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The Insanity Quilt: Part 1

Making Stuff, Sewing in 1:6, Something to share 6 Responses »

Jun 082011

I’ve mentioned it a few times in passing. The insanity quilt is my name for the hexagon quilt I’d decided to make for one of my characters (Shayna).

It’s supposed to be a quilt for a twin sized bed and I’ve probably over estimated exactly how many hexes I need for it. I’ve decided I needed about 1000 of them although I probably only need about 800-900….or so (I kind of got that number by eyeballing the size of a hex vs. the size of the bed I want to cover.) I could be wrong (wouldn’t it be nice if I needed much less?) . I’m trying to wrap up making the hexes (they aren’t fiddly so much as they just seem to suck up time.)

So here’s what I’ve gotten made so far:

Can you guess how many hexagons are in those containers?

Last time I took a photo there were considerably less…….

It’s a lot of effort and you know, I have no clue how it’ll turn out or what mistakes I’ve made in the process of doing it. I’ll probably find out once I finish it. One thing I have to say is that in the process of making the hexagons I really do think that once I move I want to make a 1:1 hex quilt. I’ve found it to be good “busy work” for when I’m watching something or listening and don’t really feel like doing anything “constructive”. The nice thing about making them is I don’t really have to think about ANYTHING when I do them. It’s a nice way to sort of space out and relax.

For those of you who guessed–there are (currently) 904 hexagons in the containers. Ouch my fingers! I’ve got 96 more to go before I reach 1000, but I think at this point i’m going to hold off on doing those and see if I actually need them.

Anyway I’ll try to post more on the quilt as I make some progress with it.

Max “The Boy” Sept 2002-May 2011

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May 172011

I am gutted beyond belief. What started out as a day that I had hope and some joy in has become an exercise in sorrow and pain.

The vet called us back at 11:30 to say that they had tried to do the ultra sound but there was a large amount of fluid in Max’s abdominal cavity and it was unable to give a clear conclusion. He said that it seemed likely that the trouble was caused by 1 of 2 things: a tumor or a perforation of his intestines or bowel (and that his body was trying to cope with it). Not great news. He said that since they had him there for the ultrasound they could do an exploratory and see if they could confirm which it was (and ideally treat it).

We gave the go-ahead and Dr. Bamber said he would give us a call (or the other surgeon would) when they knew what was there so we could decide what to do. He called us back about an hour later and gave us the news–and again it wasn’t good. Max had hundreds of tumors inside (which he said was mesothelioma). The fluid in his abdomen was caused by the tumors, and that the sheer number of them and the stage of his cancer progression made them inoperable. He also stated that this particular form of cancer is non-responsive to chemotherapy in cats. He asked us what did we want to do. I asked what the treatment options were and found out that at his late stage there weren’t any aside from palliative care which would primarily be for mark and I since they would only be drugs to try to keep Max from feeling the pain (which he obviously was feeling). With this in mind, and drawing on our previous experiences with Skinnykitten’s CRF & Pudgy’s squamous cell carcinoma and realizing that Max was in pain, and that there would be nothing we can do to make the situation better, we decided that it would be best for him if we euthanized him.

Mark & I are understandably in pieces and we drove out to be with Max when he came out from anesthesia so that we could be with him. The vet had offered to do it while he was still out from the operation but both of us (mark & I) were really horrified at that thought. I had told Max I would see him later and what kind of asshole-ish thing to do would that be?? No, I wanted to be there, and to pet him and do my best to make him know we love him and that it really was what had to be done. I didn’t want to see him reach the stages that both Skinnykitten & Pudgy had. After they had died I knew I had been selfish and waited far too long so I really didn’t want Max to suffer along because I can’t let go. Mark said it wasn’t the easy decision but that it was the right decision, and that it was about what was right for Max.

