There comes a moment in time, just every so often, that I feel the need (or rather, want) of a new doll. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a brand new in box doll. No, I’m not that picky, but sometimes I just want a new doll just because it’s been a while since my last one. Let’s keep in mind that I got Maple Reed (Devi Delacour) last year in the preorder from Junie Moon, so it has not been that long since my last new doll.

But as I go through the process of changing Lottie’s outfit, I can’t help but feel like I would like a new BL in my collection. I’m not even particularly picky (but I think Sunday Best, Aztec Arrival, or Rosie Red would be fantastic additions to the doll family). It’d just be nice to have a new doll in the family, and wouldn’t another BL just fit in wonderfully?

Then there’s also the fact that I have a custom doll in my dreams that I would love to make come true, and the fact that I’m supposed to be setting aside money for BlytheCon Brooklyn that makes me hesitate to pull the trigger on a new doll. After all, all the money spent on things like that (dolls) could be put towards things like seeing a show, or eating out, or just the trip in general (flights, accommodations). I’ve been doing my research and finding out very quickly that New York is a very expensive place to stay!

I actually felt the New Doll Itch last year at around this time too. In 2016, I added 3 dolls to my family: Lottie (Mondrian BL), Chickadee (Intensive Care Petite), and Maple Reed (Devi Delacour RBL+). It comes in cycles, I feel. Get a new or new-to-me doll and the want and desire for a new doll goes away for just a little bit… Until it wears off and then I just want a new doll again. Because of the (expensive) trip I have planned, I might even try to make it a goal to not buy any new dolls this year.

Just you watch though, I’m going to end up with a lot of dolly clothes and shoes incoming through the mail in lieu of buying new dolls!

There is just something about the start of a new year that has people setting new goals and resolutions. And that for me has me eyeing the doll closet in a way that is probably not good (for the dolls). I’ve been thinking about cleaning out the doll closet for a while now, and to look at each piece critically to decide if I want to keep it or if it’s just because I’m too lazy to actually go through the process of listing and selling it (spoiler alert: it is definitely the latter).

I think as long as this isn’t the only dress left, my dolls will be okay. Maybe.

Part of the issue with me clearing out the closet is that I have substantially curbed the clothes and shoe buying habit when it comes to my dolls’ wardrobe. I’ve gotten more selective in what pieces get brought in, and what pieces that I want to add to my collection. Part of this is because I’ve already amassed a great deal of items (in my opinion, I’m sure my collection of dresses and boots pales in comparison to what others collectors have!), and part of it has to due with a sheer lack of space. I had to downsize in terms of the size of my room last year when I moved, so the amount of space that I have has significantly changed.

It’s probably for the best that I haven’t gone through the wardrobe with a fine tooth comb (yet), but one of my goals for January is to do just that. Go through each piece and decide if I want to keep it because I love/like it, or if it’s because I’m just too lazy to go through the process of selling it. Chances are, I’ll try to enlist the help of a local friend in doing the selling for me (or just bring it to a doll meet and let people at it). Then will come the process of deciding what to add to the collection – but I need to make room for things first!

Have you cleaned out your doll closet recently? How much did you keep because you didn’t want to go through the process of selling it? (And if you have any tips for selling/getting rid of doll clothes, share them below!)

Happy new year, BlytheLife readers! I took an accidental hiatus that happened due to the holidays, scheduled work, and extra work. I’m (sort of) well-rested and ready to tackle 2017 with a new sense of gusto.

A little throwback to BlytheCon Portland, June 2011.

There are a lot of upcoming big Blythe events this year, and I’ve updated the Events page here on BlytheLife.com for easy reference. First up is BlytheCon Europe, which is happening in Spain in the month of May! I’m really excited about all the events happening this year, and while it would be an absolute dream to attend every single one of them and meet some fantastic people, I will be attending only one this year. In October, I’ll be at BlytheCon Brooklyn! It’ll be my second time in Eastern USA (the first being Florida when I was 5!) and first time in New York so it’ll be really exciting for me. I’ll be sure to cover the event (premeet and actual convention) and share photos here in late October/early November.

Other things coming up for BlytheLife is the March Talent Showcase! It’s been a fairly annual event here on BlytheLife. What I do is interview people for the month of March who are new talents to the doll community. By ‘new’, I mean people who have done something for a year or less in their chosen crafty avenue (customizing, sewing, knitting, miniature making, etc.) and showcase them, their work, and their online shop (if they have one). If this is something that sounds appeal to you, please fill out the form here or email me for more information!

Continuing in 2017 will be the Question of the Week, the monthly Middie Mondays, Blythe On A Budget, as well as Love, Sophie. I know I haven’t written one in a while, but believe you me, Sophie is still here and causing a ruckus. I also have plans for DIYs, tutorials, patterns, and more!

I hate the cold and being cold, so couple that with the fact that the weather is miserable outside and I’m less-than-likely going to venture out to take photos of my dolls. On occasion, I do take photos outside.

Very, very rarely.

Like finding a perfect pearl in your first oyster kind of rare. The above photo is the closest I got to taking Maple outside for a photo this weekend.

Do you take photos of your dolls outside?

Today is the first day of winter and it’s also the first day for the last little while that it hasn’t looked like winter outside of my window. Where I live in Canada, we got a fairly large amount of snowfall that translated to a lot of transit and commuting issues (surprise! The area that I live in does not cope well with snow!). But it has rained recently and it has warmed up, so a lot of the snow has melted and washed away.

I am not ready for the holidays yet though, despite it being the winter solstice. There are no trees up either where I live or where my parents live. The only lights up are the ones in my bedroom. I still have baking that I want to get done (which may not get done…) and there’s the fact that I’m only 99% sure that I’ve remembered everyone that I should be getting gifts for. But it’s the season for looking ahead to the new year. One of the things that I’d like to do in 2017 is: more interviews, more Everyday Collector profiles, and more giveaways! As BlytheLife gets closer and closer to 1000 likes on Facebook, I get more and more ideas of what to do to celebrate.

How are you celebrating the first day of winter (if you happen to live in the northern hemisphere)? As I’m working night shifts over the next few days, I’ll be celebrating with sleep and hot chocolate!