Dolly Dingle and Remmie Lou Shoot For the Stars

I'm getting excited.  I'm sure my "excited" doesn't look like a lot of people's "excited", but I can feel this energy deep inside that rumbles around like popcorn in an electric popper.  I live a very quite life, which works for me, since I used to work in the high tech industry and let me tell you, it was intense.  Technology was literally changing by the day, and all manner of getting that new product to the shelves took a level of energy and commitment that wore down every cell in your body.  That was a long time ago, but I recognize that feeling in times like this, and its unsettling.  I'm most content to be the horse grazing in the pasture.  Secure, and with an easy routine.  But, that's not how things work for me.  A little excitement doesn't hurt, but I have to reign it in. For me its a nervous energy.  Anticipation.  The unknown.  

First of all, I picked up a really good book that I'm trying to save just for that hour before sleep.  Or two hours if I can't put it down.  But, mostly, this excitement comes from getting ready to launch the new art doll project that I've been accumulating 

the pieces for, and I am ready!  I've been ready, but other small projects needed to get done first, and one of them, no, two of them, were dressing Dolly for the Shoot For the Stars Virtual Doll Convention, and the other was making a needle felted Remmie Lou to complete my Grace Marie Fitzpatrick family.  

And, who is Remmie Lou?  She's Rachel Hoffman's precious little English Bulldog that Diana Vining includes in her illustrations as a happy canine mascot for the VDC.  I adore English Bulldogs.  I always have.  But, a cuddle bun with short legs doesn't fit the hiking and cross-country skiing lifestyle my husband and I live.  So no bulldog.  At least not a real one, because now I have a tiny one needle felted just to display with the girls, and dress up as necessary.

I wouldn't say a lot has been going on since my last journaling, but enough to keep up with the holiday for St. Patrick's Day, and preparations for the upcoming VDC, March 26 - 28th.

There were still days to go before St. Patrick's Day, and my intention was to make a mini Remmie Lou and dress her in Diana's darling star collar for the event.  

Just around this time, the second Club Grace outfit arrived, and the entire box was themed for St. Patrick's Day.  These boxes resemble a millieu of float tossings from Mardi Gras.  All manner of fun and colorful confetti, chocolate gold coins, large plastic jewels, delightful stickers for our scrapbooks, lovely bits of ephemera, and of course, the new outfit.  The now logo'd boxes are a do-it-yourself birthday party.  And, I LOVE it.  More than just getting a new outfit made by Ruby Red Galleria for Grace, the Club Grace boxes are something to anticipate and look forward to.  I'm so grateful for them.

This box would come with a random selection of either a wig for Grace, or one of two styles of boots.  I did a big "whoop!" when I opened mine and it contained the brown and black boots I longed for.  Bit of Irish luck?  Just all fun stuff.  So when I set to needle felting Remmie Lou, I knew that I'd have to make her a shamrock headpiece.  

Diana had illustrated Grace in her Club Grace March dress, wearing a shamrock hairband, so I made one for her as well.  It was constructed of green glittery scrapbooking cardstock, with the edges and back colored in with a matching green alcohol marker.  I had a strand of black and white twisted cord that I'd saved from someone's pretty packaging of a purchase, and used that to wrap the hairband with.  Remmie Lou's collar was made similarly, but with silk satin green ribbon to tie around her neck.

One of the reasons making Remmie Lou was important, is that my upcoming art doll is going to have three little needle felts accompanying her.  Dogs aren't anymore difficult than other animals, but getting the coloring right took some work.  Thankfully, Rachel had sent us some photos of her dog earlier, and along with Diana's illustrations, I created a somewhat caricature of Rachel's dog.  

I've seen accurately made English Bulldogs on Pinterest, and used some of those images to get a balance, but I was more after the caricature than a lifelike miniature.  This wasn't easy.  I almost did her a second time halfway through, but doggedly (no pun intended) proceeded to needle poke the heck out of this one until I was satisfied.  The eyes on the St. Patrick's Day Remmie Lou were needled felted, which is how I've always done them, but I would purchase glass eyes for her a couple of days later and I like the results much better.  Eyes that sparkle.

When Diana first began to make posters for the upcoming Shoot For the Stars, she created one with both Grace and Dolly presenting the introduction of the new doll Robert Tonner would release for the VDC.  It was this outfit for Dolly that I first became enamored of, and since, Diana has drawn her in two other Shoot For the Stars outfits.  

