·:[ Blythe Blog ]:·
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So, 2 of my favorite dolly personalities had birthday’s this past month and on the same day nonetheless !

Squirrel celebrated her 2nd birthday with her best friend Bea and most of the Flickr community. As usual, Rebecca’s photos are both inspiring and heart-warming.

Picture by: Squirrel Junkie

There was lots of celebration @ Tia’s as it was Oz’s first birthday !

*Picture by Tia

Not only did Rebecca and Tia celebrate but both girls were sent gifts from other dolly friends across the community. And of course lots of birthday wishes and cheer was spread throughout.

When I first started collecting Blythe, I thought the remembrance of their “birthdays” and “arrival days” and this is the day I got her her first ButtonArcade dresses were kinda.. silly ! Like it was a little bit of overdoing it.

But since I’ve been in this hobby, and anyone else who actually gets involved. You soon realize that collecting Blythe is not only about having a collectible doll. There’s these whole other aspects to it that surprise you. Among Flickr and forum communities, you totally just build this little bond with your doll. And then it’s amplified when you share in little things with others who also collect these “magical” dolls.

I’m not saying you will remember the day every doll arrived with you. Nor would your life probably allow you the time to involve yourself with each of them and every dolly friends dollies birthdays. But when you actually do find a doll that captures your heart like this and you can share as we’ve seen Rebecca and Tia share, it totally just puts a smile on your face.

I have to admit that I don’t think I would have stayed in the hobby this long (as nothing holds my attention!) if it wasn’t for the actual friendships I’ve build beyond my dolls. In fact, seeing things like this inspired me so much I made my first 2 official tees for “Little Sheep Eep” for Squirrel and Oz as birthday presents for them.

So, find a special reason to celebrate with your favorite dolly ! Have a little party ! Celebrate your hobby. Give your neighbors a reason to stare ! You might find the creative outlet was just what you needed for yourself too !

Tags: "Ask Oz", birthday, blythe, celebration, Squirrel, squirrel junkie, tia

Have you been called that before? Or you could read it on the face of someone who saw you clutching your Blythe while taking a photo? Or at a family gathering? You know that they know your plastic friend is more than an accessory, she’s part of you.

I never realized it until today. When I finally allowed myself to look over the past year of my time with my Sunday’s Best – Oz. I had started her 365 and made it up to the 200-teens before adopting her out to a good friend. (♥ Tia!)

I’m sure some of you are thinking, why did I even adopt her out if I loved her so much? To be honest… It was just time to do it. I don’t regret it. And I don’t want to make Tia feel bad because she’s the bestest dolly mommy I could have ever asked for.

But the reason I sit here and ponder this was that I never realized how much that doll was with me until I looked over the pictures of our 365 adventure on my Flickr while listening to a weepy song.

She was with me when my Gramma passed, during my dads heart attack, when we moved, for Christmas, holidays, birthdays, being sick, being happy, she met Bea!, went to BlytheCon with me – She was just a special doll that spent a lot of special times with me. And I never would’ve known that if I didn’t document it. (On a side note: My advice is, take lots of pictures of your girl, even if it’s not for a 365 challenge.)

And while my heart aches a little looking at her sometimes, I just realized that it wasn’t ME that made the doll. Oz made herself special. Isn’t that weird to say?

As my cursor blinks and I re-read that sentence “Oz made herself special.” – I think I’ve lost my mind. But it’s true. And all it really takes is someone to spend some time with her and help her develop her “personality”.

While all Blythe girls are special, there are a few that just beam and gleam good times to be had. A special little spark in them. I know it’s true because Oz still sparks with her new “mom”.

Maybe that’s why we get the stares.. or we keep our dollies inside because we don’t want the stares. People find Blythe creepy because she is special. She has personality. She is magical.

Now, I wonder who will spend the next year with me? Whose plastic face will light up for me? Only time will tell… I hope she comes soon.

♥ Farewell Oz, Until we meet again. ♥

♪ Music: Jimmy Eat World – My Sundown ♪

I see it around me, I see it in everything
I could be so much more than this…

I said my goodbye’s
This is my sundown
I’m gonna be so much more than this
With one hand high
You’ll show them your progress
You’ll take your time
But no one cares
No one cares.

I need you to show me
The way from crazy
I wanna be so much
More than this…

With one hand high
You’ll show them your progress
You’ll take your time
But no one cares.

*repeat chorus*

I could be so much more than this.
Good goodbye lovely time
Good goodbye to sunshine
Good goodbye
I’ll be fine
Good goodbye
Good goodnight

Tags: "Ask Oz", blythe, farewell, magic

Hello blog readers! It’s Wednesday and time for another “Ask Oz” installment. I got some good questions last week and I do plan on answering every question submitted – so please send me more!

Tia (one of my favorite readers!) writes:

“I’m not sure which girl to choose for my 365. I have a new girl, but I’m sending my old(er) girl to have a spa treatment. Should I wait until I get her back from the spa?”

Well “my hot cup of Tia” – Choosing a 365 girl is a big deal. I mean, you are going to be taking a photo of her everyday. If you have to wait a little time to make sure she’s the girl for your 365 – do it. I know mum has tried her hand at 365 with at least 3 different girls (not including me) and even now sometimes it’s a drag to keep up.

The cool thing is, it doesn’t matter when you start in the year. So, take your time and choose your girl. Make sure it’s a girl you bond well with and like taking pictures of.

Good luck Tia! We can’t wait to see who you choose and how your adventure goes!

Thanks for writing!
~Oz

Tags: "Ask Oz", 365, choosing, girl

Our first Music Monday is to celebrate Oz’s 200th picture! What a milestone.

Happy 200th Oz!

We chose “Call & Answer” by Barenaked Ladies as our celebration song.

I think it’s getting to the point
Where I can be myself again
I think it’s getting to the point
Where we have almost made amends
I think it’s the getting to the point
That is the hardest part.

And if you call, I will answer
And if you fall, I’ll pick you up
And if you court this disaster
Ill point you home

You think I only think about you
When were both in the same room
You think I’m only here to witness
The remains of love exhumed
You think were here to play
A game of who loves more than whom

And if you call, I will answer
And if you fall, I’ll pick you up
And if you court this disaster
Ill point you home

You think it’s only fair to do what’s
Best for you and you alone
You think it’s only fair to do the same
To me when you’re not home
I think it’s time to make this something that is
More than only fair

So if you call, I will answer
And if you fall, I’ll pick you up
And if you court this disaster
Ill point you home.

But I’m warning you, don’t ever do
Those crazy, messed up things that you do
If you ever do
I promise you I’ll be the first to crucify you
Now it’s time to prove that you’ve come back
Here to rebuild.

Tags: "Ask Oz", 365, day 200, mondays, music

Welcome to the first installment of “Ask Oz” ! I received a question from… my mum. Yeah, isn’t that how it always starts? Usually those closest to you are the ones to help you believe in yourself first.

Anyhow, aprilxoxo writes:

“Dear Oz, Can you please give me some ideas for my 365 challenge? Although my dolly is the prettiest Blythe girl ever, I’m stuck on some creative ideas! Help!

Signed,
aprilxoxo <3″

The beginning of this year marked a time when most of you started your 365 challenge with your favorite Blythe girl. Some of you may be asking what the “365 challenge” is. Well, it’s simple really – You just take a photo of your Blythe girl for 1 full year and keep your album updated on Flickr.

There are a few variations, some do a “Doll a Week” or “52 Weeks of Blythe & Music” – There’s several. And while I’m not playing down the challenge of those, I really feel the 365 of the same 1 girl every day is the toughest.

We are in the middle of my own 365 challenge. About to hit day 200 actually. It’s been really difficult for mum to think up more than just a shot a day of me in the yard or in front of some pretty craft paper. She has a little journal with scribbled ideas for future pictures to take of me. Some really simple like making a collage of my 5 favorite pairs of shoes and some more difficult like what we want to do for our day 200 shot… which might have to be pushed to day 300 as it’s more elaborate than we had planned. All I can say is “Ahoy!” for that one.

My own challenges aside – I think the journal is a good start. Ideas could pop at random in your day for things to do and to jot them down could help when you are in a fix.

I also recommend getting a good book for inspiration.

My 365 has been a true test of friendship. Sometimes I get the feeling she just wants to put me in a drawer and take a break and sometimes I feel like I am the center of the universe. Even though we are barely halfway through our challenge, I feel so loved.

So, how do you keep up with your 365 challenges? What inspires you? Which 365 challenge did you choose and why?

I hope you enjoyed your first installment of “Ask Oz” – Please send me some more questions!

Signed,
Oz

Tags: "Ask Oz", 365, challenge, flickr, ideas