So, unfortunately that is how it went. We came and brought his pillow from home, we loved him and gave him as much of our loving & petting as we could, and, when the time came we watched Dr Bamber push the drug into his IV and shortly he was gone. My beautiful, furry, lovliest-loving-est Boy, was gone. And FUCK Hawking. There is an after life. Max is going on to a higher plane of existence (and I will find him again, someday).

So those of you who count yourselves as friends or even acquaintances, please, I’m asking that today/tonight/ if you can spare a moment to wish him well. It would mean a lot to me, and if there are any of you with a candle to burn for him, to light his path, I would appreciate it.

I am, and Mark is too–unutterably sad at this. It was so completely unexpected, and we were so unprepared for it.

The only joy I have had was knowing I laid in bed most of the night petting Max and having him sleep and cuddle on my arm. My Boy.

Let me tell you how I got Max (humor me, huh, please?)
When I got Max it was December 2002. It was Christmas eve day and I and my then fiance drove from Blizzard-y Albany, NY to Philadelphia, PA to get him. I don’t remember now exactly what the rush was, but we were off and had him the same day and home again.

He was 1 of 2 remaining kittens of a litter. And when we got there I saw one healthy, robust kitten and one shy, scared and puny kitten. My then-fiance said he knew as soon as we saw them which one I was going to pick. Guess I’m a sucker that way.
He played with the other kitten, and I, of course set about coaxing little Max to come forward and play. He slowly came out and yea, he totally stole my heart. (I need to find my baby pics of him–that was in the days before I had a digital camera)
What followed after that was months of medical bills for him. He was a sick baby and needed lots of help getting healthy. It took time and a lot of roast beef (he loeved rare roast beef) and I got him pretty healthy (and utterly spoiled). But hey, I was a single girl (yea, you know) and all I really was living for at that point was my kittens and writing & dolls.

Max had an amazing amount of curiosity and intelligence. He would come up with new games and ways to get our attention (and what it was he wanted). I won’t bore you with all of those but I will say I have never known a cat like him, or as creative as he.

And did I mention that when he was a tiny kitten I had him learn to sleep on one of the pillows of my bed (hey, full size bed–only one person in it–lots of room for cat-pillows!) I used to have to sleep with one ear open because of all his respiratory problems (and I’m a worrier. I was always worried he’d stop breathing b/c he sounded like a tiny Darth Vader!!!)

Anyway, at some point I knew he was feeling a bit better because I’d woken up one morning and he’d chewed half of one of my braids off (I slept with my hair in braids then). D’oh. I wasn’t too impressed but I didn’t blame him–he was a kitten, y’know?

And his ears—his ears = the softest, fluffiest & most acute at hearing—ever!

Pudgy & Skinnykitten never liked the fact that I got him and from his arrival he was persona non grata in the apartment. They all learned to get along, and love each other in their ways. Max, for all that he grew to be a giant-ass cat never really seemed to take on board that he out-weighed and towered over the other cats. To him he was still the little boy, and to me too.

When I met Mark and he came over to “meet the kittens” (because, yes, they were the all together best barometer for if someone was a piece of shit or awesome) I was so happy that not only did pudgy & skinny like Mark, but even Max, the shyest, scaredy-est-cat of them all (even though he was huge) liked Mark. They’d obviously decided he was a winner! (and then you know the rest of that story).

Mark and Max developed a real rapport with each other that I hadn’t expected. Mark was always willing to go along with Max games (even when they involved waking him up in the middle of the night by biting his toes, or dropping a drinking straw on his face. Yes, there was love there. The most obvious was that Max adored it when Mark would give him head massages, and Mark would love it when Max would condescend to sit on his lap and purr.

And Max was there for Pudgy kitten, and after she passed on, for Electra as well. Even though she is hell-on-wheels, he was always patient and gentle with her.

I love everything about him. He was always sweet tempered, loving and willing to let me pick him up and love him (or cry on him, depending on what was going on in my life) and I don’t think I could ever have asked for a better son (if a bit furry).

I thank Max for the lessons he’s taught me, and I hope I did well by him and that he still knows beyond all doubt that he IS loved and treasured.

