Fun with the neighbors...
Mood:  irritated
Now Playing: XM 150 - Uncensored Comedy (so I can hear somebody swear besides me !)

It was a nice day - I found a fantastic cabinet for Elphie at the GoodWill down the street. It's like a kitchen pantry, my gramma had one, but hers was this bizarre thin metal. This is wooden. Perfect scale, in great shape, and only $2.50 ! I'll have to share some photos soon.

Snagged the glue sticks at Dollar Tree, but didn't find anything else. Took Beloved Hubby out last night for Chinese food and the '5 for $5.' special at the video rental place. So now I'm good and broke, but that's fine. I didn't know what else to do for him for Father's Day.

But we're having some neighbor issues. Seems someone complained about the small red tool chest in our front yard (that's been there for two years), and if we don't move it, it's a $75. per day fine. Our neighbors on one side are the kind that completely ignore you when you nod and smile at 'em in the front yard, so it's probably them. They kind of act as if they're too good for the neighborhood - or it could be the beer-can boxes overflowing from their trash cans talking.

Anyway, they forgot to wheel the beer-can repository around Friday (trash pick-up day), so guess what I found in our can ? Yup. Their brand of bag, overflowing again with more Budweiser. (sigh) If they'd asked, I'd have let them, but this is beyond. Beloved Hubby asked, but they said it wasn't theirs. Umm, yeah. Same brand of trash bag, same stuff inside, even the handle ties are the same color. I know our other neighbor doesn't drink, and I doubt their neighbor - the one with all the crosses on her front door, and who mows their lawn because they won't - goes through three 24-packs in a week.

Kinda sucks when people who are 'too good' for you still want what little you have that they need. There are times I *&$#ing hate people.

"Hell is other people." - Jean-Paul Sartre

And another week disappears on me...
Mood:  crushed out
Now Playing: XM 71 - Watercolors (light jazz)

Sorry - it's been a busy week, and before I knew it, I hadn't caught up, and the week was over. Dearest Son's summer school has begun, and I took him to the city's 'SplashPad' Wednesday... and that's about all he can talk about ! So I'm thinking of taking him every Wed. after school. Last time was a spur-of-the-moment thing - luckily I had a towel in the car and a change of clothes for him in his backpack !

It was also Beloved Hubby's birthday. We put plates on his new truck, and that about did us in for the week ! He's not much into sweets or cake, so that was out. So I did what I could - helped Son make a card and sewed up a green version of Dr. Girlfriend's costume. Not much of a gift for him, but it was made with love, thinking of him. I realized while I was sewing it, that I can make anything, long as I know someone believes in me, and he always does.

Of course, I've found six trillion errors on it, and I want to re-make it, but it took two days and my eyes still hurt. It's at the bottom of Elphie's page, if you'd like to see it. It's not all that bad... I just see more I'd like to fix next time.

Anyway, tomorrow I get to go out for a while. Wednesday, while I was waiting for Son's school to end, I toured Hobby Lobby, for forever. Walked all around, checked out everything, checkbook in one hand , another 40% off coupon in the other. Didn't find a darn thing I wanted. Even when items gave me ideas, I quickly saw how to create the same thing with pieces and stuff I already have. Forgot to look for glue sticks for my dimestore glue gun, maybe I can snag 'em this weekend.

Possibly by then, I'll be ready to sew again. I swear, the Dr. Girlfriend costume put me off sewing for days !

And today's moral is : Give folks a chance to make it right. Ya might get surprised !
Mood:  happy
Now Playing: "The Venture Brothers" season 1 DVD - "Mid Life Chrysalis"

Gosh, I love the Venture Brothers. I know that, at its base, it's a 'Johnny Quest' parody, but I never wanted to make Elphie a costume from JQ ! Wouldn't Elphie just look fabulous in a Dr. Girlfriend outfit ?

Anyway, was up late last night, fussing with the printer. Back in April, the 15th, I think, we bought me a color inkjet cartridge. Those things are rather pricey, so we saved a few bucks and went with a refilled one. We'd gone well over a year without color, but I'd intended to make some cool doll anime and graphics shirts. Instead, I chickened out. I'd installed the new cart that day, but hadn't used it.

