Sock monkeys: A sick obsession or a sock obsession?

Jane models the sock monkey hat I made for her last night, after making several previously for "my humans." I also made the baby afghan pictured. The patterns are from Debbie Stoller's The Happy Hooker: Stitch 'N Bitch Crochet, probably my all-time fave crochet book. Jane also holds another sock monkey motif which I made, hoping to attach it to an off-white, red and brown scarf I am knitting for myself. Trying to learn to knit, that is. Spring is just around the corner, and summer will probably be here before I have anything remotely long enough to serve as a scarf. But, at least the sock monkey applique is ready and waiting.

Molly Brown and Violet Jane are here; Lilly showing off as usual

Jane, my new French Trench, arrived this week, along with Molly Brown, an adorable mohair by DollyMolly and Pheisty. I'm just getting used to her Licca body, having learned how to tighten up the floppy legs, and I've been changing Jane's eyechips, one pair a day, after I learned the hard way about that, too.

Jane is wearing a navy dress set I got on Plastic Paradise along with the sweet red mohair sweater by DollyDressUp on Etsy. I also used a gold 'J' charm from a Juicy Couture perfume bottle for her pull ring. So far I've given her dark brown chips, but I have light brown, olive and red/green combo all coming, all by Cool Cat.

I wish there were more hours in the day; there's so much I want to do. I flew to Indiana this weekend and only packed one girl, trying to be practical. Besides, I also brought my knitting, crocheting, books to review, magazines, blogging, some other projects and some real work. Plus I came here to go to the doctor, dentist, get a hi-lite from Alica, my all-time favorite hair girl for 11 years now, get a nail fill, go tanning, and otherwise get an overhaul. Too bad I can't get liposuction on the weekend also.

Meanwhile, Lilly, my Star Dancer, wanted to show off her lovely purple set from Megipupu that looks great with the crocheted skirt we got on PP and her Marc Jacobs-like designer bag. She's such a fashion plate! Drives the other girls crazy. Stayed tuned for new pictures of Jane and Molly and the crew when I get back; Libby of Pistachio Libby on Etsy has been making us a fantastic wardrobe with some fabrics I picked.

Welcome (Back?) Violet Jane

...And she will be called Jane. The top photo is my former French Trench Violet, whom I got from Seattle Blythe Brian and later sold to art friend Viv. Violet's in good hands with Viv and went there when I was downsizing my Blythe collection. I sold four or five dolls, tons of clothes, maryjanes, yes, even frog boots (why? o, why?) and my entire furnished five-story dollhouse.

It was a good move at the time, but I have always missed Violet's sweet face, short, easy to handle curly hair and violet eyes. So I recently found the used and naked (yikes) French Trench on ebay from Asia. And now that I know how to change eyechips, I figure I can give her violet chips again, or any color I wish. In fact, thanks to Maggie, I have some groovy colors coming from CoolCat like matte blue, pink/yellow, olive, dark brown, yellow and red. We'll see what seems right for Jane.

I decided to call her Violet Jane or Jane, because it didn't make sense to me to have another French Trench by a different name, but at the same time I didn't want to step on Viv's toes, or my former Violet's plastic toes. And since I have a gold "J" charm from Juicy Couture just waiting to be put to use, the whole Jane thing fell into place--short hair, short name.

What's Better Than a Good, OId-Fashioned Slumber Party? Not Much!

When Olivia Elaia Rose London (GR) returned home from a week at Auntie Angela's http://geminiangelsart.blogspot.com/, the girls were so happy to see her they decided to hold a pajama party to take in all the gossip from Angela's fab Blythe quarters. Maggy (ADG PP#3), in pink pajamas and stuffed monkey by Angela seemed especially aghast to learn there was a BOY in the Blythe midst, the swarthy Arturo. Meanwhile Zena, a custom blue mohair and Violet (FT) in her vintage Skipper pj's, are all ears. The girls got out their pizza, popcorn, boom box (okay, they really wanted I-pods), Magic 8 date ball from Shershe http://gggroovydolls.com/ and copies of Blythe Bliss http://www.blythebliss.etsy.com/ magazine, for a total slumber party extraordinaire.

Gwynyth (ADG PWP) thought they were being immature and silly, so she put on her old cheerleading uniform (re-ment), which was not immature at all, and praticed some of her former high school maneuvers. Looks like she can still do the splits, cartwheels and back walk-overs. Good for her!

Violet London, Travel Writer

Ms. Violet here, reporting from Nautical Watch in North Myrtle Beach, S.C. So much to see and do- perfect for Blythes of all ages! The spring weather is perfect also, about 80 and sunny everyday. Sunscreen would be a good idea to protect our shiny heads! Bug spray would also be good to pack. Auntie Angela wasn't kidding about sand crabs! Or, maybe it is the famous no-see-ums Mom told me about. Maybe it is bed bugs! Whatever it is, they bite! I mean, they bite! All the kids say stuff sucks, but Mom won't let me.

