DB, your *non-authorized* LeapPad repair person...
Mood:  energetic
Now Playing: XM XL 150 - Adult Comedy, 'Louis Black'

 

Yeah, Dearest Son's beloved "My First LeapPad", a Christmas gift from his doting Grandparents, met about five drops of water  from a nearby splash yesterday. I got it cleaned off and stored upside down, in case any squeezed inside, but today, Son couldn't get it to work. I couldn't either. Pressed the 'on' button, nothing happened at all. So I changed the batteries. Still nothin'.

 

So I took it apart. Wasn't at all difficult, which makes me think LeapFrog allowed for this probable contingency. Noticed a tiny bead of water on the cartridge slot, and gave it a hearty shake, to make sure there wasn't any more anywhere. Then it got a thorough air-can dusting all around, in and out and under. Go figure, now it works. Sorry, Son. If momma can fix the one you have, we don't have to buy you another ! Besides, I don't think that LeapPad even makes that model anymore. It's hard to call it 'My First' when they now have a version for infants. Seriously. It's called 'Little Touch', for six-month olds. They have stuff from that age to sixth grade, probably beyond. I keep waiting for one for college students... guess that's a side effect from living too close to a 'major' university. 

 

You may remember I was working on an alteration for the simple blouse pattern from Fashion Doll Fun, because the one I made Leia was too tight in the arms. My first trial with the slightly enlarged version is pictured in yesterday's blog, if you can see around the belt ! Since Leia's arms are nearly the same soft, rubbery vinyl as her legs, anything snug is a real pain to get on her. Even if I use cornstarch powder.

 

Well, I think I finally have it. Took a ruler and marker to the current pattern, folded and cut and traced. Did a test run with the revised pattern in the omnipresent red fabric - but this time with black thread ! While I need to work on my top-stitching around curves, it came out fantastic. Still bunches a bit at the shoulders, but the original pattern does the same thing on regular Barbie-size dolls, so it's OK. And, guess what, we're nearly out of red fabric. Maybe a pair of Capri pants can be found in what's left, and afterwards, it'll all be tiny shreds. I don't know why the idea of using all of it makes me happy, but it does.

 

I love having all my patterns scanned and in the computer. I can print one, make changes to it, but still have the original. And then, if the alteration works, I can scan it and make more anytime, too.  Some sewists say they won't sit down to their machine without a serger. I wouldn't want to sew without a scanner/printer ! 

 

And I wonder - since I enlarged it, then changed the sleeves, the side seams, and the neckline, does it count as a new pattern that can be legally shared for free ? There's precious darn little for Leia dolls out there. 

 

Took Dearest Son to Dollar Tree. It was so funny, he told me exactly what he was gonna buy (I let him choose two things usually) before we left, and that's exactly what he did get ! It's getting harder to get me to spend money, though. I'd thought to get a special box for his baby teeth, but I remembered I had one already that was too small for what I'd intended to make for Elphie. Perfect for his teeth, though. I then toyed with the idea of getting a plastic shoebox for Leia's new wardrobe, since most of it's too big for Barbies. But then I remembered that 1) Beloved Hubby has new shoes, hence a bigger cardboard shoebox and 2) I still have a 20c pencil box from last year's back to school clearance sales that's just sitting around. 

 

They didn't have any sewing notions I wanted, either. So I ended up just getting some fancy herb crackers that are quite tasty.  At least those we didn't already have ! :)

And now, a very special episode of 'The Young and The Toothless'...
Mood:  a-ok
Now Playing: "Herbie: Fully Loaded" - yeah, we bought him his own copy...

 

While Leia and I have been busy with minor things, we do have a major announcement here at Chez Insanity. Dearest Son lost his first baby tooth ! (sigh) I thought I had another year or so, but it's that time, I just need to get used to it. His smile is still the sweetest, and I'm glad Beloved Hubby took care of the slight pull. The tooth itself is safely in a small wooden box, and Son is none the worse for wear. Actually, he's doing OK - he got his own copy of Herbie: Fully Loaded, and we got him a Happy Meal for being so brave. I'm seriously tempted to go get another one, the treasure chest he got is seriously cool !

