Babi a Fi

I stumbled across the concept of Schultüte while randomly googling for info on schooling around the world. It's a German tradition dating back to the 1810s, whereby children are given a Schultüte (lit. School Bag) on their first day at school. The idea is that it 'sweetens' what can be a frightening time with the help of sweets, chocolate, and all manner of little bits and bobs from stocking filler toys to practical stationery. In Germany you can buy Schultüte - or Kindercones as they tend to be known in English speaking areas - ready made in the shops; either as an empty cone to fill yourself, or even ready filled. As with most traditions, commercialism is rife and parents can find themselves spending upwards of €100. I thought the idea was super cute, but living in the UK and being a devout cheapskate I determined to go the old school route and make one myself. What You Need: ★ Large rectangle of paper, card, etc. ★ Sticky tape. ★ Crepe paper. ★ Ribbon. ★ Swee

FIVE BRITISH HIGH SCHOOL MOVIES Continuing the back to school theme, here are my five favourite British high - well, secondary - school movies... #5.   The Hole (2001) Four prep school students are trapped in an old nuclear fallout bunker by a sadistic classmate. Or are they? I really liked how one story keeps getting chipped away at to reveal another in this. #4. To Sir, with Love (1967) Sure, it's a bit of a sentimental morality play. But it does it with style. #3.   Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) It was the first book of the series I read and it's still my favourite. Aside from the CGI werewolf, the film is one of the strongest instalments too. #2.   Kes (1969) As social realism it's as hard hitting now as it was 50 years ago. As a story of hope in a hopeless world it's unparalleled. #1.   St. Trinian's (1954 onwards) The perfect slices of silly, light-hearted fun! For more like this, click the image be

Reviews of miniature makers on Ebay... ☆   Angelkellet0 - UK 1/12 scale books and paper goods. ☆   Bad Mother Customs  - USA - 1/12 and 1/6 tattoo transfers and magazines. ☆   Bees Miniatures - UK - 1/12 scale books and magazines. ☆   Kefxi  - UK - 1/12 scale paper goods, packaging, etc. ☆   Lanky1349 - UK - 1/12 scale records. ☆   miniatures.inc  - UK - handmade 1/12 scale paper miniatures. ☆   MiniBazarUK  - UK - 1/12 scale comics, etc. ☆   Rebeccasminis  - UK - 1/12 scale packaging and paper accessories. ☆   Reevo  - UK - 1/6 scale DVDs, photo frames, etc. ☆   Sandie's Little Gems  - UK - 1/12 handmade paper goods. ☆   sunsetsammi  - UK - 1/12 scale miniatures. ☆   tattyarbucklesyard  - UK - 1/12 scale metal miniatures. ☆   theweecrafthoose  - UK - 1/12 scale miniatures. ☆   Wishing-Well Dollshouse Miniatures  - UK - handmade 1/12 scale packaging and books. For more like this, please click the image below:

 School Bag.  Coin Purse.  Pencil Case.  Stationery.  PE Bag.  T-shirts.  Shorts.  Daps.  Solar Buddy.  Sun Hat.  Sun Glasses.  Polo Shirts.  Shirts.  Cardigan.  Jumper.  Skirts.  Pinafores.  Summer Dress.  Socks.  Vests.  Underwear.  Shoes.  Rain Mac.  Umbrella.  Gloves.  Scarf.  Woolly Hat.  Winter Coat.  Watch.  Hair Accessories.  Brush.  Other.  - Tissues.  - Name Labels. Have I forgotten anything??

It's almost time! Here's an A-Z of the best school related songs. :) A   Another Brick in the Wall - Pink Floyd [1979] B   School Days - Chuck Berry [1957] C   Too Cool For School - Horrid Henry [2011] Theo Stevenson teamed up with kids' presenters Dick and Dom on this song from the Horrid Henry movie soundtrack. D    Back to School (Mini Maggit)  -  Deftones  [2001] E   Proper Education - Eric Prydz vs Floyd [2007] F   Beauty School Dropout - Frankie Avalon [1978] From the soundtrack to the greatest high school movie ever, Grease ! :D G   Gruesome Gary - Down By Law [1996] Bullies - every playground has one, from Hogwarts' Draco Malfoy right through to Grange Hill's Norman 'Gripper' Stebson. H   High School Never Ends - Bowling for Soup [2006] I was really surprised to learn this peaked at #40 in the UK, it felt like it was on everywhere back then. Still, chart success or no

Regal Academy was an Italian cartoon series which aired on Nickelodeon. All similarities to Mattel's Monster / Ever After High is surely coincidental. ;) Anyway, Giochi Preziosi wasted no time producing dolls based on the show. For the US market Auldey Toys, a subsidiary of Alpha Group, produced their own line of dolls. The Auldey dolls are quite a bit smaller than the Giochi offerings; the latter are more like typical fashion dolls while the Auldey ones stand 10.5 inches all. Both lines have screened faces and rooted hair, although some of the Auldey dolls have more limited articulation. Giochi's are generally better made but, really, both are at the cheap and cheerful end of the scale! Dancing Ballerina (Giochi Preziosi) ★  Astoria - box front / back. ★  Joy - box front / back. ★  Rose - box front / back. Diamond Princess (Giochi Preziosi) ★  Astoria - box front / back. ★  Joy - box front / back. ★  Ling Ling - box front / back. ★  Rose

We're going away for the week! I've got posts already scheduled for most days, but I'll likely be slow to respond to emails and messages.

FIVE FILMS OF THE 1960s My favourite five films from the 1960s... This was by far the most difficult post because I love so many 1960s movies. All that wholesome technicolor, I dunno, it just makes me nostalgic for a life I've never even lived! #5.   Move Over, Darling (1963) Who doesn't love a bit of Doris Day? #4. Carry on Camping (1969) I've got a huge soft spot for all those convoluted misunderstandings and doublespeak in Britcoms of the 60s and 70s, and Carry on Camping just embodies their whole essence so perfectly. #3.   The Children's Hour (1961) Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine star as old college classmates who run a private school for girls. When brat of a pupil Mary is punished for lying, she gets her own back by spreading rumours the two are secret lovers. This being 1961 - and the play it was based on 1934 - it ruins their lives, so that even when the truth comes out it's too late for things to be put right... #2.   The Par

If you're thinking of getting hair extensions, samples are a must to judge quality. That they also make perfect sources of tiny doll wig making material is a bonus! ★  Lady Locks . (1+) Faux Fur: ★  Denholme Velvets . (5) ★  Fabric Land . (3) ★  Fabric Online . (4) ★  Faux Throw . (5) ★  Great Bean Bags . (10) ★  Quirk . (6) ★  Textile Express Fabrics . (5) For more like this, please click the images below:

I'm having a big clear out at the moment of dolls and miniatures, so it seemed like the perfect time to get around to making a selling page. All the links lead to eBay listings currently, but I liked the idea of having a place I could just literally list stuff if need be. Anyway, check it out at  https://babiafi.weeblysite.com/ I've added a link to it in my sidebar too. :)

Orcara arrived on the scene in 2009 as a Chinese alternative to the gold standard of the plastic miniature industry, Re-ment. They released a wide range of food related sets before production tailed off in 2010. At the time Orcara was cheaper and correspondingly less detailed than Re-ment. These days the Orcara stuff is on a par with, if not better than modern Re-ment, so it's well worth picking up if you find it going for a good price. For more like this, please click the image below: