The West Enders in July: the Grand Finale

July 30, 2022 wendydirks Fashion Doll Collecting 007, Barbie, Fashion Dolls, Made to Move, Mizi Dolls, OOAK Dolls, Photo story

Hello, dear friends and followers! It’s Mini-Me here again. We’re all at home now and I thought you might like to know what we’ve all been up to since we’ve been back. I’m back at work, nothing too exciting here.

Ilana’s had her hair done but hasn’t chosen a new wardrobe just yet.

Elena is glad to be home with the rest of the Panenka family. Candi tells her all about buying the café and asks Elena if she would like to work there as Candi is really short of help.

On Saturday night, Carmelita persuades Lauralyn to go to the pub, the King George III. The pub is busy and it’s nice to be back in West End Village.

Lauralyn gets chatted up by Diondre almost as soon as she arrives.

The pub is full of single men, as usual, and Barry seizes the opportunity to try his charms on Carmelita.

Across town at the posh bar at the West End Manor Resort, Lenora and Vera drink tropical drinks and chat with some of their new neighbours.

Anna May is reunited with her sisters, Ebony, Lela, and Naomi. They seem pretty intent on something – or someone.

Tobias Alford walks in the door. You may recall that he and Dalpinder went to GlastDollBury22 with Naomi and Ebony. They haven’t heard from him since.

Undeterred, Ebony introduces him to Lela and Anna May.

Lela and Anna May say hello then retreat while Ebony drags a reluctant Naomi over to chat with Tobias.

Anna May: “Well, he’s a tall, dark, and handsome hottie. I wonder how serious he is about our little sisters.”

Lela: “Ebony said they slept in separate tents and that it was friendly but not romantic.”

In the meantime, have you noticed what’s going on here in the corner? James and Mel are looking mighty cozy together. What’s that all about?

Ebony chats blithely away to Tobias, who looks like he wants to escape, while Naomi’s attention is focussed elsewhere. Who is she looking at?

It’s Raheem. He seems to have noticed her as well.

That’s it for the West Enders for now. Maxi-Me has been working day by day to get West End Village up and running but it’s coming along slowly. She hopes that her health will remain stable enough now to start posting Season Six! Clearly there are some stories to be told. We aren’t certain of the format yet. It’s easier and less time consuming to leave out the speech bubbles so the format you see tonight may be what we adopt. As always, the photos will be the focus rather than the text.

Please feel free to comment below!

The West Enders in July, Part 7

July 17, 2022July 17, 2022 wendydirks Fashion Doll Collecting Barbie, Fashion Dolls, Made to Move, Mizi Dolls, OOAK Dolls

On our final day in hospice, the girls have decided to model their own clothes against a black background.

Elena is happy to have her clothes and accessories returned and can’t wait to join the rest of the Panenka family.

Although it’s a warm day, Vera decides to wear her complete outfit.

Mini-Me and Ilana watch from the other side of the room. “She looks like she’s channeling her inner Morticia Addams,” Ilana whispers.

She and Vera decide to pose together to emphasise the black and white outfits.

Last but not least is Mini-Me. She can’t wait to get home tomorrow even though she’s enjoyed the hospice stay and Maxi-Me is feeling so much better.

The West Enders in July, Part 6

July 16, 2022July 16, 2022 wendydirks Fashion Doll Collecting Barbie, Fashion Dolls, Made to Move, Mizi Dolls, OOAK Dolls

The hospice crew are all happy to hear that they’re going home on Monday. They’ve enjoyed the garden and on Friday, Maxi-Me was moved to a fabulous room to get her away from the smokers. Here at the hospice, patients are allowed to smoke outside their rooms so that end of life care is still about enjoying life. Unfortunately, secondhand smoke causes Maxi-Me to become quite ill very rapidly. So we all moved further away.

There are lots of places to do photo shoots in the room so today we chose a white backdrop. Some of us are still wearing someone else’s clothes.

A new West Ender named Vera arrived wearing a long black gown that was completely unsuitable for July, so she swapped for something else.

Vera had a black romper under her gown and Elena tried that on.

There was a prop for the girls to play with too.

Lauralyn’s outfit is part of her identity and culture so she never swapped with anyone.

After a few days wearing heels, Mini-Me’s feet hurt so much that she’s decided to return Ilana’s dress and wear her own with her flat shoes.

Ilana has taken her hair down and looks very glamorous in her dress.

Carmelita looks very stylish in Elena’s outfit.

Anna May is so much taller than the other girls, she hasn’t even tried to swap.

In the end, everyone changes into their original outfits, ready for tomorrow’s final photo shoot.

