one but haven't really worked on it. *sigh* It's day 7, I still have time. One time I had 40k to go with only three days left, and I won. So I know I can do it. Ok, getting off track here. But do tell me if you have had negative quality when it comes to your Monster High dolls.

And on that note I am off guys. I need to go see how some doll lips I painted and sealed are doing and then start working on some articles. Hope everyone is doing well, playing with their dolls, and aren't too bummed about yesterday's election. Whomever you voted for, just remember, in the end we may be divided by parties but we are united as a nation and we're all shooting for the same goal, one great country and nation. So dems, hug you fellow reps, and let's get back to playing with dolls. :-) Bye for now guys and gals.

Off to touch some lips and hope she doesn't get red on her fingers,
Michelle

Image from Amazon.com and it is linked to it's sale page.

In a Toy State of Mind

Hey all! So while I was surfing around the web tonight, I found myself on a website...that I have no earthly idea how I got there in the first place, that had some interesting articles on it. It's one of those media sites that once you read one you find another interesting related one and before you know it a few hours have passed and you have read some of the most interesting useless knowledge in the world...but i digress.

Now, not trying to get you hooked into a hour long reading frenzy, I did find 4 articles of interest. All related to toys of course. LOL!  Take a look at these interesting articles. Warning, if you don't want to get stuck on this site for an hour or more only read these links I have provided. If you look on the sidebar or at the related links you may never get off the site. You have been warned.

11 Dolls the World Could Have Done Without

8 Seemingly Harmless Toys That Were Yanked Off the Shelf

 

11 Toys You Only Played With at the Doctor’s Office

Why Is Toy Packaging So Difficult to Open

 

 What did I tell you? Interesting, right? Ok, maybe not, but it gave me a giggle. LOL! And I am in shock to see they has a Six doll. My sister had Blossom and Joey. I would have loved a Six doll. I loved her personality. Oh well, maybe some day. ;-) And on that note I am off. I am working on an article for Squidoo and then I need to start my Christmas articles. I think I will so all doll related articles. So expect me to share those here eventually. Talk to you lovely peeps again later on today. I should be able to get my doll's head swapped out today since I feel a little bit better lately. So I hope to have her ready for viewing today. Hope you are all having a great Friday. :-) Bye for now.

Feeling sleepy and cold,
Michelle 

Still Catching Up

I'm still reading blogs, and being entertained by all you have been up to. I took a few hour break to play some Guild Wars 2. Anyone else playing that? Let me know. Today was an ok day. Still not 100% after last night's attack but feeling better, so that is something. I had planned on introducing my new doll that I plan to use kind of as a mascot, but I just wasn't feeling up to do her head swap, so I decided to just take a mystery picture with my phone and tinker with it so you just make out something but not the full effect. It wasn't the bright before, I just wanted to leave you questioning for a bit. ;-) I'll hopefully get her swapped tomorrow or this weekend and show you her in her Halloween costume. She is wearing it in the picture, but umm yeah. Once agian, better late than never, right? And now I am going to focus on my mid grade novel for the next 2 hours because Nanowrimo starts at midnight. If you are doing Nanowrimo look me up and friend me on the Nano site. I'm mouse1996 on there. Hope you all had a fun and safe Halloween. Talk to you either tomorrow or this weekend. Bye for now.

Reading to start writing,
Michelle

Omg guys, you've been busy!

I'm picking out some blogs to read and I now realize I'll be reading for a long time. You've all been busy! I so have to stop taking breaks from the hobby. *sigh* Ok, just has to come say that. Back to reading. If you need me, I'll be several months deep in a doll blog somewhere. :-)

Michelle

Better Late Than Never?

Hey guys, I have been meaning to post this story since last year and just never got to it. It's a little something silly I put together, but I think since it was Halloween and the character in the story is ready for it in a way, I figured I'd share this with you guys today. So I hope you enjoy my latest photostory "Clothes For Disco", please pay no attention to the actual title on the page. I had a mind fart while I was doing the html for the website and didn't change the title and I'm honestly too exhausted to change it now. LOL! It doesn't affect the story so please do enjoy. I still have the haul video to show you, but I need to edit it first. I will work on that soon, its kind of long now and I need to cut it down big time. So that's coming too. Ok peeps, I'm off again. Take care and bye for now.

Back to catching up on blogs,
Michelle

Happy Halloween!!!

Happy Halloween everyone! I hope all off you are having a spooktacular time today. First let me say if you have been affected or know someone who has been affected by Sandy, you are in my thoughts. Please stay safe. I'm in so much shock the upper east coast got his so hard. It's usually Florida up to roughly Virginia that gets hit, so it was surprising we didn't get hit hard. I know it seems weird, but I kind of wish it was us that get hit instead because we are so used to it, perhaps it wouldn't have been so damaging. Like I said, seems weird for me to say that, but I hope it's also understandable.


