A new-to-us dolly dressmaker, Kalen, has been added to our Favorites List of fashion choices.

 These two warm jumper outfits arrived  from her the other day, just before I changed my Little Darlings into their Christmas dresses. 

It was hard to take these adorable clothes off and switch them out for some red and greens, holly and snowflake themed clothes. And I lOVE Christmas dresses.

But it's a long winter here so the fine wale purple corduroy and the brushed cotton plaid jumpers will be in use again when the holidays are over.

Kalen's eBay store, kalendesigns, was the source for these jumpers. The little tshirt, puffed sleeve blouse, stylish hat and handy cream stockings were a part of the sets. I was happy with the price and combined shipping!

Thanks, Kalen!

As soon as I cash in my Stevia soda cans I'll be back to Kalen's shop!

It's November 11 today.

We stop and think about all the people, creatures, land...past and present...involved in conflict.

And peace.

Take care of each other...

What a comfort dolls are to little children during scary times. Dolls help...

Tink, Tink, Tink...

What are we going to do with you?

You got to wear Alison's fabulous Fall outfit first.

Someone said you looked like an elf.

Then someone said we should have elves in the Christmas play. 

And here you are, ready.

You are going back to school to study Time, Calendars, and the concept of Waiting.

And change into your school clothes so another dolly can try on that outfit!

Thank you Alison Austin! We love this mix of felt, cotton, leather, beads, and decorative metal closures!

You make. We play!

One of Tink's favorite pastimes...

Doll collecting!

For some, that means once you have a doll, pristine and new (or even second hand), that means all you have to do is find a dark space with no dust.

No dress changes.

No accommodating seasonal weather.

No photo adventure shoots requiring jeans and a Tshirt....

But for some of us, collecting dolls means that almost every doll gets clothes, clothes for spring, summer, fall, and winter.

At least for those of us in four season climates.

And the dolls need some special outfits, like for Halloween or party time, or exploring or traveling!

The Doll Fashion Pages are dedicated to the clothing and accessories that make the Dolls here in Dolltown action ready. And there's a whole page of a fashion shoot showing Montreal's Pachom's versatile and pretty basics.

And the wigs! Part of fashion, for sure!

There's some catching up to do. I have to research my sources. And we have already had many photo shoots.

But a few favorites have been featured already. And I will include photos of outfits to help me focus my searches....

If you are a dolly dressmaker, especially those of you who sell on eBay and Etsy,

and you see an outfit here, unidentified, and you know it's yours, drop me a line!

Thanks!

Once I had packed for myself, it was time to turn my attention to the dolls, the ones who were coming with me to the city.

Make sure they've got a change of clothes. Jeans, maybe. And shoes that won't fall off easily.

Lula definitely, and Scout. Good picks for this trip. Ready for some work, some city exploring. Good friends...

The photos started even before we entered the city limits, with my human companion making suggestions...Be sure you get a dolly photo in front of this old house. And with a monkey tree!

All the city adventures had to wait until some work got done, getting my geologist daughter ready for a travel adventure of her own, crossing the Pacific soon to go down under.

Unfortunately, fate stepped in and changed all the plans for getting out and about. And the dolls ended up having to explore just books, maps, stones, clinometers, and binoculars before they were all packed up, instead of the Art Gallery, the park, the Seawall, and Denman Street's possibilities.

City exploring...maybe next time.

It's live! ...on Amazon

The process is full of steps but , one by one, I took the steps and uploaded the children's learning book I was working on.

Now, I think it still needs a few tweaks but completing a process was important so I could see what one has to do....

I used a free Amazon program called Kindle Kid's Book Creator, that promises an easy process to publishing. And I used the Comic Life program to create the individual pages. The photo shoot was fun, with some additions and deletions to complete all the pages I wanted. 

Now begins an Amazon book experience I have never been through. And I'll add it to the circle of online interactions and upkeep that keep my thoughts focused on positive and creative endeavors.

And still...allow in the fun and joy that comes from being surrounded by hilarious dolls. The conversations that go on in my head as I think how to set up the next story are lots of fun. Like hearing Lula figure out a way to be in the next book, even though she doesn't belong in it. Creative impatience.

I suppose every thing I hear the dolls say is a part of who I am. So does creative impatience apply to me?

G would say so as he reads the little published book, and sees something that needs changing.

But it does get things done, out, ready for reviewing by others, who will offer more opinions.

So, dear readers, at $3 or $4 a pop, you have a chance to read this little photo story and give YOUR opinion.

Of course I am looking for good ones! Of course! Good reviews!

I want the quiet excitement I feel at having published my first ebook to continue for a while.

But I am also open to constructive criticism that will help make my work better...really! 

Here are 3 pages from the book.... 

I find Gabby to be VERY funny. But here she is doing just what she's told. A good little worker.

It was Xenny that surprised me. She seemed so concerned about her name being pronounced wrong.

Who gave her that name anyway? Oh, me. Especially for my book. Thanks, Xenny! Live with it....

(Say Ksenny like the x in fox, foks. Then she'll be happy.)

Ana's Alphabet Book A to Z

Learn the Sounds of the Alphabet Level One

on Amazon now!

Interesting concept...rescuing a doll from eBay.

I heard this term, eBay Rescues, from one of the members of a lovely Little Darling site. 

I consider this wild haired dolly my one eBay Rescue.

Now and then, several of the Little Darling artists auction a Little Darling on eBay. Since I wanted to get my stories going here on Hiya Dolly, after I ordered a couple of Little Darlings that would take a year to get to me, I started to look on ebay for LD's posted by the artists. 

