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Wednesday 31 December 2014

That was the year that was!

I thought I'd do a summary post of how 2014 was for me, I hope you'll enjoy it :)

The year 2014 started for me with the usual New Years resolutions!  This year, amongst other things, I was going to try to downsize my doll collection, try to find more 'props' to use in my doll photos and for about the 3rd year in a row I was going to be more confident, or maybe I'll rephrase that and say "less embarrassed" about taking doll photos in public.  Oh yes, I was also going to try to lose weight having put quite a lot on over the last 10 years.  OK.  So how did I get on?


I guess my biggest achievement this year has been the weight thingy.  I started a more healthy eating plan on the 13th January.  I had intended starting on the 2nd but all the best laid plans .... plus my mum and brother were still here from the UK and also the festivities aren't really finished with here until after The Three Kings on the night of 5th January, so I kept putting it off.  But finally, I started.  And it wasn't so bad! :)  The weight came off and I got used to eating well instead of eating everything in sight!  This morning I weighed myself and I am a little over 57 pounds lighter, or 4 stone and almost 2 lbs, whichever you prefer!!!  I even lost almost one pound over Christmas, but that could be a fluke as I'm not well at the moment and so not eating much.  Anyway, I'm very very pleased with myself, as I'm sure you can imagine!

On the 'reducing dolly numbers' front, maybe I wasn't quite as successful! LOL.  I did indeed reduce my BJD (ball jointed doll) numbers, and one or two customised Blythes, but unfortunately I spent the money on vinyl dolls.  My biggest purchases of the year was probably Ellie, my gorgeous Little Darling painted by Dianna Effner, she came here back in late April, early May:


and then Núria, my beautiful 1968 Sasha Redhead Ballerina, who came here in July.  Talk about "in the right place at the right time!"  I just happened to spot her when Sarah of Vintage Sasha posted her for sale on her blog and jumped in quickly with an email!!!  I was very fortunate to get her, she's a real little beauty to me :)


A little later in the summer, August in fact, Finn, my sweet Little Darling #2 sculpt arrived from the Effner trained artist, Pat Green.  She was ordered back in March and took 5 months and I love her!  I recently changed her wig to a different one from the photo below but I think she'll be changing back soon, as I love this faux fur one on her :)


A week or so later I was tempted by Ana, the #2 sculpt Little Darling UFDC souvenir doll, so I contacted the UFDC and managed to snag one.  And so Reece came to live here :)  The UFDC girls are not handpainted by the Dianna Effner artists but they are produced by the very same factory as the artist painted dolls, which I'm told arrive 'blank' to the artists.  I have since enhanced my girls eyes a little so that they have more shine and therefore come alive.  I will have to share some close up 'after' photos at some point.  I have to say that once I'd changed this girls wig and removed her default outfit I love her every bit as much as my other two artist painted girls :)


Since the summer I have added a few more vinyl girls to my dolly collection, one is Hannah at the Spa by Gotz (below left) and the other is my Limited Edition Giselle also by Gotz in collaboration with Steif.


Also, earlier in the year I adopted a sweet Zwergnase Junior, Tanya from Maru & Friends, and Olivia Kish, all three dolls fit in nicely with my growing vinyl family :)

Zwergnase Junior Marlene, now known as Marlie:


 Maru & Friends Tanya, who's kept her default name but received a new wig:



And my sweet little Olivia with her now bright red hair :)



And then, you might remember I bought a couple of Kidz n Catz dolls which I decided to customise, Grace and Elise.

Grace, now known as Sian:


Elise, who currently keeps her factory name:


And then my recent purchase, my little Sidika Himstedt:


There are a couple of other girls here waiting to be introduced but they're for another day ;)  Plus I have a sweet little visitor here from Wales, who wants to show her face to her Mamma on here, just to prove she did as she was told and didn't go elsewhere :)

So I'm not really sure that I actually 'achieved' my goal of reducing dolly numbers, but haven't counted, so just maybe...... ;)

As for the other two 'resolutions', getting more props/furniture and taking more dolly photos in public without embarrassment...I don't think I've really achieved those two at all. :(   Unless you count props sent to me as gifts, which I have to say were most welcome :)  And we won't mention the second one....how does one learn NOT to be embarrassed?  I end up looking 'furtive' and that's not a good look when you're in public places, especially shops, and are poking about shoving things quickly in your handbag ;)

So those two will go to the top of this years resolutions list, along with doing more exercise and continuing with the healthy eating plan.

Finally, one of the highlights of my year was my trip to the UK where I was lucky enough to meet some of the lovely people that I'd only previously met on line.  I had the greatest time at Dee's Chat n Snap and it was super to meet other dolly lovers :) and not feel ashamed of gushing over dolls!

