Stitches: Sunny and Violet's Pajamas

Yesterday, I finally finished Violet and Sunny's nightgowns.  I've been procrastinating on them for forever, but finally got to them this month.  With the bathrobes I made a couple years ago, I think they look great!

Maine Doll Lovers January Doll Meet

This is not only my first meet of the year, but also my first meet since last summer's anime convention!  It is a virtual meetup over Discord.   So far, only two people have joined, Eseme and Razliel.  Raz appears to be an American Girl collector.  So far, they're talking about American Girl dolls.

Razliel is a nice person who lives in the state South of me.  She started with a Kirsten American Girl doll and has expanded from there.  She has a few Barbies too.  I think she mentioned BJDs too.

Eseme is the leader of the group, who organizes most of the events.  She collects mostly Barbie, but dabbles in other brands.  While we chatted, she was sewing up a red polkadot dress that looked like it had a handkerchief hem.

While chatting with the two of them, I got some doll crafting done.  I finally cut out the night gowns I've been planning for Sunny and Violet.  I sewed up the sides of Violet's nightgown, and started on Sunny's.   The meetup wrapped up in an hour and a half, so I got plenty done in that time.

Unboxing: Disney Megara from Hercules

This is the 2019 edition Disney Store Megara from Hercules doll.  I got her for Christmas from my aunt.  I unboxed her yesterday.  This is the front of the box.  Very nice and straight forward.

From Christmas: Amaya Raine and Gabriella Icely

This is my final Rainbow High unboxing; Amaya Raine and Gabriella Icely.  It was bittersweet, because I love these dolls, but they'll never be the same again.

New Year, New Goals

Happy New Year!  Welcome to 2024!  So, what are my plans as a doll collector for 2024?  Nobody asked, but I'm barfing out my thoughts here.  My blog, my barf.

1. Buy less dolls! - My collection has doubled in the past year and a half!  Time to tap the breaks on this shit.  I had a bit of a gravy train last spring and summer, but that ship has sailed and I need to be more responsible with my money.  Fortunately, my favorite, and most expensive doll line is being brutally murdered at the altar of Bratz, so they won't be making any new dolls for me to drool over.  I have 16 Rainbow High dolls, my largest line ever, and it's gonna stop there.  All their 2024 releases have less articulation and crappier quality.  Yes, Rainbow High is in it's Budget Phase, the phase prior to extinction.  It was a wild ride, and I will cherish the memories.  I have ENOUGH DOLLS.  I will not be trying to fill a Rainbow High shaped hole anymore.  It's not empty.  It's full.

2. Arts and crafts! - I intend to do lots of doll related arts and crafts.  Fanart, fanfiction, photography, sewing doll clothes, beading doll jewelry.  Maybe I'll learn how to 3D model accessories and get them printed!  I have a ton of dolls and they all need wardrobes, accessories, and a modeling portfolio!  The possibilities are endless.

3. Dolly House Con 2024! - Yes, I'm gonna have a doll convention, in my house, largely by myself, but videocalling and hanging out with my sister, a fellow doll collector.  We're going to do doll art, doll crafts, and watch doll videos together!  I'm planning on making some convention t-shirts for some of my dolls.  Maybe I'll make a badge too.  Anyways, that'll be in the summer, so I have time to prep.

4. Socialize Carefully - The Barbie VS Bratz war is coming back this year, with the new Bratz dolls, and collectors edition My Scene dolls.  I will tread carefully in doll communities online, and not engage with arguments between fans of either brand.  I will share pics of my dolly arts and crafts, but I will not get involved in toxic situations online.