Introducing the Makie Lad

Now when I said I had no will power the other day.....I meant it!  When I saw this lad on the Makies website, I knew he was asking to come home!  I do have a couple of boys designed, but this one was ready made and he called out to me, although hasn't revealed his name yet...he said he is waiting until he gets some 'decent duds' before he will tell me it.

His arrival box.

Just before he was released.

Saying hi!

Slightly apprehensive look...or a 'do I have to do the photo thing' look.

Found a pair of trainers that he likes better than the black shoes he arrived wearing.

Cool, a skateboard!  This meets with his approval.

Definitely a smile there!

He might be having a change of colour of eyes....

Added: 

His eyes have been changed from brown to grey - although they look blue!

Sitting by the pond.

Found the New Zealand Rugby shirt and made him a pair of jeans.

Sweater fits well too.

My Bratz Make Over - Introducing Fern.

So it seems everyone is doing it... making over a Bratz (or other doll) and as mentioned in this post here  I found one in an op shop in New Zealand and home she came with me...

These dolls really are rather 'tarty' looking!

Removing the make up was not as easily as it looked in the You Tube video that I watched - in fact it was very messy and at first I thought I had ruined her face completely...eventually I managed to get most of it off, although I still feel it could have been 'cleaner'  but hey it was worth a go.  At first I really didn't like what I had done - but as I have had her sitting near me with her 'new face' she has started to appeal to me a little more.  She needs new 'feet' or footwear as the current ones are completely inappropriate for her new look.  So without an further ado I will introduce you to 'Fern'.

Wandering with Wren - Verulamium

Well what a gorgeous day it was on Wednesday. Wren decided it was perfect for wandering around Verulamium - otherwise known as St Albans.

She admired the mosaic work  and hypocaust and  visited the Roman Theatre.

The Roman mosaic was part of a suite of rooms in a large town house built around AD200.  This mosaic and the 1800 year old hypocaust were uncovered during excavations in Verulamium part in the 1930s.   They were left in their original location and preserved so we can see them today!  Amazing that we live so close to such wonderful history.  This was probably one of the first 'central heating' systems to be installed in this country!

Amazing tile work.

Objects found during excavation work.

The theatre, the only example of its kind in Britain was built in about 140AD.  It was a theatre with a stage rather than an amphitheatre.  The arena area would have been used for anything from religious processions, dancing, wrestling, armed combat and wild beast shows.  Around 180AD the stage came into greater use and the auditorium was extended.  By 300AD redevelopment work had taken place and the theatre could seat approximately 2000 spectators!

Next to the theatre more excavations can be seen and reveal a row of shop foundations, a Roman Villa and a secret shrine which date from around the First to  Second Century.

Soaking up the Vitamin D!

I shall go purple....

So she came out of the shower giggling....

...April now had purple hair!

New arrivals? A Makie for a friend.

So it seems I have an addictive personality, but hey what's new?  I think most of us in the doll collecting world do actually!  Or any sort of collecting for that matter.

So it all happened like this...

My friend in New Zealand fell in love with Wren and decided she would like a Makies doll.   I sent her some links to a couple on Amazon as they were cheaper than from the Makies website, although they were pre-made.  As it turns out she fell in love with one, but couldn't get Amazon to send to her, so asked if I would order her for delivery here and then post her on to her.  She duly arrived on Saturday... speedy next day delivery!

Here she is in her box, which being too big means she won't be travelling to New Zealand in it, but that is okay, we have a smaller more comfortable box for her to travel in.  Shame as this is a fun box.

Hi Mum, she waves, I will be on my way to you on Monday!

Cute face and great little hairdo, this little lady has been named Linnet by my friend after a little bird that she used to see in Guernsey where she used to live.

Linnet meets Wren.

Waving hello again.

Now Linnet wasn't too keen on her travelling clothes so asked for a knitted dress

How could I refuse?

I chose this fabulous colour that looks great on her - it is 100% NZ wool.

She shows off the two little buttons at the back.

Also made was a pair of matching underwear ;-)

Waving again - she sure likes to wave to her new Mum!

Waiting....

Oh hi there Wren, it is time for me to leave.  I am so glad your Mum made you a matching dress as well, as that way we can wear them on special occasions when we want to think of each other.  Linnet says to Wren.

Linnet gives Wren a little hug..

The two girls say their goodbyes and Linnet sets off for her adventure to live Down Under.

Trouble is once she arrived I fell in love with Makies all over again and wanted another little companion for Wren...and I thought I could do with just one!  How could I deprive Wren when she seemed so attached to her new little friend....well I couldn't.  So I decided to take advantage of the Special Edition Makies that were £20 cheaper than what they usually are, plus the free postage from Amazon.  Well she arrived today!

Here she is in her box.  Limited Edition Spring 2015 Rebecca.

I love that they are so easy to 'debox' just loosen the ribbon and viola, they are freed.

Her hair is a bit 'ragged' and a small chunk of hairs fell out when released from the band.

You can see it on the floor behind her.

This was a bit of a surprise, but I can't see any 'gaps' as of yet.

It is quite choppy round her face and under the back, especially her left side (right as we look at her) 

Wren welcomes her.  She is rather surprised to see another friend so soon.

Rebecca tells Wren that her name is really April and that she is actually a green eyed blonde, not brown eyed....easily fixed it seems!

Wren lent April one of her dresses for now.

Here she is.

You can see the short choppy bits at the side.  Not sure if the hair was meant to be like this or not.

She has cute little pixie ears that are pierced...so it seems she will be wanting earrings at some stage in the near future!

Welcome April !