Jan 202013
 

For some time Giselle’s been on my desk, on the shelf, on the tabletop (sans any roomset to be had!). She is without a doubt one of my all time favorite fashion royalty dolls. Her sculpt is clean, well proportioned and I think it is one of the best that Integrity managed to crank out.

Giselle is still looking...

My first (and to date only, but that might change in the future—you never know) is Old is New Giselle. I liked how she looked moody, bitchy and cunning all at the same time.

What I didn’t like….or maybe I should say what bothered me about her was her blatant case of UES. For those of you not familiar it means Upward Eyes Syndrome. It’s what you get when you have dolls who look like they’re half way between rolling their eyes and attempting to see if they have something hanging over their head without actually moving their head to look!

This is how she looked before (with UES)

giselle-before

You see what I’m talking about?

So anyway, back when I was still in the UK I decided I’d give her a very slight repaint which meant I just moved her irises and pupils and adjusted her eyeliner (and whites of the eyes) every so slightly. I didn’t want to do a complete repaint because I didn’t want to risk ruining the very “thing” that made her Giselle. You know?

This is how she looked after the tweaks. I think it’s much, much, much better! (plus I like her with blue eyes instead of grey!) I did mean to blog about this months ago but you know, with the transatlantic move, finding a place to live etc….it just never happened until now.

giselle-after-2

 

giselle-after

 

Oct 312011
 

You know, the thing with working on things, and having all these projects boiling away in my head is that I don’t always remember to tell you guys–you know–what exactly I’m doing! Or how things are or have changed in the process (well of cooking in my brain anyway) :P   So, aside from updating the blog with pics of the things I made this last month, I ought to tell you that I am once more working on the dioramas for the FR girls. I know it’s been a while since I posted much about them, and y’all probably through I’ve tossed them in a box somewhere!

If you recall, my original plan for their sets was to make them a complete apartment.

What with putting the house on the market, packing things up, moving into the rental & stuff it all got shoved onto the back burner with me realizing I can’t do any of it until I move home (and then probably some months after that). But…..I really didn’t like that idea much. So I figured a bit of a compromise would be good. I’d make their living-room & kitchen and the rest would wait. After all, the important stuff in both those rooms are the furniture and props. Not the walls etc.

PLUS—— What’s to say that the Actresses couldn’t move? I mean, the show could become more popular and they get to move to a bigger, nicer apartment. Right? ;) or maybe move up to the penthouse instead of the basement??

I figured I’ll commit to making their living-room & kitchen. I was originally going to use my retro-kitchen for them but I decided that that belongs to the Daniels (Merrit & Jane) and I wouldn’t feel right using it for people in the same universe. I probably sound like a nut for saying that, but you know, like, whatever! :P

So that’s something that I want to work on for hte month of November. I want to really crunch and try to get at least the living-room complete. I already know what I’m doing for funiture in there so that’s fairly easy–hardest part is figuring out if I can get away using my standard room-base or do I need to make a new one (It’s kind of looking that way for the kitchen).

Ok, I’ll update later (tonight, maybe.) with sewing related stuff!

Sep 262011
 

What with all the sewing of the last few weeks I realized that I need to assign pieces of clothing to specific characters.

That’s not reaaaaaaally a problem for the volks/obitsu dolls since they can wear the mattel/ barbie clothing with no trouble.  But the trouble makers are of course– my fashion royalty dolls.  Yes, those lovely, fashionable dolls! Although  the fashion royalty girls can wear a lot of the barbie stuff (and their default clothing) but in general I always find myself struggling when it comes to finding them  pants/ slacks since they can’t wear many of the babs bottoms due to their incredibly loooooong legs.  So I made them a few skirts, pants and now I need to start the great clothing assignment of 2011!

The tough thing for me about doing this sort-out is…. who should get what pieces? Which outfits look better on…. well you get the idea, right?

So what I’m hoping to do later this week (probably this weekend) is to start shooting some photos of  the clothing on some of the dolls—basically asking you to be the tie-breaker and help me decide who gets the clothing! :D

Are you guys up for that?

