And so back to sunny Spain!

I'm home again now from my week long trip to the UK and have to say that on the one hand it feels like the week flew by, but then on the other, I feel like I've been gone from the 'blogging world' for ages and ages!

I had a lovely, lovely time in England, visiting with my mum and brother and then the three of us going down to the south coast of England to spend a few days with my son Brendan and his fiance Virginia, in Worthing, West Sussex.

The weather was mixed, I arrived in soft drizzling rain and left in a downpour but in between it wasn't bad at all!  In fact apart from the Monday when we visited Brighton, I was able to go without my coat during the day (as long as I had my thick cardigan!) but Monday wasn't so nice and I ended up buying myself a couple of woolly scarves which helped a lot!!

I enjoyed the Chat n Snap, so perfectly organised by Dee of Sasha Village,  thanks so much Dee for everything!  I have to say I did a whole lot more 'chatting' than 'snapping' up of bargains, or snapping photos, as I actually forgot to take my camera out of my bag.  In fact, my poor dolls, having got all ready for their visit to their Sasha/Gregor cousins, never left the table in front of me as I was so engrossed in my conversations with the lovely people I met last year, or have met since on the internet!!  However, I did manage to spend some money at the event and will show those off on another post as I've not got the right accessories here at the coast to take photos of them  now.

So I thought I'd share some random photos of the Sunday when we arrived in Worthing, Virginia was in London with a friend over from Spain, so they are only of my family,  but hope you'll enjoy them.  I will put dolly photos on another post, another day!

My brother John and my son Brendan on the beach...

My mum on the promenade in Worthing, it must be warm, she's undone her top button ;) 

 These very curious young seagulls were strutting their stuff on the pebbles!

There were a lot of people enjoying a stroll on the pier, including us of course!

Oh gosh!  Is that me in front of the camera for a change? 

Worthing beach from the pier...

Looking east towards Brighton....are those the White Cliffs of Dover in the distance?  

Brendan was thinking "Now why didn't I bring my fishing gear with me from Spain?" 

I'm told the domed building is the newly refurbished cinema complex.  I like how they've blended it in with the surrounding buildings.

Now one minute my mum's head was in the hole....and then it was gone!!!  I have no idea what happened! LOL

I don't know what this sport is called but there were several pairs of people doing it!  It was a bit like gondoliers without the gondola or the Venetian canals!!  But it certainly needed a flat sea like it was that day!

The seaweed covered uprights of the pier...

I guess some people have to be told!!  

Children seem to enjoy playing on the beach regardless of how cold the water is, don't they!

I had a lovely time in Worthing, I was so happy to see my 'boy' and to know that he and Virginia are happy and content there.  I don't like that they are far away from us but it's their lives and they must live them to the full!  But I do so miss them!!! 

Thank you for looking, I hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween and a good week ahead!

And Brodie comes too....

This is the sight that greeted me this morning when I went out of the door:

Me:  "Hey little one, where do you think you're off to this early in the morning?"

Brodie:  "I'm getting ready to go on holiday with you to Yoookay!"

Me :  "Yoookay?  Oh you mean the UK!"

Brodie:  "Yes, that's what I said didn't I! Mari and Fiona said they're going, please mummy, let me come too!  I'm only little!  I'm just THIS small!"

Me:  "Oh Brodie, I've got so much to carry, you'd be better off staying here with dad and the dogs, I'll only be gone a week!"
 

Brodie:  "But I don't want to stay here, I want to come with you!  Pleeease, I want to see nana!"

Oh dear, how can I refuse this little face?  

Looks like yet another member of my dolly family will be travelling with me to the UK in two weeks time then!!!


Doll: Iplehouse BID Bordy in Special Real Skin
Faceup: Default Iplehouse
Height: 26cm
Wig: Tibetan lambswool made by me
Overalls: by TTYA
Shirt:  vintage Sindy shirt from the 1960s
Socks: by me
Shoes: by MimiWoo
Backpack: clone fashion doll
Little bead doll: gift from a friend in the US!

Some bonus photos of this little sweetie:

Thank you very much for looking!

A bit of dolly play time....

After a bit of a dodgy week health wise, I had a molar tooth implant screw inserted into my upper jaw which caused a 'serious' sinus infection, then the antibiotics or the analgesics for that caused some sort of bad reaction),  today I thought I would relax and have a little dolly play.  I've been deciding who would come to the UK with me in a few weeks time, amongst my BJDs that is, because my Sashas are already decided on....I think!!!

My two Fairyland Little Fee Ante's are coming with me and so they wanted to get themselves ready early so that there isn't a rush at the last minute...well not for them anyway!  Fiona, my normal skinned girl, wanted to wear her new hoodie which I got from Iplehouse and she teamed it with grey spotted leggings and red canvas Mary Janes.  She looks nice and cosy for colder UK weather, but I think she might be hot here until we actually leave!

My tanned Ante has been struggling with finding the right wig but today she tried a few out and I've finally decided which one she will wear.  However, I don't have a full length photo of her wearing the correct wig, so here she is showing you the outfit she has chosen to wear.  It is a multi piece outfit by the Asian seamstress SugarBabyLove, I love this style and one day will get around to making outfits for my own girls in a similar style. 

My two Antes have very different style...

After tanned Ante's outfit was chosen it was back to the wig.  I've tried all the wigs I have down here at the coast but none of them hit the spot for me.  However, I had a new Monique Gold Tessie that I'd intended for her but it just didn't look right.  I decided that instead of just leaving it in the packet I'd have a go at seeing if I could 'do' anything with it.

Here is the default wig. 

Now I do like my dolls to look like 'real' little kids, and real little kids play and get their hair messed up but this wig had a life of it's own.  The long pieces at the sides were just too long for my taste and the two plaits were hidden behind, out of the way.  So I decided to untie the plaits and redo them, including the long strands from the front.  Once I'd done that, I thought I'd cut a shorter fringe into the front, a little bit long, like a style 'between cuts' maybe?  So I took the pointed sharp scissors to it and just carefully snipped along the eye line, being careful not to cut off her eyelashes!! 

And here is the end result.   She still has some shorter, chin length loose pieces but they frame her face rather than hide it:

So what do you think?  I'm really pleased with this look, I think it's child-like and natural.  The Monique Gold wigs are great, they are just enough thickness of hair to make them look realistic, and they are silky soft, but sometimes they just need a bit of a tweak!

Now all this poor 'child' needs is a name!!!  I was thinking Mari-Sol?  Mari (pronounced 'marry') for short?  Because she could so easily be a little Spanish girl, couldn't she?

Thanks for looking, I hope everyone has a lovely week ahead :)

Almost ready for The Off....

Today I got my hand luggage packed for my journey to England on Thursday.  I put each girl's face protector in place and then tried to arrange them comfortably in my small carry on case along with my camera and tablet.  I have to say that it was a bit like trying to fit a quart into a pint pot!!!  But at least their faces are protected even if the rest of them is squished on top of each other!!!!

As you can see, Sian, my Kidz n Cats Grace, is a little concerned that there isn't enough space for her, but despite it looking quite jam packed, there was just enough space to squeeze her in on top of everyone else!!!!  I still have to pack my handbag into the case but just until I get through security at the airport, then it'll come back out again for the flight, whilst this lot will hopefully be safely in the overhead lockers!!!

Let's hope by the time we arrive at my mum's house and I unpack them all, they are still on speaking terms with each other and with me!!!! ;)

Please excuse the poor photo, my proper camera is already packed.  This was taken with my little Canon point and shoot camera which I struggle with as it doesn't have a view finder, so it's a bit grainy!!!