I'd spent a lot time trying to find a fabric that had both stars and swirls on it, and found a similar match in what was referred to as "Autumn Snowflakes".  Sure, Diana's fabric pattern was all in blue (or silver?), but finding such a fabric was not to be done.  I agonized over this, being the Type A that I am, but went along with it regardless.

As simple as this little dress looks, it was anything but.  None of this comes naturally to me.  I work at it.  It may be in part that I don't wear or try on party or evening dresses and gowns, so I have little concept of how they're made.  You'd most likely see me show up in an embroidered bohemian affair, than form fits and sequins.

Since I had to make it twice, I know that my first attempt at the pattern was correct.  The second attempt had more gathers and the wrap bodice was out of cotton sateen in a light blue.  I was so disappointed in the outcome that I almost dropped the whole idea.  But, by that time, Remmie Lou had her star collar, so I persevered. 

I used the pattern with less gathers and this time tried using silk dupioni for the wrap bodice, which neatly holds nice little folds. In the real world, this dress would be made of star and swirl printed chiffon with silk cross-wrapping around the neck.  In doll reality, we're using cotton quilting fabric just for the print.  It may not have the flow of chiffon, but we do our best.

The back is open like a halter top, and the party dress closes with two hooks and thread loops at the waist, and one at the neck.  This doll is very tiny.  She doesn't look tiny, but there's only 2.5" of fabric length at the back.  

Next, I began to make her accessories, which are always everything to me.  I began with a star bracelet.  Diana may have intended this to be a chain with a star on it, but at closer inspection, it looked to me more like little diamonds or beads.  So I chose to thread crystal dress beading in gold prongs, and jump-ringed a CZ star to dangle.  This was done on fine jewelry elastic so you can pull it on and off her wrist easily.

The headband was made as I did those for Peggy Sue.  But, this time I embellished one using jewelry wires and gold star beads fastened to the wires with jewelry glue.  Nasty stuff.  Its one step down from Super Glue so must be handled carefully.  I don't use much of it, and was lucky to have a second tube on hand, since upon opening these tubes, if you don't use much, or often, the entire tube will dry up into an unusable gloppy gel.  

Lastly, I made her sparkly slippers.  Dolly has short, fat feet, so making highly decorative or interesting shoes takes a little imagination.  

While Diana's straps crossed over the instep, I made these more like ballet slippers with crossing elastic.  They're constructed of light blue .06 leather, and the bottoms, which I didn't photograph, have ballet slipper soles.  For the sparkle, I used glitter glue.  Painted thinly over the slippers, it dries in a lovely, smooth pattern.

Dolly is now ready to parade around on stage with Remmie Lou and introduce Tonner's newly sculpted Ellowyne Wilde for the Shoot For the Stars convention.  

As mentioned earlier, I made Remmie Lou's star collar at the same time as her shamrock collar for St. Patrick's Day.

I used yellow scrapbooking cardstock for the shape and cut out a very large hole in the center to tug her head through.  A paper star does not easily lend itself to a snap or hook opening and closure.  I tried.  In fact, the star shape, while pretty, is tricky to work with.  

I made little clips in the center hole for ease of dressing her, while ensuring a snug fit.  Paper stars with seed beads were created for the dangles. I used two stars for each dangle, gluing the thread between the two.  This is completely fiddly work and can take your mind off any troubles that may be swirling around inside.  Miniature anything takes great concentration and agility.

Now you may be wondering why I did not make a star gown for Grace.  Well, the answer is simple.  I didn't want to.  I really do love sewing for child dolls, and I'd just finished the St. Patrick's Day set for her.  For the foreseeable future, I'll just be making outfits for Dolly to coordinate with the Club Grace outfits.  I've a feeling Remmie Lou will get equally attired in matching collars, and that's the fun in all of this.  I will admit that the other eleven reimagined Twelve Days of Christmas paper doll outfits for Grace that Diana drew last year, have been tugging at me, but all in good time.

What I haven't talked about was the souvenir set for this convention that I made prior to Dolly's outfit, and Remmie Lou with her collars.  I made a gold Shoot For the Stars accessory set for Grace, and for Rachel to include somehow in her Virtual Doll Convention.  I spent the better part of the time between the last post and this one, making it.  It consists of a shiny gold pigskin star shaped purse lined in silk, a pair of gold heels with cz star centers, and a set of cz star jewelry.  Two mini pave cz star charms dangle from the purse.  Its a gorgeous set, and I do hope someone will enjoy owning it. 

