Very Eclectic in Red Lacquer

My apologies to my followers. My intentions were very ambitious this year; however real life challenges created the need for me to move my 6th scale life into the fantasy column and concentrate almost totally on the reality column of my life. It seems, that each time I felt I was more in control 5 more reality items popped up. (I think we need a reality pop up blocker). I look back at the past year and seriously wonder how I kept up, but with the love, help and support of family and friends, I managed to survive. AND NOW... back to the fun. First of all, because I have not posted doesn't mean I haven't shopped. My dolls now have more clothes and shoes than I have .My 6th scale furniture creations and rooms are everywhere. I have Barbie wedding photos to post, new houses and many more stories.

I have already confessed I am an HGTV junkie and watching the brothers buy and remodel one night, I saw a red lacquered table that really caught my eye. Very elegant with traditional chairs and vibrant colors. I had to try it and I love it. 


The clothes are from Chic Barbie Designs and my husband built the room box for me.   Look out...I think I am back. Many more photos and creations to come.    I missed you all.

Eclectic Designs in 1/6 Scale: You are invited..........

Eclectic Designs in 1/6 Scale: You are invited..........: Ivy, as I call my mature red haired beauty, is my personal favorite, elegant and graceful with an air of sophistication.  I had to have ...

Eclectic Designs in 1/6 Scale: You are invited...Plans have finally come together for the June beach wedding. Hope you can attend.

Eclectic Designs in 1/6 Scale: You are invited..........: Ivy, as I call my mature red haired beauty, is my personal favorite, elegant and graceful with an air of sophistication.  I had to have ...

You are invited..........

Ivy, as I call my mature red haired beauty, is my personal favorite, elegant and graceful with an air of sophistication.  I had to have a back story that was a reflection of her strength under fire and the struggles she has endured. 

 

 

Ivy

grew up believing in the fairy tale; the happily ever after, "'til death do us part" kind of love.  She married her junior high crush, her high school sweetheart. She was truly living her dream; a loving spouse, beautiful children, nice home, career and friends.  Then, one day, after twenty years of marriage, the dream came to an end.  As much as she felt like giving up, Ivy just couldn't. She had children depending on her and being the strong woman that she was she soon adjusted to the dual role of both mom and dad.  The years that followed, were shadowed with anger, denial and grief, but she had her kids, the driving force that kept her moving forward. Ivy never allowed herself to believe she would have another chance, never believed she would find that one man that could fill the void left by her first love...AND NOW, the moral of the story. NEVER, EVER SAY NEVER!  Ivy found true love or shall we say true love once more found Ivy.  Her bright light could not be hidden and now her children are sharing in the moment because,

                                                    

     "it is never too late to live happily ever after"

 

 

 



June Brides

You are invited...

 

The big events are only weeks away. This is a sneak peak at the brides...don't show the groom!

 

 

 

 

Finally, spring in East Texas.

I have to admit, I am NOT a winter person and as everyone in East Texas knows, if you don't like the weather today, wait...it will probably change tomorrow. That seems to be the case this week, however, today was excellent. I took advantage of the sunny afternoon, went into the yard and took pics of the gazebo my husband, Mike, built. Barefoot and auburn hair slightly blowing in the breeze, my new "girl" made some gorgeous photos. This, by the way, is the FR doll I purchased at a discounted price because her boobs were slightly darker than her arms and legs. REALLY????  I toned down her bright red lips with a light coat of gold and applied the same gold on her auqa shadowed eyelids. I haven't had a chance to stage my new guy dolls and yay, they are articullated.  (Carmen, I will be using the "stiffies" to experiment on swapping joints in the legs and arms.)  I love the tips and help I have always gotten from those in the dolly world. 