 

In minor but more doll-related news, I finally got all the elastic I salvaged from all those yard sale bras put away. Had to get a larger bag to put ‘recycled elastic (colors)' in. There's also ‘decorative elastic (new)', ‘cord elastic', ‘narrow elastic (new)', recycled elastic (white)', and ‘misc. pieces' bags. It sounds silly, but when I'm looking for something specific, the organization makes it a lot easier to find. And yes, I do have that darn much elastic !

 

While I was bra-shredding, I kept a couple of sliders on their elastics. Idea was that I'd make a belt out of ‘em, since it was still attached. Made three today, and used one to make a matching belt and headband.

 

Yeah, the bra it came from was pretty wild, too. But the black 'buckle' you can see on the belt was originally sewn there for the bra - all I did was mark where to cut it, Fray-Check the ends, and sew a snap to the inside. 

 

The matching headband wasn't quite long enough - or stretchy enough - so it has a short length of cutaway black elastic sewn to the Fray-Checked ends. Now it slides on to fit. While neither look great with this particular outfit, it's an idea ! 

 

Plus it's been a while since I shared a photo. I'd post one of Son's new gap-toothed grin, but he got tired of the flash from the shots I sent Gramma and Granddad and wouldn't pose anymore. And he can be a real bear if I share without getting a signed model's release from him...

 

Still working on adapting that blouse in the photo. And I'm also gonna try to make one of the never-produced prototype outfits Kenner had made for her. It's a basic jumpsuit, and the outfit - including a shot of the actual pattern ! - is shown here - http://www.toysrgus.com/index.php?action=disp_item&item_id=39560 . Sorry about the ugly text - I can' t do links anymore on the blog. Darn Tripod update !

 

Anyway, we'll see if I can use that photo to develop my own pattern. Wish me luck - and time !  

Goodbye July...
Mood:  chillin'
Now Playing: XM 71 - Watercolors

 

Kind of a dull Monday, too. Summer school is over, which is good as Leia-chan's radiator leaked again Saturday afternoon. Took Beloved Hubby some lunch at the shop, and there was another puddle. But she drove home fine. I think I put too much water in her the other day,  and it's possible the leak is the excess venting out under pressure. At least, we hope.

 

Hancock Fabrics has another 'half-off the notion wall' sale Friday. I'll probably go, get some snap fasteners. Ordered a bunch off eBay a few weeks ago, but most were too large to use. I mean, these things are ginormous ! I had to go back and look at the auction page, as they didn't look that big when I bought 'em. Oh, well. Live and learn, and don't do it again !

 

Ever since our W-M reorganized, the notions are few and none. There's now one card of snaps, four sizes to the card. One size I can't use, and it's 1/3 of the card. It's good I don't want any more fabric, because that's been about halved. I'm sure Hancock's and Hobby Lobby love that ! 

 

Got to watch an episode of the live-action Sailor Moon TV series on YouTube.com. I knew it'd be cheezy, but whew. I feel sorry for the actors. The 'sailor' uniforms look to be about half foam-rubber, half Lycra, and the actors actually look small inside the clothes. They got a fantastic Queen Beryl, but the poor guys playing minions Nephlyte and Kunzite are really having to ham it up just to make their over-the-top costumes move with them. I'm still making the mental adjustment to Naru (Molly) being accentless and having only a red tinge to her hair, and Neffy being a *real* redhead. I mean, his hair is Crayola red ! 

 

 Also, most of the actors have to play against digital sparkle effects that of course aren't there, and a tiny remote-control toy Luna, so it can't be easy for them. What's kind of cute in a cartoon really looks...ridiculous in live-action. Odd as it sounds, the live-action is more cartoonish than the animated series ! 

 

Speaking of red, I made Leia a blouse today - a simple shirt from Fashion Doll Fun, enlarged a bit. Sleeves are still tight, though, so I'll have to fix that on the pattern manually. Looks good with the shorts I made yesterday. Photo's been added to the tunic suit one on the Barbie page.  Got the snaps sewn on and everything.