Went to use it last night, to print a scene for the frame I bought to use as a bay window in Room With A View...and neither the red nor the blue worked. I would get a few streaks, but nothing more. Cleaned both the cart and printer, nothing improved.

I chalked it up to me being stupid and wimpy for not using the ink before now. And since it'd been over a month, the packaging was long gone and I couldn't find the receipt, I figured that was $30.+ down the tubes. So I was a bit upset at m'self.

Still, this was an Office Max branded refill cartridge. If it didn't work, they should know about it. So I called today, and explained what was going on, telling them I knew it was my own fault, and didn't expect them to fix it, just that they should know I couldn't get mine to work. I didn't know it, but I was speaking with the manager, who said it must've been defective from the start, and to bring it in for an exchange. I reminded her I didn't have the box or receipt, and it was long past the 30 day return window, but she said that was fine. It should still work, and if it didn't, they needed to find out what happened.

Long story ending : we exchanged it tonight, and the new one works perfectly. Now, I was all prepared to take the loss because I didn't test it or use it, which is my own fault. But Office Max made good once I gave them the chance. Not that I expected them to go above and beyond, but I was pleased that they did. I think I know who'll be getting our next ink cartridge business... and we need a black one within the next week or three.

Room With a View hasn't arrived yet, and according to FedEx, it's still hovering in space over L.A. Has been since Thursday morning. Still says it'll be here tomorrow. I don't know why I'm whining so bad over this. Birthday isn't until next month. I just need to relax already. I swear, sometimes I'm worse than Dearest Son !

Oh, the frame/window. Took Son to Dollar Tree, where he selected a 'stained glass' plastic picture of a lion to paint, and a suction cup gun. I found a Hamtaro DVD for him - well, OK, it was kind of for me, too. I like animated Japanese hamsters.

I also found a lovely frame that I think will make a great 'bay window' for Elphie's Room With a View, once I add images and magnets. It's 'woodgrain' plastic, so it's fairly lightweight. I'll probably replace the glass with plastic, to cut on the weight and glare. Printed a lovely moon and stars image for it, but I'm going to hold off printing more. I can probably find a few pages I like in the Scrapbooking section of Hobby Lobby tomorrow. And it'll be cheaper than using the color cartridge !

I even liked the Oriental-themed vase of flowers print it came with, so I'll probably use that as an art print as well. I do get a lot for a buck !

Also found a gold-tone metal mesh bracelet. Removed a few links, and it's a slinky hip belt for Elphie. I do love Dollar Tree !

Speaking of budget fun, I added a new chapter to the 'Tonner Taste, Barbie Budget' page. At the bottom is a way to use all those silica gel packets you find in new shoe boxes and such. There's also a new photo of Disney Princess Cinderella in a pair of grey pants made from the remnants of Son's old shirt, paired with a blouse I made for the Baby Face dolls when I had 'em. It doesn't fit her terribly well, but I was proud of it at the time !

From the 'None of My Business, but Amusing Anyway' file, my neighbor's been dropping her son off with a relative for the last two weekends, and having a 'special friend' over. Hey, she's single and it's none of my affair. I wouldn't even care, but she made it a point to tell me about it. Why it's amusing is because he always backs into her driveway. Quick getaway ? Or hiding his license plate ? Who knows. I just think it's funny.

Hope your weekend is free of snickering neighbors !

Recycling Thursday
Mood:  cool
Now Playing: That 'Little People' Fisher-Price tape again.

Today was the Foundation for the Disabled pick-up. What I had ready barely filled the bag, so I went through things. Found some sewing stuff I'll never use again - a box and two never-touched packages of hand-sewing needles. That leaves me with just four partial cards of needles to use, oh, my.

So I prowled a bit more, found some odds and ends, then decided to go through Gracie and Casey's 'closet'. Since the 'My Size Barbie' dolls are so large, about half of their clothes are little girl selections from yard sales and thrift stores. Dragged 'em all out, figuring that, if I haven't altered them yet, they're up for donation. Eliminated three dresses and six blouses, which bulged the bag admirably.