I look forward to the New Year, 2015, and to continuing with my dolly hobby, meeting new people who share it and keeping in touch with those I already email/phone with.  I wish everyone who reads/follows my blog the very best for the coming year, may your lives be filled with fun, may your larder/fridge be filled with food and may your hearts be filled with love :)


Big hugs, from Sharon in Spain xxx

15 comments:

  1. Well done Sharon on your fantastic weight loss, you should be so proud. As for the reducing dolls, that would've been boring ;)
    Love your blogs, look for to more in 2015
    Enjoy x

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  2. Thanks for sharing your year with us - sounds to be 'round' or balanced in the end. You can be really satisfied!
    Wish you all and your loved ones all the best for 2015.
    Hope we're still reading us:)

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  3. I really enjoy your blog Sharon - lovely dolls and other interesting topics. It was lovely say hello to you at Chat n Snap - and admire your Little Darlings - which I find VERY tempting. I keep looking at Ana on the UFDC site!

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  4. Congratulations Sharon on achieving your weight loss, which is the hardest thing to do at our age, you looked great when you can over for the Chat n Snap, I hope that I'll recognise you when you come to next years at this rate!! :)
    I love the wide range of Dolls you have and you have added some beauties this last year! Look forward to seeing what turns up next year!

    When I take photo's in public I tend to be so concentrated on what I am trying to do that I totally forget where I am and whose about! and if anyone says anything just ignore them if they are rude and if interested explain that you are part of a group that uses dolls to record things, you don't need to go into to much detail. I think you also have to be sensitive to where you are and if it's appropriate to use a doll in that place but I am sure you'd be well aware of that and if you did not do it this year there's always next..... :)

    It was lovely to finally meet up with you at the Chat n Snap and look forward to continuing our friendship into the new year, it's lovely when you meet like minded people ;)
    Wishing you all a fabulous healthy, wealthy and in your case dolly filled New Year !
    hugs Dee xxxx

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  5. Happy New Year to you S!!! But what a year 2014 has been for you...Hope to meet you at the CnS in 2015!!

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  6. Happy New Year Sharon! I enjoyed reviewing your dolly additions for 2014 and I think each one is just beautiful! :). But, your weight loss is certainly the most wonderful " subtraction" of the year and Improvement to your health! Well done dear Sharon! It has been a fantastic year!!! Sending you much love!!! <3 xxx

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  7. A very happy New Year to you all over there in Seville, Spain.
    It was great finally meeting you, your three Little Darlings and Sasha at the CnS.

    Remember 'practice makes perfect' when photographing your dolls in public. Just concentrate on posing them for the photo and the outside world becomes an un-important blurr.

    Many thanks for all my delightful Sasha Ra-ra creations.

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  8. Hi Sharon, wow, congratulations with the weight loss! It's so hard to diet, but you did it! And all your doll purchases are lovely, I like them all! I never have photographed my dolls in public, but I would like to (starting in the park on a very quiet moment :-) ). It was great that you shared your U.K. visit with us too. Have a fabulous new (dolly) year!!! Big hugs xxx

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  9. Well, losing the weight and keeping the doll numbers up seems to be a much healthier option than the other way round! (Says she who, in spite of chemo and the resulting lack of interest in food on some days , is totally incapable of saying no to nything edible on other days!).
    The doll photography without embarrassment is always difficult. I'm either worrying what people will think about an adult playing with doll if I'm out and about, or worrying about what people will think about my husekeeping/gardening skills when they see the results if I take pics at home! Just can't win!! I know - we shouldn't care what others think as we do it for our own pleasure, not theirs, but I still find myself looking over my shoulder!

    What a lovely group of girls you've added to your family this year. Can't wait to see future additions that will bring you joy in 2015.
    Jenni x

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  10. Congratulations on the weight loss! I don't know if you have less dolls, but you have the loveliest bunch! I so enjoy your pictures of them. :D

    Happy new Year!

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  11. Hi Sharon! Happy New Year! I finally was able to find your blog in my Bloglovin feed so I will always see new posts. Yay! Congratulations on your weight loss. What an accomplishment. Any details you can give on what worked for you would be most appreciated. So did you actually get rid of any dolls? I love all the new additions this year! I had a hard time picking some favorites, but I like the Maru/Tanya doll and the UFDC souvenir dolls best I think. Cheers from Boston! Happysuz

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  12. Feliz año nuevo preciosa!!! I really enjoyed reviewing your dolly additions for 2014 *___*. I specially love your Ellie, she is just beautiful! and I would love to own one one day :). I am happy to read that you could loose weight this is one of the most importante things since it Improves your health :)! I wish you all the best for this year 2015 and that we can continue share all our happiness and thoughts specially with dolls!. All my love to you! <3<3<3

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  13. I'm a bit late doing so, but thank you all for the lovely comments. I hope everyone's New Year celebrations went well and that your 2015 has started off well.
    I look forward to chatting with you more this year :)
    Big hugs Sharon xxx

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  14. I know this is an old post but I've been browsing through pages of your beautiful doll collection and your little Finn caught my eye. She looks so much like my two year old daughter, right down to the dark eyebrows and crazy blond hair. Love her!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Becca, thank you so much for visiting and taking the time to comment.
      I think your daughter must be the cutest little child if she resembles Finn!! ;)
      I'm glad you like my doll though, thanks so much :)
      xx

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