Blessed Be.

Erica

Coloring the world with 1:6 pencils! pics

1:6 Props & Miscellany, dioramas, Etsy-related, For Sale, Making Stuff, Something to share 11 Responses »

Apr 102011

Ok, so I guess the title gives it all away–what I’ve been making! You know how re-ment made that great pencil set? (the Re-Ment Favorite Stationary secret set) and how much it’s now going for online? (sick money, I tell you, siiiiiiick!)

Anyway, I’ve been slaving away making some. It’s taken me about a month and I gotta say that they are severely labor intensive….but I think they look pretty damned good.

I made 1 set so far for my dolls and two sets to put on etsy in case anyone else out there wants some for their dolls. So if you want to check em out (they ain’t cheap) you can find them here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/ckworkshop
What do you think?

Astrid & Karly’s Dorm Room Diorama photos

1:6 Props & Miscellany, 1:6 scale Dolls & Action Figures, dioramas, Making Stuff, photostory stuff, Sewing in 1:6, Something to share 13 Responses »

Mar 222011

For the most part I’ve been kind of quiet about how making stuff for the dorm room was going. I didn’t bother much with photos & stuff. I took a while off from the computer (more or less) and just concentrated on getting stuff done.

The main goal for me was that the different sides of the dorm room reflect the different personalities of the characters. I think (IMO at least) that I’ve been successful in that.

The Desks & Dressers are via Mark and were My Valentines Day gift (no chocolate, but I can handle furniture instead!! LOL). I gave him the details I wanted and made him paper models–and they came out really well. All the drawers work (and the desks were designed so that the side drawers could be taken out and use the area as book shelves instead). PS Mark made the window & doors– email him if you’re interested in some (mhmodelmakingATgmail.com).

If you want more info on anything just comment (I’m sorry I’d give you a detailed, blow bly blow item list but it’s late and I’m utterly knackered!)

So here it is: (As usual—click on the white “X” to see full sized image)

First: Looking at Karly’s side of the room: Karly is a neat girl, with a love of shabby Chic.

Karly’s Dresser and a view of her desk set up. Her desk is the same basic model as Astrid’s except that I’ve taken out one of the drawers and used that as a bookshelf area instead.

I made her comforter (and there are matching sheets & pillowcases underneath made of blue-aqua fabric).

Karly’s tie-quilt/comforter and you can see her “jewelry board”. One of the necklaces came from Nat at Milkshake Melody & the rest are either my creations or faff from mattel.

Would you believe how long it took to pull this set together? And then once I had most of the pieces….how long to actually set it all up??!! Just say it took a while LOL (it’s less depressing that way when I knock into it and things fall)!

Can you tell that two completely different people live in this room?

Looking at Astrid’s side of the dorm room (from Karly’s)

I realized along the way that Astrid is learning to play guitar. That’s a 1/8th scale takamine guitar made by F-toys which I can get away with calling 1:6 scale (because, hehe, there are 3/4 scale & 1/2 scale ones made in real life for musicians)

View of Astrid’s dresser & desk-top stuff.

The bast/Cat statue is an old piece of Yujin, the Ankh is from the Hot Toys Wong Ka Kui figure, misc bottles are re-ment & Barbie stuff.

Here you can see a close up of her “desk junk” (not complete since I need to add some papers). Re-ment coffee cup, bratz mugs (white ones), re-ment office stuff, colored pencils I made (you’ll see more of those soon), books (I made) and 2 more wonderful little egyptian statues from Yujin.

Please comment!

*edit: I’ve added the diorama page to the main website with some further details about the roomset. You can find it here: http://www.corsetkitten.com/dioramas/

Tutorial: How to customize barbie chairs

1:6 Props & Miscellany, Customs & Re-stylings, dioramas, Making Stuff, Something to share, tutorials 14 Responses »

Feb 142011

Getting 1:6 scale office chairs/desk chairs is really a pain in the ass.

