More New Things and Some Links

I've had three lots of bad news this week so what's a good way of not thinking about it? Retail therapy. Not so good for my wallet though. I took these photos earlier today but have been struggling with a horrible migraine for most of the day so am only now getting to posting these.

I know I seem to be posting a lot about Monster High lately. Even though I had initially started with four in my collection (two Ghoulias and two Operettas) which I purchased earlier in the year, it's not been until the past three weeks that I've started really getting into them. I know they aren't everyone's cup of tea. I like them because they are so different from the Barbie dolls of my youth plus their funky wild hair styles and colours and their super thin body and big head combo appeals to me. (Incidentally it's probably why I like the Luts Tiny Delf 20 line as well.)

Anyway, I didn't take a photo of her box because the plastic was a bit scratched. I was even lucky to find her as she was not only pushed right to the back of the shelf hidden behind the new Boo York Boo York line but she was also heavily reduced so I got her for a bargain price. And she was the only one of this line there and the last one. I've not seen her at any of the other stores that sell MH dolls.

I'm talking about Creepataria Cleo de Nile.

She has that whole Egyptian vibe going on which appeals to me quite a lot. However, most of the Cleo dolls seem to come with those rooted glittery silver, gold or black strands which I didn't like. She's the first I've seen without them and I adore the hair colour combination quite a lot.

She doesn't come with a stand or brush though which is strange. She's the first MH doll I've bought that didn't come with either of those. What you see in the photo is pretty much it.

However, she does come with something .... different...

Yep, you're not seeing double. She comes with two right hands. I was a little confused and thought it might have been a mistake so after a bit of google fu, I have discovered that this is indeed a mistake. I did show my husband and he thinks it's kind of cool. He says it makes her unique because there is no other Creepataria Cleo de Nile like her and that I should keep her like that.

I guess I will just have to be very clever when taking photos of her. I did get her at a bargain although the hands were hard to see through the packaging because of the tray. I could get another Cleo in a different line and just use the hand for this Cleo but then I'd be left with a Cleo I didn't want less a right hand ... so I don't know what I'll do yet.

It's lucky she has such a pretty face even though she does look a tad arrogant. And I just love that hair. I actually don't mind her clothing or colour scheme either. I don't have a name for her yet but it'll come to me.

My other little purchase was one of those lalaloopsy mini dolls.

There was a time these were available everywhere but since they started making the big versions of these, the Minis seem to be hard to find. I did manage to find these guys (the store had only six different Minis in total). I love these two as they remind me a bit of mimes.

And those button eyes remind me of Coraline. I love their colours and design. I think Rune would look totally cute with an outfit similar to the small one.

Comparison with a Cleo. They will work great as dolls for the 1/6 scale dolls I have.

I also wanted to share some DIY Diorama links that I came across last night. I'm actually familiar with this Youtube channel as I stumbled on them a while back when searching for clothing to make for Monster High Dolls. I hadn't been aware they also did Diorama tutorials.

Here are just a few but I would recommend looking through their entire channel. Such creative ways of making fantastic looking dioramas with affordable and easy to get supplies.

How to make a doll art gallery
How to make a doll studio
Eeboo Craft Challenge

And there's even a Custom Doctor Who tutorial which I am going to have to do of course!