Time to Checkout Temu! (Discount at the End!)

Have you seen ads everywhere for the Temu app? I have. At first I thought it would all just be cheap junk from overseas that took too long to arrive. So I ignored them all with a bit of annoyance. But...

Well, the girls and I have been making a lot of things for the dolls. We have also been watching videos of other doll enthusiasts who make things. Some of them have been testing the waters with Temu. Not everything inspires confidence. However, I decided to take the plunge and see what was worth it. As well as what falls short of expectations. So dive in with me! 

My first order

I say first as I tentatively consider making another order. I have wanted doll clothes that inspire realistic looks. My daughters and I have a tendency to do doll photography when we can. With the colder weather, we came to realize that our dolls just don't have the types of clothes meant for that weather. After all, Barbie is from Malibu. Unless she went to a resort somewhere, chances are good she doesn't see snow. Or anything below 60 degrees. So Mattel doesn't make many winter items. This can be such a bummer! This is why I started looking on Temu to begin with. Then, as I'm browsing doll clothes, my daughters want babies for their dolls. My oldest wanted to buy some with money she earned in a cat-sitting job. Sure, why not? Add this to my search. However, this is where we learned our first lesson. Measurements mean something! The babies we ordered were NOT the right scale. I thought of them as being like the big baby in Spirited Away in comparison to your average baby dolls. Thankfully, the girls weren't too disappointed. They have great imaginations and just use them as babies that are... bigger than normal.

They were incredibly adorable! Each baby was $2.69. Hats and clothes are interchangeable, though the faces are all the same. But my daughters wanted to test that out anyhow. 

This coat is amazing! Well worth the purchase. My daughters have been asking me to get them one as well. It was $3.59 for the white one. The faux fur at the hood is incredibly soft. The tiny zipper works perfectly. I told my girls that when we finally take our out-of-state trip, we pack these so that they look like they belong in the snow zone! 

Another thing that our dolls were lacking where things that fit the smaller dolls. Those painted on clothes aren't so cute after a while. They need to be able to change. So I purchased this set for $4.49. The dresses are random, so you might get a different variety.

They are not finished around the edges, so you have to be gentle with them or you may soon find them fraying. The accessories, while cute, aren't really my style. The backpack opens and can hold almost everything in it. The straps on it are also adjustable. We found that these clothes also fit on my younger daughters My Little Pony Equestria Girls dolls!

Once she learned that, she didn't want them for the little dolls anymore. She has since asked me to get her some more too! 

The next set was this full outfit. The beanie has Home Made on it. The sweater can be worn as a short dress on the doll, or accompanied by something on the legs. It has a little Love embellishment on one shoulder. They send you the thigh high stockings, though my pair came apart at the seams on the first use. It also comes with cute little boots/sneakers. They fit well on the dolls. I bought the grey for me and my older daughter. The younger girl wanted pink. Great thing about Temu is that I can request a refund for the amount that they changed the price for! So, for this one, I spent $2.14 each. But now they are only about $1.93. So they refunded the difference to my account. Since I'm thinking about putting in another order, I requested it back in credit. This way I can just apply it to my next order! 

Final results are in...

This really was to test the waters. Everything that comes from Temu may not be what you hoped. But then other things might be better than you had hoped! My girls and I are excited about trying again. Who knows what we will show you next time? Maybe you can even request something for me to test out in comparison to the various dolls we have? Leave me a comment below! 

As promised....

I have a code that can help you save on your purchase! If you just want to copy the code: acd220483. But if you want to go the easier route, here is my link: https://temu.to/m/uqnvoeqksvu. 

I might earn store credit if you use it to purchase something. Honestly, I'm still learning how that works! But if it helps you save a little, that is plenty for me. 

What is something you have always wondered about getting from Temu? Let me know in the comments below! Better yet, have you purchased from them? Was it a positive experience?? Tell me about it!

New Life For An Old Doll

Time for another doll makeover. I had put the dolls aside during the holidays. Too much stress and anxiety for me to find enjoyment with my creations. But since Christmas is finally done and away, I'm getting back to my normal routines. That includes making new characters from an old doll. 

Who am I making this time? 

