DollsArtCats

 When we moved here from New Jersey, the only thing that got broken in the 11,000 pounds of household goods that we shipped-- were the toes on this plaster caterpillar. Just the front toes, even. This was in 2012, and I said that I would fix the caterpillar in a month or so, once the other stuff was unpacked. Thirteen years later, I finally got around to fixing his toes with Apoxie Sculpt and touching up the paint to match his back toes. It was Caterpillar Spa Day. Cat's iris is still teasing me--it's added more buds, but not opening yet! (It's also slightly out of focus, to add to the mystery.) You can see I need to touch up the paint on my siding. Maybe in a month or so... The rest of the yard is looking a little more put together--the dish is water for chipmunks and bees, the upturned stock pot is over an outdoor outlet that powers the bubbler for the water trough for the birds. There is a still a lot to do. (I love the chipmunks, but they do complicate gardening).

 So this doesn't look too exciting yet (the tulip in the back is past it's prime) but the iris in the center of the screen was a gift from my friend Cat, and it looked very small and weedy in it's shipping box when it came--but it survived the winter-- and it even has leaves on either side of the root that look very healthy. It is supposed to be a very dark color when it blooms...MAYBE TOMORROW. But "soon" in any case, and I will put up another picture when it does. In other news, I was very stupid and ordered a medium-sized doll from Luts (Kai, an msd elf). This was when tariffs were supposed to be (I thought) something like a whopping 80% for China and 10% for everyone else BUT NO. South Korea is 25% and that is going to be Very Sad when it comes time for me to pay the duties for this little cutie. On the other hand, I have no other doll plans aside from spiffing up the clothing of the ones I have, so I guess it's just pennies per day (laughing crying emoji)...

 I did this year's inventory (and I took photos too, but I need to resize them) and of course Sophie Cushion, Original Soom Beryl, is still the ruler of all the dolls. I do have 4 Beryls of various lineages, but Sophie is Queen. From left to right, Jeline, a Love Me or Die Beryl formerly owned by Lelahel (I keep thinking I should buy at least one Lelahel outfit that I see go by on Den of Angels, because I am sure Jeline misses her former owner's sewing skills); next is Lorina, a Beryl Haze of Phantasm (she was offered in purple as well, but I am happy with Lorina's pinky white), then Free Choice Beryl Zenobia, who needs her lashes curled and her eyebrows darkened; and of course Sophie Herself, the Original Beryl. (That was a dress I made for Jeline, and guess who stole it :D )

  Yes, there IS a PURPLE (!!) version and it is a beautiful color!! And since I knew she was coming, I was able to use some saved credit card points to order my own Haze of Phantasm Beryl...in Peony White. I know you are saying, but isn't ..purple..the reason you wanted a Purple Beryl? Well, the truth is a) I really really like the Peony White..and I know I can paint a face on it, while I was very uncertain of my ability to paint on a darker surface. Since I have had Covid I do better working on things with a lot of contrast. I did have to ponder it overnight, though :D Anyway, I did order the hoofed version. You can order her with the legs and hooves, and with both the Romantic and open eyed heads (this is the Romantic eye head), and with either the Extra legs or the simple legs (I always say get the Extra legs, it makes posing so much easier) and either a small bust or the regular bust. (both are nice, Beryl's head is a medium sized head for the slim body, so the bigger bust ...

 I had forgotten that Iplehouse issued a Medusa baby doll, but I happened to be procrastinating and I went to look at Iplehouse, to see what was new, and while the snakes are no longer available you can still get Becky with the cutie hands, and as a promotion, an extra head. (Extra heads are not really the plus it sounds like :D) If a company routinely sells bodies, then it's ok, but Iplehouse does not. Anyway, I regret the lack of snakes with bow ties. They look so pleased with themselves :D

 The is the Flickr of someone who just followed me, and what a treat! The dolls are beautiful but oh the clothes! Such fun to look at them-- lots of beautiful detail.  Take a minute and check it out: https://www.flickr.com/photos/54841237@N00/with/51792434676/ Meanwhile Andy and I finished another set of bathing suits with sort of an Italian theme--this one is "Murano Glass" and it was done at the end of the set when we were ...uhh something blue? Shiny? Peacocks? For no reason except peacocks are blue and shiny and I had some licensed peacock designs from Digital Curio on Etsy , which if you do digital scrapbooking, is a treasure trove. Or texturing too :D That mermaid floatie is by Lilflame and I love it :D