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Morning guys 
I had hoped to have finished the remaining tutorials by now but unfortunately, we have the plumbers here. They arrived Monday as we are replacing our old boiler, however, things have a proven a little less straight forward.
At the moment we have no heating or hot water and late yesterday afternoon, the “find where the pipes go” game that the plumbers had been playing all day ended in taking up the floorboards in here in My Little Customs HQ and has therefore lead to the entire contents of the office being squashed up against one wall, myself included!
I can just squeeze into a gap to reach the computer, once I have wedged myself in there is no going back – I will be stuck for hours unless someone comes to help me!! LOL
Needless to say, it is looking likely that the tutorials will probably have to wait until early next week – sorry for the this folks!
Now, back to the small issue of being stuck …. I feel like Winnie the Pooh today!!
Hey everyone, I just wanted to say WOW! I never expected such a hugely positive response to my video tutorials – it has been amazing!
As you know, I have more planned but they probably won’t get done until towards the end of the week, I have lots of work to catch up on first!
My website needs a massive update, I have Blythe and Sindy dresses that need photographing and uploading, more saran has arrived which needs sorting, I also have LOTS of new colours in the AppliGlue, Wing Film and Angelina Fibres which have arrived and are patiently awaiting photo shoots and uploading – not to mention the general maintence!
Busy busy busy!
Robin x
As requested – instructions on how to use the reroot “tool” – or stabby tool as some people refer to it! LOL
Apologies for video quality, I promise new videos will be made using the camcorder at some point!
Hope this helps you all understand how brilliant the tool is
Robin x
Rightio people, I have listened to your feedback and suggestions regarding the rerooting tutorials and bit the bullet and jumped straight in with video over photographs.
This is my first ever attempt at a video tutorial – it is so cringeworthy I can hardly watch! LOL Who knew something so simple could be so horrendously embarrassing heehee!
It is not the best quality, filmed from my digital camera – I also apologise for the fact I could not see past my camera and so often inadvertantly took my hands out of shot to see what I was doing! Its rather difficult to watch what I am doing on a screen and do it at the same time!
My husband has suggested using the camcorder for attempt number 2 which should mean much clearer shots and better lighting but until then, I hope this goes a little way towards helping you all with the “Knot Method”
Enough with my nervous apologies and excuses – on with the show!
This tutorial shows the basic Knot Method, showing 3 variations: Knotting as you go, preparing plugs in advance and using the knot in the middle of the plug.
Next tutorial planned is the reroot tool – I am also planning to show you methods using thread, dental floss, lock and loop, some MLP tutorials alongside a thatching tutorial.
First I need to distract my daughter long enough to give me 10 minutes of silence – oh the joys of half term!
Robin x
Rightiho chaps and chapesses
I am finally pulling my finger out and sorting some rerooting tutorials for you all to show a variety of different methods you can use. I have had basic written tutorials on my FAQs page of the site for a long time now but they have been lacking the most important thing – PHOTOS!
The plan is to make a start today and take the photographs over the next few days so they should be ready for next week!
The tutorials I am planning are as follows:
Knot Method – there are a couple of variations on how you can do this, with thread or without using either preparing plugs in advance or just jumping straight in, using one knot at the end or one in the middle! I was thinking of showing each of the above methods so you can modify, pick and choose which suits you best.
*UPDATE Feb 17th* First video is up! – The Knot Method: http://mylittlecustoms.wordpress.com/2009/02/17/video-tutorial-for-the-knot-method-rerooting-instructions/
Possibly toying with doing a My Little Pony manes and tails one too if there is enough interest.
Reroot Tool Method – just as it says, so many people ask me how exactly this is done so the best way is for me to show you!
** UPDATE** Feb 19th - Reroot Tool Method video is up!
Lock and Loop Method – this is a fab method which produces a finish which looks just as it is done in the factory, only by you and not a machine! LOL
** UPDATE ** Feb 19th – Lock & Loop Technique tutorial is up!
…. what am I forgetting?? um … oh yes! A method which is new to me, my good friend Dianna gave me the main pointers to go on a while back and is something I have been trying, I have yet to find a good tutorial on it so have been attempting a trial and error approach so perhaps I am not best qualified to show my method yet! It involves using one long hair plug and wrapping the hair around.
