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Dorrie's Doll Diaries
Thursday, 22 March 2007
Modern Art Musings
Mood:
 a-ok
Now Playing: "Galaxy Quest" - VHS bought from video store, still a fun movie.
Still puzzling over my repeated failures at reproducing vintage Barbie fashion #1625, Modern Art, with Aileen's Petite Fashions pattern #135. Wrote to a doll board for help, and received an idea - e-mail the current copyright holder and let her know about my issues. I already found the owner's home page, so sending a note should be no problem. It's kind of funny. I first saw Modern Art in a Manos Barbie book The World of Barbie Dolls. I'd found it in a used book shop for less than a buck. I soon had it creased to that page - I loved the collar and the vivid green color. Actually found green fabric with tiny white roses on the dollar tables at the Mart, and couldn't wait to make my own Art. Tried to figure out how to do the collar on my own, and I had some solid ideas, but couldn't quite get the shoulders right. After a year or two of fussing, I bought the APF pattern. And then didn't use it for another year or two. I never noticed that it wasn't just a green cotton dress. Oh, it's a green cotton dress, all right - with a layer of chiffon over it ! That's why it's rather rare and kind of expensive to find in good shape. The fragile chiffon layer didn't survive many childhoods. It tears, stains, and pulls easily. Simply put, if it's less than $75. on eBay, it's torn in some fashion. Or just plain raggedy, fit only for a pattern. But darn it, if I'm gonna shell out for a vintage dress, I want my doll to be able to wear the thing ! So that's kind of where I still am. I studied it again, but I'll probably wait for an answer before I attempt it for about the 20th time, it seems. I played with Doll Shop Deluxe for a few minutes, printed out a new Fiyero Matthews pattern. Maybe I'll get time to work on it tomorrow. Spring Break has just flown by ! But I've gotten a lot done ! (sigh) Still gotta scrub some toilets, though...
Posted by dorriebelle
at 9:13 PM CDT
Wednesday, 21 March 2007
Spring Break - half over. Garage goal - 90% complete !
Mood:
 chillin'
Now Playing: "Cars" - now that Dearest Son has Chick and King, the racing scenes are faves...
Got the last five boxes off the floor of the garage, and it's all put away, boxes are in the van for recycling. The box I planned to unpack Thursday is already in the house, too, and I forgot - there's stuff in the white car we hurriedly threw in there, gotta go through that, too. So I already know what I'm doing Thursday ! Since I got the last of the stuff out of the garage - and I'm as close to done as I can get right now - I ended up cleaning the neglected kitchen this evening. The dishwasher, for some reason, doesn't clean the top rack at all, so I just hand-wash everything, and use the dishwasher as a drying rack. I think it actually takes less time this way. I'm just very lazy about doing dishes, 'cause I hate to. Dearest Son asks nearly every day how much longer his Spring Break is. Right now, he's spread out the heart-themed quilt his Dearest Aunt made him, and it's Radiator Springs, with Cars characters parked and driving along it. We never found the official Mattel playsets - and from the prices I saw on eBay last Christmas, very few people did ($$$ !) - but it doesn't matter, since he makes his own. Seeing him play makes me want to, but I'm bleepin' worn out ! Beloved Hubby brought me a little snack-size Snickers candy bar. I really enjoyed it ! I'm starting to believe that small is better, especially when it comes to food. Been so sick lately, my 'tight jeans' are a bit loose, and my 'regular' ones need a belt. Or maybe it's just spring... And before I forget - happy Equinox !
Posted by dorriebelle
at 12:01 AM CDT
Tuesday, 20 March 2007
Tuesday tummy
Mood:
 chatty
Now Playing: 'Silence of the Lambs' - always a classic, only watchable when Son's gone !
