The Delightful Pink World of Kitty Kat Dance

***** I love my Toys*****, originally uploaded by KittyKatDance.

My good friend Kitty Kat Dance is a doll dressmaker extraordinaire. This whimsical photo of hers offers a glimpse of the magical worlds she creates for her dollies and friends. You are in for a treat when you visit her Etsy shop or her flickr photostream. Enjoy!

Petite Blythe Muchacha Zukin....

Petite Blythe Muchacha Zukin...., originally uploaded by confections.

My latest Petite Blythe, Muchacha Zukin; here she is surrounded by new fabrics from my stash. I especially love her bonnet, embellished with little felt flowers ♥

Isadora Reiko at Tea

Isadora Reiko at Tea (2), originally uploaded by confections.

The Blythe dollies went to tea at Tea-upon-Chatsworth for the first time on Saturday and they had a most enjoyable time. Isadora Reiko (Frosty Frock) was joined by her cousin Mademoiselle Rosebud, and they indulged in the following incomparable High Tea:


Summer Tea Menu

Baked Brie with Cherry-Peach Compote
Roasted Vegetables & Cheese Strata
Sweet Onion Chicken & Mint Chiffonade Tea Sandwich
Artichoke Provencal Tart
Fire-Roasted Pepper & Cheddar on Raisin Tea Sandwich
Apples & Oranges Tea Sandwich
Chatsworth Scone & Cream with Rose Petal Jam
Watermelon Gazpacho
Wedding Tea Cake
Lemon Basil Square
Mocha-Almond Torte

Paris and Apricot Teas

Isadora Reiko's New Curls Revealed

Isadora Reiko's New Curls Revealed, originally uploaded by confections.

Here is my Frosty Frock Blythe doll (Isadora Reiko) with her new curly head, following the boil perm make-over. I think she looks great. Her hair appears much shorter, but it is just because of the curling effect
--no trimming took place!

Waiting for Her Hair to Dry (2)

Waiting for Her Hair to Dry (2), originally uploaded by confections.

I decided to take Isadora Reiko (Frosty Frock Blythe doll) to the spa to have her hair done in a boil perm. It's a strange ritual involving nearly boiling water that Blythe doll aficionados engage in to tame the tresses of their girls and to add curl or soft waves.

Here she is post-boil-perm, waiting for her hair to dry. I'll have "after" photos tomorrow.

New Handknit Dress for Blythe in Progress

New Handknit Dress for Blythe in Progress, originally uploaded by confections.

Isadora Reiko (Frosty Frock) had lots of fun trying on her new handknit dress-in-progress. It's made of cotton yarn and was a swatch I made in a knitting class a few years back.

The little shawl is another swatch of Cotton Classic yarn and her hair adornment is a silk ribbon rosette I handmade. Her boots are from The Valley of the Dolls in Hollywood (now at Royal T in Culver City, California).

Isadora in her New Handknit Party Dress

Isadora in her New Handknit Party Dress, originally uploaded by confections.

I handknit this couture party dress for Isadora Reiko from self-patterning wool and nylon sock yarn. She is quite happy with it and wants to go out dancing in her new frock.

Isadora Reiko is Ready for Paris

Isadora Reiko is Ready for Paris, originally uploaded by confections.

My lovely Frosty Frock (Isadora Reiko) is wearing a dress with a Parisian theme by dollymolly under her wool felt top. I made the felt wool top and her crocheted hat. The hat is from a free pattern by q.d.patooties.

Not to be outdone, Isadora's sister Clementine also got a new dollymolly frock made up in a delicious Heather Bailey print:

Clementine in Her New Crocheted Dress

Clementine in Her New Crocheted Dress, originally uploaded by confections.

I've been crocheting a bit more for my new Blythe dolls. I experimented with a cotton top a few days ago and then selected some variegated sock yarn for my next attempt.

This yarn (at such a small scale) created color blocks throughout the garment--a bit like a pastel mini-Mondrian dress. Clementine Louisa likes it nonetheless and actually has put her order in for more fun dresses to share with her sisters.

I'm going to knit a few, too.

Clementine Louisa Sporting Her New Handknit Sweater

Clementine Louisa Sporting Her New Handknit Sweater, originally uploaded by confections.

