Life of a Reborn Again Mother

A new post!

2010-08-10T18:24:00.001Z

Not any time to actually say anything - but wooohooo! Let's somehow get this show back on the road!

Some serious stuff first

2009-12-16T12:03:00.002Z

I have found that McCann 'sympathisers' 99.9% of the time (the rest are usually related or paid by the team) hold their opinion because of lack of research/information. They base their opinion upon the fairy tales told by our press (which are controlled by their media monitoring department)

Once they have read the case files and beyond and have digested the true facts they usually realise what fools they have been. I value freedom of speech when it's based upon facts and true informed opinion.
It angers me greatly that these so-called parents refused to answer police questions and refused to return for a police reconstruction, but go back to sue someone for £over a million. It's all about the money with them.

So, anyone who still wonders WHY I hold the opinion I do - watch this and read this. Only then will you understand. Unless you have read and watched then I will continue to laugh at you. Now, if you have watched to the end and read in full and STILL feel I am wrong - then I will fully respect you and your opinion.

The featured video on the right. It's in english too
http://joana-morais.blogspot.com/search/label/Videos?max_results=7

http://goncaloamaraltruthofthelie.blogspot.com/

Something to annoy the mentally unhinged viewers

2009-07-31T21:19:00.001Z

Well, I thought this was funny!

It must be time for some more scary reborns!

2009-07-25T17:30:00.005Z

None of them mine, of course!

Barry the Baker (yes, Taunton we mean you!)

2009-07-25T17:27:00.005Z

I decided to start Barry before I had finished rooting Arnie as I had the need to paint and no time to root - can paint using the odd 5 minutes here and there but rooting tends to absorb me so need at least half hour slots!

No eyebrows yet but that's about it

Finished baby pictures

2009-07-22T22:14:00.002Z

Midge's Homebirth

2009-07-19T17:42:00.002Z

midge

This is dedicated to Eleanor and Sharon -
two of the bestest midwives out

Midge and her husband Rambo are expecting their first child. They are going to
have a homebirth.

They don't want to give birth in the local cattlemarket and
risk getting MRSA and soggy dairylea sandwiches so are engaging the services of
an Independent Midwife called Fanny

This is Fanny

Midge has been having her antenatal appointments at home and
so is well prepared and excited about her birth. She has been able to talk
through her fears and expectations and knows that Fanny will do her best to see
that all runs smoothly. What's more, she knows that she won't be left alone in a
strange room with ugly doctors coming in every now and then to check on the
status of her fandoogle as she will have Fanny with her all the time she is in
labour.

Fanny also makes sure that Rambo understands what will happen
and talks through how he can help Midge during the birth. Rambo is very pleased
that he can be so involved and feel part of his baby's birth.

Quick Fanny! Come now! Midge has gone in to labour!

Poor Midge is in a lot of pain. She tries to get on all fours
to slow things down but is getting scared!

Oh Midge! You don't want to do that! Lying on your back is one
of the worst things you can do when in labour! Get up now and use some gravity
to get the head to drop. It will feel less painful too!

Fanny helps Midge up and calms her down. Midge feels a lot
happier and more in control now that Fanny is here to support her.

Fanny checks up on how the baby is doing. All looks well! The
baby is happy and Midge is happy!

Rambo tries to help by rubbing Midge's back. First labours can
be long and drawn out and can be very tiring for all involved. Wake up Rambo!!

The pain is getting too much for Midge now so Fanny fills the
birthing pool and puts on some soothing music. Water is great for pain relief in
labour

Get out of the water Rambo! It's for your wife. There isnt
enough room in there for you too! says Fanny calmly

Midge is very happy once she is in the water. Her contractions
are much easier to deal with. Fanny ensures the water remains at the right
temperature

Midge feels like she needs the bathroom. Oh no! Please don't
start pushing on the loo! yells Fanny, calmly

Fortunately the second midwife, Foofoo, arrives. She helps
Midge get off the loo and back in to the pool

Fanny checks on the baby and Foofoo checks to see if she can
see a head yet. Midge is pushing!!

Foofoo has got everything ready for the second and third stage
- a kettle for coffee, mirrors to check make-up, a jug for flowers and a bowl
for the placenta

The baby is here! That was nice and easy, wasnt it?! It's a
girl! says Midge. I can tell because she has a pink (cloth) nappy on!

The placenta is deftly delivered and coffee is made for all

Midge's sister arrives to congratulate her and everyone hugs.

Well done Midge! What a great birth!

Loving this!!

2009-07-18T15:59:00.001Z

Arnie Huti

2009-07-14T14:07:00.003Z

What a character - and he's just a head!

It took me a month!!

2009-07-07T09:56:00.002Z

But I am SO pleased with the way this 'ead has turned out.

It's truly micro-rooted - one strand at a time and these pictures show it in an unwetted and uncombed state so you can see that it lies as it should.

I am well chuffed!

Scary Reborns of the Week Award

2009-07-01T18:04:00.012Z

I am covetting a few silicone babies right now - so in order to take my mind off these I shall introduce this week's winners of the Scary Reborn Award of Unexcellence

And now for some pretty pictures

2009-06-21T16:22:00.003Z

Of my gorgeous 2 year old

More work in progress

2009-06-19T08:33:00.004Z

A berenguer who needed a wig due to bad dremmeling - but I think it suits him

And Gwin twin who just needs his crown rooted now (and the limbs painted...)
Don't all scream at once - CHUCKY!!!!!!!!!! Yes, he's an ugly little bugger. But at least he allowed me to perfect micro rooting

Suri

2009-06-15T09:22:00.003Z

My first ethnic doll. Now need to find where I put her mohair and body.

From my 'Scary Reborns' folder

2009-06-10T13:01:00.017Z

A selection to whet your appetite. Not reborn by me

btw!

Are her arms crossed for a reason?!

Root with a nail - it's quicker, Chuckie!

Of course all newborns wear nail varnish!

I'm feeling so blue today!

My thoughts on Peterborough show

2009-06-08T11:33:00.002Z

Firstly - it was good. And despite the long drive, the lack of sleep, the M25 roadworks and the Pot Noodle dinner, the Simply Reborn demos have helped tremendously. A lot of things which I was confused about before are now clearer.

The day itself.

Having not attended anything like this before I didnt have an opinion about VIP tickets. I still am not really sure - but I guess the main thing for me would be the same gripe I have about NCT sales - queuing for ages to get in. The weather was bad and so there was the option to arrive early and queue in the dry (which we did) or arrive later and stand in the rain. Or arrive later later and just go in but risk not getting what you came for.

Maybe a better way would be to have a 'waiting room' where tickets could be paid for and so those who then had them could show them and walk straight in when the doors open - leaving just the later arrivals to line up for tickets. That would get the line moving more quickly.

The 'new room' was just too small given that many people had prams with them. The middle rows either need to go or there needs to be a pram park outside that room. It wasnt fair on the sellers as you just couldnt get round properly and see everything and you had to jostle between prams and people and more prams. Too narrow an alleyway between the stalls and I missed browsing as people wanting to get past didnt cope well with people who stopped to look!

As a doll collector I would have liked to have seen more dolls and not just reborns and OOAKs. I know that this is the aim of the show if you know about it - but for people that don't realise this the name 'International Doll Show' implies that it will be like IDEX and have all sorts of types of dolls. Maybe calling it the International Reborn & Sculpting doll Show would be more apt?

When I go to a show/sale I want to either find things I cant find elsewhere easily or (for things which I can find easily or elsewhere) prices have to be worth the cost and effort of going. I liked the lower prices on the Simply Reborn stand and so as well as getting things I would have to buy anyway online, I also bought things which I was tempted by purely because of the price.
I dont see the point, though, of going to buy kits at the same price pretty much as you can get them any time of the year.