This has come up for me a few times since I’m working on making college dorm rooms, library space & 1:6 office set-ups. Invariably in all of these places you find the ubiquitous “office/desk” chair. The problem is that finding them ready to buy isn’t that easy. And getting them in scale with your figures isn’t always as easy as it seems.

I mean, aside from the ZC ones…the rest of them out there….well. Let’s just say they don’t really fit my notion of an office chair. (I’d love to drop $200.oo+ on a Vitra one –but hello, broke here!) The office chair that the ZC dolls made is nice but it’s waaaay oversize for my Volks, Momokos & Blythes. And yes…I know office/desk chairs come in different sizes. I do. But this is about my preferences. If I can’t buy what I want then I’ll make it.

I’m going to work with two particular types for this tutorial. (I’m calling this a tutorial but it’s more like a bunch of loosely written instructions to kind of run-with.) Mostly because they start off pretty close to what I want and the less I have to do the better, right?

First go out and find the following chairs to work with: They are the chairs from the My Scene So Chic Salon & the chair from the Barbie My House Armoire & Chair set.

The thing that makes me most inclined to work with these is the fact that the bases are pretty sturdy & they bear a pretty good resemblance to the real thing.

The one with the grey wheels is one of the My Scene chair base and the one with the black wheels is from the Armoire Set.

Note: there are actually 2 types used in My Scene doll furniture and both are good with a little work. The thing to be aware is that the My Scene Salon chairs have one type that “clicks” back (apparently for washing hair in the sink) and one that was fixed. I’m using the fixed ones as an example, but you can use the clickers if you cut down the mechanism and shape the hole to fit them.

Here’s what I came up with: the before & after:

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

Barbie Chair Base(s) *as described above*
Wood/Plastic/MDF/ Foamex (to make seat parts-use depending on how sturdy you want the finished piece of furniture to be)
Brass/steel/aluminum/ wire or bar (to make the back-rest post)
Black aluminum tape OR twine (and paint the twine with acrylics)
Glue or Contact Cement (I personally prefer cc)
Batting/Foam (to pad the chair with)
Fabric & Tyvek (to upholster the chair)
Stapler
Needle & Thread (to match fabric)
Acrylic Paints (for detailing)

First:

Draw up an approximate size drawing of the seat you want to make, and the size of the back-rest.

I cut mine out of paper (I like to judge sizes that way) and then cut them out of foamex. You can use cardboard (not good for long term use) wood (bass, pine etc), etc. Whatever you use you want it to be fairly sturdy.

Next:

Remove the seat/top from whichever chair you’ve decided to use.

Drill/dremel/carve out a hole in the seat you’ve made to fit the post at the top of the chair’s base. (This is a good time to also carve out the slots in the seat back & the back-rest where you’ll be inserting the brass/wire/metal to hold the back rest in place).

Check the fit (height wise) for the kind of doll you want to use this with.

I cut out batting (using those paper seat & back drafts) and glued it to the plastic. (Do yourself a favor and rough up the plastic or wood to help it adhere) This helps pad the seat and give it a bit more realism. At some point I’ll really go to town with one of these to see how far I can push them.

After the glue/contact cement has dried & you feel you’re happy with the amount of “puff” on the seat & back-rest then comes the fun part—you get to try your hand at upholstering it with your chosen fabric. I’d like to offer some how-to on this but I basically took some books out of the library and went from there. I’m not an upholsterer–and I never will be!! Experiment & prepare to do it over a couple of times until you get it to look right.

While you’re taking a break from upholstery you can cut a couple of thin strips of the black aluminum tape and wrap it around the metal you’re planning on using to support the back-rest. If you’re using twine (make sure it’s a small diameter otherwise it’ll look dorky) layer a light coating of contact cement/glue and then wrap the twine tightly. Once that’s dried then apply the acrylics but do not water them down any more than you absolutely have to.