May 122011
 

You can probably guess by the photo above that that means I’ve finally begun the task of re-rooting Private Goddess Natalia!

Along with working on Natalia’s head I’m doing a few other things which includes sewing some simple outfits for FR girls to go in my Etsy shop (one for me, one for the shop….2 for me…one for the shop LOL), AND working on the last couple of props I need to get in place for shooting photo stories! YAY! (right, that’s a Yay, isn’t it?)

 

Jan 042011
 

I think it’s just not my week!! My filling fell out today among other things.  Anyhow–onto more pleasant things!!

Top Ten Toys of 2010 Number ……6

Description of Toy/Toyline: Fashion Royalty Dolls. Made by Integrity toys.

So why did they make my list?
The main reason they made my list this year was that there was something about their faces that drew me to them. I saw that inside of them there are good characters waiting to be unleashed.

Kyori:
Prior to getting Kyori I had been wanting her for more than a year so this year I did finally breakdown and get her. :D I think that so far out of all the FR dolls (and heads) I have that this one is my favorite (with Ayumi a close second). If I had money to burn I would totally get a second (and 3rd…and 4th) of this doll.

Natalia:
She was an unexpected addition: I loved how she looked in the promo shots & thought she’d be great.

Colette:
Was so cheap I couldn’t resist and I loved her coloring & thought she would be perfect.

Jordan:

was the best deal out of the lot & I bought her for the challenge of making her over into a doll someone would want to look at.

Eugenia:

She was another deal that I couldn’t resist. Eventually she’ll end up being repainted. I’m not liking the super light eyebrows and cotton candy pink lipstick.

Downside to these figures: (aka why it isn’t the #1 toy on the list!)
As usual the biggest thing that lets these figures down is their second-rate articulation. If Integrity would just improve the range of motion on the knees and elbows (like double joint them) I swear you wouldn’t be able to stop me from buying them!!! However, they have crummy articulation (the knees suck, and the legs/hip area you have to tweak it if you want them to sit up straight instead of slouching backwards, and of course, the elbows don’t bend enough to allow the doll to “talk” on a phone (cell or otherwise) without looking spectacularly stupid. :(

My second complaint is that the MSRP on the Fashion Royalty dolls is excessive.
When it comes down to it they’re using the same tooling to create the bodies & heads each time (the exception being when they introduce a new character with a new sculpt—not like introducing Luchia (Isha’s sculpt in a pale skintone) or Count Adrian (Takeo’s sculpt). So the rest of the expense is down to accessories, clothing & paying overhead & salaries.  I know a lot of people buy these dolls & want the “exclusives” simply because they ARE exclusives. And are happy to pay whatever the going rate is on the (primary or on the secondary “jacked up”) market. Good for them, and Integrity–I guess. But not so hot if they want more people to buy each new release they make. *shrug* It’s not my cash-cow so I guess I can’t recommend how I’d go about milking it, I guess…

General Comments:

Overall I’m pleased with the dolls. They each had various issues and I’m dealing with them. For example: Natalia’s promo shots made her skintone & general coloring seem different. Looking at her in RL I decided that she needs to be re-rooted with darker hair to really do something for her complexion (hence she’s decapitated and not in the photo for this). Jordan needed a complete repaint to be a decent looking doll etc. I think if I were a plain vanilla collector I’d be less inclined to buy some of them–but since I like to customise and “tweak” my dolls I am ok with it.

Oct 312010
 

Yes, I splashed out money & bought Natalia for my birthday this year. Yes I paid full price (well not really since I had a 25% off coupon and partially free shipping LOL)

She’s got a lovely sculpt though she does have a slightly different coloration to her than the promo pics I saw online had.  I don’t feel it’s a deal breaker since IMO she’s lovely. Look at that face!

For now I’m going to leave her as she is but I think down the line she’ll end up  getting a re-root with something darker.