Its time to clean up my studio and prepare for my new project.  There is no doubt in my mind that this one will take awhile to create, but it will be so worth it.  I hope each one of you is doing well, and enjoying the days as our seasons change.  

Love, 

Melissa

 

Gorgeous Diana Vining!

Join us and Shoot For the Stars March 26 - 28th!

Celebrating St. Patrick's Day with Grace and Dolly

Last night we watched the episode of The Crown where Charles meets Diana for the first time, and alongside it was the story of Irish oppression resulting in the building of the Irish Republican Army and the demise of Mountbatten.  Ireland is a brilliant gemstone.  It has a history both rich in sorrow as well as magic.  Along with the incredible folklore and mythology it boasts, it is a country full off strong and beautiful people who are warm and friendly.  

As an avid reader, some years ago I picked up a copy of Irish folklore and enjoyed reading the tales that involved much more than leprechauns, pots of gold at the end of rainbows, and fairies.  I've loved Irish music for many years, in the form of artists like Mary McLaughlin, Connie, Dover, and the phenomenal band Clannad.  We tend not to think much about Ireland until March rolls around with St. Patrick's Day popping up around mid month.  I haven't spot of Irish blood in me, but I love this grand island and its  treasures.

St. Patrick's Day commemorates St. Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland.  It celebrates the heritage and culture of the Irish in general.  Celebrations involve public parades and festivals, the wearing of green attire, shamrocks.  During this time more effort is made to use the Irish language, especially in Ireland, where the week of St. Patrick's Day is Irish Language Week.  Gaelic is a derogatory term, although many people still do not know this.  Irish is the language and the customs.

I happen to be a great fan of Jean Grainger's The Tour series.  In this series, Connor O'Shea is introduced to us as tour bus guide and ends up half owning, and managing Castle Dysert, Ireland's finest resort and hotel - through a stroke of Irish luck.  Jean, herself, was born in Cork, Ireland.  She has been a tour guide of her beloved home country, a teacher, a university lecturer and a playwright.  She began writing fiction at the suggestion of her clients on tours, many of whom were sure all the stories she told them would make for a great book.  And so this month I picked up Book 5 in The Tour series so I could spend some time in Ireland again.  

In her fictional writing, she also teaches us things about her country, such as the provenance of sir names.  For instance, the O in a name like O'Shea means "of", so you'd be of the O'Shea family.  Mc or Mac preceding the name means  "son of".  For names like Sullivan, which would have dropped the O', these are referred to as soup names, meaning they took the soup.  During the famine of the mid-1800's, soup kitchens were set up by the British, and in order to feed yourself, you had to drop the O from your name, making you less Irish.

I love history, and I love learning.  But, I also love celebrating, even in small ways, the countries and cultures that make this world a wonderful place to live.  And, that includes dressing my dolls in shamrock costumes to liven up my doll room.

Last year Diana Vining painted this lively image of Grace and Dolly dressed for celebrating St. Patrick's Day, and naturally, I set my sights on creating it for my dolls.  Would I have dressed Grace without a Dolly Dingle?  Certainly.  But, with the advent of my new Dolly Dingle, sewing this set for the two of them made it all the more fun.

This was one of those costumes you'd look at and think, "Oh, no sweat.  I can do that!".  hmph  It wasn't as easy as I'd hoped.  For one thing, finding a proper green plaid for the skirts was difficult, and I ended up making them out of a woven cotton.  Should I have been able to find a matching wool, the skirts would have been too thick for the small dolls.  The other question when considering fabric, was for their tops/sweaters/blouses, whatever you'd like to call them.

A dove gray jersey may have made a suitable choice, but I had stuck in my mind, "Irish wool", and did have a very fine gray wool in my stash.  

Grace's top was interesting, at best, to design.  I am not a professional pattern maker.  No matter how the outcome may appear, I've paid dearly for it.  My approach is seldom make a pattern, sew it up.  Its more a matter of tailoring and trimming and fitting as I go along.  And, I never do something more than once, so I'm always learning and struggling along.  With this top, the neckline puzzled me, and I considered a zipper up the front, yet I didn't see a zipper pull, so I didn't create it that way.

