Let's have a little Patience. . .

and Kindness, too.  With a capital K.  For all of us hoping to go to BlytheCon in NYC next month, as the world watches.

In the meantime, I want to share some pictures of Wilde Imagination's new Big Eye girl, Patience.  Let's see how she measures up.

The box is so pretty.  It's just like the title graphic on their page for her online. 



Tonner's presentation is always so nice.  My first impression is she has lovely eyes and the outfit is really well done.

She is made of vinyl and hard plastic with a non-removable wig.  She is 14 inches tall.

Let's see how she compares to our girl, Blythe.

 I lined them up with their shoulders even.  That gives you an idea of how the heads and bodies compare respectively.  Obviously, Blythe is a much smaller doll in height, and her body in just plain a lot smaller.  But her head is bigger.  It's these exaggerated proportions that we love about her.  WI didn't go as extreme with Patience.
 

 

 

 

 

 

And how does Patience compare with Pullip?

Again, I lined them up by the shoulders.  Pullip is much shorter and generally smaller and thinner, too.  Though, their heads are fairly close in size.











One of the nice things about Patience for Tonner collectors is that they used the 12 inch body from previous releases.  This means that clothes and patterns for Marley Wentworth, Agnes Dreary, Hermione and Alice will work.  I've already collected some things for her.  She is very highly articulated which makes her a great poser. 

 Her eyes are very expressive and fun to play with.  They are weighted and move based on the position of her head like the vintage dolls used to do.  So no string like Blythe or wheel like Pullip.

As you can see, she is double jointed so her hands can easily touch her face making for fun play and great poses.

 "Oooh, I feel so stressed out!"

"I really am trying to relax."

"But all this Blythe stuff is giving me a headache.  Why do I have to be compared to others?"

Dimond Crest Manor: a doll house for blythe and friends

I have wanted a dollhouse for Blythe for a long time.  I have looked online and around here for so long that I almost gave up.  Then I found my dream house listed on Craigslist!

 Okay, I know it needs some work.  But seriously, it's a diamond in the rough.  It is the Playscale QuickBuild Townhouse Dollhouse Kit by Real Good Toys.  They are still available, but I found this one used, locally.  Obviously, the railing above the second story windows is partially broken off, only a small section remains.  I ordered another from RGT.  And pink and gray?  I don't think so.  It needs some paint.  Spray paint is the way to go.  So first I masked very well.

I masked both the front and back.  Don't want any accidents to happen to the interior! I used Frog Tape to mask everything.  It worked out very well.  I recommend it.

And I discovered a hidden talent of my husband's after 20 years!  Who knew?  Spray painting is his job from now on!

We laughed while painting:  I talked to a painting contractor for advice while at Home Depot.  I should have answered a classified ad for paint contractors - "No job too small!"  LOL.  "Yes, I have a small house that needs to be painted."

I got the good (highest quality) spray paint from Micheal's.  Next I masked again, to paint the porch.

Finally, the unmasking.  Time for detail work.  I bought scrapbooking stuff for architectural details and white and gold paint for brushwork. 

Time for the unveiling!

I'm so happy with the results!  Here are some more detail shots--

 The new railing is in place on the porch above the second story windows.

Gold detailing on the windows to mimic the tops of the porch rails.

 The fabulous interior!

A three-story townhouse!

Top floor / attic

Second floor

First floor

"Yay!!!" 

"A home of our own!"

Alright girls!  It's time to stop lounging about and get to work.  There's lots of moving to do!

 

More details to come. . .

Guard cat on duty

"Barbie is Moving" Event Review

This is a great event for young collectors with lots of fun activities.  The whole event is free!  The event we attended was at a parking lot in an Oakland Walmart store.  There were two large trucks and a house set up as the staging area.

A poodle shrub!

During registration, they give you a goodie bag-- a reusable Barbie tote, flyers, coupons, and a DVD. 

A Mega Bloks Dreamhouse!

A lego throne bed!

Building. . .

This event seems to be centered on advertising the Barbie Mega Bloks and Dreamhouse toys.  Kids build with legos and are given a mini-starter set for their goodie bags.









And we got to color a dress to take home---

And a  life-size version of the dress project!

Project examples. . .

I heard several girls ask about Barbie, and sadly, she was not in attendance.  But there was enough to do to fill an hour or more of doll play. 













There was a dress, runway, and photo session inside the main staging area.  And two face-painting tables!

We had lots of fun!  There are two weekends remaining in the tour in the Los Angeles and Phoenix metro-areas.  See the site for details.

Take your young collector for some moving fun!

Wowza! Wilde Imagination releases first pics of Patience!

