Life in the Lockdown!

Well I was going to write about something other what is happening in the world at the moment, but the truth is, I haven't really got much else to write about but wanted to post something on my blog.  So I thought I'd try to show a more creative side to being locked down at home.

Firstly a little about the lockdown.  We are currently on Day 13 as lockdown started for us from midnight on Saturday 14th March.  It's been very strict from Day one, which I feel is the best way to go. I do not feel that my freedom is being taken away from me, I hope that this will help save lives and certainly help to ease the strain on the Spanish health service.  For example, we are only allowed out to go to the supermarket to buy food, to the pharmacy for medication, you can walk a dog but only 50 metres from your home, and it must be just one person, you cannot walk in pairs.  No cycling or jogging, no meeting up with friends or family, you can only stay with those you live with.  And only one person per car except if you are taking a vulnerable person to a medical appointment.  And fines are pretty high.  Police are checking where you go and you have to prove where you've been.  So yes, pretty strict.  The number of people who've died from the virus is very high here in Spain, so if it works, and saves some lives then I'm more than happy to do as I'm told.  

So what have I been doing with myself?  Well I started out with the intention of making some doll outfits.  I got all the pattern files out, I printed off some new patterns, I sorted through my fabrics and cut out a few outfits.  I started by making a pair of tiny overalls for my friends doll.  I cut them out wrong, and then when I'd recut them, so I sewed them up back to front.  I really could not concentrate, so I decided to stop that and sit and read.  I've read two or three books but my mind keeps wandering.  I've been spending so much of my time chatting on line, looking at the BBC news, Facebook, YouTube, everything apart from doing something productive with my time.

That is until a couple of days ago when I had the idea to sew some face masks for myself and Brian....then I thought "what about the neighbours?"  So I got started, it was fun to match the fabrics to the personalities of my friends....and so it started!  I have now made 22 masks and distributed them amongst the neighbours.  One friend has a fabric printed with items of clothing, another has one with little Scotty dogs all over, another has doggy pawprints.  A few of the men have skull and cross bones!!!  Others have fish, or flowers.  I even got an offer from someone who doesn't live here to buy some but instead she has made a donation to our local Animal Rescue charity because with the lockdown they cannot open their charity shop which they depend on for income.  So that's what I've been up to!

Waiting for the pleats to be put in.....

All neatly ironed!! 

I asked my friends to share selfies with me of them in their masks, so here are a few of them!!!

Thank you to my lovely friends and neighbours for being good sports and wearing the masks, I hope they help to keep you safe and free from harm when you go to the supermarket or walk your dogs.

I hope every one of you who reads my blog keeps safe and well.  Please don't take risks with your lives or those of your loved ones, it really isn't worth it.  And I would just like to add a special shout out for all the health care workers, street sanitisers, refuse collectors, supermarket and pharmacy staff, and anyone else in one of these critical jobs, who're helping to keep us safe.  THANK YOU!!

Big hugs Sharon in Spain xx

 

The Oriental Garden....Photo heavy!

Today was another beautiful sunny day so we decided to go to the Oriental Garden which is located in Alhaurin de la Torre, Malaga.  Although we've driven past many times, we'd never been inside so today we did just that.  

Unfortunately we chose a day when they were cleaning out a lot of their water features but this didn't deter us, we still had a pleasant time walking around and looking at the plants, quite a few of which, I believe, are native to Japan.

Of course I had to take one of my dolls with us so that I could get some doll photos too, so I brought along Sienna, my Bastian in Saffron skin by Little Cosmos Dolls.  I hope you'll enjoy the photos and seeing this pretty and tranquil little space here in Malaga, southern Spain.

 One of several bright red bridges that pass over the water feature...

There are loads of fish in their ponds and also a sign saying not to feed the turtles but we didn't see any, so maybe they're hibernating at this time of year.

Planting up the Poinsettias for Christmas...

Lots of bright red berries...

 

Thank you for visiting, I hope you enjoyed seeing this attractive and peaceful Oriental park.

Big hugs, Sharon xxx

A doll for sale, sewing and more morning walking.....

I am having another small clear out to make way for a new doll....or three!  And so the following girl is looking for a new home.  She is a Fairyland Mini Fee Chloe in tanned skin, with a beautiful custom faceup by Caroline of Viridian House in Scotland.  She is resin, fully jointed, 40cm tall, slim ball jointed doll.  She has the 'cutie' legs and medium sized bust.   I am asking what I paid for her $600 plus postage, but am open to offers!  She is lovely but I admit that I prefer really young looking girl BJDs. Chloe will travel nude and bald to her new home but I will include random eyes.  Please excuse the dusty eyes in this photo!!  The shame!!!!