Pleating this plaid to try and get the most green from it was daunting, too.  It may come as a surprise, but sewing is not fun for me.  Its work.  Its a challenge.  I simply like what I can do with a sewing machine.  Its the results I'm after, and trust me, if I could buy what I'm sewing, I wouldn't hesitate.  I only make things I can't purchase ready made.  

Grace's little hat was the no-brainer.  Were I a knitter, I would have made it thusly, but I do needle felt and it comes in wonderfully handy.  So Grace's little headpiece was needle felted.  It has little silk ribbons topping it and a sparkly shamrock in the center.  

With Dolly's bow, I made this out of green Shantung silk and added another sparkly shamrock.  The shamrocks were earrings, too.  I simply clipped the posts short, then fastened the backs after sticking them through.  Each girl has a black leather belt with a proper gold buckle.

I was lucky to find a piece of 1/8" vintage green rick rack for Dolly's white cotton collar that matched, perfectly, the green in the skirt fabric.

The jewelry was fun to procure.  Love Etsy.  You can find anything there.  Grace's earrings are "human" earrings, and  the shamrock pins, brooches, each of them wear, are flat backed charms I glued tiny magnets to.  Another tiny magnet beneath the blouse holds it in place.  I learned this trick from Integrity.  They make brooches for Poppy Parker this way.

Grace's shoes were something I had to somewhat create.  Facets was out of black pumps for the RTB101 bodies, so I purchased a pair of brown and painted them with fine Arteza and ArtShip Design acrylic markers.  If you're going to paint ready made shoes, use the finest acrylics you can, otherwise you'll have cracks and possible dullness to the shoes.  Less is better.  Topping with Modpodge is a mistake.  A couple of thin layers of quality acrylic paint is enough.  

I added little cotton grosgrain black bows to the heels of the shoes to complete the look.

The fun for me in any project is the chance of discovery.  Learning something new, and discovering news ways of doing things.  Mini a-ha moments.  

However you plan to celebrate the coming of spring, the culture, folklore and beauty of Ireland, don't forget that your dolls enjoy this, too.  Adding a few mini St. Patrick's Day postcards to your display, a ceramic leprechaun (I do have one somewhere!), and sprays of sparkly green shamrocks can lift your spirits as well as your dolls'.  For me, I'm doing it this year with Jean Grainger's book, and seeing two of my favorite girls dressed up in Diana's precious designs.

I hope you'll enjoy the photos below, of Ireland and a special postcard I found last night.  The two illustrations came from a children's book on Irish folklore and mythology.  And, as its always fun to make new friends along the tour, my American Girl, Blaire, is hiking the green hills and taking in the sights of Ireland enjoying her shamrock shaped shortbread cookies.

Love, Melissa    

 

Grace and Dolly Dingle Hit the Tropics

I am always amazed at how much happens between my postings.  Even though each actual day is very much the same, I seem to be able stir up a little fun and activity in between the mundane.  Is my life really mundane?  Probably not, but its a quiet one that begins with tea, hiking the dog, then assorted housework or trips into town like suffering the post office, or grocery shopping.  It is only when all my "work" is done, that I give myself the liberty to play.  Pop off to my studio, read my current book, sit at the computer, which I'm doing right now, and that sort of thing.  But, no matter what is or isn't going on, I remember that each moment is all you have, so try to live it well.  And, that always encompasses learning everything I can about what is currently of interest to me.  

Last posting I put question to mind, How Diana Vining got involved with Rachel Hoffman's Virtual Doll Convention, and came up with Dolly Dingle as the mascot.  After reading my blog and seeing how I brought her Dolly Dingle Money 

First VDC logo by Susan Sirkis

Jingle to life, she wrote to me and answered my question, which only elicited more questions, so I wrote to Rachel, herself.  And, to Marie Scopel, my dear long time friend, who started the Grace Marie Fitzpatrick group on Facebook.  The history I'm about to provide may be recent, but I believe the very novel and entrepreneurial Virtual Doll Convention will  become known as one of the greatest things ever to happen in the doll world.