I realised that much as I love looking at OOAKs, I should not own any until the kids have left home. I realised that I really do like silicone as a medium to collect and that my reborning skills are better than I thought they were.

I adored the crochet outfits and hand made outfits and wish there had been more (I am still after bamboo knit outfits - darn you, Lainey!!) but think that people who made outfits could make a killing if they made more boys rompers and special outfits. Girls pretty outfits and gowns are two a penny - but by the time I realised I needed some boys outfits they had all sold...

I would go again if the next level of reborning tuition was available (maybe have beginners classes and advanced - because I hope to be the latter one day!) but not sure I would go just to get supplies unless I knew more silicones or other types of dolls would be there too

I would LOVE to have this in the south though. We SO need a doll show. They all seem to be east or north or London. The BIC (Bournemouth) is an ideal venue and I know it would attract new people to the hobby (obsession?!)

It was also good to spend some one to one time with Barfie-Babe and to meet up with people I hadnt and had met in person. So very enjoyable overall and definitely a highlight of the year so far!

An eclectic mix of 'stuff'

2009-06-03T19:09:00.011Z

Some for my own amusement, some for the amusement of them wot i likes and some to amuse them wot i don't likes

Here we have Jack who is awaiting a body. I kept his berenguer molded hair lines because I like them

Next is Ashton Drake Sophia who I have finished reborning

A Summer Kish in a Sasha dress and a Sasha in a summer Kish dress
Matilda from the 70's and my 'new' phone which is the same as I had when I was 13 - and it works! Except the children cant work out how it works!!

'Nouche' and Fanouche - I think I love Sylvia Natterer dolls more than Sasha dolls even

And Alien Reborn by Caitlin age 2 1/2

Fandangly Eureka!

2009-06-02T10:36:00.003Z

I always wondered why some internet forums suddenly get lots of 'trolls' which post a lot but then vanish.

But now I know why! You can pay a troll to endorse any theory you want, boost your forum with wonderful posts and get your point across for little £ or $

Lookie here!
http://www.ehow.com/how_2108948_money-online-paid-forum-posting.html

and here!
http://www.paidforumposting.com/v4/

And I know someone who mccann uses this service!

Hey Blooper - crawl back in to your sad little hole. I despise people who support child neglectors. But then I despise you regardless. I used to feel sorry for you - now I just laugh at you!

Wasting time

2009-06-01T19:14:00.003Z

Before I go to the Big Bad Storage Unit

I am going to compile a list of doll types I like and those I really do not like at all

LIKE

I love Sasha dolls. The memories, the skin tone, the feel of the vinyl
Sylvia Natterer dolls - especially Fanouche as she is so like the Sasha Vinyl
Most Himstedt dolls post 2003. I am not a fan of all though
Silicone babies. I adore Suzanne Roberson and Lullaby babies.
Beautiful dolls - the sort you can stare at for ages and ages and want to stare at again a few minutes later - Gunzel dolls and Laura Scattolini spring to mind. And Heloise and Plusczok. I also find some of the Zwergnase dolls fascinating

DISLIKE

I really dont like porcelain at all. It gives me the shudders. Maybe due to all those frilly 'old style' cheapies you see in the hundreds at car boot sales each week. Plus I dont like things which break easily
Dolls which break easily. Too many tears forcast if they do break!
Toddler dolls. They are just too dolly-like for me. This one is an exception. I could stare at her pictures all day! Plus I just adore that cardigan!!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120426635584
Ugly baby dolls - even well reborn. But then I am someone who find some babies ugly.
Badly reborn dolls.
Old fashioned french dolls. In fact I am not a fan of any vintage dolls. I especially hate the bisque ones and the ones with pointy teeth

The bells, the bells!

2009-06-01T14:15:00.002Z

I didnt have a phone until I was 13. I grew up using (and abusing...) the phone box at the end of our road.

So when my parents did finally decide they could afford a phone it was a bit of a novelty. But finding friends who also had phones was a bit hard. Oh how times have changed!

When I worked as a trainee chartered accountant we had to make lots of calls to Bank Managers and MDs. It was easy at first - my confidence was boundless. But after several months of abuse from these High Up people my confidence was knocked forever. Since then I have had a 'phone phobia'. I would rather pass up the chance to be given £1 million than make a phone call on a Bad Phone Day.

I am usually Ok answering the phone though. Except for the past few months my home phone has rung non stop.
I put polite messages on my website to remind people not to call at unsocial hours (ie my unsocial hours - it may be 5pm in Brazil but it doesnt mean it's 5pm here!) or when I am doing school runs. But the phone still rings and rings and rings

I cant answer it when I am not here. I cant answer it when I am doing the many school runs. I cant answer it when I am in the loft, in the bath, down the garden and so on

But still it rings and rings. Some people (telesales) never give up.

I pull the power most days as otherwise I'd get nothing done. The phone today has rung every 10 minutes for 3 hours before I had to do this or I would not have got my orders packed.

It took me 4 hours non stop to pack today's parcels. If I answer the phone every 10 minutes I'd still be at it.

I yearn for the days when phones were rarely used. And that reminds me - where on earth is my mobile? And how do I use the thing?

Oh yeay! Back in business!

2009-05-28T22:35:00.007Z

I decided to get my arse in gear and finish Lea. Some 'night time' with flash pictures here.

My 5th reborn will be Suri Breedveld as a Native American and then I think I will be mostly doing berenguers because they are cheap, sell well (I need to start selling after Suri) and look really cute. I would find it impossible to reborn a doll which I didnt find cute.

More car booties!

2009-05-25T12:52:00.004Z

I have never ever seen the car boot sales as busy as they were yesterday. And yet, there wasnt a lot there to buy. Or maybe there were just too many stalls and not enough time.

Anyway, I picked up my first miniature house(s) - David Winter cottages - Pilgrims Rest and the Bakery for £4 each and found this cute Beatrix Potter baby's box for £2 too.

Lea is almost rooted. Not totally happy but OK, I guess

Happy Birthday Fred!

2009-05-21T11:45:00.003Z

Who is 4 today. And Caitlin celebrated by sitting in the boxes we put his present in

My new rug

2009-05-17T10:39:00.002Z

Just as I arrived at the local car boot sale the rain started. But I still managed to get Henry a Timberland coat for £2, millie some Timberland boots for £2, a Karen Millen cardigan (needs a small repair) for £1.5 and a few other bits

Plus....da da! Something I actually needed Big Time!

Please welcome my new living room rug. It's very very thick and heavy and shouldnt show the dirt because of this! Was a devil to carry back but for £15 was a bargain

Forest meet-Up

2009-05-16T16:15:00.005Z

Today we met up in the New Forest for a walk and chin wag. Joe came too and had a ball!

Updated dolls house pictures

2009-05-16T16:08:00.014Z

Been a building

2009-05-13T11:53:00.004Z

With most of 'the others' off at Butlins at the weekend I did some work on the shops as it involved paint and building compound and other stuff which little mits would decorate themselves with

I've rigged up a light in the sweet shop and just need to do the wallpaper, brickwork and detail and then it can go back to being a shop until I decide to enhance it some more.

Hmmm....

2009-05-09T19:35:00.002Z

http://www.annaraccoon.com/madeleine-mccann/mccann-approved-documentary-1993.html

Very hard viewing for those with a weak stomach - but fear ye not! The important bit I am mentioning occcurs in the first minute.

Kate McCann states that she went in through the sliding door. On Oprah she said she went in through the front door.

But that's not it! Wait!!

She says the reason why she went to check the children. Yes check rather than just assume silence meant okayedness was because she noticed that "the bedroom door was open much further than the way WE HAD LEFT IT"

Errr...Kate....WE? But you didnt do a check before, that evening. Did you? And Gerry claims he did one at 9.05 and Matt at around 9.30 SO WHY DIDNT YOU ASSUME THAT THEY HADNT LEFT THE DOOR MORE OPEN??!!
Or was it a rule that no one actually looked inside the room to check? I have to tell you this. Gerry claims he did and looked at his daughter and felt proud of her. And he even had time for a pee whilst 'The Intruder' was inside the appartment.