Beachy

So, my coastal weekend house is finished, complete with fern, seashells and the wind blowing in my girls hair. She is sitting on the deck outside the bedroom door, looking into space. Is she contemplating the furture, reliving the past or just enjoying the moment,  the sea breeze the smells associated with the coast, the taste of her favorite red wine still fresh on her tongue. My family and I have been escaping to the coast since my oldest daughter, now 43, was in the 7th grade. Twice or more a year we would load the car and make the 4 hour (5 if you count bathroom stops) to Crystal Beach, Texas. As our girls were growing up, boyfriends, then husbands and soon grandchildren were with us. Mike and I would always go and pave the way a few days early. Three days alone. Long Island iced tea, red wine, fresh seafood, ocean fishing, sunning and reading...for THREE WHOLE DAYS.  Then the kids, their families and friends arrived on Friday night and 4 days and nights we did anything we wanted to do...I miss those days. The Friday night everyone arrived we stayed up until sunrise. We sat on the deck, listened to the surf crash, watched the lights in the distance on the shrimping boats and the offshore rigs. We solved many of the worlds problems on that deck.  Crystal Beach was destroyed when Hurricane Ike then Gus hit shore. Only a few housed were left standing, Gilchrist, was completely destroyed. The shore line was altered and will not be rebuilt. The resilient natives of Crystal Beach are slowly rebuilding and I cannot wait to go again. Our 3 level pink (yes pink) house was washed into the Gulf but I still have a million memories and sooooooooo many pictures.  Have a wonderful weekend.

Barbie's beach house

Barbie's beach house, a set on Flickr.

These are the pics I promised. I do not have them all taken yet. Tomorrow night I should have them all posted.

I admit it, I play with dolls.

I am not too proud to admit, I am an adult that plays with fashion dolls. We all are, if you think about it. We pick the right dress for the pictures, and build the perfect room with all the right furniture. We stage every scene to tell a story. I have thought about that alot tonight (I know you are all wondering why this is my blog post for tonight. I talked to my friend and owner of Sweet Pickin's tonight. She told me a lady came in to the shop and was looking at my furniture. She looked for a long time and then told my friend she did not have a Barbie as a child. She didn't even have a doll. Her family was poor and she just never had things like that and my furniture made her want to go out and buy a Barbie. Had I been there, I would have probably given her a doll. That really tugged at my heart strings. I guess I take so many things for granted...I assumed every little girl growing up had a Barbie. Lets just all hope kids today have that very special toy that will be remembered for years to come...whether its a Barbie, an Elmo,a roaring dinosaur or a talking Woodie and Buzz Lightyear. It's not about the toy, it is about the chance to be a kid. Have a great week. Yay, I finished my 'Beach House". Pictures tomorrow. Night all.

Controlled Chaos

Chaos, controlled chaos best describes the past few months. I have really enjoyed keeping up with my blog buddies, following their blogs, and have only now decided I need to share my news. I am opening a booth space in "Sweet Pickin's". It is a new antique and crafters mall and the back wall is mine. I am certain my neighbors have wanted to put a For Sale sign in my yard when I am away at my 8-5 job, because as soon as I am back at my house the table saw, chop saw or sander is running wide open. Today was the first day open for business. I am really excited. Keep in mind, Henderson, Texas is probably not a hot bed of Barbie activity but with the Etsy, FeeBay and private sales I am staying busy. I started a repaint some time ago. Poor little thing...still in the back room with solid white eyes and no lips. I was so inspired by "SmidgeHouse's" post regarding the joint reconfiguration surgery on her Liv doll, I decided I would try the whole repaint, from scratch, NOT an overpaint...a repaint. One eye was beautiful and then the dreaded 2nd eye. It never looked like the first eye. So (you guessed it) I started over, and over and over. Geeze, what ever was I thinking. I am not giving up though. Oh yeah, I just bought my first FR doll. While she was still pricey, I got a pretty good buy on her because her boobs were a little darker than the rest of her body. Really, who cares. Well, maybe some of you care but I did not. Her red lips were a little extreme so I lightened them ever so slightly. She also needs a little trim but I haven't had the time for that yet. My sweet hubby has been so much help. Before Christmas we built a small Barbie house for a 4 year old. I glued most of the accessories and furniture so it would not be a hazzard. We also built a Batman house...yes a Batman house and it was awesome. We are now in the completion phase of a 2 story beach house with a balcony and open concept first floor. Hopefully it will be completed before Sweet Pickin's opens Monday morning. I love my life...Eveyone have a great weekend. I will be taking down my last remaining Christmas tree. LOL The pics are of the upper bedroom in the beach cottage.