The vote is over and the theme has been decided: Blythe Fest is going to Candyland!
Do you think you can make it through the molasses swamp? Find your way through the peppermint candy cane forest?
See you in Queensland Blythe fans!
Posts about Meets
After the delightful fluffy festival of loveliness that was the NSW meet, we are pleased to announce that the 2012 Australian National Blythe Meet will be held in sunny Queensland!
So far there isn’t much more than that to report, except that we’re aiming for a date of the 23rd of June for the event. There will be a travelling Blythe, Miss Queensland, who will be starting her journey in just a couple of weeks. The theme is yet to be decided, as it is still being voted on by WPWD members. ‘Candyland’ is in the lead at the moment, though I’m kind of hoping there’ll be a last minute surge of votes from sci-fi fans, giving me an excuse to create that Blade Runner custom I’ve been thinking about…
To keep up with the news, follow the Blythe Fest Twitter feed and Miss Queensland’s Twitter feed. Miss Queensland also promises to blog here regularly to keep us posted on her adventures. And, of course, there’s always the WPWD Facebook page if you prefer your news FB-style.
If you’d like to sponsor Blythe Fest 2012, whether by donating your time, skills or Blythe-friendly goodies, email the organisers at blythefest2012@weplaywithdolls.net. We hope to see you there!
A week has past and all seems a distant memory but boy what memories I have……
It is a week since the Blythe meet in Adelaide. This week has flown by so fast in comparison to the lead up to the meet. In the lead up I had to organise where to stay, how to get there, who from my friends in Melbourne was going to join me in the weekend away from the daily grind. In the end I had many accomplices and we had a great time in the city of churches. I was the only one headed to the meet on the sunny Saturday that Adelaide had put on for us.
My excitement at going to this meet-up was off the scale. I have only been collecting Blythe dolls for a short time but my interest in them has become great and the prospect of going to spending an afternoon with a bunch of very knowledgeable women was very exciting. I knew there was going to be a room full of dolls I hadn’t seen before, some in their original form and some not. I had never seen an original kenner and the customs held an interest for me as I had only seen them on the computer and not in the flesh. I wanted to study their make up and hair and all their extra bits.
Now I can say after spending several hours at the hall with all the ladies and dolls nothing disappointed me. The hall was fabulously decorated for a party, there was lots of tasty food, musk sticks and spearmint leaves galore……….I haven’t eaten these in such a longtime it bought back lots of childhood memories. The displays of dolls was many, oh so many beautiful dolls. There was conversations with people as to which dolls they chose to bring along and how that decision was made. I found out that there a many people with many dolls and all can’t be bought along. I learnt many things about the Blythe I didn’t know, the list is to great to write here but it is like any new interest there is always so much to learn. I did love hearing the stories about how each Blythe is collected from the very special Kenners to the newer Takara girls and then the decision to change them and find their true identities. Everybody and every Blythe has a story.
Now bringing this story to an end. I had a fantastic day and I am glad I made the effort to travel such a long way to join in the fun. I loved eveything I saw and everyone I met. I hope I get to meet alot of these girls in Sydney next year both the real ones and the 12 inch ones!
Angelique
P.S I came home with 3 new girls!!!!!!!!!!!!
My goodness, it’s early.
What time is it?
7?
A.M.?
On a Saturday?
What am i doing awake???
Go back to bed, silly girl!
No, hang on, there’s a reason i set this alarm… it’s the day of the National Blythe Meet, here in little old Adelaide. It’s what a few of us have been working towards for a very long time, and hopefully, something people have been looking forward to. Get out of bed!
It’s grey and wintry this morning, and I’m a bit worried. What if we’re not good enough? What if people get off the plane, take one look and turn straight back around? What if we don’t have enough food? What if Kylie forgets the fake grass? What if people can’t find the hall? What if no one likes my dollies! …that pub across the road is looking very, very tempting…
But I get to the North Adelaide hall, and it’s lovely. its warm inside, and as we set the tables out it all starts to take form. Balloons go up, table cloths are spread, and soon there is pink and green everywhere and i start to relax. We’re going to do this.
People start arriving, and the dolly table is filling up quickly. Everyone is a little tentative at the beginning, and we all seem to be searching for name tags before we talk, but we all soon relax, and everyone is chatting away. Many ooohs and aaahs, hugs and laughs. It’s pretty great!
Time went so fast! It seemed like it was all over in a blink of an eye.
Donation “thank you”s!
- Christina for both the raffle prize (to help fund the meet) and also the best dressed prize competition.
- Narelle for all the graphics.
- Goodie bag donators (Angelique, Tanya (Lollipoppet) and Tamilla (Milla)).
- Prize donators (and who won their awesome prizes!
Narelle/Chocolat – handmade dress – won by Angelique33
Maddy – handmade blythe carrier – won by Maria (CHU)
Tanya/Tamsart – handmade crochet set – won by Sonja (Sonjbean)
Jo/Vintage hat B & Kimberley– hair clips – won by Dusty Jo
Tanya/Lollipoppet – handmade outfit – won by Patty (monsoon)
Blossom/Oscarpop – handmade dress – won by Monica (monopod)
Jen/Jenink – spa voucher – won by Melissa (ohsewpretty)
Patty/Monsoon – BHC Outfit – won by Michelle (polarangel)
Alanna – handmade dress – won by Stacey (Trio)
Maria Yeoshen – handmade dress set – won by Natalie (pixelkitty)
Jen/Jenink – handmade outfit – won by Narelle (relle*)
Purple Tiger/Sue – handmade dress – won by Jo (Jaffacake)
Stephanie/Anoushka – pack of handmade cards – won by Jess (lollygomez)
Jodi/Snuffy – handmade reversible outfit – won by Adele
RTP/Leah – handmade outfit – won by Karla
Jo/Vintage hat B & Kimberley– hair clips – won by Blossom (oscarpop)
Natalie/Kitty – blythe pendant and cowgirl hat – won by Jane (Bonnie Blythe)
Best dressed Blythe went to Stephanie (Anoushka/Farkle deluxe Sparkle), who won the sensational Jamfancy outfit.