I think this may be the evidence you need to ask for the Investigation to be reopened. Go on! Go on, go on, go on! You know you want to!

This journalist is spot on!

2009-05-09T19:29:00.002Z

Which is very rare amongst UK 'journalists' these days. And this is how it is on internet forums. You don't agree with those that control 'the Atmosphere' - you are unworthy and scum!

http://www.annaraccoon.com/madeleine-mccann/watching-the-defectives-1883.html

In May 2007, along with several thousand other people, I was invited to join in the search for young Madeleine McCann.

"The past two years has been an extraordinary journey, largely conducted on-line, with the occasional physical foray to Prai da Luz. I have learnt a great deal, of human beings, and human responses, to extraordinary situations.

I have learnt nothing of the fate of young Madeleine.

There are as many speculative theories as there are communities engaged in debating them. Passions are intense, and oft times vitriolic.

It has become the ‘Darwinian’ debate of our times. Those who engage in it risk ridicule, social exclusion, and worse. Daring to challenge orthodox social beliefs can be a lonely occupation, and there are behemoth social beliefs aplenty in the McCann debate. It is a proxy war for many things that we are scared to debate openly.

Are foreigners trustworthy? Should Britain pull up the drawbridge and leave the EU? You think that has nothing to do with the MCann’s? Try suggesting that the Portuguese Police are a professional force and should be left to conduct their investigation in peace, and you will soon find yourself submerged in in a deluge of xenophobic comment regarding sardine munching wine swilling incompetent foreigners who should leave it to the British police. We fear the level of immigration in the UK, it is considered impolite to refer to foreigners in our midst – yet perfectly acceptable to hold the most outrageous views on ‘foreigners’ beyond our shores. We use the McCann’s to verbalise our fears.

Is the state too powerful? Should government interfere less in our lives? You think that question has nothing to do with the McCann’s? Try discussing the media coverage of the McCannn case. You will soon hear verbalised the fears of media manipulation, the conspiracy theories to ‘hide the truth’, the involvement of government media manipulators. We use the McCann’s to verbalise our fears.

Should the government or the judiciary hold the power of life or death over us by withholding medical treatment from us? You think that question has nothing to do with the McCann’s? Try bringing up the theories of the Portuguese Police that Madeleine died in that apartment, you will soon be told that they are Doctors, and thus could not possibly do anything to harm their children, or by implication, anyone else. We need to believe that Doctors cannot be harbingers of harm, despite the evidence of Dr Shipman, or perhaps because of it. We use the McCann’s to verbalise our fears.

You believe that money is a goal in itself to be ruthlessly pursued or a community good that should be shared? I can tell you where you stand by your response to the controversial ‘fund’ set up in her name, whether that state organ the Leicestershire Police should be encouraging people onto a web site selling goods to swell the fund, or whether you believe in the name of charity that we should all contribute something to ‘help find that little girl’.

You think the class war is over, that equality has been successfully implanted in the UK? Try commenting on the fact that their obvious negligence in leaving their children unattended in unfamiliar surroundings should be investigated, you will be embroiled in competing arguments ranging from the defensive media articles - ‘we have all done it’ to ‘they’d be locked up by now if they came from a council house estate’. We all know in our hearts that the ‘class war’ is far from over, we carry in our DNA a secret set of codes to help us portray where we, and other, stand in that hierarchy; your views on the McCann’s ‘negligence’ pigeon hole you as neatly as anything else.

You believe that free speech is one of the basic tenets of the British ‘democracy’? Be sure to establish that you are addressing a like minded audience – for if you are not, you will find yourself howled down by raucous cries of ‘pitchforker’, ‘witch burner’, ‘fascist’. If you voice the wrong opinion in an internet forum, you may well find that others will devote their lives to finding out ‘who’ you are, ‘where’ you are, and publicising those facts so that you can be hounded into silence. If you voice the wrong opinion in print, you may well find yourself on the receiving end of a letter from Mssrs. Carter-Ruck. The McCann’s have become the front line in the battle to ensure/suppress free speech.

So what of Madeleine on this the second anniversary of her disappearance? of her physical well being or presence, we know nothing, but she is with us in spirit, for the ‘defective’ investigation into her fate, or the ‘defective’ response of her parents, both before and after the night of 3rd May, has become a metaphor for the many ills in our society that we fear to face.

Madeleine is the name of political debate today."

These guys crack me up!

2009-05-09T10:05:00.000Z

I need to save this...

Oh GAAAAAAAAA!

2009-05-07T18:04:00.003Z

The kids have been playing that Lady Gaga cd non stop for weeks now and I hate to admit it but I quite like it

But moving on from that rather embarrassing admission.....

I present Caitlin singing Girls Aloud!

Madame Tussauds

2009-05-06T08:20:00.006Z

A place not to be visited by those who are freaked out by realistic dolls and those that refuse to be ripped off by high entrance fees.

Here is the new Boris lifesize doll. The real Boris is such a cuddly teddy bear. I am sure that if he were PM lots of women voters would just ignore what he was up to politics-wise just because he looks so darn cuddly!

I have been to Madame Tussauds in recent years but only because I got 2 for 1 price tickets courtesy of British Snail. It was on the day after my eldest threw up in our hotel room and so we sent her packing back to Dad at home. Millie and me continued our girly holiday by going to the Zoo, Harrods and Madame Tussauds. But boy, did the hotel room stink that night!

More pictures

2009-05-05T19:00:00.005Z

Been too busy to post so will post so pictures

Took the water-magnet on long walks in the Forest this weekend and he found some puddles so deep he needed to swim! But of course once he'd swam round in circles he had to do it again, and again and again!

Stepping away from it all

2009-04-30T09:20:00.003Z

It hasnt been deliberate but it's been weeks (months?!) since I last visited a parenting forum and even longer since I last posted. Not deliberate because I have just been too busy - busy busy busy with work and non stop parcel packing, busy with my hobbies and family and dolls houses and busy with new friends on other forums and offline. There just hasnt been the time to talk nappies or argue about who the best mother of the week is.

And it's done me good, I think. Stepping away has allowed me to reflect on life as it was when a day wouldnt pass without visiting parenting forums. It had become habit. Like lighting a cigarette is for some. Possibly a bad habit.

Stepping away I can now see just how the places I chose to frequent were bad for my health, my state of mind and my personality. I can see just how cliquey some are, how supportive some can be and how addictive some can be.

There are the large parenting forums where messages fly about like specks of dust - everywhere, loads of them and it's hard to keep up with them. These forums are good for information but hard to get to know anyone really well. Super if you dont want people to know you but want some sort of dialogue - but not ideal if you want true companionship

There are those that are full of people who use txt spk - but I never got the hang of them. Plus they made me feel too old! And those who appear to be hostile to outsiders who don't share their 'causes'. And there are those where the few dominant characters seem to do just that - dominate and affect the whole character of the place. They dominate the atmosphere, in fact, they create the atmosphere. There are the rival gangs who play fight each other. There are those who stand on the corners and cheer on their side and those who skulk away and lament the need to take sides. But sides can be fun to watch - when you step away. Each side is so sure that they are The One. Everyone who doesnt share their ideals and opinions is ridiculed. So you get the hangers on who try and adopt The Ideals but who don't quite manage it and end up looking daft. But then The Leaders of each Pack lose sight of Real Life and start to believe that they are in charge of Parentkind. Lesser mortals do not matter, they do not exist. They are not worthy.

But when you step away and look back on it all some weeks later it's quite an eye-opener. Like realising that you have outgrown Toddler Groups and NCT coffee mornings. There is Life outside of parenting forums and once you break free and hunt for it you realise just how much you have been shackled in your mind and just how much fun Real Life can be.

Parenting forums can be fun - but in reality all that holds them together is the fact that most (not all) people who frequent them are Mothers who have children. So in reality what you have is a bunch of hormonal women who usually have very little in common. And the little they do have in common (the fact they have children) is what unites and divides them.

Back on the reborn wagon again!

2009-04-29T18:27:00.004Z

The moment I have been waiting for for months. My online class 'doing' Lea Seiffert. I am doing a Gwinn twin at the same time as the vinyl colour is almost the same.

I've decided to sell Mirte as I need the money to pay for Barnaby Lullaby and also Mava arrived this week

New pictures

2009-04-28T09:31:00.011Z

My Sasha doll collection is growing. Phil thinks it's my quest to own every Sasha doll under the sun. It's not but I don't see any point in saving my earnings right now as there is no interest in it. I may as well spend it on things that make me happy and enjoy it. I may be run over by a bus tomorrow and then regret not having fun...

They have some lovely outfits from Sasha Wardrobe. I also have a gregor redhead cord which arrived today and a lovely lovely lilac dress set for the baby in the old check dress

My dolls house is coming along but I want to add lots of lived in look features over time and decorate some more. A kitchen table and Heidi ott doll and highchair and bedside table arrived today
The wreck is my old dolls house I found at a car boot sale on Sunday for £5 and which I plan to do up and put old/vintage plastic dolls house furniture in. As soon as Phil finds the sanding stuff I have nagged him to give me. Could be waiting a while!

Going GaGa!

2009-04-23T08:09:00.002Z

My older children are listening non stop to Lady Gaga or whatever her name is. I, meanwhile, really AM going gaga. My days are filled with non-stop order packing and I havent had time to breath in days.

Except for pulling out Gabby's hair because it looked awful. And now I have an almost bald silicone baby doll (not a Real Doll!) and cant work out how to re-root it!

My Lea course starts at the weekend. Been waiting for this for months. I hope to learn some new tricks

This is Lady Gaga for anyone who hasnt heard of her. Wonderful lyrics too

"Mum mum mum mah
Mum mum mum mah
Mum mum mum mah
Mum mum mum mah
Mum mum mum mah"

My new project. For when I am bored....

2009-04-19T17:34:00.011Z

so it may take many years to furnish!

I won this 1/12 house (have since spent twice what it cost on rugs, books etc!) which was made by an engineer so is very good quality and spot on decor-wise - it has 6 rooms, a separate conservatory (needs finishing) and full lighting.

I want to do it properly and not fill it with cheap chinese rubbish - but likewise not spend silly money on it. So I am not planning to rush things and will add to it bit by bit

I think I want a eclectic modern sort of house. 1970s-2009. So there will be a fitted kitchen and a TV and computer but it wont be ultra modern nor very old fashioned.

I also would love to do up 'character' properties such as small cottages, beach huts, shops and so on.

To keep the kids grubby mits off this I found them a smaller version at the car boot sale this morning with furniture for just £4! Bargain or what?!!

Also found around £400 worth of like new wooden train track, bridges, airports, firestation, box of trains and wooden cars and much more - filled my car boot! That's for Fred's birthday next month and it was £60 which is a lot for a car boot sale but considering what it is, it's a real bargain and I cant wait to see his face.

I also found this Mrs Chippy cat which looks real (but thankfully isnt as the hamsters wouldnt like her!) for 50p amd 2 karaoke machines so no one has to fight for the mike now.

The 'others' are due back from Butlins late tonight so I am making the most of the peace and quiet here.

I have to embed this

2009-04-18T07:49:00.000Z

So it's easy to find

Whilst the cat is away the mice shall play!

2009-04-18T07:22:00.010Z

I am on my dream holiday (almost - where has the sun and heat gone?!)
Phil and all but Arthur have gone to the Butlin's caravan until tomorrow and I 'have to stay behind and look after the animals'

I could spend the day tidying up the squalor - but I think I will just enjoy the peace and quiet. I have a dolls house to go and pick up and so that may need my attention. Cleaning can wait. You never look back when you are old and grey and regret not spending more time cleaning.

On the picture front - my Sashas have some scrummy new clothes and shoes and I just *had* to get this brownie doll because I used to wear that uniform back in the 70's. I was the Brownie from Hell as I got ALL the badges. Right little swot I was!

Camping in Dorset & Breakfast at Tiffany's

2009-04-17T08:16:00.018Z

We travel a lot. One of my fortes is finding cheap ways of seeing the world with a large brood.
We've been to Florida several times, Las Vegas several times, most of the National Parks in Utah and Arizona, Hollywood, New York, Ohio, San Francisco, most of France and Switzerland, Venice and Lake Garda, Germany, Belgium, Amsterdam, Rome, Tunisia, Malta and more

Each year I take the girls to explore somewhere far away (which the boys would find boring so they go to Le Mans with dad) - this year I want to 'do' New York again. When it's hot because that's how I like it best there.

Here are some of my favourite pictures. lots of them - so I can look at them when I get 'bored'

And for animal lovers....

2009-04-16T11:42:00.001Z

http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Palace/6314/faq.html

I just loved the FAQ!

Blowing my own trumpet!

2009-04-16T07:41:00.003Z

Searching through old uploaded pictures I came across this. We only had 5 children then and I had just had my second ectopic pregnancy - and then the Mirror contacted me which, at the time, really helped my very low mood. Back in those days the internet in the UK was not used too much for online shopping. How times have changed!

When I first started selling online no one in the UK bought online. I remember paying AOL £9.99 a month and 1p a minute to surf the net. Ouch!! How I love Broadband!

I found selling on my own children's outcasts hard as we live in the sticks. But I like to recycle and use money from selling on what I dont need to buy more things I dont need. I am a die hard bargain hunter and love designer children's clothes - nothing pleases me more than finding a top label kids outfit at a car boot sale in a box of Primark stuff and getting a real bargain!

I listed my first thing on ebay USA. Ebay UK's kids clothes pages were not even that. ONE PAGE of kids clothes of all ages and styles and that was it!
In the US people seemed to shop online and so that seemed a better bet.

I had no camera so put a good description. It sold!!!!! I was ecstatic and spent days trying to find the right wrapping paper for it as I had not sent parcels by post before. In those days there was no paypal in the UK and so I had to wait for $ cash.

I saved up and bought a camera and let leash on ebay UK. Since not many other people were selling and Australia and the USA had many online shoppers prices even for run of the mill things rocketted. For example, a Next petticoat dress which I would now sell for £3.99 would fetch £15-£30. Smocked M&S dresses went for £18-£30 each regardless of condition

It was fun - addictive fun! But then Ebay started charging to list as things caught on and so my US friend suggested a website. The rest is history and a story for another day

Quelle Journee!

2009-04-14T17:16:00.004Z

I started packing the weekend orders/ebay parcels at 8am and by 4pm had only had a few breathers and gave up. The Post office rolled their eyes (as in the owners, not the building itself), the Grockles wondered what I had in my sacks and probably wondered what sort of Royston Vasey place they were visiting!

Havent had a day like that for years. Now what shall I spend my ££ on?!

Pictures of Abigail in her new gown (yes, yes, I know I sell kids clothes for a living but I still buy elsewhere for my own use) and she looks far better, I think, anyway....

Die Kleine Mirte ist Heute bei Mir angekommen. So here she is with the Big One

Also my 20p car boot cloth doll (and 10p each linen hankies and 50p basket!)

Christmas comes but once a week

2009-04-13T12:02:00.002Z

But twice this week because I have just been to some small local car boot sales.

