Finishing 2008′s Top 10 List of toys

Yes it’s very overdue.  But better late than never, right?

This is in response to the original post/ invitation from Shaun Wong over at the Fortress of Testicular Fortitude

(Please don’t mind that I didn’t take new photos.  I’m pretty drained from  the migraine that seems to be my constant companion these days. I guess I should be happy there are brief intermissions, huh?)

The previous toys:

#10 Special Cakes for You by Re-Ment

#9 Hot Toys True Type Bodies (Cauc & Asian)

#8 Nero the Bear

#7 French Restaurant by Re-Ment

#6 Girls Mission Figures

#5 Takara CG Ice (and varied customs of her)

#4  Sniper Guy

Now….for the final three:

So without further ado — here they are!

#3  The Blue Couch

Description of Toy/Toyline: The Blue Couch

This is a 1:6 scaled piece of furniture that I’d made myself.  It was a real pain in the ass to get the pattern on the fabric to line up correctly *in part because it was almost impossible to tell the correct side from the back side of the fabric unless it hit the light a certain way*. The pillows are done correctly but I didn’t bother to make certain the pattern was in line before shooting this photo. :rolleyes:

So why did it make my list?

I love this couch because it’s very neat, perfect for my full range of characters to use–be they Fashion Royalty dolls, Hot Toys action figures or my Volks dollfies. It’s very versatile and that makes it very very important to me.

#2  Minichamps Honda CB 750

Description of Toy/Toyline:

Ok, so I know most people aren’t going to twig this one. But whatever. 

Getting this bike was one of my few holy grails in 1:6. I’ve wanted this bike ever since I saw it on the Minichamps website. For  all the details on the bike look here.  I’d lucked out and got it at a local show & was over the moon about it.

So why did it make my list?

I wanted to have a character who rode a motorcycle but not one of the newer trendier ones that are out there. I wanted her to have an older bike. I’ve always loved the color & it brings back a real feeling of nostalgia for me.  I think there’s something spiffy about the older bikes that is not there in the newer more streamlined ones.

Not to mention that the bike is very nicely detailed. I’m talking keys that fit in the ignition,flip up seat, real chain… and just other coolness! If I could own this bike in 1:1 scale I would.  I admit that I bought the manual for this bike just so that I could scan it and use it as a prop for specific scenes with the bike & Cass.   I’m a dork. I admit it!!!

Now….for the number one toy of my 2008 list!!

#1 Cass  (custom)

Description of Toy/Toyline: Previously a Takara CG Midori Washio customised by me.  There are actually 2 versions of Cass (Cassandra) one being the more casual, everyday look, and the other being a more formal or polished look.

Version 2 (the more polished one)

So why did She make my list?

Cass’s character inspires me to write. That in and of itself is a good thing.  

When I first came up with the idea for her character I had hit a stumbling block over finding a doll or action figure head that I felt would fit the personality.  For the most part Cass is a casual, almost tom-boy who’s more focused on her work and her experiences with the paranormal than her physical appearance.

Finding a headsculpt that lent itself towards that was difficult. Many of them are overly feminine (and yea I know there can be uber-feminine detectives & stuff) or else they are just too mannish (and I know there are a few of you who think all CG heads are just mannish so we’ll just have to agree to disagree, ok?)

But Cass–once I managed to paint her seemed to spring to life. That makes her number one in my collection of 2008 toys!