Stuck it outside then arranged and cut the rest of the worn and torn Dearest Son shirt from yesterday to make the Disney Princesses a pair of grey pants. That uses up most of the undamaged parts, and the rest are rags. Haven't had time to sew it yet, but I'll find time later. The big thing (for me at least !) is getting it cut out ! Once that's done, I'm sure to sew it soon.

So, as you can read, it's sort of 'recycling' day at Chez Insanity. Dearest Son found a Fisher-Price 'Little People' VHS I got when he was a baby, and has been watching it over and over. Too bad it's only a half-hour show. They used as many F-P toys as possible, too. It's less a 'show' than a program-length advertisement, but I knew that when I ordered it.

Today was also supposed to be the day 'Room With A View' arrived. But for some reason, FedEx didn't pick up the package until late last night. I have no idea why, Bella called them for pick-up Monday. As of now, the set's still in California, and they say it'll be delivered Saturday. One problem with that. FedEx Ground doesn't do Saturday home delivery. I'm trying to not be disappointed, my birthday's still weeks away. But I doubt I'll use FedEx for anything again, if I have a choice. They don't seem to know what they're doing half the time.

I've been staying away from Prego. Figured out why I kept going back, even when I knew the sort of folks that tended to congregate there weren't really sympathetic to the 'creative' type collector. One, there are lots of nice people who feel the same way I do, and I don't want to miss them in the sniping over ultra-ne-plus exclusive doll bragging rights. Two, I was desperate for community. All my attempts to connect wtih others in doll groups have failed. I'm not sure if that's due to the fact that dolls tend impart a pecking order amongst their fans, or the sad realization that the common denominator in all these bad 'relationships' is me.

But the final word is : Don't linger when you don't feel comfortable bein' yourself. It simply isn't worth it to alter who you are to join a flock. Maybe some isolation is the price to pay for being who you are, and if so, that's fine. More time to play !

Ariel's new sportswear - and where to see the '06 DizPrincess lines !
Mood:  caffeinated
Now Playing: "Little People" - a freebie VHS from Fisher-Price, Dearest Son just discovered

Another fun, creative day. Few weeks ago, I snagged a 50c bear at GoodWill, hoping that his plastic sneakers would fit Timey Tell and Hi, Dottie. After some flash trimming and plastic 'sock' removal, they did !

But you know me, I like to get the max for my money. Since his 'Softball' t-shirt couldn't fit Timey or Crissy, I split and Velcro'ed it to fit the Disney Princess dolls. Namely, Ariel. I then made her a pair of soft grey shorts from another shirt Dearest Son simultaneously outgrew and tore, and gave her cute side ponytails. Ariel was also from GWill, and her poor hair was ambushed when I got her. About half of it had been cut and left to tangle in the long strands. Still, it's hard to tell when her hair's in those cute little tails ! Found a second, almost perfect Ariel at a Salvation Army a few weeks ago, but I already love the one I have, so I left it for someone else to enjoy. New photo on their page.

It's been a while since I created for them. I run across cute outfits for them frequently, but they involve minor alterations instead of actual sewing, so I don't feel right posting the images. I have learned that stuffed Boyds Bears - found several in yard sales - come in clothes that fit them almost perfectly.

The 'Before Once Upon a Time' line is doing very well for Playmates. From their display at Toy Fair (as seen on the Master Collector site, scroll to the bottom to the 'Welcome to Toy Fair' banner, then click the Playmates button), the next two lines are 'Flower Princess' and 'Twirl and Sing' ballerinas. 'Flower' dolls have skirts like flower petals, and are scented. The ballerina ones have en pointe feet and a spinning crown. Like those Dancerella dolls, if you're of a certain age to remember. Even little toe shoes. This may be the first time the Ariel doll has ever had shoes !

I'm seriously considering adding the Snow White ballerina. I'd get Belle, but I already have a customized one - cut her hair myself ! As you may guess, I always wanted a Dancerella, but never got one...

The 'My Scene' guys go forth tomorrow to their new destinies. Foundation for the Disabled's doing a pick-up. I hope they find good and happy homes with lots of lonely Barbies to play with.