Didn't dig anything out of the garage today - put myself on 'light duty' so I could be well-rested for the heavy stuff tomorrow. Plus, my tummy still hurts from whatever I did to it yesterday, and I don't wanna make it worse. So I'm just doing regular catch-up housework instead. Swiffering the bathrooms, dishes, laundry. Boring, but needs doing all the time. Tuna's nearly recovered from her foot injury - but one toe is still swollen. Not sure what to do about it. If it's still big next week, we'll take her back to her vet's. She can jump as high as ever, and she doesn't limp or anything. She even let me touch her foot yesterday, without flinching away or getting claw-happy. Beloved Hubby made her a cat toy yesterday, from some yarn, a bow I removed from some ratty doll hair, and the adjusting wand from some window blinds. She went after it like a feline posessed ! Dearest Son came home from his grandparents' early, but that was fine with me. We missed him ! And he had a ton of toys to put away from my garage sifting. Next weekend he visits, I'm gonna really have to go through his room. Big as it is, it's so fulla toys, he can barely walk through it. So, again, not much on dolls, unless you count some growing anticipation of having a week to sew starting next Monday - if not Saturday. Sometimes it's more fun when you put it off a bit, make it something to look forward to.
Posted by dorriebelle
at 12:01 AM CDT
Monday, 19 March 2007
Monday therapy
Mood:
 don't ask
Now Playing: "Her Alibi" - old cable movie we taped on VHS
I'm so proud of Dearest Son ! His therapist says he's done. He's at or above expected goals for his age group, and since their waiting list is long and they can't just keep him, he's done ! We both cried. I'll miss the place. I'll miss the people and the patients and the staff and the parents. This summer's going to be really interesting. Think I'll start taking us to the library after school on Mondays. Since we're used to being away during that time frame, it'll do us both some good. In keeping with this week's goal, I unloaded six boxes from the garage, and emptied two more that were in the house but not distributed. The box level in the van is above the windows. Gotta get those to the recycler's. Boy, what a job ! But there's a lot less in there now ! Two or three more days, and the garage will be empty, save for Beloved Hubby's stuff. And some furniture that's too heavy for me to move ! Unfortunately, while I was reading, I had a cough that turned into a choke and I must've pulled something in my tummy. For about three hours, I couldn't sit or stand in any position in comfort. They were honestly worried about me at the therapists'. I thought it had eased, until I sneezed in the parking lot, and pain exploded in VistaVision dimensions. Actually saw stars. A few hours of nap eased it considerably. Still don't know what I did to myself - it still hurts a bit to cough or laugh. At least I was able to watch a movie with Beloved Hubby, though ! :) All's well that ends well - can't wait to get to the end of that garage ! And being so *&%#$ing sick...
Posted by dorriebelle
at 12:01 AM CDT
Updated: Tuesday, 20 March 2007 7:12 PM CDT
Sunday, 18 March 2007
Slippery Sunday
Mood:
 incredulous
Now Playing: birds and breezes
I honestly don't know where today went. I did laundry and some dishes, and the day was gone. At least I don't have to be up early for school tomorrow ! But I do have to start excavating the garage tomorrow. Wish me luck !
Posted by dorriebelle
at 12:01 AM CDT
Saturday, 17 March 2007
Beloved Hubby made us the most beautiful entertainment center !
Mood:
 happy
Now Playing: XM 150 - Uncensored Comedy
It really is gorgeous. Puts our cheap TV at just the right height and angle, and holds our entire DVD and VHS collections. So as you can imagine, it's pretty big ! And just beautiful. You can tell how much I love it - I vacuumed the living room before it got put into place, and after ! Kept waking up last night, so I'm tired today. Haven't done much of anything. Swiffered the floors, swept, and did the Cinderella act (hands and knees scrubbing) on some spots - about half don't come up. But at least the floors are clean. I haven't been much on the computer lately either. Seems like I'm too busy with other things to spend hours on discussion boards or misery maven sites. I know it's for the best, but I kind of miss 'em, even though I don't really want to go back. Seems like a lot changed when we moved. I just hope some of it changes back !
Posted by dorriebelle
at 12:01 AM CDT
Friday, 16 March 2007
Little to do about nothing...
Mood:
a-ok
Now Playing: "I Accuse My Parents" - old MST3K episode on a deteriorating VHS tape...
I don't know why I seem to avoid the new studio. It's all set up, and I've even sewn something, even if it does look like crap...still, you'd think I'd be in there, day and night. Maybe I'm sicker than I thought ! I sleep a lot, that's for sure.