I dont get anything for christmas and so cant write about what I got - so will have fun listing some of today's finds

Brand new Karen Millen evening cardigan for me £4 (now just need an evening occasion!)
Some nice cardigans for summer £1 each
Wallis dressy top £1
M&S white embroidered lined summer skirt £1
Black wool tailored jacket (size too big but still fits) 50p
Loads of white linens - ideal for embroidery and picnic mats. All from the 60s and 70's - 10p each
1960s pair of cat clothes brushes £1
Loads of children's books -20p-£1 each
2 boxed hard back large Alan Titchmarsh gardening for beginners books £2 the set
Sack of polly pocket castles and large cinderella castles etc with people £14 the lot
Large box of lego with electrics £10
Old 1970s sindy oven £1
Old fisher price plan 50p
Dressing up sets - Disney cars, ELC cowboy, Sportacus, skeleton, nurse dress all £1 to £2 each set
Large plastic tub of McDonalds food and tills and money £2 the lot
Pink ready bed for Caitlin £2
Large bag of 5 Bratz dolls and clothes £5
Large metal box of make up full of unused everything you need (for 15 year old!) £1.5
For me a gift box of unused small Boots No 7 things incl nail varnish, day cream, lip liner, hand cream etc £1
Plastic car mat £1
Tapestry very old embroidery/sewing basket £1.50
Approx 10-12 new embroidery threads £1 the lot
Boxed pram toy £1
Pen and pencil set 50p
Large box of enormous paperclips 50p
Joe Browns hooded sweater for me £1
Lovely Ramie short sleeved top (wearing now) 50p

And more

Very happy. The sun is out, people are smiling. It's happy weather and I love it!

9 Kids

2009-04-13T07:28:00.002Z

Just a few musings whilst I drink my (essential) morning cup of coffee (or three!)

It's not that hard having 9 children. The mess and laundry create is hard. It's not even that expensive in the scheme of things. And this is why

They are never bored. They always have someone to play with. I am here when they need Mum time but I tend not to be wanted for play activities. They are always on the go and so I just clean up after them

Or rather every evening as if I cleaned up after them it would mean my life consisted of little more than cleaning - and that's no life at all!

We have everything we could ever dream of thanks to car boot sales and bargain hunting (my obsession - my husband is the see and spend sort)
We buy good quality secondhand clothes which last more than 10 washes and so can be handed down or resold. Buying cheap new clothes is a total waste of money as they just do not last.

Our food bill is probably less than the average family of 5 because of economies of scale and buying what's on offer rather than sticking to a fixed menu and we only buy junk as treats. We dont have takeaways except for special occasions and the children have to have packed lunches as we cant afford the £80 odd a week for school meals (or rather it would be an extortionate price to pay)
The children eat like pigs and so there's always healthy snack foods on tap and cereal, fruit etc.
The older ones all know how to cook a balanced meal and the girls tend to cook the evening meal. I dont want them to leave home and only know how to open a tin of beans and go to the chippie - even my 10 year old can bake a decent cake and ice it too and my 12 year old has been able to cook a roast chicken dinner for a couple of years too (and does it far better than me)

We live in the same size house that we would if we had fewer children, our washing machine is used more of course, but it's always full. We use the same amount of central heating as we would if there were only 2 of us here.

The children are all so so different. They have their own personalities which is fun to watch. It's a happy household and the children are happy and smile a lot. I feel the good things far outweigh the bad

And as for me - yes, of course I have time to do what I want to do. I just have to be like the children - flexible and able to adapt. There is no point having a rigid routine with a large family as it would just lead to frustration! A loose routine is the only thing that works for us.

It's far easier than having a smaller family for the above reasons I find and so I have lots of time to drink coffee and procrastinate! And I type (with 3 fingers) VERY fast!

Never judge people at face value

2009-04-12T12:29:00.000Z

Or you could miss something good.

Another cover-up

2009-04-11T14:01:00.003Z

Being screened this Monday. I just hate the way that some things are covered up and we are told by our press what we should think and what we should not think. Where is freedom of speech and thought in the UK? Why is information supressed for those that cant or wont do their own research? I'm sure George Orwell would have had something to say about this.

So 2 documentaries due to be screened on the same subject in the coming weeks. One based on the official police files and official witness statements and one based on what those involved want the public to believe.

And what will UK TV stations show? I think that's pretty obvious. Fortunately for those who want to be allowed the freedom to make up their own mind will be able to view the other one online - as early as next week too!

The best compliment ever

2009-04-10T09:52:00.003Z

My Arthur is finished and my husband has just said that he looked at him this morning and thought he looked real. That's the best compliment ever as it comes from someone who never compliments anyone - and I should know after 18 odd years!!

Some music to work to

2009-04-09T10:44:00.001Z

My pet hates (some of)

2009-04-08T10:42:00.002Z

Whilst I have a quick coffee break from packing orders

1. People who use text speak on forums. I cant read it and I cant understand it.
I dont like making phone calls and so have learnt finally how to text but just cant bring myself to use txt spk. By the time I have figured out how to shorten a word and worked out if it's appropriate for the person I am texting (ie do I need to sound intelligent?!) it's always quicker to write the whole word out in full anyway!

2. people who havent learnt the 'paragraph concept'
I have missed many a good debate I am sure due to never even getting past the first word. I look at the whole mass of words, think "eeek!" and pass on to the next post without reading.

These two are the most important things for forum posts I think. Spelling mistakes I can forgive. I find things like its it's your you're their there they're and so on annoy me a lot but at least I can read it. The above makes me not read posts which can be a shame for the person who wot wrote it

My postie is wearing shorts

2009-04-08T08:27:00.000Z

This one isn't. I much prefer my postman!

Ach! Ebay AGAIN!!!

2009-04-08T08:18:00.003Z

The picture is Arthur who has had a MAJOR growth spurt and no longer fits his carrycot. Something else I can now sell!!

But the good news is that I weighed him and can now tell the HV to SO as he's normal weight range now!!!

What is it with potential buyers and their questions?

A listing reads "This is in poor condition cosmetically, looks faded, few marks as you can see from the pictures. Works fine and could be made to look better if you dye it" and so on with loads and loads of pictures of the condition

And the questions range from
"I am interested. Can you tell me what condition it's in?"
and
"Is this new?"

Bangs head!!

On a brighter note - where is this recession? Suddenly buyers come out in force. Gotta get summer clothes on NOW before it snows again! I might actually sell them this year if this weather continues.

As a buyer it's the same - things which would go for nothing before christmas are being snapped up at 3 times the price now. Good job I bought when it was cheap (er)

Moving even further away from dolls!

2009-04-07T14:45:00.002Z

Because I am still to busy to do doll stuff right now

Another example of good ol' government cover up. Hang the Whistle Blower by his balls rather than let the truth be found out by us mere mortals!

http://www.thisisjersey.com/2009/04/06/syvret-arrested-in-police-raid/

"SENATOR Stuart Syvret was arrested this morning during a police raid at a house in Grouville.

It is believed that up to eight officers were involved in the arrest, which happened at about 9 am.

States police confirmed that a 43-year-old man was arrested as part of an on-going inquiry into offences allegedly committed under the Data Protection Law.

It is understood that officers were today carrying out an extensive search of the property and that Senator Syvret was in custody awaiting questioning.

Article posted on 6th April, 2009 - 3.00pm"

Shadow Defence Minister investigates our mail problem!

2009-04-07T09:45:00.006Z

We have locally a long running problem with parcel deliveries - sometimes it's fine but everytime there's a staff problem the parcel deliveries stop. Last Autumn it was dire - had to wait 2 months for some parcels to arrive. The local posties said that there was such a backlog that it had to be hidden in crates in a garage out the back so RM Inspectors couldnt see how bad it had got!