'Shake it Off' Tuesday
Mood:  a-ok
Now Playing: "Aristocats", ancient Disney VHS, for Son. Again.
(sigh) Thanks, everyone, for the encouragement. I think I just twisted my thoughts around a jerk's words, and came to an incorrect conclusion. In a way, my site and even me, are very necessary ! In a world where it's actually cheaper and easier to buy everything than it is to think creatively, we both serve a need. Especially for those of us who'd rather think than spend ! In fact, when it came to the time I used to spend on Prego, I instead made Elphie something new :

 

You can see a photo of her wearing it standing up on her page, I just love it. This photo's exclusive to the Blog, just for you. Think I'll do things this way from now on.

 

Back to the dress... It's a free pattern, downloadable from Blitzen's Place. In the last column on the right, it's the Gene dress. There's also a free Barbie pattern there - actually several pieces, to mix and match ! - with directions. The Gene dress page doesn't have directions, but I wrote up the procedure on Elphie's page. If you've never done set-in sleeves, her explanation on the Barbie page is great. This one is actually a bit big in the waist. I did that, by not following the 1/4" seam allowance there. I thought she'd need more room in the waist than Gene did. Now it looks like it wasn't necessary, sewing it as it comes would have been fine.

 

I hope to sew another one tomorrow, correctly this time, and see how it goes. I also need to write up a page of 'doll sewing cheats'. While I can sew curved hems, it's kind of a PITA, and I wanted a lace edge on this one. I can write up how - actually did, on the Elphie page - but it doesn't make much sense without photos. There's all kinds of stuff like that, I take for granted doing it, but it may encourage someone else to try. It takes an additional step to do it this way, but gives a more finished appearance than simply zig-zagging the hem and sewing lace on top.

 

Gosh, there's so much for me to do ! Tomorrow, I'll include the 'to do doll list', it's getting longer by the day !

OK, I officially give the *&#@ up...
Mood:  incredulous
Now Playing: XM 80's - "Holiday", Madonna

Here it is then - the person I had so many problems with on Prego is back, and I give up. I try so hard to maintain that it's OK to have very few dolls, it's nothing to be ashamed about, that my dolls are special because there aren't hundreds of them with more arriving daily...that making unique creations for them with my own clumsy hands sort of 'bonds' us, if you can grant me the indulgence of writing something that sounds so weird out of context. I am happy with my Basic dolls, my playline ones, and the ones that aren't worth a d@mned dime to anybody but me.

But here's this jackalope, under the guise of sharing his expertise in how to keep big-ticket dolls clean (several hours of daily dusting, spending more for canned air in a month than I spend on dolls and sewing in a year), bragging about his 800 member pristine doll army, some of which wear custom designs sporting 600 Swarovski crystals ( I'm amazed the dolls don't fall apart from the sheer weight of their dresses !), and not being at all shy about letting us know that HIS collection is worth a quarter of a million dollars, and he also 'buys low and sells high'*, so the $12,000. in sales he did in March is merely 'a little extra spending money'.

D@mn. I just about feel insulted. His 'little pocket money' is close to what supports this entire home for a year. I know, I know, we all have choices and different ways of doing things. But that letter was far from explaining how to dust dolls and more about 'me and all I have that you don't'. He'll never understand that, to some people, it's getting your nose rubbed in your choices or cash situation every time he goes on one of his brag benders.

But, hell, he doesn't have to. He's got a loyal flotilla of barnacles that'll cling to his every word and support his grandiose gesturing. By now, everyone else knows to keep their mouths shut, or be branded a troll or heckler, and possibly get tossed off the board. One of the main reasons there's so much security on Prego now is that some of the favorites felt they were getting picked on when someone dared present a less than completely agreed-on opinion. What is this, the Prego-Borg collective ?

It's just sad that every brag has to be bigger than the last. It wasn't enough to say he paid $800. for a $250. doll, the next message had to post another overpriced acquisition and mention their crystal (more blasted Swarovski) collection. Now it's this. I give up.

I also take back every nice thing I said about him, I said most of it because I didn't want to believe that anyone could be such an arrogant azzhole. I thought I'd reached the summit of Conceit Mountain, I find I'm only halfway up a foothill at its base. And there's so much more rocky, inhospitable, uncaring territory ahead.