So, where have I been? I've been writing articles while also dealing with my health issues. I really hate being in the place that I'm at. It takes away from my life so much. I had my worse panic attack today and was so sure I was going to die, so it just irritates me how bad my health is right now. So tonight I am going to spend some time relaxing and trying to catch up on some doll blogs. I haven't been able to read any in a couple of months, so I am picking one or two and catching up to help me relax. If there's one thing I know that can get my mind off things its the words of my lovely doll peeps. And on that note I'm off. Please be safe today if you plan on going out for trick-or-treating or Halloween parties. And if you plan on staying home today, that's great too, I hope you have something fun planned. And I will talk to you lovely people later. Bye for now.


Off to escape into the world of dolls,
Michelle


Image of Doll Eating Pumpkin (By Craiglea) From Flickr

Time To Think About Christmas!

Hey guys! Oh my goodness, you won't believe how much I've missed posting here. It's always been in the back of my mind to post, but then I just didn't know what to post. I am completely out of the loop of what anyone is doing in the hobby and have only been keeping connected to dolls through some bjd videos on Youtube. It's not the same as reading blogs guys, it's just not the same. So I decided, yes I am super behind on reading blogs, yes I have no idea what's going on in the hobby, and yes I have no earthly idea what I am going to blog about really, but I'm back.

I guess the thing keeping me away really is that last one. What do I blog about? What do I have to say that is impressive? I mean I can show you guys my ill attempts at sewing, but I'd be so shy about what you guys would think of it. But then again I could ask for advice on how to improve. I read an article today about asking for help from your peers, and I realized I didn't do that because I don't want to be a bother. So I've decided to ask for help when I need it and give it when I can. So that leads me on to my title. Christmas is coming!!! Yes, I know it isn't even Halloween, but I have come to realize time is passing quickly.

I came to this realization about time while writing on Squidoo. Fair warning, that link is my referral link, if you decide to write there and use my link, when you make your first 15 dollars we both get a nice extra money perk. Now, about Squidoo, I've been writing there for almost 4 months. I have a little over 50 lenses now, lenses are what they call articles there. A lot of them not so good, but they got me writing, a lot. And hey, I even got paid this month. Ladies and gents, you are looking at a gal who has made $6.08 from her writing. Actually $6.20, but Paypal deducts it's fee. No, no, don't get jealous. I worked hard for that $6.08, and it's all mine! Now what shall I spend it on?  Hummm...oh sorry, got sidetracked. So anyway, with Squidoo, if you want to get your articles viewed you need to get them being picked up by Google months in advance. Those of you who do Etsy can kind of relate to this getting things, like inventory, done way in advance. Well I started strong there at Squidoo, doing Halloween articles in July, but now I am still slowly chugging along with Halloween articles knowing they won't be picked up by Google but I have to finish them for a quest there, and Christmas is quickly approaching and I have no niche topics to write about. Ahhh!!! Well this lead me to thinking about Christmas in general.

As some of you may remember, I start out a tiny bit before Christmas sewing wardrobes for two dolls. One being my sister's and one being my mom's. Yeah, I never finished them. They are still as I left them last year. Heck, I haven't sewn a thing since then. So my goal this year is to not only finish that wardrobe, but to create a second wardrobe for them. Too much? Maybe not if I start now. Keep in mind, though, that I will also be writing for Squidoo, also trying to get my foot in at two other websites, and writing an article can take me a few hours to a few days. *faints* But I love these deadlines and the forced writing. Oh that reminds me, I forgot to mention, I'm doing Nanowrimo this year as well. *gulp* So, can I do it folks? Can I manage to achieve all these goals...plus work on losing weight? Yep, another goal I am working on, along with trying to learn how to draw.  Ahhhh!!! This post is starting to make me doubt myself. LOL! But yeah, these are the goals I have for the rest of the year. And since I am getting better at putting myself out there, I have decided to show you the pieces of the wardrobes I make as I make them. Some are already made but I think they will be getting remade as some are just not right in size or look. I'll show you those so when I correct them you can hopefully see the improvement.

So yeah, that's about it guys and dolls. I've been keeping myself busy just writing articles, hoping to make this a thing that gets me income while I continue to work on some other stuff behind the scenes here. I want to help my mom finally set up her Flickr account. I'd forgotten until the other day I set one up for her so she can set up dioramas, take pictures of them, and post them. I want to customize some Liv dolls to get back into that again. I want to sew more. Oh and I think I've decided on what my niche in doll clothing will be. That was part of the reason I never opened my shop. Everybody and their mama was making doll clothing, I wanted to make something that set me apart. I have decided on what, now I have to figure out how. LOL! Oh the joys of learning. And well, on that note, I am off! I need to go update some lenses, yeah it's not like blogging you have to keep updating the lenses. Oh, also I will be doing a layout change here, doing a layout change at my cross post blog after learning more about SEO, and I am just working on getting completely caught up and organized so next year will be a more productive year. I hope everyone is doing great, and I will talk to you soon!