Maybe like this? *yes I know the pic is crap*

Maybe not? Maybe it’s too harsh? What if I did a brown mix like Viv has?

Anyway, she’s come with this poufy princess type dress. . . It’s really not to my taste &  looking at it you have to wonder wtf  Integrity/Wu was thinking.  I mean as far as evening gowns go–it’s just not much to look at.  It’s dull, the huge skirt is “meh” at best.

But having said that….. I was thinking that it might be salvageable.  With some tweaking/ re-imaging. It really gets me how many people dissed this doll simply because of her dress. I mean, hello, don’t you change the clothes? and Ok, can’t you use your imagination??

  • First I decided to take off the haphazard black netting that was applied to the bodice. It doesn’t serve much/any purpose (except it tied in slightly with the black lace at the bust).
  • then I decided that the gigantic, floor sweeping skirt had to go.

All you purists out there–go ahead an stare in shock! LOL

I CUT UP Fashion Royalty Clothes!!!

So we’ve got this now: (sorry it’s on Marissa now, I didn’t feel like trying to re-dress Natalia this morning for this post)

Put on a pair of panties and there you go! a piece of lingerie–or–if I can be bothered to make a pencil skirt out of the remain of her ballroom skirt–a nice outfit! One that no matter what will see a lot more use in my wardrobe than any ol’ ballgown! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:


:mrgreen:

Oct 292010
 

Did I mention that this month has been crackin’ busy? I don’t seem to be able to catch my breath between the weekly sewing challenges & working on the fireplace and the apartment diorama and trying to develop some characters for the new photostory!

Anyway I wanted to share an update on how the roomset  for my Fashion Royalty girls Giselle, & yet to be named Kyori is coming along!

1:6 scale apartment

You can see where my fireplace is going to go (once I finish cladding it in stone).

I know that looking at it like that it might be kind of hard to imagine it…. So fast forward two weeks and this is what it currently looks like:

(I have more progress to show on the fireplace but I haven’t got an upto date pic so that will wait until over the weekend)

You can see the french doors in process along with the windows. Still need to work out the handles for the doors as well as the locks/latches for the windows.

This week coming:

  • need to cut the flooring
  • finish the fireplace
    • cut & attach stonework
    • paint stones & grout
  • paint the living-room walls (and decide on what color the accent (fireplace) wall should be.

Anyway that’s the update for now! Feel free to comment! :)

Oct 272010
 

Yep. I said Free! Now, before you all start thinking my blog’s been taken over by one of those crappy marketing bugs lemme ‘splain!

I’m a member and a general lurker of the Doll Divas board. I’ve hung out there a lot the last 5 years and although I don’t post a lot I generally take part in the contests & games that they schedule a few times a year. I like winning treats & prizes –who doesn’t?

On Saturday the 30th of October the Doll Divas board is having what they call a Monster Mash.

You don’t have to be a regular board member to join in (although i guess it would be nice if you were or well, at least visit it occasionally! Like my blog! LOL)

This year I’ve donated some goodies from my Etsy Shop  to add to the fun.  Couple of books, some pillows–the little things that do help dioramas & roomsets feel a little more complete. :)

Here are the previews (LOL)

I thought it would be good to give back and spread some of the prop-love. And yea, if you win something (or even if you don’t!) feel free to check out my etsy shop…

Hope to see you there having fun! :)

.

Oct 242010
 

This week I really struggled with getting any sewing done, and when I actually did I wasn’t very happy with how stuff turned out.  My main goal in sewing this week was to make a pair of jeans for the Fashion Royalty doll bodies.  I had a semi-passable success after the 2nd round of pattern drafting (oh I do hate that!).  Giselle is modeling them along with a halter-type top (which was partially sewn so I thought I’d finish it off).  Unfortunately I’m pretty knackered right now and didn’t bother to adjust it so it sat on her neck & shoulders correctly so it looks weird.

The slacks/ wanna-be-jeans had a lot of problems, the least of which was that the fabric tended to “wander” while I sewed it so the pants look like they’re on the piss. They’re baggy & kind of bleh in my overall opinion.