The West Enders in July, Part 5

July 14, 2022 wendydirks Fashion Doll Collecting Barbie, Fashion Dolls, Made to Move, OOAK Dolls

We are all hoping this will be our last blog post from the hospice. Maxi-Me’s new medication regimen is working well. We have enjoyed our stay and the garden but new adventures (and clothes) await at home. And despite Lauralyn’s hopes, Idris has not made an appearance.

Last night Lenora and Carmelita wanted to do some clothes swapping for a photo shoot so Elena graciously contributed one of her outfits. The garden looked lovely.

The ring necked parakeets were squeaking away and two flew right over our heads.

It was a bit breezy and the girls were afraid they couldn’t all hang on so Elena waited to make sure it was safe.

Carmelita looks great in Elena’s outfit.

Carmelita’s original outfit looks great on her.

With that, we’ll end our photo shoot with some close ups and fingers crossed we’ll all be home soon.

The West Enders in July, Part 4

July 10, 2022July 10, 2022 wendydirks Fashion Doll Collecting Barbie, Fashion Dolls, Made to Move, OOAK Dolls

The final visitor to the hospice who hasn’t been able to explore the garden is Ilana. Once again, Maxi-Me is a bit constrained in how far she can get as her portable oxygen isn’t filled up. It’s really hot today so we waited until evening to go outside.

Ilana models the outfit she came in. Then she and Mini-Me decide to swap.

Ilana is Nicole’s niece and Ben’s sister.

“You look amazing in that dress, Mini. I think it’s you. I understand there’s a lot of clothes left in the village by previous residents, including cocktail dresses. Maybe you should keep that and I’ll pick something else.”

“Ilana, you are too kind! When we get back, we’ll get you a whole wardrobe sorted.”

Ilana likes this tie-dye dress but is dreaming of a whole new wardrobe. Besides, Mini-Me hasn’t suggested she keep it either!

In any event, a new friendship has formed.

The West Enders in July, Part 3

July 9, 2022 wendydirks Fashion Doll Collecting Barbie, Fashion Dolls, OOAK Dolls

Yesterday was a busy day in the hospice so Lenora MacDonald had to wait until evening to have her photo shoot in the garden. As a reminder, since we haven’t seen Lenora in a while, she’s sister to Merida and daughter to Mairi. This new Looks version with her curly hair is perfect in that role!

Merida MacDonald, created by Mari of Salem City Dolls, who also created Elena Panenka.

Mairi MacDonald, created by Con “Fox” of TheFoxyDolls on Etsy.

Lenora MacDonald, with her curly ginger hair in the garden of the hospice.

Lenora liked to pose, as fashion models do, especially in places that emphasised her eye shadow.

I’m not sure she’s going to continue her modelling career; she might play fiddle to Merida’s guitar. Sister act!

Merida’s lost half of her duo when Cho went back to Japan.

Lenora will certainly let us know what she wants to do!

The West Enders in July, Part 2

July 7, 2022July 7, 2022 wendydirks Fashion Doll Collecting Fashion Dolls, OOAK Dolls

Today was warm and sunny and Carmelita reminded me that it was her turn to explore the garden. Unfortunately the liquid oxygen I need to go out in the chair was uncooperative so I could only get out as far as my indoor tubing would reach. She’s such a pretty, winsome doll!

The lovely Carmelita in the late day sun.

Carmelita loves zumba and she looks great in a cropped top.

Another new doll arrived, yet another Panenka! Her name is Elena and she wanted to go outside too. Carmelita felt it was a little unfair but agreed in the end.

Elena is a OOAK doll from Salem City Dolls, the fifth in my collection.

The West Enders in July

July 5, 2022July 5, 2022 wendydirks Fashion Doll Collecting Barbie, Fashion Dolls, Mizi Dolls

Good morning! Mini-Me here. Maxi-Me is undergoing palliative symptom control at Marie Curie Newcastle Hospice so some of us have accompanied her to keep her company.

We’ve been exploring the garden. Our room opens onto a beautiful garden with loads of birds and Maxi-Me likes to go out in her power chair to explore.

The garden is lovely and we have been taking turns exploring.

Lauralyn and Carmelita are here too.

Lauralyn has had a chance to enjoy the garden too but we can only go out one at a time because it’s so windy.

It was supposed to be Carmelita’s turn yesterday but Maxi-Me couldn’t find any clean clothes, only pyjamas. Then Mr Maxi- Me turned up with three boxes – three new dolls! They definitely weren’t dressed for a garden unless it’s a garden party! This is Anna May Majak.