 

Not sure what tomorrow's gonna bring - except August !  

Of course I'm out of my mind - it's dark and scary in there !
Mood:  cool
Now Playing: "The Aristocats" - as "Herbie" had to go back to the video rental store

 

Quiet day. It's also Day #2 of me not going to Prego. Helps that Beloved Hubby needed the terminal for work, but I'm done there, as stated before. After reading a few choice comments Friday - no eavesdropper ever hears well of themselves -  I really don't belong.

 

I do belong in front of a sewing machine when I'm in the mood for it, though ! Knocked out a pair of Leia shorts, but couldn't print up any more patterns (Hubby on terminal), so I sewed snaps on a bunch of backlogged doll clothes. Dearest Son appreciated the company on the sofa, and even consented to watch an MST3K episode. Unusual for him, because even though he can sing most of the theme song, there's other tapes he'd rather watch. 

 

So, once that was caught up, I was again at a loss. Leafed through some old doll magazines, played with Son.  Took a nap. So it was a quiet day. You'd think I'd get bored enough to clean, but I don't think anyone gets that bored. And every so often, especially after a turbulent week, it's good to just meander in your mind. 

Moving on...
Mood:  a-ok
Now Playing: "City on Fire" - MST3K DVD, Season 0 (the KTMA years)

 

Sorry I'm late getting today's entry going. Usual Saturday - everything going on at once !

 

I'm still recovering a bit from yesterday. Been wondering if I didn't misread some posts, kinda smarting from a few insults that mention me without using my name. Oh, &%$@ it. I did what I felt was right, and I did it without insulting anybody. Something others on that damh Prego pit clearly can't accomplish. Thanks, John, and everyone else who wrote without referring to me as numerous other creatures.

 

I sometimes think that the way to tell if you did the right thing is by how much it hurts.  There's been several times I stood up for myself, and several times I've had to go away and lick wounds for a bit before I could stand up again. Part of the cost, I know. 

 

Anyway, it's not like dwelling on it improves the vintage. Crap is crap, it's just new crap or old crap. About the only difference is how much of it you allow yourself to smell before you do something about it. 

 

There's a new Leia photo on the Barbie page. After the super-tight black skirt mess, I remeasured her, but it didn't change the DSD pattern. So I went into the 'Ease' menu and added 3/4" ease to the hips. It's just a fix for that one pattern, but since pants and the red skirt fit fine, I didn't want to alter the measurements any more than I had to. I'll just have to remember next time I use peachskin fabric.

 

New skirt worked up fine, and I think it looks good. I love making simple skirts and pants. If things come together well, they each take less than an hour. Unless ya gotta fray-check stuff. And peachskin frays like anything !

 

Didn't have much time for more sewing today - Dearest Son barfed in our bed Friday afternoon and didn't say anything. He wasn't acting at all ill. He's fine now, too. Just meant I had four loads of laundry this morning, and actually, those pillows needed it anyway. For fun tonight, I drew a '53' logo on his chest in purple Cars marker, and he raced around the house, pointing to it and saying he was Herbie. Why do I get the feeling that his first car will be a Beetle ? Was sorely tempted to add red and blue stripes...

 

Well, I'm going back to bed. My tummy's hurt off and on since Thursday, and believe it or not, that makes me tired ! I't's long been my storied opinion that when your bed isn't sanctuary, isn't the most comfy place in the whole house, something may be a bit wrong !  I love our bed...

OK, that's it. I'm done. Prego can burn in hell without me.
Mood:  irritated
Now Playing: XM 71 - Watercolors (a calming effect sorely needed right now)

By everything that is holy on this mud-ball planet, why did I have to waste time at Prego during lunch today ? (heavy sigh) First it's the "Oh, I must have these 6587 dolls coming out this year - does anyone want the 8764 I bought last year ? I'm cutting back." attitude that pervades the place like a roiling stench. But I ignored it and made visiting Prego a part of my life while I waited for my first of only two Tonner dolls to arrive. It felt so good to be part of a group !