I don't need that. If I wanted aloof, imperious condescension, I'd call up my mother. I don't need that in my life, and I certainly don't need it in my hobby, something that's *supposed* to make me happy !

So screw Prego. I keep going back like an idiot, but I think they've finally gone to a place I'm unwilling to follow. I wouldn't like myself when I came back. If I even could.

It makes me wonder if I'm doing anybody a favor with this site. It can't be that everyone feels the way the Pregoites do. Surely somebody besides me goes to second-hand venues, not looking for antiques, but cheap doll props and fun things ! But when the 'look at me, I just bought another $$ Tonner doll and another $$$ Tonner outfit' gets 50 responses, and a 'Hey, look what I made for my doll' gets three, I can't help but wonder.

This isn't what I wanted to write tonight. I wanted to post a photo of the cheap jewelry I made Elphie, that I was so proud of. And post a link to a free Gene dress pattern I found, that I hoped to work tomorrow. Now I'm wondering what I'm doing.

Maybe tomorrow will look better, especially after I make the 'circle with a line through it' Prego poster.

*I've seen his Prego sales. Yes, he sells high ! But I guess his loyal band of buddies is buying the cachet and grandeur that comes with getting one of HIS dolls. Instead of, say, spending $50. to $100. less to get it off eBay. Phfah. I fear the day he decides to sell his used toilet tissue, these idiots'll buy it. Even if they have to go into debt to get some.

Limited edition, you know.

Snap sewing Sunday
Mood:  a-ok
Now Playing: "Caddyshack" - from the family's DVD holdings.

Quiet day. Two loads of laundry's drying on the rack and from the backs of several chairs, Dearest Son is shaving chalk to make dust so his cars are 'dirty' and can be washed clean. Beloved Hubby's working his cute butt off, and I'm wondering what to do next.

I have snaps and finishing to sew on the green dress, the polka-dot capris, and the matching blouse... I've told myself I can't sew anything new until I finish what's waiting. Got a divided box - used them to hold embroidery floss back when I cross-stitched - for all the doll jewelry supplies. It's roughly twice the size of the box it was all crammed into, but it took every centimeter of new space available. Strongly considering making another necklace from what I've got, strung on elastic cord salvaged from Hubby's new wallet's packaging. Still need to photograph Elphie's latest jewelry.

While our camera's working fine with indoor shots, it over-exposes when taken outside. Snapped a few test shots last week, and Son's blue track pants showed up burgundy ! So, apologies, but you're gonna be seeing mostly indoor photos from now on.

At least I'll soon have a nice backdrop for 'em. Bella Productions has already sent me the tracking number for Room With A View, it'll go out Monday. I still feel vaguely guilty, but it's better than waiting six months while they get more in stock !

Not much else going on. Prego's doing a list of people who craft for dolls - sewing, knitting, crochet, etc. - and I'm not sure if I want to be included or not. I still feel excluded a lot of the time, but I figured it's because I don't post much. So I've posted a lot, and still get ignored. Maybe if I made stuff to sell that 90% of the group couldn't afford, I'd be one of the golden circle darlings, too. Thank Everything I don't want it.

Looked at picture frames during the grocery run. Found one I really like, and it's only $9. It's gonna be funny when I drag Room and Elphie into the store for a consult in a few weeks ! The walls are magnetic, but I think about frame weight, all the ones I really like are rather heavy. But if I put enough magnets on the thing, it should be fine no matter how heavy it is.

Well, Hubby's home and napping, and Son joined him. Think I'll get a start on those snaps. I don't know why I always put the 'finishing' part off. Of course, I've been known to make a near-flawless outfit, then screw up the closures...(sigh)

Well, no more kvetchin' about it...
Mood:  happy
Now Playing: "Aristocats", ancient Disney VHS, for Son

...Beloved Hubby ordered 'Room With A View' this morning for me. Bella Productions has 'em in stock, and it'll go out Monday morning. I'm gonna put it away until my birthday actually arrives - or until Hubby decides what he wants for his birthday, later this month. Not fair for me to get my gift when he doesn't have his yet.