  • To try to make the fabric/pants look a little more interesting I ran a double line of stitching down the front of each leg (one at a time since I have yet to know how to operate a double needle In the machine), and then a 3rd stitch with silver thread.  Not sure it works but it at least managed to tie inwith the top.

my 4th attempt at the jeans pattern came out much better (although still not perfect it’s workable).  Kyori (who needs to be named still is modeling the jeans (which will look better when I use some real denim instead of the twill I had on hand).

They look a lot closer to what I was looking for, and with the exception of having made them a touch too long they’re not hideous. You can’t see them in these pictures but the jeans do have pockets that she can stick her hands into as well as a front closing fly.

She also got a shirt that I started…..back in 2006.

Yep.

2006.

It sat in my bag of sewing trims & bits…

it needed:

  • the sleeves finishing
  • the neckline doing
  • the back finished off and closures added.

I get the feeling she really likes it. :D

Anyway that’s what I managed to crank out this week. I tossed most of the “fail” pants & a fail sweater that I’d tried making for giselle that just wouldn’t work out.  Next Sunday is the final installment of October’s Sewing Challenge! YAY!!!

Oct 182010
 

Ever feel torn between two choices when it comes to how to do something?  I’ve been wrestling with how I want to go about making some of the costumes for Wrenwood Hall.  I think I’ve made my decision but I’m not entirely sure I won’t change my mind down the road!

About  Wrenwood Hall: at this moment it’s a costume drama set in Tudor England somewhere between the 1530′s-1540′s.

Giselle, Kyori (yet to be named) and some of my Hot Toys action figure guys act in it.  It is what the two of them do for a living & although their photostories don’t necessarily revolve around it I think it’s important.  And yea, I know a lot of costuming that I might never, ever use again. Hell, I might make it all and not even use it once.  Or I might just totally love it and want to dress the dolls up in it all the time LOL.

Who can say?

I do have a weakness for the Tudor time period, and nicely enough for Venice and Florence of the same time period (wasn’t the renaissance great!) so it’d leave me some wiggle room for introducing characters with farther flung geographical roots). Anyway, whatever.  Right now Wrenwood hall is a total figment of my imagination.  But I love the idea since it’s a story inside a story.  And heck, why not?

Back to the Costuming issues:

Tudor. Lots of layers. (for an example check out Ninya Mikhaila’s awesome site)

I’m using a hodgepodge of my online resources & my copy of The Tudor Tailor to work out some patterns that will work for the different body types.  You wouldn’t think it’d be that difficult except that I’m dealing with a plastic body that won’t conform to the silhouette of the time period.  Which means I have to “fudge” things. I really want to try to keep things as accurate as I can–I don’t want to end up making the kind of hideous mistakes that some costume designers have in costume dramas (sorry I do have a severe weakness for costume dramas but being a semi-authenticity freak I tend to tear them apart as I watch them). The other downside is that if I am dressing them as accurately as I can all those layers will add up (even if I made everything out of superfine fabrics) and well, eh.

I find it a bit funny that the scrawny, mostly flat chested  Nu Face body looks closer to “right” than the regular Fashion Royalty body.  I’m trying to decide if I am going to screw around with the profile of the dresses so that I can make them look ok on the “grown up”  FR bodies.   I probably will.   At the end of the day I figure it’s a “costume drama” and anyone who watches those at the movies or on TV will know that although costume designers might try to keep things close to accurate—they don’t always. And some of them go on some serious departures from realism!

Fabric: Another challenge has been finding fabrics that will look “right” for the costumes.  Rich, luxurious fabrics are the way to go… Unfortunately, although I’d like to make some velvet clothing I haven’t had much luck finding a thin/low pile velvet(or velveteen) that will work. I’m going to keep my eyes out but so far it doesn’t seem to be happening.  I’ve got some silk, and some cotton  (yea I know cotton wasn’t very common in the time period but I’m not shelling out $$$ for handkerchief weight linen so there! :P ) to use. I do have some various pieces that I hope will do the job. I won’t know until I get to the “making” part of it. I have been keeping my eyes peeled for some smaller patterned pieces that would work as damask but so far no luck on that score.  And my luck being what it is–the local shop that used to carry a pretty good range of upholstery fabric just scaled back their selection to almost nada. Grrr!

