Creature crocheting

New creature has been crocheted out of fabric scraps, on the top of my messy desk.
To be continued...

More about → Creature crocheting

Fashion Royalty: Night Warrior Vanessa arrives from Japan

Number 20 Vanessa joins the tribe. While worthy of the name, she is quite different from her 19 sisters in that she represents a fictional character who wields a sword and might very well have jumped off the pages of a comic book. [Correction: I have been reminded that this doll was created to resemble the character who was played by Kate Beckinsale in the Van Helsing movie.]
Speaking of series, here is the series of Vanessa dolls From the first one in 2004, Shock Bonbon. through the latest, Night Warrior, they have all been ultra-feminine with the exception, perhaps, of Aerodynamic. She carries a chair instead of a sword. Could she be the pre-cursor of a line of weapon-carrying Fashion Royalty dolls? I would prefer the use of different sculpts for warrior dolls. But that's just me. All of the images below are the property of Integrity Toys unless otherwise noted.

Shock Bonbon


Fashionable Life Platinum


Fashionable Life Raven


Poésie Sans Couleur


Runway Right Away


Intoxicating Mix

(Unknown Photographer)

True Royalty


Obsidian Society


Miami Glow


In Bloom

(Photo by Natasha Powers)

Pale Fire


Going Places

(Photo by Natasha Powers)

High Tide


Color Therapy


Metal Maven


Shirred Not Shaken


Cruise Control


Aerodynamic


Luxe Life


Night Warrior

Be very careful when zipping up her boots! They are rather tight and the pants might get caught in the teeth of the zipper. I taped the lower leg right down to her ankle to create a smooth surface and it was still difficult to move the slider.

More about → Fashion Royalty: Night Warrior Vanessa arrives from Japan

Picture of the Week Award ~ November 28, 2009

The picture of the week is of Asher by Paul Pham. The photographer is Karine from Fleurdelys Shop in France.

Karine says that this Asher is beautiful, very versatile and that her body is one of the most realistic of the 16" dolls. She loves taking pictures. She believes that Paul Pham's dolls and the Sybarites are the very best of this hobby. They pose easily and lend themselves well to all types of photography.

This image is perfection in every way. The lighting is soft and flattering; the composition draws the viewer gently to the doll's eyes. The fact that the doll is drop dead gorgeous can't be denied.

If you would like to see more of Karine's work, here are several links for you:
Doll Shop
Gallery
Blog

Congratulations, Karine, on the Picture of the Week Award.

More about → Picture of the Week Award ~ November 28, 2009

Dollystyle Convention Featured Souvenir Dolls

The Dollystyle Convention just took place in Tokyo on November 21-22. Attendees were presented with a stunning Amelie (Misaki's friend) dressed all in pink. Her fashion is a a throw back to the first Misaki doll who was dressed similarly but all in black. Amelie is called "Tokyo A Go Go." The original Misaki was called "Tokyo Here We Go!"
There was also an uber-limited Tokyo Here We Go - Marui Misaki released when the Nippon line began. I wanted this doll for such a long time and then I stopped collecting Misaki. She was dressed all in white and only 100 were ever made. I still admire this doll.

The other doll took me by surprise and until I was able to secure one I was on pins and needles. She is called "Night Warrior" and has the Vanessa sculpt.
Registrants also received the following items. This partial list was posted by Robsdolls.

DollyStyle Tote Bag(The 1st two were great!)
DollyStyle Tumbler
DollyStyle Pen
ECO Cute Bag-gift from Bar-B
Mini Cosmetic bag-gift from PB Factory
Momoko Doll-Gift from Sekiguchi
Doll Stockings-Gift from Azone
Mini Doll or Blythe items-Gift from Toms Toys & Goods

The convention was sponsored by BIC Co., Ltd. owned by the wonderful Kazue.

More about → Dollystyle Convention Featured Souvenir Dolls

Fashion Doll Agency Marcella "Double Mousseline"

The newest girl in my collection is Marcella. This young lady arrived directly from Paris and the Fashion Doll Agency created by Nunzio Carbone and Jayro Bustamante. The team has created five dolls so far: Petra, Pola, Kaori, Manon and Marcella. Each has her own back story.
Marcella is purported to be an Italian student who was discovered during a student trip to Paris. I don't follow doll stories but they're there for those who enjoy that kind of thing.
The doll is 16 inches tall with blue eyes and brunette hair. Mousseline is the type of fabric from which her outfit is made. It's a very filmy, fairly transparent cloth which is shapeless and quite fragile. I am not pleased with the edge finishing on those two pieces. Her sandals are fabulous and made from real leather.
The earrings and bracelets are substantial and made from metal. Her purse is pink - probably vinyl - and she can hold it due to the shape of her right hand. Wonderful!
This doll is surprisingly weighty. I wasn't expecting that. And...here's a treat...her stand actually is the correct height and supports her without any problem. That's a first. But because she is so heavy, I couldn't pose her without any support. I can live with that for now.
With the aid of one small straight pin, Marcella can wear Attention's dress. It fits her better than it fits the Avantguard doll!

More about → Fashion Doll Agency Marcella "Double Mousseline"

Picture of the Week Award ~ November 22, 2009

I am happy to feature the work of France Briere today. France aka Bijou Doll is an uber-talented repaint artist. I have not seen one doll she has worked on that I wouldn't add to my collection. I met her at a Fashion Royalty convention and she is as delightful and as beautful in person as her work!
Here is a repaint of Ellowyne she posted today:

See more by clicking on this link: Bijou Doll
Congratulations, France, on your Picture of the Week Award!

