Middie, the middle sister in the Blythe family. Firmly stuck between the long-standing Neo-sized Blythe and the little Petite, what is there to say about Middie? For one thing, she is a significantly different size than both of her sisters, which demands an individualized wardrobe, and shoe collection (even though stock Takara Middie boots will fit both Neo and Middie just fine).

Middie splashed out into the Blythe scene in 2010, with Macaron Q-Tea Party. I remember thinking that she didn’t look that different in sizing, at least until I saw a photo of a Middie next to a Blythe. And even then, she seemed a lot closer in size until I saw a Middie in person (finally!).

The sizing makes Middie tricky to dress because she is so much skinnier and shorter than Blythe is. Like the Neos, Middies have been faked on the online market, but she is still easy to find via legitimate doll-buying channels (such as Junie Moon and CC-Toys). When in doubt of the legitimacy of a doll online – always ask questions. I find that it’s easier to find truthful sellers in the collectors’ community than with eBay shops, but for the most part you can compare the photos of the dolls with official release promotional photos, especially if you are buying a stock Middie doll. If you’re buying a custom doll, be sure to ask questions if you want to know what the base doll was – the customizer should be able to tell you. Despite the fakes and the sizing issue, the nice thing about Middie is that she does fit Kelly shoes, and other similar-sized Barbie little sisters – the unfortunate thing is that once people in the Blythe community discovered this fact, the prices of Kelly shoes did raise on eBay. Click to read more of this entry.

I try to avoid talking about sad or negative things here on BlytheLife, if only because Blythe is a happy thing for me. In light of the recent attacks that have happened in Canada against two upstanding men who had given their lives for their country, it does make it hard to be quiet because despite the attacks being on the other side of the country – there are ripples that come out and touch every single Canadian when it comes to thinking about how safe we feel within our own borders, and thus I did want to highlight Remembrance Day – referred to as Veteran’s Day in the United States.

In Flanders fields the poppies grow,
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

– Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, 1915.

Minnow is in Plastic Fashion (dress) and a mouse helmet (by me/chelleshocks).

I have been spending money on me lately. A new jacket, pretty things to wear, and mascara that cost more than… well, let’s just say that it cost more than the last few nail polishes I had bought combined. And, if you knew anything of my cosmetic buying habits, you would realize that it’s saying something. I started thinking about the last new Blythe that I had welcomed into the family and it was Cameo, who arrived back in August. Before that, it was Minnow from November of 2013. Large gap! I think that’s what starts to happen when the family starts to get a bit…. big.

Cameo is in Plastic Fashion (dress).

Have you gotten any new dolls lately? Share!

DIY Customizing is an irregular series of customizing tutorials. These are tutorials for things that I am able to do for my Blythes and I try to make it as simple as possible so that you can do these easy customizations to your own dolls. I am not a customizer – professional, amateur or wishful thinker of any kind. If you’re a kid – ask a responsible adult for help. As always, safety first! BlytheLife.com is not responsible for any damage that you do to yourself, your doll, or your home (or wherever you’re customizing).

The eyes are a big part of what makes a Blythe unique. I bought a pair of handpainted eyechips at BlytheCon Seattle and I knew exactly who would be getting those beautiful pink chips.

To do your own eyechip change, you will need:

• Tape – masking tape or washi/paper tape
• Hot glue sticks
• Lit candle
• Water soluble glue (I use Aleene’s Original Tacky Glue)
• New eye chips

First I started by “prepping” my doll. With two pieces of washi tape, I taped her eyelashes back so I wouldn’t get glue all over them.

Yes, even the tape I use for Eden Mouse is pink!

Click to read more of this entry.

Back in late September I asked all of you lovely people to answer a very short survey about TBL/”factory”/fake Blythes and I’m sharing the result today!

There were 113 responses, not everyone who filled in the survey answered every single question.

1. Do you own a TBL/factory/fake Blythe doll?

39% said no while 61% said yes, they do own a TBL/factory/fake Blythe doll. Click to read more of this entry.