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A slightly racier set of mini pulps, as read by Alison and her extended Dork Fam

A slightly racier set of mini pulps, as read by Alison and her extended Dork Fam published on No Comments on A slightly racier set of mini pulps, as read by Alison and her extended Dork Fam

The mini pulps I made today and yesterday are racier than earlier sets. See details as Alison and her extended Dork Fam gather in the Spymaster’s lab for some reading time. The first set took pictures from late 19th and early 20th century ads for circuses, plays, magicians, and Navy recruitment. The next three, all featuring Terra Nova and her spacesuits of dubious functionality, combine renders that I made in Daz Studio on the fronts and 20th century vibrator ads on the backs. Continue reading A slightly racier set of mini pulps, as read by Alison and her extended Dork Fam

Anatomy of a pile of junk

Anatomy of a pile of junk published on No Comments on Anatomy of a pile of junk

Conflict occurs when the chaotically organized Spymaster encounters Alison, an insatiably curious person who pokes at everything.

Alison: “Oooooh, what’s that?”

The Spymaster: “Don’t touch! I have everything organized. Besides, do you know how long it took me to balance all of that?”

Continue reading Anatomy of a pile of junk

How to entertain a bunch of nerds: snacks and pulps

How to entertain a bunch of nerds: snacks and pulps published on No Comments on How to entertain a bunch of nerds: snacks and pulps

More shots of my recently created pulps and Rocket Fuel Foods in action, courtesy of Alison and her extended Dork Fam. Continue reading How to entertain a bunch of nerds: snacks and pulps

The [extended] Dork fam in THE THINGIE!!!!!!

The [extended] Dork fam in THE THINGIE!!!!!! published on No Comments on The [extended] Dork fam in THE THINGIE!!!!!!

I just saw this digital model, a steampunk time machine, and needed to shoot a photostory about it. Naturally all my Doctor Who dolls got in on the action…Continue reading The [extended] Dork fam in THE THINGIE!!!!!!

Alison’s awesome attire — wordless photostory with Alison and the Master

Alison’s awesome attire — wordless photostory with Alison and the Master published on No Comments on Alison’s awesome attire — wordless photostory with Alison and the Master

I recently got a Playtoy Female Monster Hunter doll, i.e., Kate Beckinsale as Anna Valerious from Van Helsing, solely because of the cool outfit. Once she arrived, I gave Alison the corset and the bolero jacket. She also wears a Triad black leotard, some gold leggings from Aliexpress, shoes from Ebay, and a choker that I made. She felt very self-conscious because she’s not used to wearing such things, so the Master tried to cheer her up! He, of course, thinks she looks amazing. Then again, he thinks she looks amazing in anything.

Continue reading Alison’s awesome attire — wordless photostory with Alison and the Master

New 1:6 scale stuff — record player, mini vending machines, etc.

New 1:6 scale stuff — record player, mini vending machines, etc. published on No Comments on New 1:6 scale stuff — record player, mini vending machines, etc.

Got some 1:6 scale stuff recently. Clearing out my phone, I found these photos. Continue reading New 1:6 scale stuff — record player, mini vending machines, etc.

Alison’s Loud Shirt

Alison’s Loud Shirt published on No Comments on Alison’s Loud Shirt

I made a collared shirt for Alison from @dollsahoy‘s pattern @ 115% and proved two things. 1) My sewing skills have improved immeasurably since the last time I made a collared shirt a few years ago. 2) My characters, like me, have, at best, dubious taste in clothing.

This was going to be a showcase for Alison’s painfully bright shirt, but it digressed into a commentary on gold eyeliner…Continue reading Alison’s Loud Shirt

The Goblin Market got durian and tomatoes!!!!

The Goblin Market got durian and tomatoes!!!! published on 1 Comment on The Goblin Market got durian and tomatoes!!!!

Photos with 1:6ers Alison and Bill below. Both durian and tomatoes are resin pieces purchased from Aliexpress. Tomatoes were billed as “1:12 scale,” which seems not to actually mean “1 inch scale,” but “suitable for dolls; take your chances on size.” Durians all have an area of skin cut off to show pulp, but I have put that area facing the table so no one notices. Voila! Continue reading The Goblin Market got durian and tomatoes!!!!

Yellow peppers and bok choy for the Goblin Market — this time with 1:6 scale comparisons!