 Now, as I tell this, I understand it won't make any sense, except to doll people-doll lovers, collectors, and especially perhaps, Little Darling collectors....

This dolly, a Geri Uribe Tiffany, was up for auction by a seller. I noticed her, but carried on looking for LD artists' postings.  Also, "Tiffany" was not a choice I would have made from the list of cute dollies on Geri Uribe's page at "The Doll Studio".

BUT! as I kept looking, I noticed this Little Darling got no bids by the end of the auction period. Nada.

I, uh, felt, uh, sorry for this dolly who had been passed by, by all the avid LD fans out there. I realized I didn't want her to feel left out, like a child who is passed over when teams are being picked for a game on a playground. So I bought her myself when she was relisted. I didn't want it to happen to her a second time. An eBay rescue....

And I LOVE her.  I called her Lula Star, after Someone I Know, and I love her intrepid, kind, and adventurous spirit. I am so glad she's here with us in Dolltown. I don't know what we would do without her...

But I did learn a valuable eBay lesson. Since this experience I have not bid on a doll just because it isn't chosen the first time around. eBay sellers are patient, and eventually these Little Darlings find a home. They don't all come home to Dolltown (I wish!).

And maybe Lula herself had something to do with it!

What lively Little Darling wouldn't want to be here with all the doll friends and adventures they get up to! 

Perhaps she heard about Dolltown and started sending out "Rescue me!" thoughts on our air waves.

Knowing Lula, she probably would have loved a helicopter rescue, with a couple of our bjd boys shooting energy zaps at all the people who passed her auction by, and scooping her up in the helicopter, while it is still hovering, using ropes and pulleys. And then all arriving here, with the rest of our dollies gathered, cheering her arrival. Medals for the boys. And a band, and hugs all around. And cupcakes and smoothies for all, while everyone listens to her story....

One way, or another, that's an eBay rescue.

 This is my interpretation of what my daughter's cat is saying to her. To Tas, her beloved kitty is saying something like...Oh mommy, don't you want to spend some quality time with me before you get down to your boring work? Look, I'm so cute and cuddly. 

For humans there are actually books for our babies about common facial expressions, and what they mean. Lots of common expressions-happy, mad,  sad, surprised-in the human world.  

But with pets, and dolls...watch out.

Think of making a book with pet or doll expressions.

The debates would start!

I think you gotta know them...

My friend thinks my doll Ana is sad. No way! That's not a sad look. She's peaceful! Sheesh!

How am I ever going to do stories with dolls with wild interpretations like that!

Speaking of car rides...I carry a 72 hour bag in the car, which sounds super organized, but it is probably missing a few things a few things, things I would be sorry weren't there. If we were in a pinch...

Lately I have caught myself thinking that there ought to be a doll in that bag. But which one? Who gets to live in the 72 hour bag?

It's a dilemma because I don't have any volunteers.

Okay, I haven't actually asked.

(Excuse me?)

I can't, off the top of my head, think of one of my dolls that I would want to stick in that tight spot. Maybe Hugh, because he seems a little grumpy and snobby, which I couldn't tell from his picture when I ordered him. (Seems so hard for them to make a great Ken doll!)

But would I pack his girlfriend too? Then I am two down. Should I just put all my Barbies in there? There aren't many and they don't get a lot of photo action anyway.

Whoops, no, I got a fast answer on that one. Not Moana, my vintage, so not her buddies Liz or Butler. Imagine Liz Taylor in a stuffy bag! Not likely.

My reasoning for having a doll in my 72 hour bag is because I think my dolls are good, good for me, like medicine. 

But also because I seriously love my dolls (seriously?) and I would not want to lose them all in a disaster. So, water, food, medicine, bandaids, dolls...Try putting that list on a survival site. Ouch. I can see the comments now....

Kids would understand, but only a small number of grown ups would get it. 

That's it! I'll say it's for the children! Genius. (What children? ....Well, any children!)

Okay, I can see that if I just put a little time and attention on this matter I might come up with something. But I am not going to "ask" because what will I do if Lula volunteers to go in the bag, because she thinks it would be an adventure, or Scout, who likes to be useful, or Hal, who is just so nice he would sacrifice himself...

And I can't bear the thought of not having them around every day.

As...dolls, of course.

Just as I am leaving to embark on a road trip, or even pop down to the post office, if I pass a dolly by, I get the request...

I keep a couple of doll travel bags handy,  pretty pink silk and sturdy black corduroy, but my dolls are not picky. A cloth grocery bag will do. Actually, I do have one doll who prefers the pink drawstring....

(Get a grip on yourself! Seriously? ...I'd rather not answer. I don't like your tone.)

When I admitted to a friend, a close friend, that a doll usually goes with me everywhere, she said I needed a doll car seat. I looked at her closely to see if she was mocking me.

(She is not a convert yet, only asking me to get a particularly cute doll for her granddaughter. But since she added it was so they could have fun spending time playing together, I am hopeful.) 

I asked her if the car seat idea was to keep the doll safe? What's the matter with being tucked into my tote? That's pretty safe. But she replied that it was so the dolls could see better on their ride!  How nice!

(She's mocking you.)

If only I had the courage. 

But if I keep reading those Facebook posts long enough, the ones that say go ahead and be your crazy self and never mind the haters, maybe I'll start looking for a little car seat. A really high one.

My dollies would love it!

At least, that's what I think they'd feel.

If they could, I mean.