I knit this miniature version of Sally Melville's "best friend jacket" a number of years ago when I took a workshop with her. I made two versions in different yarns, one hand-dyed, the other hand-dyed and handspun.

Of the two, this one is closest to fitting Blythe, but I will have to tweak the pattern and yarn to make another that will fit better.

My sister and I are going to an informal "dolly meet-up" with our friend KittyKatDance this Saturday. We'll have our dollies in tow, along with new outfits and works-in-progress.

Lounging Lovely is Living Large in Colorado

Lounging Lovely is Living Large in Colorado, originally uploaded by confections.

I gifted my 7-year-old niece with her own Blythe doll last month when she was visiting.

Yesterday, her Mom (my sister) sent a photo essay that Grainne made of Lounging Lovely. She is obviously relaxed and happy in her new home. Thanks for the update on our adopted girl!

Frosty Frock In and Out of the Box

Frosty Frock In and Out of the Box, originally uploaded by confections.

A new girl has arrived at our house to join her sister, Clementine Louisa. Frosty Frock Blythe is very sweet. She arrived with a bit of "par avion" hair, but I'm thinking of giving her a boil perm to create lots of curls on that luscious blonde head of hers.

Mademoiselle Rosebud Plays Dress-Up

Mademoiselle Rosebud Plays Dress-Up (4), originally uploaded by confections.

Mademoiselle Rosebud is draped in silk from a vintage robe that my sister found at a thrift store last summer. The vintage flowers in her hair are from a local antique mall in San Diego, California.

These photos and all styling are by my sister, lms, who celebrated her birthday yesterday. We kicked up our heels in grand style. Happy Birthday, ma petite soeur!

Handknit Bombyx Silk Dress for Blythe

Handknit Bombyx Silk Dress for Blythe (3), originally uploaded by confections.

A few years back I took a series of silk spinning and dyeing classes from the very talented Priscilla Lowry. I handknit this little swatch from one of my handpainted mini-skeins of bombyx morii silk yarn.

While I was sifting through some of my fiber bins yesterday, I located the swatch and turned it into this little silk number for Clementine Louisa. She is very happy to have a new handknit dress and would like some additional accessories to go with the ensemble.

Clementine Louisa in Her New Party Dress

Clementine Louisa in Her New Party Dress, originally uploaded by confections.

My lovely Blythe doll, Clementine Louisa, in her new party dress, which was completely handsewn by my friend KittyKatDance, including the matching velvet hairband and bloomers (not seen here). Boots by Puchi Shoes and Bags Collection (Blue Box).

Lounging Lovely (Ashton-Drake Gallery) Blythe (two)

Lounging Lovely (Ashton-Drake Gallery) Blythe (two), originally uploaded by confections.

My newest Blythe doll arrived last Friday, the 13th of March. I consider that to be a good omen. She is very sweet. Her hair color is actually lighter than I thought it was going to be and her eyelashes are a tad longer and more curled than my Takara Blythes; and her face is more matte--a feature that I like a lot. She was overjoyed to meet her sisters at Starbucks and join the happy family.

Prima Dolly Aubrena & Mademoiselle Rosebud

Prima Dolly Aubrena & Mademoiselle Rosebud, originally uploaded by confections.

Clementine Louisa has a new sister, Mademoiselle Rosebud, as I mentioned last week. Here they are in all of their sisterly glory. I finished knitting a little shrug for them--just have to sew two small seams and it will be ready to wear.

The girls joined us for tea at a good friend's home on Sunday afternoon. Another sister (ADG Lounging Lovely) will arrive to make it a trio any day now....

Art imitates life, as my second sister is due to arrive for a week-long visit near the end of the month. What fun we are going to have!

Mademoiselle Rosebud Meets Clementine Louisa

Mademoiselle Rosebud Meets Clementine Louisa, originally uploaded by confections.

There's a new Blythe doll at my house. My husband found her at our local swap meet on Saturday for $1.00. What an unbelievably wonderful surprise! She is being adopted out to my sister until she gets her very own new Blythe. Thanks, Bob!

Prima Dolly Aubrena, Now Called Clementine Louisa

Aubrena, originally uploaded by confections.

I have found a name for my new 12" Blythe doll. Her original name as she came from Takara Tomy is Prima Dolly Aubrena, but I have christened her "Clementine Louisa", taking my inspiration from my family tree. She is sweet!