So glad you asked! This nerdy girl has been inspired to create her own version of a plague doctor doll. The inspiration came after testing dyes out when I made the Harley Quinn doll. Turns out that blond dolls from Mattel don't soak up dyes as well as I had thought they would. Blond is an actual color on their hair. So in order to get true color changes, you'd have to strip the yellow out. But I wasn't ready to test that. Instead, after trying to make it black, but it turning an almost silver instead, I tried red. That just made the tips a pinkish color. So I had the idea, why not make her a plague doctor? After all, the doctors dealt with a horrible disease, but didn't walk away unscathed.  

Despite their many talismans and beliefs of the time. Like wearing all black robes that were sealed with fat or oil in the hopes that it would repel the disease? How about the pomander around their neck that would be filled with strong-smelling herbs in the hopes of scaring off the plague? Their cane was to give examinations of plague victims with distance afforded. Their beaked mask was to not only scare off the disease, but to be filled with herbs to keep the pungent odors of victims from carrying the disease into their own noses. Even the glass eyes of the mask had the purpose of scaring the plague away and keeping their eyes from taking in the sickness.

Oh yes, I did my research. So here is the progression of making my own Plague Doctor doll. I want some historical accuracy, but with some beauty and style as well. 

First the hair...

I told you how her hair came to be. The idea that she was treating the diseased back in the dark ages of the plague, led to her hair (originally a deep auburn) being drained of color. Thus, she has a silverish tone throughout with only a slim amount of red on her tips (that looks a little more pink in some lights). All that is left of the vibrancy she once knew in life.

Then came the dress!

Clothes can truly define your character. They can be recognized or admired. I chose a simple gown pattern that you can get online for free. I had a plain black material that had a shiny, soft feel to one side. Don't ask me what type - I'm no good at recognizing most fabrics. I will say it was a thicker kind. This allows me to have some stiffness. A soft, shiny side with a more velvety underside.

Sewing this by hand took a LONG time. And was painful. But it helped me pass cold nights and think of how I wanted her to look in the end. I have also come to learn that darting a gown is harder than I thought! And one last thought, you might want to get a fabric pencil to make out the parts. I did this without one. And kept wishing I had bought one for this kind of thing. Just a tip. Then I decided to start embellishing it. I gave her a silver belt from a decoration my mother had sent a long while back.

Now for her talisman pieces...

I had this silver button in my sewing collection. It looks so much like a pomander ball! The under side even has holes. She would put her herbs inside it and wear it around her neck. 

A cross. During the plague, the Catholic cult was a huge religion. Wearing gaudy crosses were like a sign on them screaming that they were holy.   My doll is a Christian. So it isn't because of a religious tradition, but a true hope in God that she carries this one. 

A time piece. Or for your modern language, a pocket watch. This was a charm that I had amongst my remaining steampunk pieces. I added some paint to make it more realistic. 

Then came the cane...

Her cane is actually longer. I chose to go with more of a staff. So I took a skewer stick, cut it to my desired length, and painted it black. Now to add decorations. I was finding various styles to go with for the head, but replicating those in miniature was going to be tricky. So I started digging through the crafting bin. I feel like a hoarder when I pull it out, but then I always find something that will work for the project in hand.  

But she still seems so bare. I'd make sleeves, but my skills in that regard are severely lacking. So instead, I opted to sew a long cape.

I didn't quite get it right, so this cape doesn't have a functional hood. At first, she looked like a bride of Dracula. (My daughters like this photo, looks like she spooked the Witch behind her.)

I pinned down the edges to make it look like it is laying open. Then the clasp comes from an old earring. Or would have been, but it kept popping loose. So I put in a snap and then snipped the post off the earring before sewing it over the top part of the snap. 

Every doctor needs a case! 

I had this tiny tin that was sent to me. After a fresh coat of black paint, it became her valise. A doctor of her time had more than just the tools that are worn. They needed the ones far more utilized that are carried about. So I put together her travel case. Inside, we have her syringe that I 3D printed. A mortar and pestle set that was also 3D printed. I had previously printed these beakers. I am still hoping that one day I can put together better tools, but these will do for now. 