Once you’ve upholstered the chair (the seat & the back-rest) insert the metal piece you’re going to use as the support. If you don’t plan on taking the chair apart in the future you can glue them into place. I like to be able to flat pack my stuff as much as possible so mine aren’t glued in place.

To finish off the underside of the chair cut some tyvek and staple it into place (cut out the circle where the plastic base attaches). Paint it black (or whatever color you want, most of my office chairs usually had manky black semi-fabric-fiber there and tyvek seems very similar in texture to me)

And pretty much that’s it. Sit some dolls in them:

ANYHOW….. if anyone gets any use out of this tutorial….let me know, eh? I could use the encouragement.

You know, it’s OK to be different…

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Jan 272011

I do know that, right?

In between getting some things sorted out here I took the chance to catch up with & read through some fellow doll-and-action figure blogs. And you know, as much as it pains me to say it–I just don’t really belong.

*sigh*

While I don’t exactly feel like the dorky kid on the playground, I do feel like my brand of collecting (If you can call it that since I think I do more customizing than leaving dolls as they came) isn’t really appreciated in general. I’m not (for the most part) cranking out customs and then putting them up for sale, I’m not blogging every other day/week about a new find or a new doll. Maybe if I did I’d be more in tune with everyone else. Instead I’m just going through the daily grind of life and commenting about the ups & downs as I go along.

I don’t have a single doll that is NRFB. It is highly unlikely that I ever will. And I’m not the sort of person to stick them in glass display cases. If they’re behind glass chances are I’d never touch them & they’d just become more “stuff” that I’d feel the need to get rid of.

I’m not all about photographing my dolls every day/week in new outfits, new clothes & with new accessories. Yea, the dolls are nice, I like them & I enjoy them but I just don’t go that route. Does that make me less of a collector? Someone less seriously involved with the hobby?

This isn’t a big deal.

I don’t collect or blog to make other people happy.

I get the joy of creating & evolving new characters and sometimes ideas…Challenging myself to expand my skills.

My biggest joys are usually scoring some new supplies or coming up with a new (and interesting) Idea.

And gifts. Of course. I like sharing those!

I suppose I’m just rambling, but I wanted to vent that thought.

Yea, I’m not one of the cool kids on the block, or the playscale playground, but at least I do my own thing and that’s what really matters.

Top 10 Toys of 2010…#1 [at last!!!]

1:6 scale Dolls & Action Figures, Customs & Re-stylings, Something to share, Top 10 Lists 4 Responses »

Jan 142011

So, here we are… at #1 on the list! I have to say that over-all 2010 was not really a big year for me as far as getting action figures, dolls & accessories. But I think it was a big year for me as far as making things & doing things.

My #1 toy for 2010 …..isn’t a single toy.

It is the combination of different customs I’ve created during the year. These were predominantly volks 27cm dollfies but also a few Fashion Royalty dolls were included too.

(Click the image and then click white [X] to see the image larger)

This might seem like a cop-out. Like I should have picked my favorite out of the lot and called it a day…but no.

So why did they make my list?

Although I like some of them better than others they’re all pretty important for one reason or another. Specifically, having them is getting me a couple of steps closer to doing the photostories I have planned. And ANYTHING that gets me closer to shooting stories is a gooooood thing!

Downside to it: (yes even at #1 there’s a downside!)

The biggest downside is of course the fact that it seems that Volks has (apparently) decided that they are not going to produce the Volks Excellent body dollfie figures any longer. I know there was talk of a re-tool & re-boot but that was supposed to have happened in the spring 2010 and it’s the new year 2011 and still nada on that count. I assume that that line is now dead in the water.

General Comments:

If we were going to talk favorites of favorites then I’d have to admit that Bianca, Claudia, Raven & Rupert are my faves of the lot. I enjoyed making Steampunk Natalia but the whole IFDC BS really made me glad that I sold the outfit to someone who really wanted it.

Ok, so there you have it! My top 10 Toys of 2010! If you missed any of the previous entries you can find them below:

#10

#4, 3, & 2

Thanks everyone (and anyone) who bothered to read & keep up with my list!!!

