Dreaming and waking
Amelia woke six times again the night before last, but we have a new plan. More exercise, more fresh air, no TV in the afternoons, no soy sauce ever (nights are much worse after I make fried rice with soy sauce), less (no) talk about it in front of her so she isn’t always aware of it, no speaking when I go in to tuck her in, etc. She woke twice last night which is good – not great – but at least things are getting better and not worse. Thanks for all your support and tips! Even though I am so exhausted on some of these night trips that I feel quite nauseous, it’s a strange kind of treat to look down and see this little being all small and sleepy and warm and beautiful.
We just looked through the house again this morning with my mum. She liked it. She agreed that it needs a lot of work but she liked the feel of it, just as we do. It was actually better the second time in my opinion. I had thought the lounge room was smaller and the bathroom shabbier. There were cupboards where I had thought there was no storage and even the odd window in places I had thought might be too dark. It is definitely a funny old place. I guess it would not surprise me if our builder friend says “forget it chaps”, but with all the stuff from another life cleaned out and all our stuff moved in it really could be a magic house.
I have decided to take a leave of absence from school this semester. Things are so busy and I have so many projects on the boil. It was all getting a bit much. I really want to do my christmas cards again to make available for sale in a couple of months and that will need some dedicated computer time. Thursdays are a precious day.
Yesterday Amelia and I went out to Murembeena to visit my new friend Christina to pick up a box of plates for a family friend to use for mosaics, and a new Blythe that Christina ordered for me as part of an exchange for designing and building her a website. I am now the proud owner of a Birdie Blue. Both my Blythe dolls are now sporting Loobylu originals from the Summer Range (pattern designs by Christina!). It’s true, I am either a) regressing or b) revisiting my childhood but it is very enjoyable indeed. Here’s a dodgey pic which I took in a great rush for any blythe fans.
The dog is one of Christina’s who does everything by hand! One of her outfits is up on ebay at the moment. And oh my goodness, her collection was mind blowing.
hi claire, congratulations on girl #2! see, told you it’s impossible to stop at one. 😉 i totally adore christina’s work, everything she creates is absolutely AMAZING. i can’t wait to see the website you design ~ what a great collaboration!
hi claire!
i just wanted to know how much you paid (in the vicinity if you don’t want to say exactly how much) for your blythe dolls and where should i loook to buy one. i followed a link of yours once but couldn’t really get that sort of info , or perhaps it wasn’t in english.
that would be a huge help. thanks so much, and your dolls outfits are sublime. well done girl, you are so so creative.
ciao
danielle
Hi Danielle — both came from Ebay and were around just under the $100 Australian mark plus shipping (which is usually pretty expensive for blythes). For the blonde girl, I just kept an eye on the auctions for a couple of weeks until I found one that I liked at the price I thought was ok, and from a trustworthy looking seller. Luckily it all worked out beautifully.
Claire, you are a bad influence on me, but I really must thank you! I first got addicted to Blythe dolls via your site …. and I am now the proud owner of a Lounging Lovely. I have made a few outfits for her already (and that was just last night between the kayaking and “The Dream”!!), and also ordered some more clothes off ebay. And my next doll will hopefully be a Birdie Blue too! Just waiting to see if the prices will come down at all. I absolutely adore your new girl too, and their clothes, and I can’t wait to see what you do with Christina’s website! She has great stuff!
I love the drawing of you and Amelia checking out the house! It’s gorgeous.
And, wow, the Blythe dolls are fantastic and far more reasonable than I had imagined….I agree with Michelle, you are definitely a bad, bad influence! I’m off to check out ebay!
Hi Claire
I’m so glad things settled down a bit with Amelia. Once of the best things about reading your site is seeing what’s ahead for me with my little one. Oh, and those outfits rock!
PS How’s the bag coming along?
your blythes are cute and i love their new dresses 🙂 i finally bought the korean minuet blythe few wks ago and have been having lots of fun trimming her hair. i hope i will find the time soon to attempt sewing her some new clothes, but i’m not sure as yet where to get any patterns.
you must see this site! i fell in love with the tiny clothes.
http://ach.chu.jp/channela/
Hi Claire.Oh, the sleep thing! I can relate to what you are going through. Each of our children have been very different in their need for sleep and their understanding of when it is time to sleep.
Try to get rest whenever you can. And schedule some time with friends with children during the day; I always find a cup of coffee and a chat while the children play improves my outlook enormously.
I hope Amelia gives this pattern up soon.
Hi! I love your site and your illustrations. I was wondering, how you get the texture. Do you create them in illustrator? You’ve inspired me to create an artist weblog. (I’m a painter). My site will be up soon: oneyellowhouse.com
hi, just wanted to let you know that i love reading your blog. those blythe dolls are lovely and the outfits are great. i wish i could afford a blythe. one can wish. congrats on the house.
At least you can use your daughter as an excuse for playing with dolls…oh, I’m collecting them for Amelia for when she’s older. I have no such excuse. Why can’t trucks wear cute outfits!
Christina’s stuff is amazing! thanks for the ebay link.
Claire, I noticed you weren’t wearing cord trousers in this picture! Have you stuck to your fashion resolutions?
Hi Claire,I usually lurk, but reading about your sleeping trials with Amelia made me have to come out. I feel so guilty that I have been whining about moving house and how tired I am! Sounds like you have good strategies in place and if you go loopy you can play with dolls*L*
Was great seeing you both the other day too.
bye
Christina
claire, thought you might like this hand made doll site (although you’ve probably already found it…)http://mimikirchner.com/blog/
as for the cords – i got myself a dusty pink pair – yay! it’s only one pair – honest…
Yes! Mimi’s site is great. She is a talented and seemingly prolific lass. I am about to dye a pair of my faded sass and bide cords dusty pink! (of course, using plum, that day I was actually not in cords and today I am in jeans! Who knew I could be so diverse??!
I have been reading your weglo for about a month and I LOVE your illustrations and your chat. I am also in the midst of the recurring tuck in . . . I have two others who wake up as a result so I have spent most of the last two weeks awake perpetually tucking someone into bed (other than myself lol). Chin up – it will get better (this is the youngest one – so I know it will pass). Your Blythe dolls are a treasure – never seen them before. Good luck with the little home I hope your builder friend tells you its a diamond in the rough!Cheers!
it feels very strange (but lovely) to see Blythe AND Christina mentioned here.
Christina was my first Blythe friend & i introduced her to your site back in 2002.
i’m kind of out of the loop at the moment because i’ve stopped posting at thisisblythe & i’ve been spending my time for the last couple of months tending to my cat, who is ill, so i hadn’t seen your posts over at thisisblythe & hadn’t visited here for a bit.
congratulations on your B’s, & i’m really looking forward to seeing the Jam Fancy site.
The Jam Fancy outfit is GORGEOUS. Gorgeous I tell you!
JamFancy site! I can only imagine what greatness will come with you two collaborating! What a creative team… I’m glad you found Blythe. 🙂
Since discovering Blythes about 6mos ago, I’ve got three of them, and I’m currently bidding on a Mme Rosebud. Totally addictive, I tells ya!
Unfortunately, my doll clothes-making skills are totally sub-par. I’m practising tho!
I’ve also customised my Sunday’s Very Best, so she now has green and black mohair and sparkly eyes. Tricky, but worth it. I’m still finding random pieces of mohair on the couch tho!