Miki... NOOOOOO!!!!!

Why, Miki... Why???? T_T

Miki's models my t-shirt attempt

 Miki very generously agreed to model the t-shirt I made...
even though we had no idea if it would even fit!

I think it turned out pretty cute for a prototype!!

There are some adjustments that need to be made, but overall, not too shabby!

And Miki's hair-do makeover turned out pretty cute too.

I kind of hate to admit it, but ever since I got Miki, something about her just BOTHERED me.

That something was her haircut.

It was lopsided, and no matter how much gel I added to it, it never looked as good as the one in the promo pics... so Miki didn't get played with a lot.

But I decided it was time that changed.

Madoka seems to really like Miki's new hairdo too... but then...
Madoka's always been partial to pigtails.

Pen Pal Update!

There is now a tab at the top of the blog dedicated to Pen Pals!

You can go there to find links to the girls who my girls are pen pals with, so you can follow both sides of the story, or just check out some other really cute Pure Neemos.

Also, if you are interested in becoming a pen pal, you can go to that page for instructions
(They are at the top of the page)

You do not have to be a Pure Neemo to participate!
My girls will happily write to any type of doll :)

(and my non-Neemo girls are also very happy to write letters)

A Letter Arrives at 12 Mariposa Alley

It's very probable that you all are unaware that Anna has a snail mail pen pal,
her cousin, Chou,
who lives at 12 Mariposa Alley.

Click on the image above to see the post about Chou receiving Anna's letter!

The above banner is ©Retrograde

12 Mariposa Alley is filled with quite a lot of fun adventure, and I highly recommend checking it out if you enjoy the antics of my girls here.

If you read the comments, my girls often reply to posts made at 12 Mariposa Alley as well!

It's a lot of fun and one of those things that makes playing with dolls all the more interactive!

My girls are always very excited to write letters and send them off!!

Meet Squid! an amazing custom by Retrograde

I am just so, so, so, so, so excited to share this with you!

My friend, Elly, aka Retrograde, has made me just the most awesome custom EVER!

Please meet Squid:

Photograph is ©Retrograde

She will have a twin sister named Octopus too (they won't be identical though)!

I CANNOT thank Retrograde enough for this wonderful little girl!

Seriously, look at that adorable little face!!!

Retrograde is beyond talented, and if you haven't checked out her stuff, you should do it, immediately!

Click on her banner below to go check out her custom works.

Seriously, you'll be blown away by how awesome they are.

©Retrograde

Wait... why are you still reading this??? It's pure, boring drivel now!
You need to click on the link above, immediately!!!

We need a bigger bear, STAT!

Well, well, well.

Would you look at this?

It's already Tuesday and I haven't posted the next installment of the Ghost Girl's story.

Because my back decided to fill with excruciating pain that has left me immobilized for several days! GAH!

Which meant no new pictures.

But hopefully I'll get some done tonight.

In the meantime, Kirino was very concerned.

Kirino: Heather, you need cuddle bear, STAT!

*stops to ponder bear*

Hmm... I'm not sure this bear is big enough.

Also, hehe, does anyone recognize the book in the background? XD

Monster High Ghoulia Repaint

I'm currently in the middle of a Monster High Ghoulia Custom,
but here's my repaint job...
I want to make her an outfit as well.

Happy Birthday, Miki!

Happy Birthday, Miki!

Miki: I really love my stuffed panda!

Me: All the girls went in and got that for you.

Miki: Thank you!

Whatever DID happen on Squeak's birthday?

Well, Squeak was going to celebrate with Ella... but when the time came, she was nowhere to be found... whatever DID happen to Squeak??

Oooh! Shhh... let's not disturb her :)

Squeak now has several lovely diaries... but, the best part of her birthday, by far was the crayons that are JUST HER SIZE!!!

The two cute little crayon drawings came with the crayon set too!!!

They are made by Minnie Kitchen who has an awesome etsy site here:

MinnieKitchen on Etsy

and a really great blog here:

Minnie Kitchen's Blog

You should seriously look into purchasing from her! She was even nice enough to make 1/6th scale when I asked... since a lot of the stuff in her store is 1/12th and wouldn't work for Neemos!

I also got some...

from her!!! Or, I should say, Madoka got some Whoppers from her. LOL.

Thank you, so much, Minnie Kitchen!!!

These were the perfect presents for Squeak and I'm so glad you were willing to work with me to make them in the right size!!