I wanted to go to Hobby Lobby today, to price dollhouse windows for it. Instead, I figured out how to make a picture frame work as a bay window - and those are readily available, in many sizes, cheap ! It'll be easy to change the 'view', too. I'm scouting, but won't buy until I get the Room.

Went through our DVDs and selected a round dozen we don't like or watch anymore. Hopped 'em over to a local video store that buys 'em for either cash or store credit...and the Venture Brothers, Season One set cost us a big whoppin'...sixty cents. Whee ! Only bad thing was, one of the discs wasn't in the box, and I thought that one would bring us the most. Turned out we didn't need it, but I'll take it by later, next time we want a new DVD ! Stayed up late Friday, watching it all. Hope the second season is as good - the final episode was a definite cliff-hanger !

Hubby had to work today, but I got to run for supplies, so I spent some time with him. I worry about him working so hard in this heat, but he's actually bored and restless when he's not working. He's on it tomorrow, too, but I'm home with Dearest Son. Should be fun !

I did go back to Dollar Tree - son loves the Cars markers I got him, and he's having fun sorting papers in the Tow Mater folder. Took a better look at the other necklaces and decided against getting a second one. The green one was too 'neon', and the other colors I pretty much already have. Just need a bigger box for all these beads and findings. Maybe when I hit the store tomorrow for groceries, DTree didn't have a big enough one, and I don't want six smaller ones.

It's too bad I didn't get much done, but it was a really nice day. Hope you got to play !

Happy Friday !
Mood:  a-ok
Now Playing: Launch.com - 'Too Sweet', Morello.

Got to go to Dollar Tree today. Dearest Son hit the jackpot ! For some reason, they had an entire endcap display of Cars stationery-type stuff. Pens, pencils, markers. He selected a Tow Mater-themed ink pen with a tiny Tow on top that pivoted on a ball joint. I snagged a pack of non-glittery pencils for his back-to-school days. There were mechanical pencils, regular pencils with huge character erasers, iridescent pencils, and the stuff we bought. Son had Tow opened and 'writing' in the car. He waited to open his second playset choice at home. So he was happy.

They also had a set of flip-flop shaped erasers that would probably work for Crissy. But I can make those myself, and these were rather heavy. So they stayed there.

I did score a three-strand necklace, from their 'Tropical Treasures' by Sassy and Chic (tm) line. The largest strand was plastic solid color beads, another was white with a bit of color glass 'straw' beads, and the third was pearl-like seed beads. It was topped by a clunky faceted 'gem' to match, but it was made of plastic. Of all the colors, I selected a pale lavender, but when I go back for more Cars school supplies, I'll probably snag the green one.

Once home, I had it stripped and ready for repurposing in minutes. Had to take 'em all apart, they were strung on thick fishing line, and I wanted a better 'flow'. Ordinarily, I would have used regular white thread, but I actually have stringing thread, part of a craft lot from a long-ago yard sale.

Made a three-strand 'waterfall' necklace from the white 'straw' beads, using the necklace's clasp. The pearl-like seed beads made a single long necklace that loops around four times and can be arranged into different shapes. The plastic beads just look too...big and plastic-y, if you know what I mean. They're saved into a baggie for later, in case I decide to use 'em later. Part of the 'chain' clasp and a jump ring I didn't use also got stored for future experiments.

While I used Elphie to model, the necklaces can fit any number of my dolls. The long strand can fit the sixth scale girls, Crissy, the Disney Princesses. The 'waterfall' one can fit Crissy and Barbie size dolls, too, but it's a snug fit on Crissy !

Now I know why there are so many doll jewelers around. It's lots of fun ! Both necklaces took less than an hour, and I love 'em. I know my simple efforts aren't as elaborate as what's for sale on eBay and nice websites, and I used second hand/Dollar Tree supplies, but if I have $10. to spend, I'd rather make my own doll stuff and save up for a lucky find at a yard sale or Hobby Lobby !

Since I had to drag out the 'jewelry kit' (a leftover plastic 'school box') and root around a bit. On second thought, I don't have to get a green set - I got acres of green already !

And Beloved Hubby's on his way home. What a nice day !