Yellow peppers and bok choy for the Goblin Market — this time with 1:6 scale comparisons! published on 1 Comment on Yellow peppers and bok choy for the Goblin Market — this time with 1:6 scale comparisons!

Yellow peppers and bok choy! This time, 1:6ers Alison and Bill show scale.

This set is the most detailed I’ve ever made. Even my forest and cemetery sets, while they contain many parts and customized pieces, don’t have the sheer number and variety of things as this produce section does.

I also think that this is the most expensive set that I’ve created. Most people who follow my work know that I tend to use simple, cheap, multipurpose objects in my sets. While I used this principle with the counters [made of a table, a miniature crate, cut-down box lids + dowels] and some of the produce holders [mini box lids and screw-top lids], the majority of the pieces, being food, are very specific. That means a lot of money sunk into single-purpose props, insofar as pieces of food are counted as single-purpose things. Someday I’ll add up how many objects are in this set and how much they set me back, but today is not that day.

Still to come: Rocket Fuel Foods snacks, cucumbers, tomatoes, and carrots. Ugh, I need more counter space…

Continue reading Yellow peppers and bok choy for the Goblin Market — this time with 1:6 scale comparisons!

The 1:7.3333333333 Master’s body in progress

The 1:7.3333333333 Master’s body in progress published on No Comments on The 1:7.3333333333 Master’s body in progress

The Titans 3″ Delgado Master debuted [fucking finally] on November 19th, so I immediately purchased three — one for regular Master, one for Catster [with cat ears and whiskers], and one for extra. To that end, I’ve been busily working on 1:7.33333333 scale persons this weekend. Below is the current state of the Master’s body.

I’ve decided to keep my 1:7.3333333333 Master in his iconic black Nehru suit, with black shoes and black leather gloves. As a result, I don’t give a flying fuck what color his body is, since it will all be covered up, and I can paint the neck to match the head. As a result, I’ve pursued articulation over aesthetics for his body. Bust is from a 2018 Mattel Harry Potter kid doll. Arms are from an Obitsu slender male doll. Abdomen and lower body are from some solid plastic Willy Wonka 1:6 scale action figure from @natalunasans, heavily hacked down to size. A good sharp craft knife blade goes right through that dense solid plastic. Of course it also goes through flesh too… >_>

Below, the Master with another Master. Continue reading The 1:7.3333333333 Master’s body in progress

Dandelion Biking with Alison, the Master, and a TARDIS cat

Dandelion Biking with Alison, the Master, and a TARDIS cat published on No Comments on Dandelion Biking with Alison, the Master, and a TARDIS cat

Wow, I totally forgot that I had done this photostory with Alison and the Master almost 5 months ago! Here it is, another experiment in wordless storytelling. Continue reading Dandelion Biking with Alison, the Master, and a TARDIS cat

Glam photoshoot for 1:9 scale Missy [who’s done!] and Bill!

Glam photoshoot for 1:9 scale Missy [who’s done!] and Bill! published on No Comments on Glam photoshoot for 1:9 scale Missy [who’s done!] and Bill!

I got a Barbie skirt in the mail recently for Missy, shortened it an inch, and it fit perfectly. I made a raggedy bow out of some gauzy purplish stretch net, and I was done. Then she posed against a selection of Halloween/Gothic art papers I got from Michaels recently.

I just finished 1:9 scale versions of Bill and Missy today. Both of them are hybrids, combining heads from the 3″ Titan mini figures with bodies from ToyBiz’s Famous Covers series of Marvel action figures. They’re 9″ high.

For Bill, I painted her body to match her head, filled in her irises, dry-brushed her hair to show up the detail, glossed lips and eyes, ground the neck off the head, and modded the crotch and tops of forearms for greater flexion. She wears a dress from a Mattel Skipper Babysitters Inc. doll, a bolero from a Fresh Dolls Mia, leggings from a Mattel Made to Move Fashionista Barbie, a Rement sunflower, and bracelets made from a bubble tea straw.