You might recognise her dressed:

Also on the dolly front, I did a bit of sewing last week and Brodie, my Iplehouse BID Bordy, was happy to be the recipient of the dress.  I used an old Sasha smocked dress pattern and reduced it by mega amounts...(goodness knows how much, I've slept since then! ;) ).  I used a thick cotton fabric for the main body of the smock and used a 'shabby chic' design quilters cotton for the collar and cuffs.  Unfortunately the sleeves are a bit too long but I'll adjust the pattern next time.  I'm sure Brodie will grow into it!!! 

Finally for today, a few photos from this mornings walk.  We found another new route which took us even higher up into the olive groves and then walked back down and then along the beach which was deserted except for a neighbour swimming with her two dogs. 

Someone has been busy making a circle of stones in what are actually the abandoned 'footings' of an apartment block facing the beach.....

And finally, a small little house in ruins, which is located in a field nearby.  The 'house' is tiny, made up of just two rooms, one is approx 2m by 2m, with a small archway into an even tinier room.  At the back (which is the front in this photo) is a largish stone horse trough.   And the wall on the right of the photo is part of a water depository.  At one point there was obviously electricity and running water to the property, but it has all gone now.

I hope everyone has a lovely week ahead and thank you for stopping by!

Hugs Sharon x

Another Dolly Week!

I cannot believe how quickly the time is passing and I've been neglecting my poor blog again!  I have taken quite a few photos recently but just forgot to share them on here, although some have gone on Flickr.  Apologies to those of you who've already seen them on there, I hope you enjoy seeing them again!

Firstly I made this outfit for the Little Darlings, I made it with a view to selling and showed it to my friend before putting it on Ebay.  Of course then it never got that far because she immediately wanted it!  I'm pleased with how it came out, I love this girl in blue and white, being my favourite colours too!  The socks are pale pink and white stripes because as you know, my dolls are never 'predictable'!

And because I couldn't resist, here are a couple of closeups of my sweet little Rory, who is painted by Lana Dobbs.  It was raining as I took these photos, that fine rain that quickly drenches you, but I thought she looked so real with the raindrops in her hair!

Like most doll collectors, I'm always on the hunt for props for my photos and was pleased to find this umbrella in a shop in Malaga, which is just the perfect size for Mouse, my Dollstown Seola who is approx 45cm tall.  And of course it's perfect for her to protect her pale skin from the sunshine!  I made her some slouch boots using soft leather in two different shades, cream and dark brown....she's very pleased with them and wanted to show them off with her umbrella.  The umbrella, by the way, has a fully working metal mechanism and is actually supposed to be used as a shade for smart phones! 

A 'just because' close up ...

Next we have some photos of Sam, my Elfdoll Hana Angel, who is a tiny 20cm tall.  She came with me to Fuengirola last week and was totally prepared to help me with my lovely breakfast at the Danish restaurant at Los Boliches.  She brought her own tiny silver knife and fork!!

Later she enjoyed a drop of Dandelion and Burdock that Brian, my hubby, bought for himself at the Iceland supermarket.  I had never drunk this before and having tried it, I don't think I will again!!  Tasted a bit like cough mixture to me!!

Whilst in Fuengirola we spotted a little bit of England!!  We aren't sure what it was all about but these structures, which appeared to be all made from metal, were just being put in place on the side of the road.   In the background you can also just see a very attractive model of what we think is supposed to be Saint Basil's Cathedral in Red Square, Moscow.  We laughed at the 'telephono' sign!  The box was locked and empty! 

A rather strange looking Lady Liberty....but someone worked hard to make her, she even stands on a plinth like the real one! 

And finally in Fuengirola, the lovely statue on the roundabout, which is not a temporary structure, it's always there.  Spanish roundabouts are generally really attractive, whether because they're covered in lovely well tended flowerbeds, olive trees, fountains or, as in this case, nice statues.   One day I might travel around taking photos of roundabouts to share with you....there are some very pretty ones around here :)

Finally for today, I thought I'd share a photo of the local lake, Lake Viñuela, which despite being very low due to the fact that we've had so little rain over the last few years, is looking very pretty.  This is the actual colour of the lake, I've not enhanced it in any way! 

Well I hope you've enjoyed seeing the photos, and would like to take this opportunity of wishing all my lovely Sasha friends who're attending the Sasha Celebration Weekend in Nottingham, the very best time!  I'll miss you but maybe next year!!! :)

Hugs Sharon x