 

Then it's the "I'm such a wonderful guy- I own more dolls than you've eaten meals in your life, and I'm playing stupid games with all of you because I know I can, and my little minions will grind anyone who dares disagree with King W. - that's me ! - into figurative dust. I'm selling dolls you can get cheaper anywhere else, but where could you get the panache that comes from the doll being in my possession for 36 hours ? Have I bragged to you lately about all I have, and made you feel poor in comparison ? No ? Well, remain standing and I will, since I don't want you to be left out of the glory that is W." butt-plug. I didn't want to believe anyone could be such a self-centered, mindless braggart, so I said my piece, tried to understand. Came to the "I have a quarter-million dollars worth of dolls, and here's how I dust every mother-lovin' Swarovski-crystal bearing one of them"  follow-up post and knew he was what I thought he was in the first place. So I ignored him, too.

 

I ignored the ‘How can anyone possibly *like* that Wicked Witch doll ? She looks like something out of a Concentration Camp' comments. While that is opinion, couching it as ‘how can anyone not agree with me ?' was rude and judgmental. And now, I know it's merely typical.

 

It was about over when they provided support and encouragement to a woman who's swindled over 30 others, stolen, embezzled, lied under oath, and is even now trying to abuse bankruptcy law. But, according to Prego, that's OK, because she didn't swindle or screw over any doll people. Or anyone that they know. So we should support her, and never say a negative word ! People, I know right from wrong. What she's doing is wrong, even if she isn't doing it directly to me or anyone I know. Who you support shows me who you are. And if you're so d@mn determined to plug those holes in your life with her stuff, it shows me you have no scruples, no sense of fairness, no concern for anything not within the grasp of your desperate fingers. I've had enough desperation and stupid choices in my life. I don't need yours.

 

But today, they crossed the line. It's the same line they've crossed over a few hundred times, but I'm finally pizzed enough and weary enough to not want another helping. So you don't have to read it - enough folks left enough hints for me to find out what everyone's cheezed at *now* - here's the situation. There's a travel doll - if you choose, you can be part of the doll's journey. You take photos, add souvenirs, etc. while the doll is with you. Then you pack it all up and send it to the next person in line. Ancillary rules : Post photos while the doll is with you. Post any additional photos to an online photo album, so the next person can post their images without competing with yours.

 

Fairly simple rules. Yet one site star, who routinely posts numerous photos nearly every day, chose to ignore them. Even when it's not a travel doll, she posts four or five versions of the same photo - same dolls in the same positions with the same props, with only the camera that's moved - in each of her ten or so photo posts every week.  Fine, whatever, I simply avoid ‘Shutterbug' posts unless I wanna see the same stuff over and over. She does a lot of detail and prop work, and that's fine. Happy she has something to do with the long days. But she continued to post an entire album of travel doll photos every day, it seemed - long past the time she packed the doll and sent her along. In fact, the next person rarely posted any images of the doll's stay, so as to not compete with Shutterbug. The doll has even gone on to the person after that, with only two photos that aren't Shutterbug's posted.

 

The next person - let's call her Patience - to get the travel doll had enough after about a solid week of continuing Shutterbug photo posts. She nicely reminded Shutterbug to let her post her photos, and Shutterbug could put hers in the photo album. Patience didn't want to compete with SBug, but the doll was gone to the next person, and she hadn't been able to post anything yet, due to waiting for SBug to finish. SBug said she wasn't keeping Patience from posting, so as far as she was concerned, they could both post at the same time - ‘cause SBug certainly wasn't gonna stop.

 

Well, this started another of the clique wars. And I am done. Rude little comments obliquely referring to this minor incident continued to pepper the messages for days afterwards, which is annoying. If I don't know what's going on, folks, and if it's best left alone, quit referring to it ! Well, you know how I am, so I soon had the whole stupid story.

 

Of course, someone had to make a ‘I can't take all this negativity, I'm leaving !' drama call, and of course, the few people who took Patience's side were ‘evil, insensitive nasties' who should be ignored, lest all the nice people leave. Um, guys, look around. About 20 people post messages. Everyone else either just posts stuff for sale, or lurks, probably scared of setting off another drive-by insulting, or unwittingly crossing a site star with (gasp !) a different opinion !