For Missy, I removed her original hair and replaced it with a combination of a hand-sculpted scalp [with Aves Apoxie Sculpt] and a ponytail of Mattel Barbie hair, which I curled with a boil perm. I swapped out the default ToyBiz Famous Covers hands for those from a 10″ Disney Elite Princess Leia figure. I filled in her irises, repainted eyebrows, gave a very light brown wash to the nasolabial creases, and repainted eyebrows. I also carved out top of forearms and inner sides of crotch to increase poseability. Missy wears a shirt from an unknown female action figure, a Mattel Barbie skirt [shortened by 1″], leggings from a Mattel Made to Move Fashionista Barbie [not shown], and a cravat that I made. Her umbrella is a large cocktail umbrella painted black with acrylic paints and sealed.

Coming eventually in the 1:9 scale world: Alison Cheney [Scream of the Shalka], Shalka Doctor, Delgado Master [=Shalka Master in my mind], and the Third Doctor!

 

 

 

 

Continue reading Glam photoshoot for 1:9 scale Missy [who’s done!] and Bill!

Other projects II: Weeping Angel and 1:9 scale Alison

Other projects II: Weeping Angel and 1:9 scale Alison published on No Comments on Other projects II: Weeping Angel and 1:9 scale Alison

My interest in cemeteries, funerary statues, and Doctor Who converges in the Weeping Angels. Since I stare at Carnelian’s cemetery/magic set every time I’m at my computer, I started thinking that it needed more 1:6 scale statues. Sure, I have an Angel of Grief, but she’s more like 1:9 scale. I also have a meditating skeleton, but I was thinking of something that could actually work as a realistic cemetery denizen [assuming that you don’t look at its FANGS]. Therefore I thought that I should make a Weeping Angel.

BCS made 1:6 scale Weeping Angels, but they stink for a few reasons. 1) They’re not articulated figures. They’re big resin door stops with swappable heads and arms. 2) They’re expensive. I wanted an affordable interpretation with more poseability. For mine, I decided to mount the upper half of an action figure on a solid base [i.e., the floor-length skirt]. The solid base would provide enough of a statuesque look, but she could still menace people with her upper body articulation.

For maximum effectiveness, I wanted a yelling or snarling headsculpt for my Angel. I had very little luck, as most open-mouthed sculpts for female action figures look relaxed or seductive at best and blank at worst. TB League made a 1:6 scale version of comic book hero Shi, however, with an angry expression. With her crinkled nose, lowered brow, and individually sculpted teeth, she’ll serve quite nicely, even if she is fangless. You can see her below at left. I’m going to remove her hair and current paint, then sculpt her chignon, make her chiton out of some sort of semi-stiffened fabric, then paint the whole thing with spray paint that has a stone effect. Continue reading Other projects II: Weeping Angel and 1:9 scale Alison

Stuff I got last weekend

Stuff I got last weekend published on No Comments on Stuff I got last weekend

VTDL met last Saturday, with Eseme and Kukolka from the Figurvore boards coming specifically for 1:6 scale selling, swapping, and enjoyment. I got some cool stuff for both my sets and my 1:9 scale Dork fam.

Continue reading Stuff I got last weekend

Bill, Alison’s Heliantha clarissima

Bill, Alison’s Heliantha clarissima published on No Comments on Bill, Alison’s Heliantha clarissima

1:9 scale Bill improved exponentially this morning when I cut the stem off a Rement plastic sunflower and put it in her hair! The Master, who never calls people by their given names, refers to Bill as Heliantha clarissima, or most brilliant sunflower. And now she truly is a Heliantha, waiting for her Alisonshine!

Continue reading Bill, Alison’s Heliantha clarissima

Enhancing 1:9 scale Bill’s existing features

Enhancing 1:9 scale Bill’s existing features published on 1 Comment on Enhancing 1:9 scale Bill’s existing features

Since I last took a picture of 1:9 scale Bill, I performed several minor mods. The tendons on her right hand stood out prominently, so I filled in the back of her hand with some Aves Apoxie Sculpt and painted it to match. Fortunately, Craft Smart Golden Brown acrylic paint allowed me to match her hands to her head [and other painted parts of her body] without mixing. I sealed her hands with matte varnish.

I then turned my attention to her hair. When I ground down her jaw, I also chipped paint off the bottom of her hair. Therefore I started with a layer of blackish brown to cover all of her hair. Then I dry brushed a layer of Folk Art 940 Coffee Bean acrylic paint over her hair. This gave the impression of light touching the ends. It also brought out all the detail in the sculpt, which had formerly been obscured by the flat black paint.