***** EDIT UPDATE! ***** I have been shown a link to a tutorial for the wrapping method mentioned above and it is much simpler than my half made up / half bodged attempt! Thank you for the link Cyber Alice! http://www.eatonbraygifts.com/customdolls/hints/hairstyles/hairwrap.htm
Also I was thinking of doing a Thatching tutorial for your dollies part line, this may take a little longer to do as I will first need to reroot the doll! Once I have the initial tutorials up I will finish off the doll and sort a thatched part line tutorial for you.
The question for you all is this: Which would be most helpful, written tutorials with step by step photographs or video tutorials?
Please feel free to comment below or drop me an email - I definitely would appreciate your input on this one, plus anything you think I may have missed that would be useful to you ^_^
Morning everyone
Last week seemed like a total wash out, things were going wrong left, right and center, the weather was appalling and my daughter was at home poorly!
My daughter has returned to school this morning (what a relief that is!), the weather has so far only brought heavy rain (fingers crossed that continues and it does not once again turn to snow) and today is the day I sit down and work through any hiccups that have yet to be resolved from last week.
Last week I felt particularly under pressure and stressed out, I am not sure quite what was going on there as it is highly unlike me to feel that way. I normally thrive under pressure and enjoy the challenges that each new day throws at me!
Hopefully the “normal” Robin is back – although I use the term normal very loosely! LOL Anyone who knows me would probably not use “normal” as their first word to describe me!! I am very happy with that though, it is much more fun being slightly mad!
I have a large backlog of emails to sort through from the end of last week and over the weekend so if I have yet to get back to you, please bear with me.
Sometimes I wonder if just me is enough, the thought of hiring someone to come and help me has been brought to the forefront of my mind recently, particularly over the last week! Taking on “staff” is a huge responsibility and it scares me a little … to hire someone or not to hire someone, that is the question.
A huge THANK YOU to everyone who has been patient with me recently, I panic that I have set too high a standard for myself and that when I slightly slip, people will take their business elsewhere. My husband is often assuring me that everyone understands that it is just me and that I am only human – it has been so lovely to find that he is right!
I need to worry less I think – that is easier said than done but I really appreciate how understanding everyone has been recently so again, THANK YOU!
I spent Saturday afternoon letting off some steam with my sister, her husband, my daughter and my uncle – here is a horrendously embarrassing video of me sledging on a lilo – I thought you may all get a giggle watching me in my deeply sexy pink wellies, waterproof trousers and skiing jacket! LOL
Cringe worthy video on Facebook
In other news, Twitter is fast becoming a new obsession for me – you can follow my ramblings here: http://twitter.com/RobinMLC
Are you on Twitter? I would love to hear from you if you are! I have found that even though my “work” pc is officially set to office hours, I “tweet” from my laptop during the evenings and weekends, it has brought out a whole new side of me! See you there!
Robin x
Sorry to bore you all with this – just another quick update incase you have not already seen this on the Royal Mail website:
Poor Weather Causes Disruption to Royal Mail Collection and Delivery Services
Fresh snowfalls overnight have brought the return of hazardous driving conditions to many parts of the UK this morning. Although Royal Mail delivery and collection services in most parts of the country have been affected, the worst hit regions include: Scotland and Northern Ireland, much of Wales, The East and West Midlands, South Central England and the more western counties of England.
Our air and road distribution network has also been badly hit, with many roads and several airports closed this morning.
Our postmen and women are working hard to maintain and restore postal services to customers but more snow and a continuation of the dangerous driving conditions are forecast.
We will continue to keep you updated on the general situation as it develops.
Updated: 05/02/2009
Here in Barnstaple we are currently free of snow, however, from my office window I can see snow on the outlying hills and my sister who lives 15 minutes away has called me to say they have had a foot of snow fall overnight!
All orders are being processed as normal, it is simply the delivery that may take a little longer than usual in some parts.
Robin x
Just quick update to let you know that all orders received this week have been fully processed and sent out – please bear in mind that there may be a slight delay in some areas due to the snow and also Royal Mail!
Fingers crossed the worst of the weather is over and all orders should now be processed as usual
Thank you for your patience and understanding during this wintery time!
Robin
Morning everyone!
I am sure you have all heard about the snow which has been falling steadily in the UK since yesterday. Today I woke up to see that it has finally reached us here in North Devon and what a beautiful sight it is too! BBC News coverage of the snow in Devon
Unfortunately, this means orders may be slightly delayed, not because I am out frolicking in the snow LOL but due to the severe disruption the snow has brought country wide.
As soon as there are any updates you will be the first to know – until then, wrap up warm and take care!
Robin x
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