I have been documenting my process throughout 365 with Eden Mouse this year. I’m behind on uploading for April 2013, but here are some of my photos for the month – starting with what Eden wore for April 1st:

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This is a guest post by Danna. If you’re interested in contributing and writing for BlytheLife.com, click here for more information.

I opened the plain brown box with the anticipation of a child on Christmas morning. My heart raced. Cutting through the tape carefully so I would not accidentally nick what was inside, I grinned and felt a little silly at my excitement. I removed the tissue paper used as packing, and there it was… there SHE was looking up at me through the cellophane window with light pink eyes, the whisper of a smile on her pale pink lips.

I am sure those of you reading this can relate to the feeling that comes with opening your first Blythe. If you had told me a few years ago, that I would be so enthralled with a doll, I would want to own one…at my age…I never would have believed you.

I met Blythe late one night while visiting one of my favorite blogs, “One Crafty Mumma” by Melissa Goodsell. She posted about a strange little doll with a large head and changeable eyes that her daughter had received. I had never seen one before and I was more than curious who she was. To be honest, I was put off at first. Her eyes were, you must admit, a little creepy. However, I took the subject and ran with it. Searching well into the night about the odd little gal that no one really wanted in 1972.

It didn’t take long for me to be ensnared in her web of cute. And yes, I grew to see the beauty in her coy glance and pursed lips. The proportions of her head to her body didn’t seem so odd to me, the more I looked at her. I was absolutely amazed at all of the variations people had achieved when customizing her. She looked almost alive in some cases.

I could not afford to spend hundreds of dollars on a doll…for myself, so I started looking at other, more affordable dolls. The first one I found was a thrift shop find, a vintage, bubble cut Barbie. I snatched her up and proceeded to add to my budding collection by following her up with a “Bratzillaz, Meyganna” doll, who has amazing eyes and horrible hair, and then a “China Girl” doll, from “Oz the Great and Powerful.” I also found a “Littlest Pet Shop Blythe” on the clearance shelf, but no matter how many inexpensive, albeit cute dolls I purchased my longing for a Neo Blythe doll would not go away.

I searched…and researched…and “watched” on eBay to see what the girls went for, hoping that one day I would discover that treasure meant for me. And then finally, one night, I found her.

She was not the most desirable girl or so I read. In fact, there were many bad reviews about her horrible curly hair and her extreme downward gaze, but she was the right price for me and I loved her coloring.

“Fairy Girl” was her nick name and “Silver Snow” is what they called her. Her long blonde hair seemed to change color in different lighting and her pale lips and lavender eye shadow were sweet and natural looking. I knew she wouldn’t be perfect, but she would be the perfect first doll for me. I held my breath and clicked “Purchase” and she was mine.

So why are these girls so interesting and hard to forget? Is it their large heads full of hair just begging to be styled, or is it their unusual eyes that are so innocent and expressive? I’m sure it’s different for everyone. For me it brings back the days when I was a girl. I would spend hours in my room playing with Barbie and my other dolls. Blythe replays those happy memories, of childhood and innocence, and of when all I had to worry about was what happened to Barbie’s other pink shoe. Is it ridiculous and pointless to play with dolls at my age? Probably… but hey, I am an adult and I can do what I want. Thankfully, there are thousands of other adults like me, who can’t wait to get out the little hair brush and tiny clothes, and sit down to play if just for a few moments. I see nothing wrong with that.

As for my collection…I’m seriously ogling a custom girl from SoulGirlDolls or a stock Snowflake Sonata (a nod to my days as a dancer) So far, my husband hasn’t asked what that odd doll is doing up there above the fireplace. I suppose when there are two or three up there; I’ll have to admit my addiction. For now, I’ll just keep it to myself…and share it with the community of Blythe lovers out there. Thanks for understanding!

About Danna:  I am a wife, mother, artist, jewelry maker, antique collector, and aspiring published author with a dancer’s heart. I have a blog where I talk about my novels and a blog where I share my craft projects. I also have an Etsy shop where I sell handmade and vintage goodies. You can find me on Twitter under @dannastarr2002 and on Flickr.

Hello, my little fashionistas!

I thought I’d share a little information about myself. It’s not often that a doll such as myself gets to run a successful fashion column, so I should share some information about myself!

My name is Sophie and I’m a Cappuccino Chat Blythe. Now, I’m sure you’re wondering how such a darling model such as myself ended up writing a fashion column… And the truth is, I didn’t want to do it at first. If you saw my paycheque, you’d understand why. I’m the first of the Blythes here at Michelle’s house. I’m the only one that she bought in person. That’s a pretty big deal. And it’s because of my sheer awesomeness that she decided to get my other sisters (you’re welcome!). Without me, there would be no other Blythes in this house, there would be no blog.

The amazingness that is me is something to behold, isn’t it?

On a day to day basis, I spend a lot of time browsing forums like Blythe Kingdom. I particularly like to go shopping, and I keep tabs on how much funds Michelle has available. I also check to see if she’s been buying stuff for that pink one. There’s no way that she’s spending more money on that kid than she is on me. I’m the best, after all! I’m the only one who gets to wear this helmet, and I don’t need to tell you how awesome it is, I’ll let the photo do the talking:

My humble beginnings… Even in box life, I was fashionable!

Now, I haven’t always had a luxurious life. I spent a long time waiting for Michelle to come along and rescue me. I had to spend a good chunk of time living in a box – do you know how demeaning that is? I’ve made up for it though. Now I have a fashion column, fantastic clothes and a shoe closet to die for – I will be sharing more fabulous shoes in future posts by me! When I’m not writing blogs, I get to try one new clothes, Skype with some fantastic fashion icons around the world and spend money(!) on fantastic things. Like squishy boots. Fact: every doll needs squishy boots. If your human doesn’t believe you, refer them to this post. Human, your doll deserves squishy boots!

Stay fashionable! Until next time…

Sophie is a mostly stock Cappuccino Chat that came to live with me in June 2009. She loves shoes, new clothes, playing with her hair, fashion, magazines full of fluff and shopping. She aspires to be a model and would like to model for some of the ‘great’ dolly fashion houses one day.

This is part five of my “Thoughts on…” mini series. The first four parts were on Kenners, Customs, (LPS) Petites and Middies.

It just seemed right to talk about the stock dolls. After all, I wrote about custom Blythes!

My very first Blythe was a stock Cappuccino Chat (you may have heard of her…). From her, I went on to add Love Mission, Simply Peppermint, Margaret Meets Ladybug, Punkaholic People and Velvet Minuet to my doll family. The first six Blythes that I had were all stock. I’ve only done minor changes to some of them (changed strings, sleep-eyes, chip changes) – nothing drastic at all, I’m a bit boring that way. Even with a family that extended into Kenners and a custom, stock Neos are still my first love.

Some people hate the stock shine, but I don’t mind it at all. You learn to work around it in photos, or you learn not to care as much. Stock Neo Blythes were my introduction in the world of Blythe dolls, and while I can appreciate custom work, Kenners and the other sized Blythes… Stock Neos will always hold a special place in my heart.

There’s just something about the shiny foreheads…

arms that stick out wanting a hug all the time…

orange chips that sometimes just work….

and the click when you’re changing the eyes…

that just pulls at the heartstrings…

and makes you smile.

365 is a marathon, not a sprint. I sometimes fall behind with uploading photos – it’s enough to remember to take a photo! Here is a small selection of photos of Eden Mouse for March 2013…

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