Accessories: Jewelry is the biggest one I can think of and it’ll take some doing on my part. I might actually break down and use the last of my savings and buy a casting kit. Then at least I could make what I want.  Am I insane, or what??  I could try to make the pieces out of fimo/polymer clay but my track record with the small stuff isn’t so great. Plus it won’t weigh properly and won’t hang right.  *sigh* I’ll have to wait and see on that one. . .

Ok, well–there you have it–the sewing considerations that are currently on my mind!

Oct 162010
 

I hear you! ;)   You’re saying: “Huh, what? Last time I visited the blog you were talking about making a fireplace in 1/6 (sixthscale)!”

I still am!

But If you know anything about me it’s that I’m usually working on a few projects concurrently. It helps me to avoid burning out & getting sick of a project.  So yes, the fireplace is still in the works (going to give my fingers a few days to heal before I go back to plastic cutting). Which is good because it gives me a chance to talk about another project that I have going.

In case you’ve missed my more recent posts, I’ve lately had an influx of Fashion Royalty dolls into my collection.  Not a bad thing (even if I do think that their articulation does leave a lot to be desired).

I can hear you collectors out there — “What! Why are you going backwards?? Why go back to collecting those dolls? Hot Toys makes female figures now! Buy those!!

Oh, the Humanity! :wink: (does anyhone else remember Heathers? LOL)

Seriously though.  I fell in love with a few of the facemolds the Fashion Royalty line came out with. I finally gave in and bought some of them. I also thought that if Amber from SITC could use them in photostories (without getting purple with frustration) then I could take a page out of her book and be able to integrate them into mine too.   If collecting Blythe’s has taught me anything–it’s that FR articulation isn’t as bad as it could be! And wires or strings from above are a good thing!

So, you probably want to know who’s who and what’s what?

You know that apartment set up I’m currently working on? That’s for the 2 main girls to live in and otherwise generally “entertain”.  Ideally I want to be able to randomly intermix these new girls and my existing cast & I think in this situation it can really work.   Of course the girls are glamorous & model-like–they’re “tv stars”.  I don’t necessarily see them mixing with the students (unless they run into them in the cafe), but they certainly could deal with some of the “adults” and that leaves me to wonder if they have anything to do with the more arcane aspects of Quinlan. Hmmm. Food for thought!

Anyway the “stars” of the show are Giselle & Kyori (yet to be renamed).  Of  course Giselle gets to keep her original name. I don’t think there’s another name out there that would fit her as well.  Kyori—well she’ll be getting re-named but I’m waiting before pinning a name on her until she gets here. Once  I can photograph her I should be able to get a better handle on her personality.  I do think she’s the calm one compared to Giselle who I see as temperamental & quick to mouth off in one way or another.

Anyway talking about the dolls & cast membership here’s who I have:

Giselle:

Private Goddess Natalia (role TBD) My original idea was that she’d be a therapist in Paloma’s practice but I just don’t know if she looks the part (out of that dress).

Tricks of the Trade Eugenia (local gallery owner)

Flight Pattern Kyori (name TBD. Actress in costume drama. Co-Stars w/ Giselle)

And this week I got an absolute steal on feebay uk and got Fire Within Jordan for uber cheap (I mean cheap enough that I felt bad for the seller that I was the only one who bid!).  And she came from here in the UK so I didn’t get killed on the shipping–I got her in less than 2 days! Talk about instant gratification! YAY! :D

Fire Within Jordan (name TBD. Head costume designer for the costume drama. Teaches 2 classes a semester at the University re: fashion/costume design & history).