I'm told that the idea of a VDC was something Susan Sirkis put forth to the UFDC some time ago, and was met with resistance.  The UFDC, being a relatively old

Diana Vining's Sleeping Grace

institution, probably did not see the need for such a contemporary concept, and would no doubt not have the technical expertise it takes to pull it off.  Adding in, that they might feel a VDC would make people like myself, think twice before spending a mini fortune traveling each summer to the event.  In the meantime, Rachel considered the idea on her own, and wonderfully, incredibly!, shot for the stars and reached them.  And with the help of Susan Sirkis!  After the first launch, Susan contacted Rachel and suggested she needed a brand, a logo, and Rachel was over the moon to work with her.  Susan came up with Dolly Dingle as the logo doll, since Dolly was in the public domain.  Above, you'll see the original logo Susan came up with, which was a paper doll she added the paper doll dress to.  Sadly, Susan became very ill, and died shortly after.  She worked on the VDC with Rachel up to the very last, and made certain all her VDC files were passed onto Rachel.  Susan's passing was a great loss to the doll world.  She is missed.

As a newcomer to the VDC, and an enthusiast, as many of us have become, Diana, just for fun, sent Rachel a drawing of her own interpretation of Dolly Dingle.  What Diana would call "fan art", became a job for her for not only was there a need, but her work as an illustrator and graphic artist is out of this world!  Working with Rachel, Diana brings life and a story, the current story of Grace and Dolly, to the VDC.  I say "current", because a new Tonner doll will be introduced in March.  Diana brings effervescent joy and sparkle through her designs and illustrations, and we can't get enough of them.  I have never met two more talented and highly motivated women, who work so well together, and each upbeat, and remarkably humble in their own right.  Subsequently, this is how Dolly Dingle became the VDC's mascot.  Rachel is shooting for the stars and I know she'll fly beyond them!

While, yes, there are other projects I'd like to tackle, I've been slowly accumulating the necessary items to create one of my OOAK dolls from a Maggie Iacono gifted to me at Christmas.  Right now, a wig is on its way from China.  There's no point in even starting unless I have everything I need.  Its like starting to make dinner and in the midst of it, realizing you forgot an ingredient, leaping into the car, driving to the store and store is out of it.  So after I finished dressing my little Dolly Dingle, I laid out my rainbow of lambskin leathers and decided to make Grace a pineapple bag to go along with the tropical themed pajamas, that would be presented in the first Club Grace Subscription Box.  The "Kate Spade" inspired heart crossbody was so much fun to do, I wanted to explore something a bit more challenging.  And, it was.

 

The basic shape is an oval with a slightly more narrow top, but not quite an egg.  I'd been studying a variety of pineapple bags on the Internet and how they were conceived and put together, along with the type of strap or handle they had.

I finally decided on representing the texture through a quilting stitch.  This was troublesome since I had no idea where to begin since I'm not a quilter.  I printed off a young girls' bag that had such stitching and made pinpoints on the oval as start and stop points for the cross stitches.  What I discovered is that they were equally spaced at about 1/8" approximate around the shape.  So what I was looking at was a bit of geometry.  Once I discovered this, it went a bit more smoothly, if only from the light bulb moment of understanding.  It didn't help much being an oval in this regard, but I sewed the lines until I has a satisfactory look.  Took about a day to do this since I was making two.  That's four ovals.  The second would be a gift to Rachel since she'd asked me to make a few to sell, and I appreciatively declined.   

The second one came out much better than the first, so I intended to keep the first one.  This difference was that I decided to lesson the width of the gusset, which gave it a more delicate look.  I mean, if you're giving something away that others are going to see, best to send the very best.  So because the one being kept had a wider gusset, I decided it needed a little wallet on a chain.  Many bags these days come with attached coin or essential bags, and this was what I was after.  Also, because I was signed up for Club Grace, I had printed off the double-sided money, passport and club card.  The club card was printed, signed by me in Grace's name, then miniaturized to fit in the wallet.  Earlier I had suggested to Rachel that a passport was needed if Grace was to travel, and was thrilled to see it happen.  I thought I was done, but I slept on it and realized that the pineapple purse intended for Rachel needed the wallet, too, so another was made.  It was the right thing to do of course, so I filled her little wallet, as I did my own.  The leaves are in two pieces and each side of the purse has its own set.

I know this is a long posting, so grab a cup of tea and stay with me a bit longer.  