But let us not forget the main piece of equipment that identifies her - her mask. I found a 3D printer file to resize that made the perfect mask for her.

My daughter also told me to throw in some of the green bits that came with a miniature kit she built to be the 'herbs' the doctor would use in her mortar and pestle! A fantastic suggestion. 

But when the mask comes off...

I started thinking about her pink lips. That part bothered me. I have no skill for a facial repaint. But her pink lips looked too healthy. So I consulted my husband on a color. He thought light blue. A sorta-lean into someone cold and sick. I tried to mix an acceptable blue. My backup was going to be black lips, but that seemed a little too dark for me. Like I said though, my painting skills aren't the greatest, so she may wear her mask often in the hopes of hiding her lips....

When I thought I was finished, my husband reminded me that she needed the hat. So in comes the cardboard spool from a used ribbon roll, cardboard cut into a wide brim circle, and felt to cover the whole thing.

NOW I can say she is complete. And I absolutely love her. AND I can finish helping with my daughters' doll creation now. So keep watching, and you will see another one soon.

Lost Photos of a Great Memory

If you are like me, you probably have a hard drive full of digital photos and then printed photos in a box. Ever since my first camera, I have loved taking pictures. Of people. Of places. Of things that I've seen. Some are so random. The best ones are of people when they weren't even looking my way. And sometimes, I even forget about photos. So stumbling on them again is like a flood of memories coming back.

But there were some priceless ones that I recently found. From our trip to Israel. We had asked another member of the tour group to use my camera and capture the moments of my husband and I being baptized in the Jordan River! 

Why was this such a big deal for us? 

My husband and I were baptized in our younger years. I, in the Presbyterian church. My husband, in his childhood, at a Baptist church. Neither of us making a conscious choice, but rather doing what our parents expected of us.

Personally, as I became an adult who was getting back into the Bible and really dedicating myself to the Lord, I came to realize that I needed to be truly baptized. To show that I really had given over to God and was ready to live the way He called me to. But when I came to this choice, we were not in a church that we called Home. And baptisms were not frequently offered. So I kept waiting. 

When were signing up to go to Israel, they offered us the chance to have the pastor that led the church group we went with, to baptize us. In the Jordan River. In Israel! My husband and I both jumped at the chance. First off, it was Pastor Ed Taylor of the Calvary in Aurora, Colorado! He had been the pastor we listened to at home. His church was the one where my husband rededicated himself to the Lord and we called that church our Home away from home. So that was an honor for us both. But even more so, was that we could be baptized in the Holy Land. What an amazing memory to make. For me, to make it with the man I loved, was the best part of all! We decided then and there, that this was where we would really and truly live like Christians are called to. No more halfhearted efforts. 

So having these photos, reminds us of that decision. 

What was it like? 

Cold. And dirty. 

You know that story of the Syrian, Naaman, coming to Elisha and asking to be healed of his leprosy? Elisha told him to go wash in the Jordan River. Naaman was furious! (2 Kings 5:1-14) Want to know why? That is the nastiest water! Smells bad. Your feet squish in slimy mud (even with my water shoes). There were what felt like rocks and sticks as well. And when we went in March, that water was freezing cold! I was glad it was so quick. I was shivering, with teeth chattering by the time I climbed out. The two pastors (father and son), had to wear wet suits to stay warm enough to get through all of us who chose to be baptized.

We were asked why we were doing this. For us both, it was to say with a deliberate mind that we wanted to do this. That we made the choice for ourselves. And that we were proud to have decided this. 

To say that I was nervous would be an understatement. First off, I felt very exposed. Secondly, I'm a bigger woman about to be dunked by a pretty thin guy. I was kinda worried he would lose his grip and it would be an ugly sight of me trying to regain my footing and come back up. And lastly, I did NOT want this water going up my nose! I was almost holding my breath the entire time we prayed before the dunking.

Is it strange that I worried I'd throw his back out? Thankfully, I didn't. Thankfully, he kept hold. Thankfully, it was a smooth journey back upright. And praise God, I've announced in this small way, I'm His child! And I will live like one to the best of my ability through His grace and mercy.