**UPDATE**

So the Launch Party is in full swing and photos are being released on FaceBook.  We have 2 New Big Eye Girls from Tonner and Wilde Imagination.
 ~ Sad Sally and Patience

See Below for photos of Sad Sally

(This is the older post, mainly the press release from Tonner)
Who is Patience, you ask? She’s a little girl just filled with curiosity, apparent in her eager eyes. Patience is a doll like no other: She’s 14” tall with attitude as big as her head (meaning her head is delightfully… full!), and eyes that move from side to side as she contemplates her next adventure. Patience has multiple points of articulation for loads of poses and fun, and her wardrobe is beyond charming. When she’s around, you’ll have endless Patience no matter WHAT is thrown your way!
-- Tonner Doll Company

These are our newest dolls on the Big Eye Doll Scene! I'm so excited. I hope to get one right away! The official release is on the opening night of the Summer Launch Party Weekend on Friday night, August 16th at the Tonner Company Store from 6.30-8.30pm. More information is available on the events page of Tonner Doll Company.

Sad Sally

Sad Sally

Twinkies are Back!

This weekend marked the return of the prodigal snack. In case you were feeling like Woody in Zombieland, the hunt is over. They are available at a grocer or Walmart near you.

Refreshing Deserts of Summer

I want to share a couple of recipes that I have been enjoying lately.  It has been raining all week in Northern Cali, which is pretty unusual for this time of year.  Tonight, we are having brownie sundaes with coffee ice cream.  I guess that reflects the weather.  However, I usually enjoy more refreshingly fruity and light deserts in the summer.  Like strawberries and cream, or in a yummy trifle! 

The first recipe is an easy one for Key Lime Pie by Emeril Lagasse.  This has become a go to recipe for me.  Everyone is impressed by and loves a good Key Lime Pie!  The crust in the recipe is awesome, but if you want to make it super easy or you are pressed for time, just pick up one of the prepared graham cracker crusts at your local grocer.  It's still a great pie!

Key Lime Pie

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup granulated sugar
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick butter) melted
2 (14-ounce) cans sweetened condensed milk
1 cup key lime or regular lime juice
2 whole large eggs
1 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 tablespoon lime zest

Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

In a bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter with your hands. Press the mixture firmly into a 9-inch pie pan, and bake until brown, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature before filling.

Lower the oven temperature to 325 degrees F.

In a separate bowl, combine the condensed milk, lime juice, and eggs. Whisk until well blended and place the filling in the cooled pie shell. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes and allow to chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

Once chilled, combine the sour cream and powdered sugar and spread over the top of the pie using a spatula. Sprinkle the lime zest as a garnish on top of the sour cream and serve chilled.

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/key-lime-pie-recipe/index.html?oc=linkback

And this next one was a big hit last Sunday at the Alameda County Fashion Doll Club meeting and lunch.  I made a lemon bundt cake with a strawberry glaze.  So here is the recipe as I made it.  Sorry I didn't take picture for you, but here is something similar.  Well, actually it is on the recipe for the glaze. . . 

Lemon Bundt Cake with Strawberry Glaze

Cake

Ingredients

1 package lemon cake mix

1 ((3 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix

3/4 cup water

1/2 cup oil

4 eggs

5 Tablespoons Meyer lemon juice

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).  Grease the 10 inch bundt pan.  i used soft butter and no flour.

Add to mixer: lemon cake mix, lemon instant pudding, water, oil, eggs, and 5 tablespoons key lime juice.  Blend on low for 30 seconds.  Then mix at medium speed for 2 minutes.  Pour batter into prepared pan.

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 45 minutes.

Glaze

Ingredients

2 cups chopped strawberries 

1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Dash of salt

Directions

Combine strawberries and remaining ingredients in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook 3 minutes or until thick.  Spoon topping over cake.  Add a mint sprig for garnish, if desired.

Keep 

Cool

and 

Enjoy!

Summer! Sun! Fun! And Projects!

Summer break is well underway.  School has been out for a week and a half already. Yay!

Susie Sad Eyes explores Treasure Island.

We already made our first trip of the summer to Disneyland!  Yes, I did say first.  We are Disneylandaholics.  Proximity to Disneyland is one of the main benefits of living in California.  Susie is wearing her new pirate outfit from Tonner Con - Age of Innocence!

Uh oh!  A pirate is sneaking up on Susie!

Time for summer projects!  

I actually made this girl in the Spring.  My daughter loves her!  She was very easy, a good beginner knitting project.  I made her from the pattern in the book Toys to Knit by Tracy Chapman.

And here is a review of the pattern on ravelry.
We are going to make the monkey pattern next.  I already have the yarn!

What are you working on this summer?