Impenetrable

Ghost Girl: *peeks in basement window* Where should I go in?

*floats to the front porch*
Ghost Girl: This seems good...

*reaches out to walk through the wall*

Ghost Girl: *presses against the screen* What? What's going on? Why can't I float through?

*hops down off windowsill*

Ghost Girl: How strange... I'll have to test it...

Ghost Girl: It works here... I wonder why I can't get in?

Ghost Girl: *feeling very alone* What am I supposed to do? I'm all alone... again.

Ghost Girl: I will simply have to wait until someone opens a door.

Haunted

*floats in a nameless abyss*

Ghost Girl: Hello? Who's there? I hear someone...

She hasn't heard anything in a long time. Floating here, in this void, she has been lost in thought, reliving her sudden death.
Things shouldn't have happened the way they did.
She was robbed of her life.

Her body is pushed and pulled, expanded and contracted. Something is happening. The abyss melts around her, and suddenly she finds herself standing back in the world she had been so violently pulled from when she died.

Ghost Girl: Hello?

She does not recognize her surroundings.
There is only one thing left for her to do...

Ghost Girl: I will haunt this place.

Two new girls shipped in yesterday!

Yesterday was quite the Neemo extravaganza around here!!

(ok, let's face it, everyday is a Neemo extravaganza around here...)

Two new girls arrived!

First, please meet:

Kirino

Kirino is a

[Ore no Imouto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai] Kosaka Kirino Pure Neemo

Can we say "OMG" to the title of that anime? No wonder they shorten it to Oreimo!

I think the Neemo version of Kirino is a little displeased that I have so many versions of her.

The goofy thing about Kirino is, I started buying her figures before I'd ever seen the anime... heck, I still haven't seen all of the anime, but I just loved the character design of Kirino so much (er, probably because she looks a little like me, and it's the first anime character I've ever seen that does!)

Anyhow, I started seriously collecting Pure Neemos AFTER they'd released Kirino, so I missed out on her, but thanks to another Michigan collector, I was able to snag her and bring her home!

 Now I want all the other Neemos from this series T_T

 

Next up is

Enma Ai Pure Neemo

Who, currently, around here, is being called

 "Ghost Girl" 

until I think of a name for her.

 She is a little ghost who lives among the Neemos, probably attracted by all the magic from the witches. She's a little bit creepy, but otherwise pretty harmless... we think.

It seems she's taken to haunting my tea... hmm.

 

I-Luv-Dolls' Mass Blogger Interview!

I-Luv-Dolls recently did an interview, and is opening it up to have all her readers answer the questions too!


Here are my answers!
If you're interested in taking part, head on over to I-Luv-Dolls blog and grab the questions for yourself!... and please feel free to link to your responses here, I'd love to read them!


Go HERE to join in the fun!


When did you start collecting dolls?

I started collecting dolls when I got into Ball Jointed Dolls about 10 years ago. If I'm going to be honest though, I started collecting as a child with my Barbies. I took excellent care of them, and kept all their pieces.


UNfortunately, my Barbies ALL met their demise at the hands of my little brother and his friend, when they decapitated them all in the basement before anyone knew what they were doing (they were very young, about 8). It really sucked to lose them all, but my parents made my brother pay me back what they were worth at current market value. He was paying me for a very long time.

What was your first purchase as a collector?

A Dream of Doll Yen. I bought him on the advice of a friend who said he was a good "starter" doll.

I HATED him.

I loved the dolls she had and was angry that she had me spend $150 on a starter doll, when her dolls cost $300 and were way more awesome. I'd rather start with something I like, rather than a less expensive "intro" doll, but I was too naive to know any better... and back then, $150 for a doll seemed like a lot of money.

Hah... hah... ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

How many dolls do you own?

46: 4 Misaki, 1 FR Kyori, 2 Volks Dollfie Dreams, 1 Unoa Sist, 1 Unoa Light, 22 Pure Neemos, 1 Mamachapp, 1 Custom made Obitsu, 2 Dynamite Girls, 9 Barbie, 2 Monster High

What is your favorite doll and why?

OMG, are you trying to start a riot over here? I can't say that out loud!!! LOL!

And honestly, the truth is I kind of love my Unoa Light, Pure Neemos and Dollfie Dreams the best, but of the ones I have, I couldn't pick a favorite, I really love them all equally.

I have had ones I don't love as much, and those have been sold. I'm not really big on keeping around dolls that I'm only luke-warm about.