Our pool is really cold since it is unheated, but who needs that when we have an unheated ocean right out the front door. Actually, we don't have a front door, just patio doors and a deck, but big people can jump off that if they want (since it is the first floor).

We went to an outside park called Warbird Park. Who knew that planes were called Warbirds? Scary. I saw a plane that looked like a cute dolphin, but I think it was supposed to kill people. That's mean.

We went for a walk on the beach one night about 7 p.m. It was really pretty and a little chilly. I saw lots of big holes in the sand. I think big monsters live in them. It can't possibly be sand dollars or crabs or anything, because we didn't find one stinkin' shell. And shells do stink sometimes, Mom says.

I was so tired after all this, I had to get right into my Hello Kitty pjs from Effiedal Shop and get to bed! More adventures tomorrow! Soon, we will be heading home through North Carolina. Mom wrote all about that here http://vintageindie.typepad.com/vintage_indie/2008/04/vintage-hot-s-1.html. You should check it out if you like neat little towns. Byeee!

Violet and her Vespa

In a fluke of vacation outlet shopping, I found a deal on a Vespa for Violet that was just too good to pass up. I haven't let her take it off-road to the beach yet. In fact, I let her practice on the the dining room table. I've got to check the road rules: can you ride a Vespa barefoot? Violet London, law-breaker.

Violet, a.k.a. Beach Babe

Violet was able to catch a few rays today without getting burned. I made her put her swim suit under her PJ's last night, because she is such a grouch in the morning. However, this made her ready for the beach bright and early....then we just had to wait for the sun to come out. It finally did, and after a little shut-eye on the beach, Violet decided to take a spin in her (violet) VW Bug. For a new driver, she did pretty well. So well, in fact, that I bought her a Vespa scooter also!

Drama at Blythe Manor

A little drama is to be expected with five girls, but this ridiculous. Lilly has been pouting for days over the Blythe in America Miss Blythe in the Americas beauty pageant. Although she could enter too, Tuesday got busy and started her talent segment with ice skating. Lilly has been moping all winter and wouldn't get dressed, so how was she to do the evening gown or swimsuit portions. Lovely Claudette, Miss California, had already entered as have others, but Lilly kept procrastinating on outfits so there she stills lies-in her bed.

The other girls even brought her presents from all the best shops, but she continued on her Diet Coke and Doritos binge. Meanwhile Violet, Jolene and Tuesday offered tours of Blythe Manor to anyone who would listen. I think everyone's just a little crabby and stir crazy....wishing for a case of spring fever. There hasn't even been a teaser of hope yet in northern Indiana.

Some Quick Scenes from Blythe Manor, Fifth Floor Bedroom Added; Lilly Stakes her Claim

Just some quick pics before I fall asleep at my desk. On Jolene (V-Smash), gold crocheted hot pants from grrrliedesigns on etsy, the lovely and published Zoe. Red Blythe Dressing Room Tights and a Barbie camisole and boots complete her look. In the house view, Jolene is wearing her Blythestation (etsy) skully hoodie.

Tuesday (Mondie) looks pensive in a Barbie T-shirt and Blythestation cords. Later, she's in the kitchen in her darling plaid school girl dress from Andrea of LaCrafi on Flickr or La Crafiteira of Brazil. Maggy (ADG #3) is also in the kitchen in her dotty dress from a TIB friend and her highly sought after Re-Ment frog boots, and Only Hearts Club frog from Carrie or Memeeps on Flickr.

Lilly (StarD) is in her new blue boudoir, having "borrowed" Violet's (French Trench) blue pj's. I did the bedding, wallpaper, etc., and the rocker is a pin cushion from JoAn Fabrics.

Blythe Manor is now five storys tall, and we have hit the wall, err ceiling. The house also sprawls sideways about six feet or about five rooms wide also. Lots of room for the girls to spread out!

Girls Just Wanna Have Funds!

As Blythe Manor continues to sprawl and closets continue to burgeon, it is no wonder all three girls have jobs! And somehow, Maggy still has some cash left sticking out of her Dooney & Bourke purse in the bottom photo after a trip to Tiffany's and Juicy, as evidenced by her bags. Apparently, they also made stops at the framing store, carpet gallery, toy store, grocery and BLIKEA too!