Top 10 Toys of 2010… #’s 4, 3 & 2

1:6 Props & Miscellany, 1:6 scale Dolls & Action Figures, dioramas, Reviews, Something to share, Top 10 Lists 5 Responses »

Jan 112011

Yessss! It’s a 3-for-1 post! Threeeeee tastes of the Top 10 toys of 2010! Are you guys lucky readers or what?! Ok, I want to get this list done and dusted by tomorrow evening so here we go!

Top 10 Toys of 2010……#4

Description of Toy/Toyline: 1:6 scale Large Sash Window.

Like many of the cool things I have this window was made to my specific request & requirements. Mark was particularly patient and although he hated putting it together (it was very fiddly) it looks great. It is a working sash window.

So why did it make my list? It’s just cool! It’s very detailed and I needed a window that would fit in my smaller roomset. I’d pretty much wanted it for use in the various student Dorm rooms but I’ve realized I can also use it for some other rooms in the university set up (provided I change all the decor).

Downside to it: (aka why it isn’t the #1 toy on the list!) There isn’t a downside to this piece. It’s been slated onto number 4 simply because I got a few other things that I can get more use out of / expect to get more photo-time with. If I had to find something to complain about I’d say that it took a long time to get the window once I put in the “order”.

General Comments: I love this window. Mark does really kick ass work when it comes to making architectural stuff for my dioramas.

=============================================
Top Ten Toys of 2010 Number ……3

Description of Toy/Toyline: 1:6 scale Wooden Book Cases

These (of course) were made by Mark. I bet y’all wonder if there’s anything he can’t make! He made these out of some scrap wood he had in his workshed. I was amazed at how quickly he made them (the longest part of the process was the repeated coats of stain he had to give the wood).

So why did they make my list? Cool factor aside, they’re fantastic. He made them so I could use them in my “University Office”. They’re great and I can totally see them being filled with books & curios. I can easily envision them in an office where students get into trouble & professors get into political mischief.

Downside to these: (aka why it isn’t the #1 toy on the list!) Can’t complain about these. The construction (which you can’t tell from my crap photos) is very high spec & really well done. They’re 3rd place only because I liked the other 2 things just a bit more.

General Comments: I think I might be a little insane…I can see a library using these bookcases…more bookcases….

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Top Ten Toys of 2010 Number ……2

Are you ready for these? It was a difficult decision placing these at #2 instead of #1.

Description of Toy/Toyline: White Shelving Units

Once more, something made by uber-cool Mark. Yes, I am seeing a definite up-side to marrying someone who is a professional model maker.

So why did they make my list? These made spot #2 on the list for a couple of reasons.

The 1st reason is that mark cranked these out at hyper-speed. I usually wait between a few weeks to a few months for an item so the fact that these were done in less than a few days really rocked it for me.
The 2nd, they’re awesome and completely what I needed for my student lounge. I’d been struggling to get the furnishings I needed to be able to finish it.

Downside to these: (aka why it isn’t the #1 toy on the list!) There IS no downside! I love them. I could do with having some more!!!
General Comments: I love these to pieces. They are probably my most favorite pieces of furniture at the moment and for the foreseeable future!

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I’ll see you all tomorrow (unless my dental appointment ends in my death!) with number 1!!

Top 10 Toys of 2010…#5

1:6 Props & Miscellany, Reviews, Something to share, Top 10 Lists 7 Responses »

Jan 102011

Yay! It’s time for a much delayed Top 10 Toys of 2010!! Today we’re doing number 5 (tomorrow will be a double post #’s 3&4).

Top Ten Toys of 2010 Number ……5

Description of Toy/Toyline: 1/6 scale Yamaha & Vespa Scooters.

There are 2 different kinds shown. These are the more “modern” looking Yamaha Vino & the more classic Vespa. Both types were made by New Ray.