What doll or dolls are not your favorites and why?

Honestly, I've gotten rid of most all the ones that are not my favorites. Although, out of my current collection, my two least favorites are my Wonder Woman and Poison Ivy Barbies, because they have hideous bendy bodies. I'm sorry, but those elbow joints are just weird.

I can tell you some ones that I've gotten rid of that I kind of hated, though.
Bobobie resin dolls, they were AWFUL at posing. I've heard they've gotten better since I last owned one though.

What is the biggest challenge about collecting dolls?

Money. There is always more that I want than what I have in dollars to spend... so I have to budget carefully and make sure I'm not buying without thinking. That's really easy to do with the smaller dolls.

How do you display or store your dolls?

I have a shelving unit in my living room that they all sit on, as well as another shelving unit in the computer room that is being made into a dollhouse for them.

What I *really* want to do is build them a doll house... but I have no idea how to do that.

Have you ever been to a doll show?

Yes, a very small one, but it was fun and I found a lot of really great stuff there. I'd love to go to another.

When you travel, do you look for dolls?

Of course! I'm always on the lookout. Although admittedly, my favorite dolls are the Dollfie Dreams and the Pure Neemos, and the chances of me stumbling on one of those here is pretty much zero.

Because of the kinds of dolls I collect, I'm more on the lookout for doll STUFF rather than the dolls themselves.

What is your latest purchase?

Volks Dollfie Dream Rise

What doll is on your wish list now?

LOL, there are too many! I'm just going to include the link to my Pinterest "wishlist" board:
http://pinterest.com/littlebearries/wishlist/


Also, the Volks Dollfie Dream Dynamite White Skin Alna... I still want her, lol!

What do you wish you didn’t purchase?

Nothing, at the moment. I love all of my current dolls that I've purchased. If I don't like them, I sell them.

What is your favorite doll related item?

Oh wow... it's got to be Dollfie Dream shoes... those girls have AWESOME shoes... I wish I had shoes half as cool as theirs!!!


Here's a small sampling:

How often do you photograph your dolls and what doll is the most photographed and/or photogenic?

I usually photograph my dolls daily. They're all photogenic, it's kind of a requirement with me, but the one that gets photographed the most is Anna, my Lycce Pure Neemo. She goes Geocaching with me, and has many great adventures!

Do you talk to other collectors in person or just on the web?

In person and on the web. We have monthly or bi-monthly meetups where everyone gets together and chats about dolls... and then there are my online friends who I talk to regularly... plus one of my best friends is an avid doll collector (and got me into doll collecting in the first place) and we talk dolls all the time.

If you had the chance to speak to Mattel or other toy makers, what would you say?

PAY ATTENTION TO QUALITY, ya dorks! My Pure Neemos and Dollfie Dreams, both coming from Japan, have AMAZING quality. AMAZING! And also, amazing customer service. I think American doll companies could learn a lesson or two. I've seen some *really* shoddy work on Barbies lately.

What doll do you wish would be reissued?

The Toki Doki Barbie. I really did want her. I knew I shouldn't have dawdled. *sigh*

What two dolls would you combine and how would you want them
combined? (Muff style question)

Actually, for me, this has already been done with my Unoa Light! It combined the Unoa resin style doll with a 1/6th size made of vinyl! The doll is truly fantastic, modeled after the Unoa Zero body, and is the best posing 1/6th girl I have! I need to buy more of them!

Alna is taking a day off

I don't show my big girls off too much around here... but I do adore and play with them as well... so today, Alna decided she wanted her picture shown!

She recently helped me photograph a ton of outfits for a friend... 

We're trying to sell them for her, and so far, seem to be getting questions and interest, so here's to hoping they sell! (I still have a ton more photos to post too!)

But, after Alna was all done, she decided this outfit was hers, and she was going to relax in it.

*shakes head*

Alna: Oh! Hi guys! Maybe you remember me from when I got some packages in the mail? I had different hair then, so I hope it's not too confusing!

Alna: I'm just kicking back, relaxing after ALL of those photos... Heather says I did an excellent job helping her out though, so I'm pretty happy... PLUS, I got to try on ALL those clothes! I LOVE clothes!

