Doll talk: news, stuff I'd buy, frankendolly plans...

Some stuff I'd want to know if I didn't, about dolls I'd buy if I didn't already have them/weren't broke/saving for something else:

Cedar Wood just dropped to £9.18 on amazon.co.uk, in case you're in the EU. I'm tempted to get another one in and see if the mold seams are as bad on all of them, but I'm done with doll shopping for this month.

I hadn't realized that Grace and Nikki are the next generation of Style dolls - with articulated ankles! As expected the flat shoes are the same as the one in the cat themed accessory pack. Not a fan of the clothes on either, unless Grace's top is in two pieces.


Re articulated Nikki: I recently got an articulated Cali Girl and someone suggested frankendollying the legs onto an early Fashionista Nikki (the ones with hinged knees and legs held on with elastic) to get an even better articulated "bigfoot" doll. So that's what I'm on the lookout for now when I go thrifting - ironic, since I never liked the old style knees and may have passed on one or two in the past... Anyway, last week I found a hybrid body I've never seen before: torso joint, new pivotal knees AND rubber band hip joints. I thought the knees were changed before the hip joints? Although from what I understand, Mattel have always been in the habit of throwing dolls together from whatever parts are laying around. Finding unexpected combinations shouldn't be a surprise - plus you get to feel like an archaeologist once in a while! Of course this one had to be a Barbie and too pale for cali girl/Nikki, but those legs might come in handy sooner or later.

The Quest for Stretchy Fabric

Winter has made a comeback the last few days, but still I ventured out today. Mostly for groceries, but I also took the opportunity to check out the "cheap-socks-and-underwear aisle" for some fabrics suitable for 1/6 scale clothes. That's right - instead of finishing my sewing project I'm planning for the next one! My excuse is the more fabric I have, the more likely I am to actually make something with it, instead of hesitating because it's The Last Stretchy White Cotton In The World and I'll Waste And/Or Ruin It! It's perfectionism vs shopaholicism, I guess, and I wish I'd only resolved to fight one of them this year...

The socks weren't much to write home about, but I found some kids' panties with a pretty cool skull/heart pattern that are so perfect for Monster High, they could almost be a copyright infringement. They came in packs of three, sadly only one patterned and the other two in solid colors. A bit expensive too, so I only bought one. At least I got some black stretch fabric too, that's always good to have on hand.

Skulls and cell phones and hearts, oh my!

I also found this pair of shiny nylon shorts with a cell phone print. Cell phones! It's just so weird, I had to have them, and luckily they were on sale. Lots of fabric too (XL), so my entire doll crowd will be wearing Cell Phone Couture this year. Yeah, I know: when sewing for dolls you should try to find patterns that fit the scale, but come on - who wouldn't want to walk around wearing huge cell phones!? I know I would.

I'd like to use the lace hem for a sleeve or something.

Finally I got another pair of their nylon mesh panties. Terrible underwear, great doll fabric. The last pair is now half a MH dress that's awaiting my decision re: shoulder straps in a drawer somewhere. These have a sort of fall color theme going on - great for a Barbie blouse with lots of ruffles! I'll put them away until the end of summer and see if any ideas have crystallized by then.

So that was my day, I guess. :)

2013: Year of the Face-Up

The eyes in question.

...I really have to do something about those eyes. It didn't bother me when she was on her original cheap knock-off body or when she was a floating head, but now with a proper body and clothes the look is downright disturbing. Maybe this will be the year I finally get it together and start repainting faces.