Next week is Spring Break. Both the University and the public schools are off all week. Since we'll be mostly home, I've decided that the goal of the week will be to get all the stuff out of the garage and put away. That'll keep me busy ! Then, I'll set up the next week's goal - sewing every day ! :) Sorry if I'm rather distracted. Having some trouble with a family member. Not Beloved Hubby or Dearest Son - thank Everything ! I'd get into it, but this is supposed to be a doll blog, not a 'if Person Y doesn't get off my back about Situation Q, I'm gonna go off on Y like an overstuffed rocket !' blog. I'm trying to be happy here, even though I'm sick - there's a lot to be happy about. But Y doesn't seem to like to see happy. (sigh) At least there's the weekend to look forward to...
Posted by dorriebelle
at 12:01 AM CDT
Thursday, 15 March 2007
Much to learn about shelves...
Mood:
 lazy
Now Playing: "Herbie : Fully Loaded" - Dearest Son's choice, even thought we finally found 'Robin Hood'
Still ill, but it's clearing. Dearest Son had a party at therapy today, and got to ride the golf carts. He's so happy - I just wish I had more energy to play. Beloved Hubby fixed the shelf - turns out I should have angled the nails, not pounded 'em straight in. At an angle, the bracket 'catches' better, and doesn't slip. I'm just glad Elphie and Fiyero are safe. I really need to do something with the MSB dolls, besides hang up their clothes. But they got tons of outfits already ! :)
Posted by dorriebelle
at 12:01 AM CDT
Wednesday, 14 March 2007
Had another asthma attack last night...
Mood:
 cool
Now Playing: "Cars" - Dearest Son loves the Deleted Scenes now...
Honestly, I'm starting to wonder if I'll *ever* be well again ! Haven't gone near my sewing room today, and about all that happened with dolls is that the shelf I put up fell down, dumping Elphie and Fiyero to the floor - on top of MSB Casey, which knocked her over. (sigh) I think I'll just rest a while. Then go clean up the mess, and prevail on Beloved Hubby to re-hang that shelf for me...
Posted by dorriebelle
at 12:01 AM CDT
Tuesday, 13 March 2007
I actually sewed something !
Mood:
 irritated
Now Playing: XM 80s - "Rebel Yell", Billy Idol
Well, it's something I've tried - and failed at, miserably - several times before. But this time, it wasn't so bad. Maybe 'not quite so miserable' is more apt...
One of my favorite vintage Barbie dresses is 'Modern Art' - a simple knee-length cotton dress, slightly off the shoulder with an overlay of organza and a rolled organza collar. Long time ago, I bought the Aileen's Petite Fashions version of it, #135. About a month after buying it, I tried it, setting the first of a chain of failures off. The directions aren't the greatest, to start with. It never mentions when to sew the shoulder seams - far as I could tell, you *never* do ! It also doesn't say when to turn the organza/cotton bodice right side out, or mentions that the armhole seam and back seams will be visible. Even on the 'finished item' image, the collar isn't as low as it should be. Yet, for some reason, I decided to try it again today. After all, it's been at least two years, and it could be that I got frustrated back then and read what wasn't really there - or misunderstood. Two years is long enough to garner some new skills and calm down. And I still really like that dress...
I had most of the same problems then as now, but it did look better. I used cotton and tulle instead of cotton and organza, and I used thread that glared in its non-matching brightness. So the 'finished' bodice looks like crap, but it's closer to the original than I've ever been. I still think it's badly written, for a pattern, and not really that close to the vintage version, but unless I wanna go after it m'self, I can't whine too much. I'll probably try again tomorrow, with some other fabrics, so I can show ya what I mean. It's just so frustrating to *buy* a pattern - and then find out it's screwed up ! In my overstated opinion, if I'm gonna shell out hard-earned, the author should have his/her crap together. Makes me glad I don't buy patterns from any source anymore. Seems like I'd often be better off making 'em myself, all the frustration and wasted time and materials could at least be headed towards a goal.
Posted by dorriebelle
at 8:15 PM CDT
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