We had deliveries at odd time such as 3pm on a Sunday afternoon - as they tried to clear the backlog. Weeks later when they drafted in more staff they seemed to clear the more recent parcels first and the ones sent months earlier were left

I used to call and ask if I could collect my parcels (I get around 20-40 a week so you can imagine the backlog!!) but was told that I couldnt as they were not sorted. When they did arrive they arrived in large postal sacks and left outside my front door. Once I went away for a few days and found 3 sacks with around 60 parcels inside.

RM denied there was a problem and that was the official response from there. HQ said they could not do anything but go by the 'official response'

But by December it was all sorted again so I hoped it would be OK.

It was until around Jan/Feb time when staff shortages led to parcels taking 3-4 weeks to arrive. RM again denied there was a problem - although the local posties and Post office revealed the truth. The poor posties (they are a great bunch here) said they felt ashamed to work for Royal Mail. I emailed Alan Crozier a few times but it didnt amount to anything.

So contacted my local MP and found that this avenue DOES work. I assumed that being such a 'minor' incident (considering the state of the country right now) it wouldnt be sorted - but almost immediately I started getting letters from him from the House of Commons, follow up letters, copies of RM replies etc etc. VERY impressed!

Pictures show a few I have - I like the House of Commons paper. Very swish!

Not much to report on the doll front as I am too busy with Easter school holidays, chasing bunnies round the garden (they are very tame and it's fun to play with them) and packing orders - the sun seems to have good effects on orders and it's crazy here! My Escape to Hawaii fund is growing daily - which is exciting except for the fact that I have this urge to visit Hong Kong instead

Dancing Queen!

2009-04-05T19:35:00.003Z

I found a karoake machine at the car boot sale today and it's a big hit. The living room has become an Abba-zone. Even my quiet 8 year old has had a go - albeit just the same song. Again and again and again! Caitlin sang 'Hop little Bunnies' to 'Mama Mia' and then threw the mike down and pretended to sleep on the floor and wondered why her singing stopped!

Other good finds were loads of old 1940s books of second world war magazines - will take months to even flick through them all! The pages are also really yellowed but there are thousands of pictures and they look good. We also got Caitlin a lovely crying dollie from the 1980s - with hard vinyl rather than a soft body, and a like new baby chou chou that says all sorts of things. She's delighted and keeps redressing them. Henry has a small drum kit thingy as he is learning the drums at school and I found lots of new body shop gift boxes for me.
All in all it was a very good day and it was nice that the sun was out too. It makes all the difference

But now I need to go and spend a few hours in the storage unit (aka Alkatraz-New-Forest) then come home and wash pushchairs, pack and sort out what I need to send tomorrow. THEN I have some fake Lidls Baileys that I picked up today which will probably mean I skip the order sorting step....

I've been diddled

2009-04-04T10:24:00.004Z

By one crazy MF - the likes of which give the female of the species a bad name.
My faith in humankind is at an all time low right now.

I cant get my head around how someone can do this to someone - especially someone who has their own business selling custom made pushchair items and so KNOWS what an effect their vindictiveness will have on another work at home mum

The worst thing is that she started a post on ebay community forums making everyone think she is the victim. If her lies were not so outrageous then I might laugh.

All I can hope is that people who dont like buyers who neg when they have received a refund 2 weeks before an item is considered lost and dont like blackmail or rude harrassing emails realise that there are two sides to every story and that in this case she is one buyer who needs to be blocked from bidding just to save your feedback. It's just not worth the risk!

On a happier note I received loads of emails of support from ivillage users who have darent not say anything, but who are disgusted by what she has done and said that it doesnt surprise them. I guess there is a lot more to this woman that I knew about - or which I want to know about her!

Run rabbit run!

2009-04-01T08:57:00.003Z

Yesterday I figured that Roger the rabbit was tame enough to play outside his run and so went for it. And I was right. He's now a free range bunny and even Joe-dog is gentle with him. I can safely leave him out to enjoy the back garden with Joe out there too and know he will hop back in his cage when I need him to.

This is Roger. He's enormous!! Jude let him in Zebedee's run yesterday despite asking him not to - big mistake! Anyway Roger seems to spend most of his time lying outside of Zeb's run taunting him!

I see red

2009-03-31T15:06:00.005Z

My eldest wanted to get rid of my grey hairs. Phil said I ought to try something other than blond (I am naturally mousy blond)
The chemist had £3 off some hair dye kits but not the colour I wanted - and being a bargain hunter I decided I had to get this bargain and so bought Auburn. I am now a coppernob. At first everyone was laughing but it's grown on me. I've used the remains to dye some natural white coloured, poo inpregnated mohair (but the goat smell has gone, luckily) and this has turned it a sort of golden blond.

I experimented with fitting an ABC buggy co twin seat to the top of a Phil & Teds Explorer - as they are designed by the same company. It worked and we managed the school run with the 2 littlies (caitlin is too heavy!!) facing me and no one would go in the front! Dollie went on the hood and laughed down at Caitlin through the window

I finally managed to get pictures of the new baby hamsters
Ham is the gold one who spends all day rustling around in a box and rarely shows her face before midnight and Ster is the white one who is hyperactive with a capital H!

One I forgot!!

2009-03-29T20:52:00.001Z

My Arfie Barfie again

2009-03-29T20:38:00.006Z

I put him in a babygro (no body and not finished rooting hair by any stretch of the imagination!) and am pleased.
I rooted his eyelashes but havent cut them yet as my scissors are upstairs and I am downstairs and until I write on my hand 'SCISSORS!!' I will continue to go up to get them and come down without them.

The real one

2009-03-28T21:20:00.001Z

My Arfie

2009-03-28T21:17:00.002Z

Not finished but I am so pleased that it still looks like Arthur

Yep! Women who collect dolls are NOT mad!!

2009-03-28T13:50:00.002Z

'coz men do it too!

Errr...No Thanks!

2009-03-28T13:17:00.000Z

And who said pigs can't fly?!

2009-03-27T20:41:00.001Z

A Jude creation. Jude is 5 years old and loves lego - and farm animals, dolls houses and drawing on my mouse mat

Some blushing on

2009-03-25T15:26:00.001Z

Back to dolls

2009-03-25T15:19:00.006Z

I am SO in love with my new arrival Fanouche Gotz/Natterer. She's bigger than Sasha but if I had had her as a child I think she would have been my favourite doll.

Ginni is around the same size as Munira but has a more thoughtful and older look. She's probably a better size for me but I am still craving a 2008 or 2007 blondie! Oh - and a silicone.

Pictures too of my 3rd reborn 'Arthur' as I think this sculpt looks like my youngest and I am trying to make it look like him (without the nasty veins etc)
Not spending much time doing him but just bits here and there as I am so busy listing stock on ebay and the websites. I havent sat down for weeks - but am spending all my earnings on dolls - oops!

Oh yeah!!!!!

2009-03-25T14:46:00.003Z

Edited for those who can't read. It just goes to show how some people can so easily misinterpret things

In plain english:

I WON THE SCHOOL APPEAL!! They didnt need to hear my side as the county couldnt convince the panel that there was no room for my son and so he's got his place regardless of anything I could have said.

I suffered a very formal school appeal session this morning. It was like being in court - and no one was allowed to speak unless they had a name badge. It was hosted by retired volunteers who are doing there bit for the community. I would like to adopt the chairman as an honorary grandfather as he was sweet and just like grandfathers should be - if you take out the jobsworth bits (which could be ignored)

They didnt want to hear my case. My case would have come straight from the heart since I had no prepared a case! So Oscar will be going back to Brock and will spend his final year with one of the most wonderful teachers that ever walked on planet brockenhurst!!!!!!! YEY!!!!!!!!!

So I am posting celebratory music from the man I want to marry (were I not already married)

Forum forhums...

2009-03-24T13:05:00.002Z

This amuses me a lot.