A couple of interesting things to note: that although both were termed die-cast the Vespa version is the one which is substantially heavier & contains considerably more metal. The Yamaha Vino has much less metal and is much lighter in weight. Out of the two I’d feel more confident about the Vespa surviving being knocked off the table.

Also the Yamaha Vinos also seem to vary from each other insofar as the undercarriage of some of them is all fake chrome-metal looking while the other undersides are all black with a little bit of accent “chrome” in places.

So why did they make my list?

I like any vehicles I can find in 1:6 scale! (Ok provided they look close-ish to the real thing). These are perfect for me to use with the 27cm Volks dollfies who are cast as the students in my photostories. After all, we can’t have the students driving around in Porsche 911s all the time, riiiight? These are nice little scooters and have some good detailing on them.

You can find out a little bit more about the Vino here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha_Vino_125

Downside to these figures: (aka why it isn’t the #1 toy on the list!) Well, as cool as they may be they aren’t as fantastic as some of the things out there. I think the build quality on the Vinos makes me mark them down a bit lower. I’d buy another one but I’d probably wait for a good deal on the Vespa. All of them need some work on the detailing (the Vinos most notably need some work done with regard to the side mirrors and brake cables).

General Comments: Nice to have them, glad I got them (the Vespa & one of the Vinos were gifts from Mark. I think I might get more in the future since they take up less space (considerably less!) than my 1:6 cars! (I could fit 6 scooters in the space my 1:6 mini cooper takes up, or the Porsche, or the Porsche Cayenne (that to me looks like a spiffed up station wagon!)

Anyway tomorrow I’ll post #’s 3 &4!

Top 10 Toys of 2010 [a note]

1:6 Props & Miscellany, Eh, what?, Something to share, Top 10 Lists 2 Responses »

Jan 022011

I bet you’re thinking I’ll never get through the whole Top 10 List ! (Sometimes I think that too!) But things keep popping up and other things nudge their way in front of it… One of those things was a conversation I had with a fellow hobbyist. We were discussing doing Top 10 Lists and stuff. They basically posited the idea that that including x-mas gifts you’d received in your list was kind of rude since you’d be “ranking” them and could lead to hard feelings.

It makes sense and I have to agree that it could be seen that way. So this has meant a slight re-shuffle of my list.

I really appreciate every gift that I’m given and I don’t want anyone thinking that someone else’s gift means more to me or is “cooler”. Well, except for Mark who totally expects to be the “coolest” LOL.

So tomorrow I’ll be back on schedule! Thanks for bearing with me!!!

Ready for the Top 10 Toys of 2010??

1:6 scale Dolls & Action Figures, Eh, what?, Something to share 10 Responses »

Dec 092010

That’s right folks! It’s getting really, really close to that time again!!! And once more I’m inviting anyone who reads my blog to join in the fun & take some time to look through your toys, figures & dolls that you’ve gotten throughout the year and pick the 10 best (or favorite) that you’ve gotten.

My first post, #10 will be posted on Dec 22nd–and the last will be revealed on New Years Eve!

So here’s hoping y’all join in! (and make sure to let me know if you are!!)

1:6 Student Lounge Diorama (in progress w/photos)

1:6 Props & Miscellany, dioramas, Making Stuff, photostory stuff, Something to share 3 Responses »

Nov 202010

Ok, I’ve been quiet the last week or so. I know. I’m still fighting this cold. But despite my total lack of energy, constant headache & coughing I was determined to work on something!! Those of you who are regular readers may recall an occasional comment about needing a student lounge/hang out area in the university dorms. It’s the place were a lot of stuff happens without me needing to cobble together a classroom for it.

My plan on this varied (originally it was a huge room but it’s now been swapped). and it’s almost complete. It needs some further details & props but it’s definitely 2/3 of the way done as far as I’m concerned.

