Home: Hobby-Craft Area

The past long weekend allowed me to clean and re-organized my hobby-craft area. The furniture and storages are mix of pieces that I re-purposed.  Having the TV serves both as a computer monitor and entertainment helps maximized the small space.  Then I added some live plants and displayed some of my collection for inspiration and joy.  

My hobby-craft area

one way I find useful in keeping doll accessories in good shape and sorted is by re-purposing a photo storage box.

It doesn't need to be fancy or big, but having a space dedicated for hobby allows me to work on activities I find enjoyable - such as crafts, reading, taking photographs of collection like below images.

    

meet MGA Shadow High Doll - Heather Grayson

I took photos of her in my hobby area after giving her some TLC - I washed her hair to remove the creases and factory product, then refreshed her hairstyle.

Thanks and I hope everyone a great weekend 🌸

Home: a place to enjoy the weekend

 I returned at work this week after my Christmas vacation.  I should be feeling energized and excited but somehow I felt exhausted and uninspired.  Although my mind was focused and kept finishing my tasks on time, I was struggling.  I find it too busy.  I am very organized at work but the loads are too much that still I end up rushing just to get things done.  It is the reality but I am fully aware of how work is very important as it also gives oneself a sense of purpose and meaning.  I know for sure that I need to stop feeling this way and do something about it rather than dwell in the negativity.

I remember seeing a poem displayed in my doctor's office.  It's a poem about not giving up.  I took a photo of it because it's a good reminder and I just love appreciating the little things around me.  The line that drew my attention is "...Rest if you must, but Don't You Quit!..."

Plaque of the poem in my doctor's office

Hmm..."...Rest if you must, but Don't You Quit!..."  maybe a good break would help me reset this feeling.  So instead of planning to head outside and be elsewhere this weekend, I decided to stay home.  Sounds not so much fun, but for some reason it allowed me to enjoy the things I love to do... and end up having real fun.

Getting organized... for me, a clean and organized home is always a good place to feel cozy and relaxed.  My family helped me put away the Christmas decorations and clean our home.  I also cleaned my fish tank.

My betta fish is happy in his clean tank

I cooked! Weekdays are always hectic and usually I come home late not giving me enough time to cook.  I find sharing homecooked meals with the family brings warmth and comfort.  So I got into my apron and get cooking.  I made a pasta dish that reminded me of my childhood back home - A Filipino-style baked macaroni. It is similar on how Mac and Cheese is made, the difference is that a sweet savoury meaty sauce is added.  We enjoyed it.

Filipino-style Baked Macaroni

I took care of my plants.  I find caring for plants meditative and relaxing. Plants makes a home cozier by adding a touch of natural beauty.  Seeing plants thrive offers excitement, hope and inspiration - be it a sprout of new leaf or a plant reblooming...

Here are images of my mini orchid.  A month ago it rebloomed with flower buds and now, all are in full bloom.

All these made me happy just by being at home... I feel relaxed too... The negativity is replaced with positivity that will surely make me feel energized and inspired.

Thank you for reading and hope you enjoy the weekend as well! 💮

Dolls: LOL Surprise OMG Sketches

 I love dolls from MGA Entertainment since Bratz and recently I got hooked in starting my LOL Surprise OMG doll collection in 2020.

Meet Sketches...  She is an LOL Surprise OMG Core Series 6 fashion doll.  Her distinct style is very artistic that matches her name.  The dolls height is at 10 inches (approximate 25 cm).  According to her box description she is unexpected BFF (best friends forever) with another doll in the same series, Melrose.  At first, I was wondering why unexpected? But then, reading on the official store website made me understand why...

"The latest LOL Surprise OMG fashion dolls are unexpected BFFs, celebrating the differences between friends that make each other stronger. Even though they are different, they both love what they love, and they’re all about being your authentic self no matter who you’re with." - credit: details from the LOL Surprise official store website

Unboxing Sketches... I find her packaging really pretty, but I appreciate my dolls even more when they are outside their boxes which allows me to enjoy taking photos of them.

Overall look of her first outfit and her stand.  The dress is made of soft mesh fabric that have cool details and colourful prints.  Btw, I love the stand, it really functions well with the doll.

Underneath her main dress is another surprise dress that goes well with her plastic jacket, hat, shoes and accessories.

 

A closer look of her face. Her beauty mark is a pink heart under her left eye.  Mine has an extra - an excess paint line near her beauty mark which I think goes well with her theme being artsy.

Her beautiful multi-coloured hair is why I fell in love with her.  I washed her hair to remove the factory hair product to make it softer.  The perm is still good even after washing.

Her eyewear is colour Silver with details at the temples.

She has a chain-style plastic earrings and necklace.  The purse is similar to a spray paint can (reminds me of Krylon spray paint that I used for my scaled model projects back in university).  Her shoes is clear plastic with splashes of paint.

A closer look of her nail polish colour, ring, purse and main dress that has a thumb hole - so cute!