  • She’s slated for a complete re-paint since I don’t much care for her default face & pink-pink lipstick & eyeshadow.  I’m interested to see how she’ll turn out afterward.

I’m thinking I might try to repaint her this week coming if time & projects permit. I also need to get hopping on my sewing challenge & just get busy drafting some new patterns for the Fashion Royalty bodies. I’m really tired of searching for slacks & skirts to fit them… best way to cure that is to make some quickly!

The next project I’m also working on right now is with a Hot Toys True type guy body.  I’m willing to put up with the reduced articulation on the FR girls…but not the FR guys. So I’m looking into doing a mod with the true type body to make it a better match for the girls.  I’ll update as soon as I’m closer to finished! :D

Anyway that’s what’s going on here today!

Sep 272010
 

Still feeling yucky this am but I wanted to post this before I go off to work, and before I come home and go right to sleep. (This must be the flu or something–talk about feeling like hell warmed over  :(   )

To celebrate the month of October (The Best Month of the Year!!**) I’m going to set a sewing challenge for myself! If anyone feels like joining in feel free to! (and post your attempts in my comments area(or link to your photos)!

Here are the details:

  • I need to sew a minimum of 1 new outfit (1:6) a week. Ideally I’d like to aim for 2 or more, but realistically–work won’t let me do that.
  • It needs to be photographed & posted here on my blog by Sunday of that week.
  • The outfit needs to consist of a complete set of clothing–meaning either a top & bottom, a dress, lingerie & stockings etc. (Basically, just not 1 piece all by itself.)

Ok that’s it! I might mix up which dolls the clothing will be for (Takara CY Girls, Fashion Royalty, Volks etc).

** It’s my Birthday in October, so could I think better of any other month???!!

Sep 192010
 

I managed to do something hobby-related this weekend! Yay!

Back in 2007 –  I won “Rare Find Isha” on the doll divas board.  I was really psyched to win her. I was of course bummed when I’d gotten hit with customs & import fees for her (sigh)  and when she arrived I realized I really couldn’t stand her bangs (or fringe as they call them here!). She sat in a box & was generally neglected until 2009.

Here she was before & during 2009 when I decided I’d do something with her…

Now  I have something to show! I gave her a re-paint last night and although it’s not stellar I do think it’s an improvement. note: the photos aren’t that good, she needs her hair washed & her paint job isn’t as nice as it could have been. Right now I’ve tentatively re-named her Ishani Patel (it’s still got Isha in it, see? LOL)

Ishani is a former fashion royalty Rare Find Isha

Ishani is a former fashion royalty Rare Find Isha

Ishani is a former fashion royalty Rare Find Isha

Anyway, there you have her! I’m trying to figure out some info about her personality &  just what role she might be playing in the Quinlan Chronicles.

I’d love comments & any thoughts about what she might be doing in the city of Quinlan.

Some ideas I’ve got:

  • Professor (at the University)
  • Secretary (at the University)
  • Psychotherapist (working in the same practice as Paloma)
  • Co-owner of the Cafe (or owner, or owner’s wife, or just a partner)
  • Want to suggest something else? *please do!!*

Some of the problems I had with doing her re-paint & stuff:

  • Her face is slightly discolored in places and the vinyl is sort of weird because it seems to have inclusions/flakes in it (it’s hard to explain) but pretty much it makes her look a bit spotty.
  • I tried to give her hazel eyes but I suck at them so they ended up being greenish sort of…
  • I dropped her head on the floor while I was trying to paint her (and of course it was at the end) and so she landed face down in the rug :(   but I liked how she had turned out & I didn’t want to wipe her face & start over & hope I got something I liked as much out of it.
  • Her head seems to have changed color somewhat as it is a different color than her body now. Her hands also seems to be off color now. (She’s been stored in a plastic zip lock in a box in the dark so it’s not UV exposure)

Anyway I’m trying to get used to the new job and all but hopefully soon I’ll be doing some more Friday Monologues, and eventually shooting stories in the Cafe (which is still a work-in-progress).

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