"I've had an eventful morning - even before 9am I had dressed the kids, redressed them as they fell in the mud in the garden, wiped cornflakes off the wall, done 5 loads of washing, loaded the dishwasher, bathed the dog because he went in the garden too, vacuumed the mud up, mopped the floor and STILL havent had a cup of coffee!! LOL!"

If you say the above on a mainly female-based non parenting, non debating forum the replies will usually be along the lines of "LOL you HAVE had an eventful morning so far!" or "sounds like your house is non stop fun!" and so on

If you say the above on a parenting forum the replies tend to be along the lines of
"sounds like you cant cope at all. We ALL have busy mornings but deal with it!" and "Why do you think your life is harder than anyone else's? Get a life and deal with it!"
"WHY on earth do you have to wipe cornflakes off the wall?! MY children sit still at the table and would never dare drop so much as a crumb! Just goes to show you cant cope with them. And I can, natch!"
Which then develops in to "can you see how she is just such a crap example of a mother, how she cant cope and OMG trying to blame the mud when she should be watching her kids and making sure the mud doesnt fall on to them tskk tssk...!"

I've realised that a lot of it is to do with hormones. How do you make a hormone? Kick her in the crutch!
Put together a bunch of hormonal and insecure mothers and bored housewives and it can be a bad pick n mix (RIP Woolworths) at times

2009-03-21T20:50:00.004Z

My throat is so sort that I can not speak. This means the Cold From Hell is around the corner. Not nice!

I showed Caitlin and Trista to next door and it went well. At least they can see where the acetone is going!

This is Ginni Himstedt before I redressed her

Our house in the middle of our street

2009-03-17T09:30:00.004Z

A local baby cow opposite the children's school, the Watersplash during the rain, our Tesco's opposite the end of our track and a picture from Right Move showing the view from the apartment for sale opposite Tesco's which in fact shows our house! They must love the view of our house!

Let summer begin!!

2009-03-15T19:04:00.002Z

I love Sundays when the sun is out and people start to think summer is coming - couldnt get off the roundabout at Bursledon so continued on to Gosport and spent 4 whole hours at the car boot sale - breaking all previous records!
It wasnt even as packed as it is in the summer, but I guess that because people havent on the whole done a car boot for months due to the weather, there was good stuff to be found. Plus, I hadnt been to that car boot for almost a year and so had forgotten how good it can be.

I found a new BT homehub which will do for spares and was far cheaper than just buying the phone we needed (the lost one will probably now turn up!). Jude is busy playing with his new farm set and Fred is parading around in his new Action Man jeans and jackets.
We even fitted in a trip to TK Maxx (also havent been there for almost a year) where I managed to find lots of nice things for the kids and 2 pairs of shoes/boots (one reduced from £100 to £22) which I dont need but had to have...The boots even have a heel which is something new - but look great with jeans (my £1 car boot jeans, that is!)
I just cant resist a bargain!

Abigail

2009-03-14T11:04:00.002Z

Is finished at last - so I can get on and do some work now!

Just some pictures

2009-03-14T09:36:00.007Z

Run out of mohair

2009-03-11T18:25:00.000Z

And still lots to do - so will have to use the (many!) scraps

She's here! Spot the real one!

2009-03-09T10:44:00.005Z

Hanging on the washing line

2009-03-08T22:21:00.005Z

Whilst those nails dry!

I am going for the sparse hair look whilst I get the hang of this rooting lark. I painted hair on too but it looks a bit like scratches so hopefully will come off!

Today I eventually managed to get to a car boot sale and found some Barbies and clothes for Caitlin - old ones so really good quality compared to the plastic tat you get these days. Just one pushchair which is out there in the rain and a bag of old trolls for the kids to play with.

Barfie the reborn baby

2009-03-07T21:46:00.002Z

He's just so real!!

And I am loving my new Bugaboo footmuff and hood! Caitlin had all her dollies in there are one point!

New pictures of Trista

2009-03-07T09:34:00.003Z

She's grown on me too and in the right light I can see lots of skin tones

But Caitlin has run off with her as she loves to play with her!

Abigail

2009-03-06T22:47:00.004Z

I am growing fond of her. I took some pictures without eyes then had a glass of wine and put the eyes in. With eyes I like her

I have kept her pale as I think she is meant to be that way. I need to do eyelashes and then will add hair

OMG!

2009-03-06T19:43:00.003Z

And that's all I can say right now!

Something a bit non-dollish for a change!

2009-03-06T10:20:00.002Z

I have a soft spot for Eminem - loved him in 8-Mile. But I am not really in to some of the 'music' which is around at the moment.

I found this just now - a brilliant parody of how easy it is to make 'music' these days as long as you have the right equipment and can do the right video. These guys are great - this made me laugh and I have played it again and again. Wicked!

Abigail The Flat Sided Head

2009-03-05T23:06:00.002Z

I wonder how many dolls most people have on the go? It's not something you can just sit there and do if you only work on one doll. You have to wait for it to dry, for the paint to absorb, for it to cool down and for you to have the patience to do what needs doing.

I have started Abigail by Olivia Stone. Just because she was very cheap and cheaper than buying test parts. I wanted to do her as a toddler but need to practice newborn effects so she will be a mixture. Despite following online 'lessons' its not easy and I end up doing my own thing. Too much paint still but I am sure I will sort it and no raw umber this time!

That's the thing - it's like writing. Everyone has their own style and although you can try and mimic others you still end up doing your own style. And that's what makes Art unique - whatever it is

Pictures are of my tiny OOAKs and Abigail in progress

Sera is NOT ready!

2009-03-02T21:00:00.003Z

Not happy with her so the acetone just came out and splashed in to my Baileys

I ordered some new kits, signed up for the surai class in May (Lea in April - wooohoo!) and so may just leave her until I can get my head round it all. I just cant bond with this sculpt at all. Possibly because she arrived looking so purple.

Today 3 hunks and a weird looking earring guy arrived (anyone know who he is??!!)
The hunks are fine but I prefer my men without things in their ears

Sera is ready

2009-03-01T15:13:00.004Z

Bar the body. I just want to sell her now as she wasnt mine to start with (as in she was a reborn I stripped) and I still cant get the skin tone light enough so want to start a new doll. Next time I will create a flesh 9 and 10 and see if that works!

I designed a logo and plan to make a hospital fish tank to help sell the dolls.

I am LOVING this sunnier weather and cant wait for summer

Yesterday the children spent lots of time in the garden - Joe-Dog loved the trampoline! He's one mad dog!!

Mirte Himstedt joins the clan

2009-02-27T10:45:00.004Z

This is Mirte. She's almost as old as my Oscar and much better behaved. She's a sitter so will have to find a place for her to perch.

Zombie child!

2009-02-27T10:41:00.002Z

I am much happier with the skin tone this time round - leaving out the burnt umber worked. I have even managed to get rid of the lilac eyes by using the opposite colour. But despite blushing a bit Sera looks zombie-fied. If I add more red then I think she will look like a victim of child abuse. I want to sell her when she's finished so gotta get this right!

Dollie is now on ebay

2009-02-25T21:52:00.003Z

The kids had an after school painting session. Caitlin is fascinated by what I am doing and whenever I paint she paints her doll too.
The boys had a go too today and a doll I wasnt planning to keep as she made too much noise got reborn by them all

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Reborn-baby-doll-Dollie-by-Caitlin-the-budding-artist_W0QQitemZ150329148741QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Doll_Bears_Dolls_EH?hash=item150329148741&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14

Men and their toys

2009-02-25T10:34:00.011Z

Why is it that some people think it's weird that some women like dolls but are fine with men playing with toy trains, remote controlled boats and planes and spending hours each day in front of a games console?
Surely it's the same thing?
Near to us we have an old wartime airstrip where each weekend grown men fly their remote controlled planes. No one I know thinks that's at all weird. But then no one I know in real life thinks my Trista is weird either. Maybe I dont know that many people in real life.