Details of her journal and poster

"3 Rules of Art: 1) Use ALL the colors 2) Make it personal 3) Listen to ur heart, not the critics"

She's a Virgo

Thank you for reading and I wish everyone a Happy New Year!  

Gardening and Recycling

Started gardening a couple of weeks ago and all seems to be growing alright.  I love container gardening as it gives me more freedom to rearrange.  Plus, it also helps me control since some of these are invasive.  

These are all easy care plants.  In the photo above (from top left to right bottom):  Campanula, Red Viola, Hostas, Purple White Violas, Yellow Ice Plant, Coleus, Asiatic Lily 'Tiny Bee', Hot Portugal Peppers & Asiatic Lily 'Red Velvet', Sedum 'Voodoo' and Sweet Woodruff

Then last weekend, I did a quick fix project.  Instead of discarding my old birdhouse, I decided to repair, clean and repaint it.  I also decorated it with collected miniatures.  It's a good thing to recycle.

This time, I will just place it inside the house together with my indoor plants.

Happy Weekend!

Catching up

It's been a long time since I got the chance to update my blog.  I was going over my posts and the last time I did was in 2014...  Life has been very busy and challenging at times, but I would say, all good.  I was able to enjoy my hobbies from time to time but didn't have the energy to write.  While being encouraged to stay home because of the pandemic, my thoughts is just to remain positive and find ways to be productive.  From here, I wish everyone are staying safe and healthy... 

Before I go, I would like to share a photo of Quinn where I practised working on a combination of waterfall and standard braid hairstyle.

Quinn (ADG Blythe Doll Pretty Paisley)

Have a good weekend and take care!

Dolls and Crafts: Inspiration

Just a couple days ago, I extended my work area in our bedroom...  It's a small space with just a table and 2 shelves, but I'm decorating it with memories and trinkets that inspire and make me happy.

It is a work in progress, as I love updating it according to my needs.

No matter how big or small it is, I find it good to have one...  Keeps me busy and productive.

This past week I made doll clothes inspired by stock dresses of two Petite Blythes, Kitchen Queen and Itsy Bitsy Ladybug.

 

Darla (Simply Chocolate), Ingrid (Rachael's Ribbon) and Laila (French Trench)

in Petite Blythe Kitchen Queen inspired dresses

The aprons are removable and each have handmade patches and simple embroideries that coordinate with the prints of the fabrics.

 Kitchen Queen - Apple

Kitchen Queen - Flower 

Kitchen Queen - Strawberry

Blanche (Kiss Me True)

Next, I call it The Crafty Ladybug's Souvenir Costume inspired by Petite Blythe Itsy Bitsy Ladybug

The outfit consists of a shirt and a skirt. I crocheted a ladybug hat and made a matching backpack.

Thank you for reading and stay inspired!

Dolls: Meet my Lottie Dolls

I really admire dolls and my selection is a mix of almost everything.  Last year I came across Lottie dolls by Arklu in one of the toy shops here and started mine just earlier of this year.  I was only able to take photos of them today because of so many reasons but I'm glad to share their photos now ;p ...  At first glace, Lottie dolls reminded me of my Licca-chan dolls by Takara because of their hairstyle, fashion, eye gaze and child-like rounded face.  But as you go over the details of the doll you will notice the differences.

I find both pretty and they look cute together!

Notice that Licca-chan is taller than Lottie, which for me, makes them more like sisters or cousins when they stand beside each other.

Meet my Lottie dolls...

"Autumn Leaves" Lottie Doll (credit: Lottie for doll's description)

Lottie loves Autumn and especially the changing colours of the leaves on the trees. Wrapped up warm in her coat, hat, scarf and boots, Lottie explores Harley Wood with her dog, Biscuit the Beagle, kicking her way through all the crisp, colourful leaves. Getting muddy, kicking leaves and building dens is just so much fun!

(Note:  Biscuit the Beagle is sold separately)

"Branksea Festival" Lottie Doll (credit: Lottie for doll's description)

Summer has arrived at last! The sun is shining and the sky is blue as Branksea prepares for its annual Festival. Lottie is excited and is looking forward to live music, face painting, storytelling, and arts and crafts. Will the good weather continue or will the celebrations be spoiled by rain?

"Pandora's Box" Lottie Doll (credit: Lottie for doll's description)

Lottie is volunteering at Branksea Animal Shelter, helping to look after the homeless cats and dogs. One day a cardboard box mysteriously left outside the front door with a hungry and frightened Persian cat inside. They decide to name her Pandora. Unlike the Greek myth, where a box brought unhappiness, here the arrival of Pandora is a cause for joy and fresh hope. Lottie helps to nurse Pandora back to health and make sure that her furry coat is kept clean and fluffy.

(Note: Pandora the Persian cat is sold separately)

I love that these dolls have good balance and can stand without the aide of doll stands.  The clothes and accessories are beautiful and of good quality.  The face is naturally pretty without make-up.  The price is reasonable.  I plan to add more in time but it's good to take things slow and wait for future releases...

More about this dolls on their official site.