 

I'd had it when one little Pregoite said that some mean nasty people just like to hear themselves talk, so I let her have it. I'm mean and nasty because I have a different opinion ? Well, you're gonna hear mine, honey. Like it or not. Only reason I didn't get involved with the Bankruptcy B!tch situation in my post is because I didn't want my words deleted until someone read them, d@mn it !

 

So you don't have to go lookin' for it, here's a cut/paste of my words. I don't have the clearance to post hers, so I'm not going to. If you're interested, it's easy enough to find. I am done with Prego. They're doing quite well on their own path without me.

 

So everyone who doesn't agree with your opinion is an insensitive jerk ?

Posted by Dorrie on 7/28/2006, 3:07 pm, in reply to (deleted)

Umm...maybe it's time for me to leave, too. Seems like every time there's a minor difference in opinion here, no matter what the topic was, those who don't agree with the majority are mean, evil, insensitive nasties. Yes, what was said before could have been said in a more kind fashion. But from what I can tell, the tone wasn't the issue - the message was. I happen to agree with the 'mean, evil' side. Have on several previous occasions. I also think that Sybarite dolls look like men in drag. Those views doesn't make me a bad person. They don't intend to offend those who think differently. Just means I'm someone with her own opinion who learned long ago that Prego didn't wanna hear anything but 'oh, wow !' and 'sorry your cat is sick'. So I don't share my views here. By the words of your post, anything against the collective opinion is wrong and evil. I'm not part of the Prego Collective. I am me. I will not always agree with everyone, and that doesn't make me a black-hearted troll. Just means I don't agree with some folks sometimes, and I know not to say anything or risk a board-wide condemnation, because I dared to cross the more-valued and very vocal members. If anything, the ones who spoke up at least are brave enough to do so. Or would you rather everyone who didn't agree with everyone else just go away quietly ? It would be a quieter group ! When people can't share their opinions honestly, without fear of being trounced on, or stirring clique wars, what you end up with is a yes-person group. If that's what you want, be happy ! I only come by once or twice a week, and now I see that's a waste of time. To think, I was just gonna go without any drama... At least my absence will balance out Wayne's ! DB, signing off.

 

And there it is. I've deleted Prego from any bookmarks, and if you see me there again, you have the perfect right to slap me upside the head with a wet, three-days-dead trout. Or any other deceased fish of your choice.

 

Don't I have better things to do ? And better people to share my life with ? You betcherass I do.

Tupperware and tight skirts
Mood:  a-ok
Now Playing: "Herbie: Fully Loaded" - for the third time today...

 

Kind of a busy day today, too. Ran Beloved Hubby-based errands today, and Leia-chan drove fine. I think I may be filling her up with water, too much, and the expansion's what's causing the leak. Hubby's gonna have a look this weekend. Her coolant tank levels are hard to read, so it's difficult for me to tell if she needs more or not - or when I'm adding more than necessary.

 

Errands run, I took Dearest Son to GoodWill. He found a car that folds a bit, which causes the doors and hood to fly open. I'm assuming it's simulating a car crash, but what the heck, he loves it.

 

I found a blouse I liked and just as we were walking up to the register, I spotted a handful of Tupperware miniatures, keychains and magnets. I have a few already, from when the Barbie 'must have everything' monkey resided on my back in an all-weather tent and was considering bringing relatives for visits. While I thought mini Tupperware was clever, the pieces  were actually a bit big for sixth-scale, so I rarely used them. Most came from a short-lived thrift store, some were from an Avon and Tupperware dealer's booth in a flea market. 

 

At 25c each, I scooped up two of everything - red hard plastic bowls with trademark lids, white softer plastic bowls with blue snap-on lids, and these large 'big gulp' kinda drink containers that I later discovered were miniature mixers. You can see the lot on the 'Tonner Taste' page.

