Another fashionable weekend

The girls model some goodies we got in swaps and sales on TIB and PP as well as Ebay and Etsy. You try dressing six dolls with full accessories and then taking pictures, uploading, editing, etc., and let me know how long it takes! I was shocked when I looked at the clock in the wee hours between Friday and Saturday. But it's a fun diversion....so much so that thousands of collectors all over the world get into it. There are conventions, photo shoots, costume contests (with huge international acclaim), active international forums, and there are sellers on Etsy and Ebay whose fashions and customized dolls sell in the blink of an eye for hundreds and hundreds of dollars. Blythe is definitely an international force to be reckoned with, and her US appeal hasn't even really taken hold yet. Amazing.

From the top down, (it's always good to give credit to the hard-working customizers and seamstresses), Alice Snow wears a heavily-embellished felt dress by myownlittleworld on Etsy. Check out her amazing fairy hats and other costumes. Also, a felt bag and stockings by Louos, a fluffy pink coat by unknown maker and Blythe-size "Uggs" (slightly bigger than mine as you can see), from the shop at This is Blythe by Gina Garan.

Maggy wears the cute navy pleated top or mini dress that arrived with Alice, white capris borrowed from a High School Musical doll, a red sweatshirt jacket from a TIB forum sale, and green "Converse" from the TIB shop.

Red-headed Daisy by Neroli/ruirui wears a vintage orange velvet Skipper dress from Ebay, along with Barbie boots, cream tights and a cream popcorn-like stitch crochet hat by MandyLynn from Flickr. Good vintage Skipper outfits (the oldest circa 1964-65*ish) are getting harder and harder to find. Actually, they can be found on Ebay, but the prices are astronomical in many cases. And complete in package? You're talking several hundred dollars or more.

Bunny Velvet in her black bob wig by Shopholican on Etsy and customized by momoko_girl_1 wears a cute baby cord floral dress by pistachiolibby on Etsy. The black mary jane shoes, orginally for Barbie, were once seen selling for as much as $50 on ebay (yes, just the shoes), until several people got smart and made molds and started mass producing the colorful jelly-like shoes. They are now much easier to come by, and so much cheaper, like $5-$10 from the TIB shop, Ebay, Etsy, etc.

Long blond Lilly, my first and foremost, wears a somewhat vintage Teen Skipper outfit from about 1979. The disco-y like dress is accompanied by platform shoes borrowed from a Disco Barbie.

Finally, blue-haired, but-not-old-lady Zena wears a knit skully hat and sweater from a Plastic Paradise sale, and originally from the TIB shop, Barbie cargo pants and Barbie Gap backpack, and Re-ment "Heidi" boots.

Love their various "personalities" and "playing" with fashion to bring it out. I'd feel so silly, except I know I am far from alone!

The girlz welcome Alice Snow

From the top, girls! Daisy, Bunny, Zena and Lilly put on their new bestest outfits (we had a little spree on Plastic Paradise and TIB) to welcome Alice Snow (bottom). Isn't she sweet? She has lovely clear eyes in shades of grey, green and blue as well as dark and vibrant purple. I love her little poof of white mohair. She was adopted from supervelma on TIB/a.k.a. rollerderbysinner on Flickr. Love that name!

Daisy and Zena are modeling new acquisitions from Gina Garan's TIB shop, while Bunny and Lilly have "used" duds (sssshhhh! don't tell them) from PP. Used, but divine nonetheless. And it's not like the previous owners wore them to work or anything, nor out in the muddy bog. So, it's all good! Repurposing and resaling at its tiny best.

More more mohair!

I have been searching high and low for a new Blythe that moved me, preferably with mohair. And, poof! She appeared on TIB by supervelma (these are her pics), who also has the coolest Lady Gaga Blythe for sale. But forget the Lady, I went gaga for this white mohair, who is as yet unnamed and only en route, but I am already envisioning fashions and photo shoots for her! Oh, the %$*&# Blythe Bug bites again! Won't this one make a great Alice in Wonderland or Snow White?