Alna: I'm sorry the Neemos aren't around today! I know this is their blog... but I'm good friends with the Neemos! I swear!! Anyhow, thanks for letting me show off my cute new outfit and hair :)

(er, as you may have noticed, Alna is *quite* busty, this has a bit to do with the type of doll she is... and NO, she's not a sex doll! I swear! But she is a type of doll that is geared towards men, even though there are many, many, many female collectors of them too. She is a Dollfie Dream, made by Volks... and even though her boobs are crazy huge, I wouldn't want her any other way. XD )

Happy Birthday, Ella!

Wow, this month is just filled with birthdays!

Me: Hey, Ella, where's Squeak, I thought you guys were going to celebrate together?

Ella: I don't know, she was here, but then she left!

Me: Oh, hmm... a mystery! What's that you've got there though?

Ella: My birthday present!! A pet bunny!

Me: Aww, very nice... now you'll just have to name him. :)

Magrat

Please join us in welcoming our newest Pure Neemo member:

Magrat

The name comes from a witch in the Discworld novels by Terry Pratchett.

She is a Majokko Sera / Little Witch of The Wisdom

and she is just cute as a button.

More pictures of her will be posted later, and Squeak has decided to hold off her birthday celebrations until tomorrow, when it will also be Ella's birthday, and they can celebrate together. :)

Oh no!

Just a quick note!

Today is little Squeak's birthday... but due to time constraint... 

pictures of the celebration will have to be posted tomorrow!

But I just had to say,

Happy Birthday, Squeak!

If you go out in the woods today...

Heather singing:

If you go out in the woods today
You're sure of a big surprise.
If you go out in the woods today
You'd better go in disguise.

 Anna: Heather, you idiot, stop singing and help me with this!

Can't you hear? There's something alive inside!

Heather keeps singing:

For every bear that ever there was
Will gather there for certain, because
Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic.

 

Anna: *pries lid off* Hello? Is someone in there?

Muffled voice from deep within the box: Help meeeeee.....

Heather sings loudly:

Picnic time for teddy bears,
The little teddy bears are having a lovely time today.
Watch them, catch them unawares,
And see them picnic on their holiday.
See them gaily dance about.
They love to play and shout.
And never have any cares.
At six o'clock their mommies and daddies
Will take them home to bed
Because they're tired little teddy bears.

 

Anna: Oh my goodness! *reaches in to help him out* HEATHER, STOP SINGING!
... wait... what ARE you singing?

Heather keeps singing:
If you go out in the woods today,
You'd better not go alone.
It's lovely out in the woods today,
But safer to stay at home.

 

 Anna: Aww, come here little guy, what's your name?

Kidogo: It's Kidogo (pronounced Kid-oh-jo)... I've...
I've been trapped in that box since the picnic!

Anna: Wait... so this junk Heather's singing about...
There really is a teddy bear picnic?!

Heather still singing:

For every bear that ever there was
Will gather there for certain, because
Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic

Kidogo: Yup, there's a picnic.

Anna: Wow, so it's not just a song, it's a warning...

I wonder if it's safe to be out in the woods now?

Kidogo: Oh yes, the picnic is over... but...
*sniffle* I WAS LEFT BEHIND!

Anna: Oh no!

Heather (still singing):
Every teddy bear, that's been good
Is sure of a treat today
There's lots of wonderful things to eat
And wonderful games to play

 

 Kidogo: Yup, that part of the song she just sang is right, too.  There are cookies and cakes and everything a little bear could want...
Anna: Then how did you get trapped in that box?

Kidogo: I found it hidden there, and thought there might be a cookie inside.
So I crawled in, and then someone came along and closed it.
It was probably the other bears. They probably thought they needed to hide the box before they left again... and now I'm all alone!

Anna: You're not all alone! You can go adventuring with me!

Kidogo: Really?

Anna: Really!

Kidogo: Are there cookies? 

Anna: Uhm... yes?

Kidogo: *skeptical* You don't sound too sure.

Anna: Heather? A little help here? Are there cookies?!

Heather, still singing, and glad it's the last verse:

Beneath the trees, where nobody sees
They'll hide and seek as long as they please
Today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic

Anna: Bah... she's worthless. I say, "YES" there are cookies!

Kidogo: All right! I'm in!

And thus, Anna got herself a new Geocaching partner, and a new little friend...

and since the song is done, I can stop singing and go find some cookies, because there's nothing worse than a grumpy little bear.

(Anna also took another prize... this shiny marble!
If you look, you can see me reflected in it!
Well, ok, mostly you just see my cell phone.)

Kidogo is made by the extremely talented Ginger Brame of The Piece Parade.

Her blog is always fun and exciting and is called bearbits