And congratulations to Milla, whose girl came in second, winning a Fritzybitz set.
Thank you to everyone who entered the photo competition
And the winner! Narelle!
and lastly, (almost) all of the attendees! … gee, we’re a pretty bunch 
34 dolly lovers brought around 135 Blythes to Adelaide, and so much dolly joy. Meeting you all was so wonderful. Thank you so much for coming all the way to Adelaide – we really appreciate it – and we really appreciate the help from everyone on the forum, and from husbands and sisters.
Let’s go to Sydney!
In preparation for the 2011 National Meet, we have begun to organise a travelling Blythe to tour Australia. Her journey will begin soon, and end at the meet itself in NSW, in the middle of 2011. Would you like her to visit you? Here’s the info you need:
Facts
♥ Up to 50 hosts Australia wide
♥ Eligibility based on peer feedback (wpwd/50 posts + etsy and/or ebay and ID showing current address where Miss Sydney will be sent). ID must be sent to the Travelling Doll Co-ordinator and kept on file until the project is finished. ID’s will be kept confidential and be destroyed at the end of the project.
♥ Eligibility based on peer feedback (wpwd/50 posts + etsy and/or ebay and ID showing current address where Miss Sydney will be sent). ID must be sent to the Travelling Doll Co-ordinator and kept on file until the project is finished. ID’s will be kept confidential and be destroyed at the end of the project.
Penalty. Bad feedback at BadDollyDeals or other sites will mean a rejection in application
Costs. Each participant will be required to paypal $10 to cover costs associated with the project (includes cost of doll and all surplus funds to be allocated to 2011 NSW Meet). See FAQs for details. A nominated paypal account will be assigned.
Risks. Custom fees, postage fees and stress.
Obligations. Communication, any custom fees incurred when receiving the doll, taking and sharing pictures, being a good host, safely packing up the dolly for shipping, and being responsible for shipping costs, insurance, and tracking to travel to her next host.
Project ending. Every participant will be entered into a raffle to adopt the girl that they hosted with her collected goodies and give her a permanent home. The draw will take place at the 2011 NSW National Meet.
FAQ
Q: Who are the organizers of this?
A: Committee members of the 2011 NSW National Meet include Jen (Jenink – Travelling Doll Co-ordinator), Adele, Jodie (Kittyrobot), Sophia (Philosophia) and Tanya (TamsArt)
Q: Which Blythe will be chosen?
A: We have chosen a stock Bow Wow Trad who will slightly customised to make her individual by Jen (Jenink)
Q: I like Blythes stock! Why do they have to be customized?
A: We thought it may be a good idea to have very unique girls traveling around Australia for this very exciting event. They will be featured in photos for at least a year, so they should be easily recognizable.
We are not expecting the worst, however if one of the girls disappears it would be more difficult to sell a custom doll.
Q: What about the costs?
A: Each participant will be required to paypal $10 AU to cover costs associated with the project. These costs include the doll and all surplus funds will be contributed to the NSW National Meet in 2011. This is for fun! Not to make money.
Q: Who has to pay for the shipping?
A: Each participant has to pay for the shipping (incl. tracking and insurance) after their week of hosting.
Q: How long does the dolly stay with each host?
A: We have planned a 5-7 day stay. The doll must be shipped on or as close to the 8th day. Understandably, the post office is closed sometimes. We as organizers will make sure to keep in contact with the sender and the receiver so we know where the doll is at all times and whether to expect any delays. A scheduled route will be planned and each participant will know who to send to next… It is likely that many hosts may be able to pass Miss Sydney on by hand delivery.
Q: Can I add goodies to the dolly’s suitcase?
A: It is encouraged, but it is not necessary that you add something to her suitcase. We ask you snap a quick picture of the item or items by themselves and email the picture to your organizer. We will be keeping a photo-journal of all the goodies she collects, as we want to make sure she doesn’t forget anything along the way. Miss Sydney will carry a travel diary for each host to write notes and it is requested that each host upload notes so they can be added to an online journal which will then be added to completed book package before she is handed to her host owner. Please feel free to write something about her stay or about yourself ….something that can be shared and enjoyed with all the other hosts.
Q: What are the obligations for participants?
A: Everyone who decides to join the project, has at least a 2 week obligation. Please keep in mind, that you must have time to communicate, to pick the dolly up from the post office, to unpack her, to take good photos of her, to pack her safely up again, and to bring her back to the post office. Furthermore, you have to stay in contact with the organisers before the dolly will be shipped to your place. We won’t let the doll be shipped to you, if you don’t give the OK a week before. Your obligation ends when the person after your turn has received the doll. This will be stressful! Please think about this before you sign up!
Q: What risks are there? What if something happens to the dolls?
A: We can’t and won’t hold anybody legally responsible for loss or destruction. This is one of the risks you are taking when joining this project. You could loose your payment of $10. This whole project is big and of course we hope that nothing bad will happen. But it might happen. Please think about this before signing up!
Q: Do we need a fancy camera to take part?
A: Definitely not! We only ask you take lots and lots of photos. Maybe photos of meeting your other girls, visiting historic monuments, going to the park to have a picnic, trying on new outfits….the possibilities are endless and please get creative!
Q: How will this project end?
A: Miss Sydney will arrive in time for the 2011 NSW National Meet where she will be on display with all her goodies. She will then be raffled to one of her hosts to take home
♥ Australian residents only can apply
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