And speaking of Wonderland, I have been so taken with the OOAK creations by myownlittleworld2 on Flickr and Etsy! I finally bought one of her dresses. Should have gotten the matching hat, but just didn't think I should. Have done enough Blythe *damage* lately. And being back with "the bug," I am kicking mysef for ever selling my Mondie, French Trench, V-Smash and Gentle River, and even my ADG PP. At least I know they all went to very good homes.

I had been able to by my Mondrian on Ebay a few years ago for $400 and sold her for same a short time later because I didn't like her floppy Licca body and her stringy hair, even though I loved her boggled eyes. I just saw a first version today on Ebay for $2,000. Sheesh.

Gotta go crochet a hat. Found a great pattern site (knit, crochet and sewing) Creative Blythe, which led me to her Flickr, which led me to discover Plastic Paradise. All my Blythe friends are there. I must have been living under a rock not to know about this! Have a Blytheful day.

On the road again...

I merely mentioned to the Blythes that one of them might get to go to Indiana with me for the holidays, and there was a flurry of activity in the wardrobe box. All four of them were changing clothes so fast their heads were spinning. Lilly, a Star Dancer, (top and bottom), a girl after my own heart, changed clothes at least three times, from vintage Skipper Town Togs to a Chanel T by rlkataja on Etsy, with Barbie denim skirt and knee-high go-go boots and a white down ski jacket with fur-trimmed collar from the TIB shop.

Maggy, ADG Princess Parfait, chose green cords with fur-trimmed bell bottoms and borrowed Lilly's stock poncho and hat along with a Coach purse. Bunny Velvet (ADG Roaring Red) went for comfort in a TIB shop A-line corduroy dress and a Twinklies Hello Kitty helmet to keep her unruly hair in check. Where are those wigs I ordered?

Zena, my bue mohair custom, was looking demure in the other part of the Twinkies Hello Kitty set with the HK dress, and a red blouse of unknown origin- off the rack, I guess. Not sure who's going. There's only one Sew Pixie carrier to go around, and Lilly always packs too much and loses her earrings. Why did I even mention it? *sigh*

Goodies from First-Ever Blythecon

Although I could not attend Blythecon in Atlanta, much to my chagrin, because of a move and job change, I was there in spirit and wallet as I sent some $$ with "Auntie Maggie," so she could get the girls a souvenir. She chose for us this darling pinafore and bloomers set in pinks, purples and blues from KittyKatDance. It came with a tiny little cake, too!

And she got the last 2010 Blythe desk calendar from Gina Garan, who kindly signed it for me, Gina to Gina.

And, if that weren't fab enough, Maggie brought us a gift also, the tan felt dress modeled by Lilly, and a darling Dolly Molly magnet. Almost as good as being there.

The top photo is hard to explain. My Maggy has been decked out and standing outside Target since last Friday. Apparently she thought it was Black Friday already. She has her felt tote from Barb of Academy Beldam, her TIB Uggs, a hat by me and fashions by Barbie. She looks a little astonished that she's got to stay in line another week if she wants to be first in at 5 a.m. Not for me, no thank you! I like to avoid commerce that day.

And we're back: Slumber parties and high fashion with Vintage Barbie

Like a cuddly lemon--if lemons were cuddly--Miss Bunny Velvet models the vintage Twist and Turn Barbie outfit we snagged from Ebay after careful scrutiny. We were outbid by three cents with three seconds to go on one set and would have paid $30.03. Instead, we tried again with Ebay-like fortitude and found another one for $19.95. Perfect! Love the red and yellow. Pretty sure I had this outfit for my Barbie as a child. I was heavily into Barbie (and Skipper, Ken, Midge, Stacey, PJ, Francie, Casey, etc., etc.,) so it's hard to remember all the outfits. I had cases and cases of them and houses and....then I did it all over again with my daughter about 20 years ago.

Speaking of Barbie, the pajamas on Lilly, Maggy and Zena above are from a Barbie fashions multi-pack at Wal-Mart. Love the colors and the cute owl designs. There were enough pieces and some faux plastic Uggs (Maggy has on the 'real' Uggs from Gina Garan's This is Blythe shop).

