Cliffhanger!

After overpowering the deadly DALEK MOUSE using her wit and cunning, the Doctor and Melchie make their escape... but the lair is dark and winding, and the paths are many... and... and... the CLIFF IS HIGH!

WHAT WILL HAPPEN?

...you'll have to wait for next season to find out! ;)

The FOE revealed!

Egads! It is none other than the Doctor's enemy, DALEK MOUSE!

*Dalek Mouse by the House of Mouse.

Mortal PERIL

The Doctor's companion is in danger... but who is the DEADLY FOE?!

Tune in tomorrow to find out!

No, really.

It doesn't suit you and it's not finished. Take it off.

A Makie Owner's Guide Part 1

How to tell if your Makies are plotting something:

1) Look for signs of collusion.

Generally there is much giggling, then a thoughtful 'hmmm' before some scampering is heard. 

2) Keep a regular watch on your google search history.

Yes. Well. I don't think I've been searching for shark-mounted lasers, impenetrable fortresses or giant squid toys. 

3) Lock up your credit cards.

Debate.

A heated argument seemed to be in progress from the bookcase this afternoon... 

"Something traditional," proclaimed Plink. "Like Aethelred!"

"Or Spock!" 

"...Melchie, how is 'Spock' even remotely traditional?" 

"Well, it's from the original series." 

Plink sighed. "No. We're talking proper names from history. William and James and Charles and He-"
"Waldo! Or... oooh! How about Lupo?"
"Dude. Their dog is called Lupo."
"Good name for a dog..." Melchie thinks for a bit. "How about... BATMAN. King Batman the First!"

I'm glad Makies aren't naming the latest addition to the Royal Family.

Mini's got talent!

Ladies and Jellyspoons, the first entry is in! Heartsandhugs98089's girl Mini has a particularly interesting talent to share with us...

...DOG WRESTLING!

Mini gets the fearsome foe in a cunning headlock hold! 

Here comes the count... one... two... thr...

OH NOES, it's a paw to the face! This bout is still wide open!

Thanks for sharing, Mini! Let us know who wins the match!

Don't forget, you've got until June the 30th to showcase your doll's talents. Email your photos today!

Saturday Afternoon Diversion (and a competition, YAAY!)

This weekend, it is mostly raining. The problem when it rains is that everyone gets a) 'bored' which swiftly proceeds to b) an excess of mischief.

Today has been no exception. I'd just settled myself into a bit of 'kill or cure' on Leggy (more of that later) after a fairly strenuous run, when a chorus of 'we're bored', 'do something with us' and 'Yarr harr! Have at you! Walk the plank!' arose from the bookcase.

After taking the cutlass off of Melchett and giving it back to the Playmobil pirate, I suggested that everyone find something non-lethal and preferably QUIET to do.

"What sort of thing?", asked Aspen, a little poutily.
I sighed. "I don't know. You lot are a talented bunch, you'll think of something!" I wrestled with the knot Captain Melchett had tied in my favourite lace hanky, currently masquerading as a ghost pirate bandanna.

Next thing I know, everyone's off if a huddle and there are requests for spotlights, curtains, Simon Cowell(?!) and after a noisy disagreement, Elin appears with a sign.

Ah. Okay. This isn't going to be quiet is it?

After about 5 minutes, Leggy appeared. The German Eurovision entry came pounding out of my iPad (I've honestly no idea what that's doing on there...) and she was either in terribly pain or throwing some street dancing shapes...

I'm not entirely sure that the judges were impressed.

Next up was Plink, who demonstrated a new chemistry experiment. Happily nothing exploded.

Aspen tried to galvanise Batson into doing some tricks...

...it wasn't very effective.

Melchie had been rummaging through some boxes off to one side and now she boldly marched onto the stage.

"Nothing up my sleeves!"

And with a flourish of her hand...

...she pulled two bunny slippers out of a hat.

I was rather impressed and after conferring with Plum and Esme, decided she had to be the winner.

THEN, you lucky folks, we decided that we want to see your talents! 

Here's how it works:

• Between now and 18:00 BST on June the 30th, take a photo or two of your doll, be it Makie, Blythe or WHATEVER, exhibiting their very best talent. 
• Once you're happy with it, email me either the photos (maximum of 3 images, please do consider my inbox size when you send...) or a link to the pictures with a short description of what they're up to. 
• Be sure to include your subject's name and your name in the email. I'll feature all the photos on the blog over the coming days. 

On June the 30th, I'll pick my favourite 5 photos and put them in a post... then we'll go really reality TV and put it to a public vote over the next 24 hours. The winner will get (in the finest tradition of Makie Couture) some STUFF and THINGS! 

By emailing the photos, you give me the permission to reproduce them on this blog. The photos remain the property of the photographer and you can ask for 'em to be taken down at any time. Photos should be taken 'specially for this competition and not recycled from other things. My decision as to what goes into the top 5 is final. Ta. 

So whether you've got a Makie into cat jousting, a Blythe who can do the hula, a Barbie who's a dab hand at competitive knitting or a Pullip with a penchant for polo, get them to it, get a photo and send an entry! Awesome!

Fun with Obitsu

Fil's Magical Parcel of Awesome wasn't just wooly hats and some seriously cool brooches (which I'll show you another day), it also contained Number 11 (aka 'Leggy'), who's here to get assembled and a make-over.