Ready to fall asleep,
Chelle

Image From Free Digital Photos

Has anyone invented the 36 hour day yet?

(Source)

It seems like I just don’t seem to have time to catch up on anything lately. I’m constantly having to do something, and most of these things do not allow for multi-tasking. For example, I was working on a short story yesterday and though I could work on it while I let the ferrets out to play for an hour. Yeah, did any of you guys know that ferrets are like super at jumping? Yeah, I knew this, but I didn’t think they’d charge at my laptop, jump, grab the top, and bend it all the way back! I was so worried they’d break my hinge after the third time of doing this that I just gave up. *sigh*

Then we have my article writing itself. I’m slowly starting to make money at it, but it takes so much time to write one sometimes. I decided to get fancy with an article the other day and it literally took me all day to do with writing, finding products, and making all my html play nice together. Ugh!!!

Then of course I have ideas doll-wise I want to share with all of you and I just haven’t had the time to. One of the things I said would be ready a few weeks ago has been ready for weeks but the other thing isn’t ready and I wanted to post them together. I may just have to post them at different times so this place doesn’t become Ghost Town USA again.

Add on to this that the weather is getting blissfully cooler but this change in weather is causing me to be sleepy all the time. Then of course, still dealing with all the other stuff I was dealing with before, and well, just…*sigh*. LOL! Well I guess since that 36 hour day is still a long while off, I will just need to get my rear in gear and get organized. Yep, still working on that. I’ve never been this disorganized before. Is there any hope for me? Please  say yes!

I just recently read this article, it’s where the picture for my post came from. The author of the post is an actual author who not only writes several books a year, she homeschools her two children, and she takes care of the house and yard. She explains how to pull yourself from the Land of Crazy Disorganization to a land less cluttered with chaotic thoughts with no plan and no end in sight. Check it out if you are like me. Hopefully we will find our way out of the LOCD and can get back to a calmer way of existing. Then again maybe not, but hey, it’s worth a try.

And on that note, I have got to my lovelies. I will be back soon. I have a lot to share and can’t wait to do so. Hope all of you are doing well. Be doll hugs and smooches to you all.

Ready for bed at only 1:07 in the morning…I must be getting old,
Chelle

No Update, No Problem

OK, so yes, I know, I promised an update. But do you know how quickly a weekend goes when you have free time from writing and you want to play Guild Wars 2? Very quickly, I tell you! On top of that, it takes forever to take dolls out of their boxes. My video is longish and I need to cut it down big time. I don’t even know if anyone will watch, but it’s there for people curious about anything I bought. And now there are two more dolls I want to buy and then I swear that’s it, no more Liv doll buying…unless I find them really cheap somewhere, then all bets are off! But it doesn’t look like I will be getting to an update or working here on the blog at all until this weekend again. I have some articles due and I need to start figuring out how to promote them. I’ve started making some sales, it’s pennies and quarters still, but for being there only roughly two months, I’m not doing too bad. If you are interested in writing for Squidoo, come over and check it out, it’s fun and addictive. And hey, if your work gets noticed, you can make some money on the side.

So, since I don’t have a personal update for you, I thought I’d leave you with some interesting doll pictures I have found on the web. Warning, two of the pictures are of the same doll cut in half with exposed organs. I think it’s pretty cool, but some may see it as an ick factor.

(source)

I thought this was interesting. Barbie encouraging girls not to eat? For shame! I love little bits of “dollie trivia” likes this.

Ok, so these are the same doll, one with her hair down of course. I thought this was just so neat. From what I can gather, this is a piece of art displayed somewhere overseas. I couldn’t find much more about this picture as it was on Tumblr and making the rounds everywhere. But I had to share this. I remember when I was a little girl wondering what the inside of Barbie looked like and then wondering what it would look like if she was real. So finally seeing “both” is kind of neat.

So yeah, brief update just to let you know, nothing has been forgotten, just pushed back. Ugh! I need more time in my day!!! I have so many blogs to catch up on, I feel like I don’t know what anyone is doing lately. But I’ll update this weekend for sure and try to catch up as well. Hope all of you are doing well. I will talk to you soon. Be good until then. Bye for now.

Tired as heck and needing to write a new article tonight,
Chelle

A Sneak Peak

I couldn’t resist, I had to give you guys a tiny sneak peak of what is to come this weekend.

Tiny sneak peak. Yes, I know that I wasn’t interested in the Hunger Games Barbie doll, and I’m still not. It’s my mom’s.   But I plan on doing a review of her. She seems a lot prettier in person than her prototype pictures lead you to believe. She’s still a Barbie made to look like Katniss, but when I think about it, I was judging her on the actress and had to stop and thing she’s a character from a book.  So who am I to say this isn’t exactly what she looks like?  More later on that.  Ok my lovely peeps, I’m off, short story still needing to be finished. Talk to you lovelies this weekend. The video camera is charging as I type, can’t wait to show you all my goodies I got.   Bye for now.

Off to write,
Chelle