The girls decided to have a slumber party because they don't think they are going to Blythecon, where they were going to have a slumber party with their IRL friends, Lindsay and Claudette and Angela and Annie and Arturo and Maggie and Rupa and their girls. Bummercon.

It's Back-to-School Time Around Here, and We Are So Glad!

Bunny Velvet (ADG RR) and Maggy (ADG PP) are headed off to another year at Blythe U. It's always fun to pick back-to-school clothes, and since they've been insisting on designer duds, I suggested we doing a little Wally World Barbie shopping to be kind to the budget.

Both girls always roll their eyes at Barbie fashions, as if it's like Faded Glory or Route 66 or something! Barbie is as classic at Talbot's and a lot more hip!

On Bunny (left), who will be starting her MFA in creative writing, Barbie layered T, scarf and jeans skirt, lacy turquoise tights, Barbie purse and Gap backpack, Crochet hat from Etsy, "Uggs" from TIB shop.

Maggy, headed to law school (finally) is wearing a Barbie dress and Wellies, unknown fur vest, laptop bag accessorized by moi courtesy of Wal-Mart trims, and a hat she swiped from Lilly (Star D stock).

Maybe this will be the year they get serious.

Vintage Skipper Wars

Maggy, in vintage Skipper Cookie Time looks rather aghast that Jolene would dare put on vintage also. But, she couldn't resist. This vintage Francie Side Kick dress just arrive today and it was perfect with her navy re-ment dress shoes. Both girls are gearing up for the 4th of July I guess. Check out my bang-up sale on This is Blythe forum. There's still bargains, even on vintage here http://blythe.swedenunlimited.com/newforum/viewtopic.php?t=84750 and here http://blythe.swedenunlimited.com/newforum/viewtopic.php?t=84629. No fighting, girls.

Lots of Blythe Clothes for Sale on TIB, See also me sets on Flickr

And now a word from our sponsor....(that's me). I did my first closet clean-out as the Blythe people call it on This is Blythe (TIB) forum. Here's my items for sale and one picture here to tempt you. Please respond through TIB or Flickr. http://blythe.swedenunlimited.com/newforum/viewtopic.php?t=84629 or http://www.flickr.com/photos/lillysoflondonish/sets/72157605800998923/.

We Went to Battle Creek, But Not for Cereal!

Big adventure was had by all, well almost all of the girls as we made a road trip to 'Auntie Angela's http://geminiangelsart.blogspot.com for the Michigan Blythe Meet from the TIB Forum http://www.thisisblythe.com/forum. Angela was just as nice as we imagined, and her house and studio are a playhouse. The library! The pool! The theatre! The studio! I could gush for hours.

There were nine crazy women and 50 Blythes present, plus the assorted family members and one Oscar the Pug for good measure as well as Lati, Momoko, Dal, Sonny Angels, Petites and who knows what else.

We had such fun swapping and selling our Blythe goodies and also gift-swapping and eating some great food. Here's just a few pics from the adventures. From top to bottom: Gwynyth stayed home but got the Vintage Skipper Town Togs in the mail. 2. Zena (custom mohair) was a hit. She is unwinding from the trip with the latest issue of Blythe Bliss. We got her shadowbox and trinkets from the Pretty Placings Re-Ment set (seen in background) at the meet. 3. Hitting the road. 4. Photo shoot- 48 girls and two boys. 5. Auntie Angela's Dainty Biscuit Madison came home for the week to play and be Marie Antoinette for awhile. 6. Lilly in her very BoHo outfit made by Angela. 7. Violet in her H Loves R dress and hat we got at the meet from MandieLynn.

I think everyone had a great time. We're already talking about doing it again.

Art and Blythe Come Together

What's this you ask? I haven't posted here in some time, and now I try to get away with putting something from my art blog http://lillysoflondonish.blogspot.com here? Relax. It is Blythe-related. Lisa Kettell of The Faerie Zine and http://faerieenchantment.blogspot.com, also a Blythe fan, decided to host a Blythe Costume Swap.