Although it's a little odd to be assembling an entirely new girl from spare and second hand parts, I'm up for the challenge; and Fil's concept for this one is brilliant. Can't wait to see her finally put together.

Plink gave me a hand with the unpacking of the bits.

Yes yes, hello. 

*sigh* Very good. 

You're both little teapots? 

"Taadaaaaaaa!"

I give up.

Sunshine!

Wow, wasn't it a gloriously sunny weekend? (Alright, so slightly tempered by the pouring rain yesterday, but I was back in work so I don't care hahaha). 

I picked up my camera to take a few shots of Pirate the Cat looking ridiculous this morning and found there were some photos on it... 

Looks like Plink and Melchie were enjoying the sunshine too. 

Having a nice bask, Plink? 

Ooh, some fizzy bubbles? Alrighty then... 

Er... what?! Hey! You're... oh crikey... 

WHAT IS IT WITH YOU TWO AND TAKING YOUR CLOTHES OFF? 

Just hope the neighbours weren't watching.

Makie Inequality

Plink has brought to my attention that as she's approximately 1/6th my size, she should get at least 1/6th of my wine.

No. We're not swapping. 

What's in the box?

Oh. Look.

A Mysteriously Closed Box. Whatever Could There Be In There?

Enticing, isn't it? Why don't you open it?

Aaaargh!

Ah yes. Two makies, mucking around.

As you were.

A Cautionary Tale

"Plink, you have to see this. I've found the most amazing thing!" Melchett appeared in the doorway, hopping from foot to foot with excitement.

Plink sighed and folded up her Sunday newspaper. "If it's a new shade of green goo, I'm really not impressed," she said, reluctant to move herself off of the very comfortable beanbag.
"No! No. Well... no, actually..." Melchie paused to ponder. "Okay. Nothing green. Nope. Come on, it's brilliant! You like coffee, don't you? Well, there's coffee!"
Raising her eyebrows skeptically but curious nonetheless, Plink followed Melchett into the lab.

In the middle of the room, an iron-bound chest sat on a podium. Plink eyed it suspiciously.
"Didn't those Playmobil hazmat guys have that in their boat last week? From the chemical spill that the Giant Squid caused in sector 17g?" She backed off a little, you never could be sure what was going on when the Giant Squid was involved..
Melchett tried and failed to look innocent.
Plink folded her arms, giving Melchie her 'this'll end like the time you wanted to keep the swamp monster' look.
"But it does amazing things," Melchett whined. "Caffineated things!"
There was the pursing of the lips and the tapping of the feets in response.
Melchie glared. "Fine. Let me demonstrate! You'll be amazed!"
"I'm sure I will," thought Plink. "But I really don't think I'm going to like it."

With an air of extreme importance, Melchett leant forwards and tapped a complicated tattoo on the closed lid of the chest.
"Are you ready?" she asked, reaching around for the lid. "As if by magic, I have made... COFFEE!" The lid of the chest was flung back dramatically, and there was a... cheeping.

"Hah. Right. Funny sort of coffee."
Plink reached out and gently took one of the chicks, examining it carefully.
Melchie shoo'd out the other chick onto the floor. "I swear it made coffee earlier. Really, really good coffee."

Plink peered into the box, noting the absence of anything except chicken droppings. "Hmm."
"I must have tapped it the wrong way," said Melchett, closing the lid again. Eyes closed in concentration, she carefully knocked another rhythm out on the top of the box.
"BEHOLD! COFFEE!" Melchett cried, wrenching open the lid to reveal...

"Ah, splendid. More chickens." Plink nudged the chick pecking around the ground gently with the side of her foot. "But I note a lack of latte. Melchie, it really would be easier just to put the kettle on."
"Oh... hang on... blast it, must've got stuck on chickens... Plink, take those out and close the lid. You know, it made coffee earlier..." Melchie muttered grumpily to herself before slamming down the lid and rapping randomly on the box.

Half an hour later, Melchett peered at the box's latest creation.

"You know," she said, "I'm starting to think that the knocking isn't the thing that controls the contents. Perhaps it's something like the ambient temperature... or the phase of the moon?"
Plink sighed and rolled her eyes.

"Or maybe," said Plink over the chorus of cheeping, "it's something to do with the time of the year?"
"Er... what?" asked Melchett

"Happy Easter, Melchett," said Plink. "Let's hope this lot lay chocolate eggs."

Sewing Day

Looks like Lex has finally decided to get going on that skirt and jacket set she was talking about.

Measure three times, cut... erm... carefully?

Happily Aspen is good with a sewing machine... Plum's talents tend more towards making the tea.

Er... Lex? Where's the fabric? 

Plink's trying a bit of cross stitch.

Very ladylike there, Plink. 

And Melchie... oh dear.

Still, the stitching is neat.

Well. At least it's a finished product.

Northern Adventures!

As well as going to the Manchester Blythe Meet, we got to spend the night at Fil's... which meant an excellent opportunity for Plink and Melchie to investigate her vast and epic collection of doll-related items.

Melchie finds a Forest of Heads

Well, it was a very cold day. 

Plink tries on an astonishing corset covered in clock gears. 

Cutethulu

My, what big... everythings... you have!

Mog is oblivious to Makie Mischief

A little big, Plink? 

Glasses emblinginated!

AAAAARGH, FLEE!!!

Thanks Fil! We'd like to come again soon! Only hide that big scary dolly, yeah?