More about → Picture of the Week Award ~ November 22, 2009

Creature diet and creature love.

Moon Man and Lady Creature met the new creature during their afternoon walk; he was still enjoying his picnic for one.

He was glad to go home with them.

Moon Man and the new creature were delighted to find out they are both keeping the same diet.

When Moon Man went to bed, Lady Creature and the new creature found out they had something in common as well. ;-)

More about → Creature diet and creature love.

Barbie Basics - Collection #001

This is a very attractive, clever and fun-looking collection! Barbie Basics Collection #001 consists of twelve different dolls dressed in a different little black dresses. Each doll's description includes the name of the sculpt that the doll has such: Mackie, Lara, Steffie, Goddess, Kayla/Lea, Carnaval, Aphrodite, Mbili, Diva, Deidre, Teresa and Tango. The prices are right at $19.95 each. The entire set of twelve dolls would cost $239.40. There's lots of play possibility here unless the dresses are sewn on and I wouldn't put it past Mattel to do that.

There are four accessory packs, called "Looks," which contain scarves, purses, shoes, jewelry, and props. These are priced at $14.95. I would have to have one of each which would add up to $59.80.

If you are going to buy the entire kit and kaboodle, be prepared for a total of $299.20 and don't kid yourself that you will only open one a month. LOL
I'd have to rip those puppies out of their boxes in one shot, get them all set up and start playing. I can see it now. Announcing the "Little Black Dress Fashion Show." Get your runways up, ladies.

Go to the Barbie Collector site:
http://www.barbiecollector.com/shop/shelf.aspx?shelfid=0
to see larger images of the dolls and accessories.

The collection is designed by Bill Greening and is going to be available on December 7, 2009. You know you want it.

More about → Barbie Basics - Collection #001

Buyer Frenzy ~ Poppy Parker Giftset

One week ago it was announced to members of the W Club that the Poppy Parker Giftset (described in the preceding post) would go on sale - first come, first served - on November 18 at 10AM CST. Within two minutes the site had slowed to an imperceptible crawl. I logged in at the precise time the link went active and it took a full 20 minutes to get my order confirmed. After I did it three times during the first few minutes, I took the advice of one of the liaisons and did not hit refresh again. I don't think I breathed as my order slowly advanced forward to the end. I have never in my life had such an experience ordering something. It was like walking a tightrope.
At 11:22 AM the link was shut down. An announcement was made that the remaining sets would be distributed via lottery to be held from that time until late that night. People had dolls in their carts when the lights went out on them. The stories some collectors posted about what they did to be able to have computer access at that time approached what many would call "willing to go to any lengths."
There's no blame to be placed here. Collectors are wild about these dolls. It reminded me of the horrific event on Black Friday at a Walmart store last year. A crowd of shoppers whose buying impulses had been fueled by the scent of great sales stormed the doors at the moment of opening and actually killed an employee in the mad rush.

More about → Buyer Frenzy ~ Poppy Parker Giftset

Poppy Parker Giftset "Holiday in the Hamptons"

This is the soon-to-be released Poppy Parker Giftset called Holiday in the Hamptons. One lovely red-head Poppy doll and three fashions for day, play and evening wear make up the contents of the set. Only one pair of shoes is included for all three outfits! There could have been a pair of sandals thrown in there instead of the roses. I really like the black dress and the polka-dotted playsuit.

Price of the set is $150. which seems about right.

Date of availability: TBA

 

More about → Poppy Parker Giftset "Holiday in the Hamptons"

Fashion Doll Agency ~ Marcella 'Double Mousseline'

Just when I thought I was safe from the temptations of other 16" dolls, I succumbed to the Fashion Doll Agency line. When I saw their first offering Kaori, in Haute Doll, I thought she looked like the insect known as a walking stick.Her face seemed amateurish and cartoony and she was just awful. I had heard that she was so thin that no clothes made for other 16" dolls would fit her. But after seeing pictures of their latest doll, Marcella 'Double Mousseline', I took the bait. The price was right for a super articulated doll at $299 with free shipping from France.Mousseline is any sauce to which whipped cream or beaten egg whites have been added just prior to serving to give it a light, airy consistency. She is wearing two mousseline tops. Perhaps the word is also French for a light, airy silk fabric. What you can't see in their photograph are the colors with which her face is screened. Compared to the original Kaori who looks colorless, this gal is adorable.
Fashion Doll Agency (FDA) offers a small number of separate outfits for purchase. The one outfit I admired is sold out on their website but I was able to buy it at below cost from another collector.There are two other fashion I would love to have.
The first is called Jeans Fourrure (fur) and the second is called Laine (wool) & Lezard (lizard). I like the natural materials used in their fashions. In Haute Doll, Ernesto Padro-Campos shows photographs (fabulous, of course) of Manon wearing some of Agnes and Victor Dreary's clothing! Ernesto even has her wearing Barbie's Todd Oldham leopard coat. This is a good thing to know. I will try all sorts of smaller clothing on my gal.
I have already received notice that my doll shipped today and I just paid for her yesterday! That's what I call service.

The FDA website.

More about → Fashion Doll Agency ~ Marcella 'Double Mousseline'

A Picnic for One

The new creature...

… felt claustrophobic and bored in his own room.

So he packed his stuff,

and went out.

He spent a wonderful time out there.

*New creature is listed at my etsy doll store.

More about → A Picnic for One