So, I made a Marie Antoinette-style dress for my recipient Cyndi of http://dragonflysdreamz.blogspot.com. Nevermind that I've become fascinated (again) with Marie Antoinette after a great interest in high school xx years ago (and no, that's not 'xx' for 20). The Faerie Zine has actually been doing a lot of 'Marie' stuff, so it seemed quite natural to choose this for my costume. Thankfully (I think), Cyndi does not have a Blythe doll (the horror!) and just wanted a costume to display. So, this is made by attaching brocade, lace, velvet, wire, vintage millinery and vintage jewelry directly to a miniature (7") styrofoam dress form. 'Marie' will be winging her way to Alabama come Tuesday.

Maybe then the Blythe Manor girls here will get some attention. They have been unattended for a couple of weeks while I focus on art. They'll be gettin' all gussied up next weekend as we head to Michigan for the http://thisisblythe.com/forum TIB Michigan Blythe Meet-Up in Battle Creek at Auntie Angela's http://geminiangelsart.blogspot.com. A swap, photo ops, treats and more are planned. Blythe-o-licious!

Easter at Blythe Manor

No clever egg hunt photos taken here, as the ground was swathed in snow Saturday and some still hung around on Sunday along with chilly temps. So, the girls simply got dressed up. The bedding I completed over the weekend. I love the lace-y pillow shams, and I especially love them since I didn't have to sew to do them. My tutorial can be found on http://www.ZNEDolls.com along with some other sneaky dollhouse tricks. I also added a second bed to the 5th floor while Lilly was out. Shhh! She doesn't know yet, and she'll be throwing a spoiled brat fit soon enough.
Tuesday was also naughty, jumping on the new bed and then hanging from the railings in her new Monkey suit- so appropriate!
Meanwhile, the other girls decided to go all classy. Maggy was thrilled to get to wear the carrot dress and purse from Auntie Angela, an art friend and now Blythe friend (her mention of ADD on her post makes perfect sense to me!). http://geminiangelsart.blogspot.com. Her sewing is as exquisite as all her other art, and she's fun and funny, too!
Lilly put on the school girl dress from Gina Garan's TIB shop along with her Re-ment designer purse. I forget if this is the Marc Jacobs on or the D&G or? Speaking of Gina, THE other Gina: there was much chat about her on 3/17 on http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ZNEart. The show is archived and you can listen any time!
Jolene also has a TIB dress from SugarMag and Violet has a swap dress on that matches her eyes.
Some people ask which Blythe is one's mini me. I would have to say Lilly is my wannabe-me and/or is my daughter, Adrienne, while Violet is probably closest to looking like and being me. Tuesday and Zena are the wild children (wild in a good, pre-1960s way), and Jolene and Maggy are just nice girls who popped in with their unique hair and looks.
The girls are being kind of squirrely because they know there's only one dolly carrier bag here from Becca of Sew Pixie http://www.sewpixie.tinfoildreams.com/blog, and they wonder who is going to get in it to go to Myrtle Beach. Haven't decided but did promise that a different girl could go to Art & Soul, Hampton and someone else to the Castle in the Meadow ZNE event in Detroit. Thank goodness film doesn't have to be purchased anymore!!

We're Feeling Spring-y at Blythe Manor

Just a quicky post to say we love all our new fashions from Louos of Singapore. Louos swears on TIB http://www.thisisblythe.com that he has elves working in sweatshops, but we think it's just HIM and his incredible talent. The girls got "Louos Loves Elephants," a pink hoodie with striped thigh highs, contrast stripe short sleeve T, solid skirt and matching headband as well as an awesome tote. Oh so fun to be a size 00000000.

It's also fun to put and place the various muebles all over the house and to mix and match our vintage Barbie finds, etc. My latest is a Bratz 70's egg chair. It looks quite groovy, baby, but I can't decide if I like it or not. My other find, or maybe I should say "finding," is that if I go to out-of-the-way little discount stores, not Dollar Stores but just weird little mom-n-pop-like variety stores, I can find old Barbie stuff on the shelves that is somehow both cheap and perfect.