 

Also did a bit of sewing. Another DSD pattern - the tunic I did yesterday, the skirt was tonight. Just to show how photos lie. I made the same skirt in red first, to test it out. Fit was great. So I did it again in black. Same actual pattern - the very same one. While the red fits fine, this one, in thinner material, using a slightly more narrow seam allowance (adjusted during the sewing), is so darn tight, I could barely get it on her. 

 

It's not that the red fabric is stretchy. It isn't. Neither is the black 'peachskin' material here. But I get to re-make it tomorrow, maybe adding a bit of ease to the hips. I have no idea why thinner material with a slightly lesser seam allowance would be tighter, but there it is.

 

It's rather a shame, because here, it looks darn good ! 

 

At least it's not a total loss. With a slight repositioning of the snap, it fits standard Barbies just great. Annoying, but I'd rather fit it to another doll and make another - it's not like I don't have more fabric ! - than scrap the whole thing. It's only an hour, start to finish, but I do like to have something to show for my sometimes off efforts !

 

 Plus, I Fray-Checked the whole thing. This peachskin stuff frays with no encouragement from me. I think it took more time for the F-C application than it took to sew the skirt ! So I'm glad it's not going into the trash. I swear, though, one day, I'm gonna edge an entire doll outfit in clear nail polish. It's cheaper, smells as bad, and it's easier for me to brush that stuff on than it is to get that perfect F-C bottle squeeze tension going while I drag fabric over the tip.

 

And, heck, I know what I'm sewing tomorrow ! Since I'm gonna redo the pattern, I may make it a bit longer. As-is, it's kind of an 80s look, with those slightly oversized buttons, but I do like it.  

The end of the bras...
Mood:  lazy
Now Playing: "Herbie: Fully Loaded" - DVD rental I'm getting kind of tired of seeing...

 

Man, Tripod is slow today. But,  heck, it's free, so I shouldn't whine.

 

Busy day, unlike yesterday. Well, yesterday was busy too, no time for any doll stuff. But today, I got tons done. Rendered the last three bras into component elements - I now have four new colors of elastic and buckles, not to mention hooks and eyes. You can' t imagine how glad I am that's done. Have no idea why I felt such a compulsion to do it all at once.  And I made Leia a new tunic from a DSD pattern. Fit's OK, but the sleeves are tighter than I wanted, and I found out that, for some reason, it printed a much smaller seam allowance than I'd programmed.

 

So I tweaked her arm measurements and printed out a new pattern. Hopefully this one will work, just not sure when I'll have the time to try it. I've forgotten what sewing in sixth scale is like - itty bitty collars, tiny wee facings. I'm also thinking of making matching skirts, one red, one black, since I put black buttons on the tunic...

 

It's also funny how little fabric it takes for Barbie-size sewing. I've made Leia pants, two dresses, and a tunic blouse, and the scrap of brick-red I've used for 'em is still useable and plentiful. I have miles if not parsecs of fabric, so I don't know what the heck I was thinking when I bought it all, when a full sixth-scale doll wardrobe uses about a third of a yard. So no new fabric for a while. Got the new Hancock Fabrics ad, and it sat for two days before I even glanced at it. About all that's interesting is the half off notions wall Aug. 05. Not sure if I'll find anything. But I'm already thinking of getting another package or three of black and white buttons...

 

The Butterick 224 pattern I have - the one I bought for Leia but never used - shows a cute vest, blouse, and skirt, modeled by a still-earmuffed Leia doll on the envelope. Unfortunately, the seamstress used people-size buttons, so it looks way off.  I think these buttons look a bit big on Barbie-scale clothes, but comparing them makes 'em look better !

 

Leia-chan, my car, had a minor leak today. (sigh) Wednesdays are just not her day ! She got us home safely, and Beloved Hubby'll check her out tomorrow. Not planning on going anywhere, so that's fine. Leia-doll's tunic took longer than expected - over two hours ! - so not a lot of housework got done today. Imagine that, I sewed instead of scrubbing the bathtub !  