Points to bear in mind:

The Student Lounge shares the same base & walls as the Small Living Room set (aka the Friday Monologue room) & the Kitchen set & the Student Dorm Bedroom Set.
The curtains need to be re-done & hung correctly.
I need to paint the coffee table.
I painted some uber-ugly paintings for the back wall (the wall behind the sofa) which I’ll hang the next time I take pics.
I have decided I am going to remove the chain cords from the hanging lamps. I was going for a certain look but they simply look too distracting.
I’m proud of the tiny cork board I made. And yes, it’s real cork. It’s very small & very fine so it will look correct in scale for close up shots.

Ok soooo… Here are a few pics (I promise I’ll take more of them when I get back and can actually update the website/ Dioramas section). These are just showing the roomset from a couple different angles–since I was trying to figure out how I wanted to do the room’s layout.

View from the front (window wall removed)

View from the back wall (removed)

Partial view from side wall (I was too beat to remove the walls at this point

Anyway I expect I’ll be back to finishing it up next sunday. Then after that it’s back to fireplace building & livingrooms & cafe making!

Updating the website–check it out?

Eh, what?, Something to share, What do YOU think? 8 Responses »

Nov 042010

You there? Ah hah! I thought so!

I’ve spent some time over the last week or two working on the main website for Corsetkitten’s Workshop.

It’s not complete (I don’t know if it ever will be) but if folks felt like stopping and taking a look I’d be really grateful! It’s probably going to display best in Firefox & Opera (the 2 browsers I checked it in–I don’t use explorer, and chrome always hates me).

And folks? Be kind, eh? I’m not a whiz with the web design & stuff.

I have the awesome-est friends! yay

1:6 Props & Miscellany, 1:6 scale Dolls & Action Figures, photostory stuff, QC: character info, Something to share 6 Responses »

Nov 022010

You know, sometimes I feel like I live at the edge of the known world…an outpost where I’m socially isolated. My family is an ocean away, and well, all my friends live in other countries!! So….when I get something in the mail (from a friend) I get a bit choked up, a little sad and a lot happy! It makes me remember that I’m not forgotten even if I am miles away!

Today, I got a truly wonderful gift in the mail today from my good friend Will (you can find his blog here). This was a belated birthday present. Maaaaan, did I totally make out like a bandit this year, or what??!!

He’s known for a while that I have a serious shortage of men-folk in my cast & has been instrumental in finding some guys in the past—and wow, talk about a lovely birthday present! I got some guys to add to my new photostory cast!And some other spiffy stuff too!

First, lemme share the guys who came with bodies!! (yay for bodies!!)

First up is Sam (newly re-named Christopher Arden, actor on the costume drama Wrenwood Hall)

Next is our friendly detective & a member of the Quinlan PD: (who came completely dressed & packing heat!)

and also, mr. skinny Hot Toys action figure guy: (Don’t ask me what’s up with his pose, ok?)

And remember I mentioned other stuff?

I’m particularly happy about getting the evil-looking Wesker head! He might be a professor or maybe an actor on the costume drama. Not sure…except that I know he’s a demon who has a secret (and nasty) agenda!! Any comments on if he should be an actor….or something else?

Will was also cool enough to send me some spare hands, a TTL girl head (who might end up being another cougar), an Ice head so that down the line I can do an alternative version of Paloma, a shoulder holster for Cass to wear, some funky shoes from Hot Toys Cha cha asai, a skull-thingy, some goggles that will be awesome for my next steampunk custom, and some small glass beads that he thought looked like ice!

Now I’ll tell you, that’s just one hell of a present!

And you know, I’d be just as happy if my friends just sent me lame birthday cards & letters. It’s just really, really nice to know I’m on someone’s mind, sometimes.

1:6 apartment diorama: more progress!

1:6 Props & Miscellany, dioramas, fashion royalty, Making Stuff, photostory stuff, Something to share 11 Responses »

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!

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!

Playscale props for free: Really!

1:6 Props & Miscellany, Blythe, Customs & Re-stylings, dioramas, Etsy-related, fashion royalty, photostory stuff, Something to share 2 Responses »

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!

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