But I am procrastinating and need to get on and pack orders, upload stock to Amalaika and earn some money!!

I have posted some pictures of the children. Spot the doll!! Caitlin had it for christmas but was not impressed as it wasnt a baby!

Sasha & Mark Owen

2009-02-24T23:17:00.002Z

Just wanted to post a picture of my Mark Owen 'old style' doll. He makes Ken and Action Man look so wimpish.

And an old picture of 1970's Sasha dolls. I had a Sasha as a child and now my darling husband has mislaid her. So I am reliving my childhood and getting what I couldnt have back then. I just adore these dolls. The memories they hold for me are happy ones and as it's often hard for me to remember happy things about my childhood - that can only be a good thing.

And a baby arrived today in a basket - the white nightdress one with the original blanket too. She's just how I remembered her in the shop. I loved that part of my childhood!

Sera has 'cradle crap'

2009-02-24T23:05:00.003Z

I need to have a break as my bank balance needs to recover and I need to get stock listed but I found myself ripping the head off a Sera which I bought on ebay. She arrived looking very mauve and I planned just to correct her colouring. But I havent bonded with her at all - she's over-stuffed and just not good.

Her hair sort of fell out as you touched it and so I didnt really need to remove the glue. After having another look at her I decided to strip her and start her again. So out came the acetone - fortunately the local chemist knows what I am doing with the stuff! - and the kids picked out her remaining hair

trouble is whoever had rooted her had left so many holes that she looks like she has cradle cap (or cradle crap as my 3 year old calls it) - I could leave it for effect or could find out where to get a wig.

Other than inhaling acetone and paint stripper fumes today I took the 2 youngest to a pancake morning where they made paper frying pans and ate pancakes and strawberries. And I drank coffee because we had run out here - and chatted too. The life of a housewife is very hard!

I took trista to the post office to weigh her yesterday (1.5kg) and then in to the chemist to show her off and then in to tesco's to buy dinner and met Jo (who wants a baby once I am good enough) and as I was paying she announced to her eldest that I had a baby in the bag - look!

OMG what will the locals think!!

This is Sera so far. I have saved her from rigor mortis but cant get all the blue off so will just avoid the blue tones I think. If that doesnt work I could always paint her Purple and pretend she is Tinky Winky

It's a birthday!!

2009-02-22T16:58:00.011Z

This morning I struck gold at the car boot sale and found lots of preemie babygros and vests from someone who had prem twin girls. So I sort of cleared them out and cleared my purse too. I have enough tiny vests and babygros for preemie babies now for a few years - which is good as dolls clothes just arent as good quality.

Sandra had some lovely knitted sets too which were just the right size for Trista. I also got Caitlin some full vinyl play dolls too - soft bodies dont go well in the bath!

All in all it was a good morning and despite the fact that I had promised not to bring Christmas to the house each Sunday, I sort of did. I found some powder paints for the kids which will hopefully help ward them off my genesis paints and a Dora raincoat for Caitlin and a flat wool cap for Fred. I also got the himmies some designer dresses which I cant wait to photograph.

I have Mirte coming next week. I just love the serious pouting look which will go great with Margie's happy face and Munira's young inquisitive look.

For myself I found a nice Per Una top and some jeans which are the right length (need a belt but not too large) - which will ward off the need to do the ironing for a bit longer!

And then - I came home and had to finish Trista. Had, in that I was too impatient to wait.
I had filled the legs last night but woke at 3am and realised the wrong filling was inside and so re-did it. Half fell asleep after that and had a really weird dream which involved my late grandparents and a hotel keeper who wouldnt refund a third bedroom which wasnt needed any more. Very strange dream!

So here she is. I am not happy with the rooting and will have to learn from that. Next time will do paler skin and I think that will make a difference. But for a first one I am happy with her

My Himmies

2009-02-21T20:58:00.010Z

I have falled in love with Himmies. Just think a few weeks ago I had some money in my pocket and now I have none but have some of the most beautiful dolls I have ever seen with me.

Meet Munira the eyelash-less beauty and Margie (who is being replaced next week) and Rosa.

Aren't they just so photogenic?!

And I have some Sasha dolls too which I craved as a child. Good old ebay! I have 2 babies and 2 more coming, a like new blonde Gregor and a Sasha gingham 70's coming. All 70's dolls which is what I had as a child.

From Delboy to Jimmy Summerville

2009-02-21T20:33:00.003Z

I spent a few hours on and off trying to get the skin lighter, trying to add detail, wiping it off, redoing it, thinning it down, redoing it and so on. Then enough was enough. I realised that Picasso probably didnt achieve what he wanted first time round and it was time to make the best of what I had achieved so far.

So the above was yesterday. I decided to leave the painting and get on and root.

Heck, it's addictive. And heck, it's hard

So may empty plugs, broken needles (if the Police had called they might have thought I was a moulting heroin addict) HOW do they do it?

But the addiction was hard to beat and so rather than find an answer I had to go on.

And on and on and on. In fact it's taken all day. It's now dark and I havent seen much of today.

I am covered in premium angora. My 3 year old has told people that I am making a baby and am stuck (the shame!) but I have decided, as with the paint job, that enough is enough for the first rooting attempt

My doll has gone from looking like Delboy this morning, passing by looking like the lead singer from Dexy's Midnight Runners at midday to looking like Jimmy Summerville this evening.

And that's how he or she will stay (Trista may be a boy - will have to see when the haircut settles) and I shall soon add glue and then the body

I am excited. It's like pregnancy in a way. You start off enjoying the excitement, get a bored with the time it takes, then it takes on a new lease of life and becomes very fun. Then the excitement of The End takes hold and you can wait no longer and it all HAS to end.

day 1 of painting Trista

2009-02-15T14:18:00.003Z

I didnt have time to post this yesterday but spent the day on and off doing around 6 layers at least. Next will do the red layers and then the detail!

This is the 'look' by the end of the day. I still love her smile and love doing a Preemie as the detail will be smaller - and more 'my thing'.

2009-02-13T20:44:00.001Z

This is Trista (not mine)

My first post

2009-02-13T20:31:00.001Z

In a bid to save myself from more grey hairs I have decided to keep a blog of my efforts to collect and reborn dolls.
This will be a form of therapy and could work out cheaper than the £50 an hour most shrinks charge. Let's hope it works!

I am new to this and have no experience at all of painting. I used to love doing intricate drawings with pencil and fine black pens when at school but since then haven't drawn at all. And that includes the curtains.

Sooo...in a bid to create something which will make me happy and also make others happy I am going to teach myself how to reborn baby dolls and also collect a few dolls for myself which I can look at and enjoy. Smile therapy is good for you!!

I have almost everything I need but Royal Snail seems to have delayed the body and hair I need. I am impatient so have started anyway today

I have had a few practice goes which havent gone that well - probably because I am a perfectionist and either do it 'properly' and take care or dont bother at all.

I almost got there last night with the head of a Anne Geddes doll which I had yanked off - OK the colours were a bit dark due to not having the right paint colours but it looked OK.

I proudly placed it on my desk before going to bed so I could admire my work when I got up but came downstairs too late and had found my 2 year old had been 'having a go' and had painted the head and herself in genesis heat set blue paint. It washed off the doll but I had to be careful not to heat my 2 year old or give her a hot bath in case the paint set for good on her and she ended up looking like Violet Beauregarde.

Once the doll's head had been de-blued I then realised that poor dolly had extra 'veins' in the form of pen marks. She was ruined!

But never mind - it's spurred me on to start on my first kit. It's Trista a very tiny preemie by Shawna Clymer and I am soooo excited!
I am not sure how she will turn out because I want to make her skin pale and have a tendancy to over mottle and over blush

Wish me luck!!