At least I was able to save some money for them by choosing the Sugarmag grab bag at the This is Blythe shop http://www.thisisblythe.com. Five wonderful surprise dress sets arrived for a grand total of $20. Lots of great mix and match possibilities, and now there is a $40 grab bag with 10 outfits as well as a new early spring set of four. Tres fun! We'll be needing all those clothes as Mondie arrives Friday. Haven't decided if I will name her Mondie, as in The Mondrian, or if we will go with a more traditional name. I am hoping to soon squelch my quest (habit?) with a redhead and maybe Welcome Winter. Never say maybe.

Girls! Sheesh, So Unpredictable!

Just when I was about to write again about how sweet Violet is, I caught her digging through Lilly's closet. And she came up with the sassiest outfit! I mean, a skull on her trucker hat and on her jumper (that's overall-like dress to you people across the pond who call sweaters jumpers)! C'mon, Violet, don't go all Goth on me!

But, I really can't blame her for giving as good as she gets because Lilly's been mostly like a spoiled brat since the new addition, and just yesterday ran to the mailbox ahead of everyone and swiped Violet's package from Singapore. You see when Violet arrived by way of Seattle, it seems her original stock outfits turned up in Singapore. So, her school uniform and trench coat (she is a French Trench afterall) just arrived from another Blythe mommy, and who should have to put them on immediately? Lilly, of course.

Meanwhile, they both left sweet Maggy to clean the house. Oh well, I am sure her Cinderella days are coming. And the demure outfit must have gotten Lilly to clean her room and make her bed, too. Meanwhile, Violet is talkin' trash on the cell phone. Oh dear!

All three girls may take to their beds in about two weeks when the Mondie comes. Oh dear, I forget, are girls worse in groups of three or four? Or does it just depend on how many boys are in the mix?

Crochet for Me; Bath Time for Violet

The lovely Zoe Aarden, grrrlie4 on Flickr and crocheter extraordinaire, inspired me to get out my hook and yarns the day after Christmas. She and I are doing a yarn/Blythe/misc. swap, and I can hardly wait to see what arrives! I got busy making hats about 10:30 a.m. and finally quit about 2 a.m. The end result was nine different hats with time out for eating and napping and other stuff. My last one, when my eyes were bleary, actually is one of my favorites. It is the nubby burgundy one here, modeled by Maggy (ADG#3). There will be plenty of hats to go around, and others to mail to nice people (hint:hmmm?) I also made an American Eagle-like hat as my DH called it and seen on my other blog http://lillysoflondonish.blogspot.com which was promptly mailed to the new Isaac Zygmunt Kil of Freeport, MI. I hope Ike doesn't mind that Lester posed in the hat for photo purposes. Do you suppose a baby's head is much bigger than a Blythe's?

Meanwhile, the lovely Violet (French Trench) of the violet eyes arrived from Seattle on Christmas eve and was smuggled in without the kids and DH noticing. They just get all freaky about Blythe stuff. I have to ease them into it. As I said earlier, I thought I would be a two-Blythe family, but she was a late night deal with pleading eyes. Generous seller SeattleBlythe on TIB sent three outfits, a wig, hightops and more.

Violet took a nice long bubble bath to unwind from her trip and get settled in. She was the first to try out the new Blythe bathroom, with Fashion Fever fixtures arriving 12/26 from DirtyBootsSamantha on TIB and Flickr. I had fun organizing all of the tiny Re-ment cosmetics. I have to use Glue Dots to dissuade my cats from eating them. So far we are missing one rubber duck.

The Eyes Have It

This is what happens when one browses the The Is Blythe forum http://blythe.swedenunlimited.com/newforum/index.php late into the night. If you try hard enough you will find a good dolly deal, especially at this time of year. People are wanting to buy, sell and trade to satisfy their Blythe habits with just the right dolls and accessories to feed their particular cravings.

As for me, I did not really plan to ever have more than two. It seemed nice. A pair. Sisters. Contrast. But then, this lovely violet-eyed, slightly customized French Trench appeared from SeattleBlythe at a sale price plus free shipping. I hemmed and hawed. I had been studying others. I had a Lounging Lovely on hold and denied my need. I thought a new Mod Molly would be cheap. I was looking at a V-Smash and I almost bought a Superior Skate Date. I told everyone 'No,' good deals or not. But, then late on a weekend night, there she was.

I love the eyes. I may name her Violet, but I am considering other names and taking suggestions. She should be here any day. Heaven knows she will already have plenty to wear! And the Blythe bathroom is in the works now, with a new Fashion Fever tub and a sink and toidy from Dirty Boots Samantha on the same dangerous TIB! I also have coming an FF desk set and an FF funky chair, so the house should be complete. My daughter suggested my DH build stairs, which is just so funny, as he doesn't even have tools! Of course, I could always put in a swimming pool....I wonder if there is medicine for this....