In the meantime, two things happened.  One of women on the VDC group had posted her dolls in this adorable Beach House.  I went nuts.  It was the same colors as American Girl Maryellen's Airstream, which I have and love.  So I did some poking around and found that Target sold them for a third of what Ebay sellers were asking, and with free shipping.  Like I really needed another BIG TOY in the house.  But, its so darling and elicits feelings of sun and sand and sea.  Something I miss terribly.  

I dressed Grace up in the polka dot swim dress I made for her during the Summer Fling days (you may recognize it). I took photos of her sorting out her money and passport, adorable sleep mask, which I printed on printer fabric, and door hanger. You can see these at the end of this posting. Just super fun stuff.

A bit later, the first Club Grace Subscription Box arrived.  I'd already seen others post their dolls in the tropical pajama set, which is apparently a mini replica of ones that Rachel owns.  I'd been trying to figure out what to do next for Dolly Dingle and had several ideas circulating in my mind.  A few of them may come to fruition, but one idea stuck.  And, that was to make her complimentary outfits to the ones we'll receive each month through Club Grace.

In a way, that takes the pressure off from making both Grace and Dolly outfits at the same time.  Short cuts?  Who, me?  I had to smile to myself the other day when Marie admitted that sewing for the ultra curvy body that Grace has, posed great challenges for her as well.  I didn't feel so awful after she told me this.  We both enjoy altering existing patterns to create original looks for our dolls, but that body of Grace's takes some real patience when fitting her just right.  

The Subscription box was filled with all kinds of fun extras to accompany the lovely work of Ruby Red Galleria.  I'm still gob smacked that Rachel got them to make these for her!  And, why shouldn't they?  They are now a part of the magic of the VDC, too.  Ten Ping Ho may have had humble beginnings, but this woman wants to rule the doll world and she's getting there FAST.  Well, to me, they've already have conquered it, but I'm a huge fan.  What can I say?

To your left, you'll see a vignette of Grace in her tropical pajamas, along with Dolly in the baby doll nightie I made for her to go with the tropical theme.  Grace is ready for bed with her hair mussed up in clips and her sleep mask on her head,  She holds her travel journal (American Girl), and Dolly, who's been scribbling away on the hotel note pad, has her pen.

The fabric I used for Dolly's nightie was purchased last fall.  I'd bought two tropical mini prints with dressing Grace in mind, but since its the devil to keep up with all the new stuff the VDC presents, the fabric went into the stash.  I finally found an opportunity to use one of them.  This aqua blue fabric has tiny palm trees and flamingos on it.  

I knew I wanted to make her a baby doll nightie and that required puffy bottoms as well as the baby doll dress.  I'm just learning to sew for this doll, and her body is short and slightly chubby.  She also has very slippery limbs so elastic doesn't like to stay put.  And, this outfit is full of my nemesis, elastic.  I try never to use it as it degrades over time, but the nightie called for it.

We have elastic in the waistband and leg bottoms, as well as the arms of the puffed sleeves.  I used the Money Jingle dress pattern as a sloper and altered it in length, then shortened the sleeves.  I also included a gentle ruffle of ocean waves to the hemline.

The most fun though, was concocting the flamingo slippers I knew had to be made for it.  Pineapple bags and flamingo slippers!  What's next?!

I used an elf shoe pattern I had and altered the top with a flamingo neck and head.  These were done in wool felt, and hand sewn with a blanket stitch.  The eyes are pearly sequins with tiny black glass beads.  I attempted to add wool patching for the beak, but adding the colored wool to the sides not only made it thicker, and trickier, but left the center of the beak still flamingo pink.  I could have added feathered wings to the side, but maybe I'll embellish more on the next attempt at something like this.  Sometimes you have to know when to call it quits.  Dolly has very tiny feet, just over 1" long, and sometimes more becomes too much.

Below you'll find a couple more photos of the Beach House.  Grace taking a cat nap before the club party that night, and a miniaturized version of Diana's "Shhh... Dreaming in Progress" door hanger.  I also included a copy of the original Dolly Dingle paper doll page that Susan Sirkis used to create the VDC's first logo.

So, yes, the mundane days do get filled with a certain amount of joy and  creativity.  One never has to look very far for it when Rachel, Diana and the Virtual Doll Convention are right at your fingertips!

The next Virtual Doll Convention is right around the corner.  March 26 - 28th.  Rachel will be introducing a new doll by Robert Tonner, and I know the fun will just keep coming.  Stay safe, and keep playing dolls!

Love,

Melissa