We can rejoice. Not because getting dunked makes us saved. Not because it changed us physically, emotionally or maybe even changed us spiritually. But because this reminds us to be accountable.

If you haven't, I highly recommend you give your life to God. If you have, but haven't been baptized, maybe you should consider it. It is a symbol of going under as a sinner, and coming up washed clean. Then live it out!

Solving Cold Cases For Fun As Well As For Education!

Once upon a time, I really wanted to be a Crime Scene Investigator. I read every book I could get on techniques, fingerprinting, DNA analysis, true crime - anything that I could learn something of the trade from. I did research on what police departments are looking to hire for. Turns out, the one with the most knowledge in multiple areas, gets the job! They are usually low-funded for labs, so they hire one person to do it all. Don't believe me? Look up how many storage lockers are filled with unprocessed evidence. You will be amazed. 

What does that have to do with today's post? My love for crime solving has not died. I might never have been able to work that career, but I still enjoy a good mystery! You should see my library of books... Which is why I've introduced my husband to Murder, She Wrote. And thanks to finds from my mother, I get to pretend (for a while) that I'm the detective. 

Solving cases as a game

How many of you have done an escape room challenge? How many of you enjoy mysteries? Who likes to solve puzzles? 

If you answered ME! to any or all of those three things, then you are in for some fun ideas today. My mother has been finding various kits that bring murder mysteries into an affordable experience. Whether it is just you and one other, or whether you get a group of people together - it is a fun way to pass the time.

Perks to these kits

For starters, you go at your own pace. Some I have finished in a single night. Some I have done over multiple nights. Whether you pace yourself and savor it, or you devour it as quickly as your mind can process it, is all up to you! The first one I received, I insisted my husband and I had to finish it all in one night. I couldn't go to bed without knowing if I was right in who had murdered the bride-to-be! Could you sleep while an innocent man was framed for a crime he did not commit?! Okay, okay, I'm being dramatic. This is only a game after all. But this was the dedication I had during that first try. 

Not all kits are equal

As I will show you below, each kit is different. They serve a variety of minds. Some are better for parties than others. Some are easier to figure out than others. Some are more fun to work on over longer periods of times. Some interact with websites. Each are different. Uniquely fun in their own way. Even my kids have attempted to solve the murder! 

Unsolved Case File: Harmony Ashcroft

This was the first one I ever did. The one I made my husband stay up late with me to complete! Inside is a huge folder, filled to the brim with items that will help you piece together the crime and all those involved with your investigation. Photographs, witness statements, newspaper clippings - I was blown away how detailed they went with this. You can work this one alone, or with others. Over time, or as I did, all in a single night. It is available on Amazon as of when I am posting this. And it is also interactive with online links. Your goal isn't just to solve the case, which will be labeled as a cold case once the main objective is completed.

Your true and first goal is to prove that an innocent man was wrongfully arrested and convicted of the crime! It takes some real sleuthing to get through it. So if you don't like to really dig in on the brain power, this one isn't for you.

Cold Case Crackers

This is another one that is very detailed. I'd say it takes more effort like the first one I showed you. Great for a group game.

Or take your time and solve the riddle of who the bomber is and why. It has multiple phases. Can't move on to the next one until you finish each step!

Just like the first one, this one is brimming with pieces to solve the crime. Also like the other one, there are links you go to in order to verify whether you are correct in your deductions. I believe there are also hints available if you get stuck.

Murder Mystery Party: Death by Chef's Knife

This boxed set comes with a LOT of details. You really do think through the evidence. But it is finding the lies that makes the difference in whether you will solve it or now.

This one would be great for a party. But it can also be done solo or with a friend. I think my husband and I completed this in 2-3 sessions of reading and discussing the aspects.

But what do these have to do with education??

These are just games, hobbies, fun things, right? Yes, and no! I had my kids work together on the first one. Some enjoyed the assignment. Some did not. What they got from it, however, was worth it. They had to think. They had to reason. They had to focus their attention. And they had be analytical. This type of thinking is becoming a lost art among today's children. Our current generations are not being taught to think critically. To really read between the lines. These kits promote that kind of action. I think things like this should be included in the classroom setting more often.