Leia-chan's Monday shakedown
Mood:  lazy
Now Playing: "Beauty and the Beast" Special Edition DVD

 

Had an early-morning grocery run, so I decided to give Leia-chan a test run. She's performed beautifully all day. No drips, no leaks, nothin'. Here's hoping it stays that way - it'll be a while before I stop checking and worrying each time I get in or out of the car !

 

Was exhausted tired this afternoon, so I napped through most of it. Sometimes Dearest Son let me sleep, other times, he woke me for no discernable reason. When I finally woke up feeling better, I found that he'd fallen asleep next to me ! So while he napped, I got my housework done and finished ripping up another bra I started yesterday. Then I ripped another one apart. Aside from larger pieces for my own clothes, I should never need elastic again ! Plus, I have three new colors of plastic sliders and o-rings for belts and accents !

 

Not much else going on. I'm hoping to try an easy 'Fashion Doll Fun' blouse for Leia tomorrow, then maybe a skirt and a pair of shorts whenever there's time. And I only have four more bras to rend into component elements. After that, if I *ever* buy another yard-sale bra, it's for sure to be something special. 'Cause my fingers hurt from the seam ripper !

 

Tomorrow I promised to take Son to Dollar Tree. I already went through all their backdrop posters, so I doubt I'll find anything for me. But it's always fun to look !  

Rippin' up bras...
Mood:  happy
Now Playing: 'Space Travellers' - MSTK episode on ancient VHS

 

Yup. That was most of today, rippin' up bras. Not mine. Ones I got from yard sales and such. If you look at the new Leia photo on the Barbie page, you'll see her latest dress has a white ribbon belt with a silver buckle. That buckle used to be the sliding adjuster on a bra. So, whenever I come across interesting or unusual colors cheap, I buy 'em. Take 'em apart, salvage the sliders, the hooks and eyes, the o-rings, the elastic, the bow, etc. I even have a couple of interesting 'belt buckles' that used to be front clasps on Victoria's Secret brassieres. Just need to rename a doll with something that starts with a 'V'.

 

Taking bras down to their component elements is easy. Seam ripper and scissors is about all you need, and you can get a lot from a well-chosen one. I keep 'em in a sewing bag - you can take them apart anywhere. Although you might get stared at in the library... 

 

And, as mentioned,  I made Leia another dress. This one was adapted from a pattern in 'Fashion Doll Fun' by Lynda Milligan and Nancy Smith. If you ever wanna start sewing for your dolls, I'd recommend this book. Most of the patterns are easy, one piece outfits in basic shapes that would adapt well for other doll sizes.

 

Since Leia isn't as narrow as a standard Barbie, the 'Everyday Dress' wouldn't fit without some changes. I scan all my patterns, so I printed a fresh one as-is, split it in the middle from neckline to hem, then spread it apart, taping it to scrap paper and paper-fitting until I had one that would go all the way around her. I then taped it well and made a test garment. Not bad, but I want a bit more fullness around her butt next time. Still, it was easy to alter, and it's basic shapes with simple sewing. Not counting the alterations, it only took about a half hour to sew it, start to finish. 

 

I also redid Leia's photos. And wrote a short book about fitting her. Sheesh. I redid the photos to save space, and ended up with a huge block of unbroken text instead !

 

I got to read and watch 'Herbie:Fully Loaded' again, per Dearest Son's request. It helps that star Lindsey Lohan is mostly dressed. From the promo photos, I thought the film would be butt-ruffle skirts and elastic cleavage from start to finish. I have a bit of fondness for Herbie, having grown up in the late 70s - and he spit water at me from his driveway at Disney-MGM during Spring Break 1990. Hard to believe it was so long ago...

 

I've had fun at YouTube.com. Just about every MST3K short is on there somewhere, and I've watched videos of other stuff I still don't believe I saw. In case I haven't said it in public lately, I freakin' LOVE the internet !

 

Beloved Hubby did some work on my car this evening, so here's hoping. With 109 degree days, I can't help but worry about Leia-chan, but I have a cell phone and I'm never far from help, so it's not so bad. I just need to calm down and get my butt to bed !

 

Hope your weekend was stellar - and as nice as hearing from a great friend ! :)