For my final work, I’m going to enhance her faceup. She needs eyeliner, bags under eyes, more defined smirk brackets, and some eyebrow texturing. Probably some lip texturing too. The basics are there; they just need a little help. I’m really appreciating the Titans vinyl figures. Many of them [not all, but most] combine a recognizable likeness with a great caricature. The simple, but accurate, details of the sculpts are lost beneath indifferent paint jobs.

This 1:9 scale Bill doll has started me on a scale that I never thought I’d get into. But now I have embraced it with enthusiasm. As I mentioned before, I have a Titan First Doctor that I will make into Shalka Doctor, and I’m getting a little Delgado Master next month. I have also prepared my digital version of Alison for printing in 1:9 scale so I can make her, thus completing the Dork fam.

I’ve also ordered a Third Doctor, just because a Delgado Master needs a Third Doctor, and a Missy. I was planning to do Three and Missy in 1:6 scale just like everyone else [i.e., my main dolls], but the 1:9 scale sculpts were too good to pass up. I think I’ll do 1:9 scale Three and Missy. Not sure about a 1:9 scale Ten, though. The sculpts for Ten are great, but a 1:9 scale Ten would need a 1:9 scale Harry, and the Titans of Simm Master are just ugly.

Continue reading Enhancing 1:9 scale Bill’s existing features

Adventures in 1:9 scale, or, I blame Bill Potts!

Adventures in 1:9 scale, or, I blame Bill Potts! published on No Comments on Adventures in 1:9 scale, or, I blame Bill Potts!

The three best companions ever in the history of Doctor Who are tied for first place: Alison Cheney, Bill Potts, and the Master. Alison and Bill suffered truly shitty adventures, so I paired them off, and now they are living happily.

Anyway, I’m always looking for little 3D representations of Bill, so I was checked online to see if Character Options had made her yet. No, of course not. But I did discover a Titan vinyl figure of her with a wonderful caricature that captures the essence of her lively, curious, upbeat personality. It also looks amazingly like Pearl Mackie, so of course I had to get it.

 

Further research into the DW offerings from Titan revealed more of my favorite characters, including the Third Doctor, the Tenth Doctor, and [coming in September!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!] Delgado Master. I began to consider the possibility of dolls in this scale, especially since there were headsculpts for two of my core fanfic characters, Bill and the Master.

But what about Alison and the Doctor? I decided I could get a decent Shalka Doctor out of the First Doctor Titan. Then I discovered Toy Biz Famous Cover 9″ action figures of superheroes. One of them, Storm, looked in the pictures like she might approximate Alison’s sharp features, so I ordered her.

Well, Storm’s head turned out to be small, asymmetrical, and un-charming, so that was a bust. However, Titan Bill’s head looks great, accounting, of course, for eventual skintone matching.

This was not enough to console me, however, because I was still pissed off my by lack of Alison. Then I realized that I’m a digital sculptor with access to a 3D printer, and I have also made a digital Alison. I can just print her out at the correct size. With 1:9 scale versions of all four members of the Dork fam in the offing, I was finally pleased. Pics below. Continue reading Adventures in 1:9 scale, or, I blame Bill Potts!

Today’s 1:6 scale work: new hands and Tarot deco

Today’s 1:6 scale work: new hands and Tarot deco published on No Comments on Today’s 1:6 scale work: new hands and Tarot deco

I decorated some of my 1:6 scale scenes with cards from my Tarot of the Sweet Twilight by Christina Benintende. I like the twisty, humorous, phantasmagorical designs on almost all cards, so I selected cards for each set based primarily on pictures.

I also gave 75% of the Little Dorks, Alison, the Little Witch, and the Little Fixit, new hands with which they could hold things. Little Bill will get new hands when I have the time. By drilling the holes bit by bit on a low Dremel setting and testing the new wrist pegs frequently, I achieved securely fitting pegs. That’s more than I could ever do when turning the Dremel up to highest speed. No melting plastic either!
Continue reading Today’s 1:6 scale work: new hands and Tarot deco

New 1:6 scale spaces in the living room

New 1:6 scale spaces in the living room published on No Comments on New 1:6 scale spaces in the living room

I walled off a corner of the living room with two bookcases to create a place where I can hang out in my new recliner and have [the illusion of] privacy. Here are the new scenes on these shelves:

Continue reading New 1:6 scale spaces in the living room

Recent 1:6 scale activities part I: BC Mini cake and candy house keyrings

Recent 1:6 scale activities part I: BC Mini cake and candy house keyrings published on No Comments on Recent 1:6 scale activities part I: BC Mini cake and candy house keyrings

Do your small populations need some totally blinged out desserts of questionable aesthetic value? Look no further. BC Mini, purveyor of Japanese novelty erasers, keychains, squishy food replicas, and other necessary things, sells overdecorated circular cakes and candy houses, perfect for all your small-scale baking competitions. Continue reading Recent 1:6 scale activities part I: BC Mini cake and candy house keyrings

Day 6 with natalunasans — South Mountain State Park, NC

Day 6 with natalunasans — South Mountain State Park, NC published on No Comments on Day 6 with natalunasans — South Mountain State Park, NC

We took some dolls and went to South Mountain State Park, NC for pictures. Continue reading Day 6 with natalunasans — South Mountain State Park, NC

Day 5 with natalunasans — even more tiny books and a meeting of the catwitches

Day 5 with natalunasans — even more tiny books and a meeting of the catwitches published on No Comments on Day 5 with natalunasans — even more tiny books and a meeting of the catwitches

Today I made more 1:6 scale reading material while natalunasans went out and did errands. Continue reading Day 5 with natalunasans — even more tiny books and a meeting of the catwitches

Day 3 with natalunasans — books, bottles, and cards

Day 3 with natalunasans — books, bottles, and cards published on No Comments on Day 3 with natalunasans — books, bottles, and cards

Yesterday, July 4th, we celebrated the United States’ independence by staying inside the air-conditioned house, except for an excursion to Books A Million [discount bookstore], Michaels [craft store], and two discount clothing/housewares stores that I forget because I didn’t get anything there.

Continue reading Day 3 with natalunasans — books, bottles, and cards

Day 2 with natalunasans — limb swaps, pulp fiction, and narcotics

Day 2 with natalunasans — limb swaps, pulp fiction, and narcotics published on No Comments on Day 2 with natalunasans — limb swaps, pulp fiction, and narcotics

Today we stayed indoors with the air conditioning on as we worked industriously on 1:6 scale props. Continue reading Day 2 with natalunasans — limb swaps, pulp fiction, and narcotics

Small sets in my bedroom and bonus Shalka dorks

Small sets in my bedroom and bonus Shalka dorks published on No Comments on Small sets in my bedroom and bonus Shalka dorks

I used to have just my dolls hanging out on shelves, talking to each other so that they wouldn’t get bored. Back in February of this year, though, I realized that I also had lots of nifty furniture, props, accessories, etc., that languished in storage. I could arrange them into vignettes for my dolls so they could do activities besides talking! Below are overviews of each scene, then detail shots. Continue reading Small sets in my bedroom and bonus Shalka dorks

Little Alison + Little Bill = WUVS junior

Little Alison + Little Bill = WUVS junior published on No Comments on Little Alison + Little Bill = WUVS junior

These two are adorable together! I added stylized reflections to their eyes. Frankly they probably should have been heart-shaped. 😀 Continue reading Little Alison + Little Bill = WUVS junior

Fresh Dolls Mia as Bill Potts is FABULOUS!!

Fresh Dolls Mia as Bill Potts is FABULOUS!! published on No Comments on Fresh Dolls Mia as Bill Potts is FABULOUS!!

I finished my repaint/restyle of Fresh Dolls Mia as Pearl Mackie’s character Bill Potts from the most recent season of Doctor Who. I completely repainted her face and cut her hair. I also moved her to a Takara/BBI Cy Girl 1.5 action figure body. The head is lighter and yellower than the body, so I painted the neck and bust with acrylics to match. As a nod to her loud and awesome clothing style, she’s wearing an OJI magenta leotard under a Mattel Chococat dress, with Hasbro Shoezies modified to fit Takara/BBI Cy Girl bootfeet. I made the horrible/fascinating felt sunflower fascinator.  In the last picture, Alison and Bill are having WUVS!!

 

Continue reading Fresh Dolls Mia as Bill Potts is FABULOUS!!

Last week’s photos — Alison, Bill, and Anima have an adventure

Last week’s photos — Alison, Bill, and Anima have an adventure published on No Comments on Last week’s photos — Alison, Bill, and Anima have an adventure

Members of the Dork fam Alison and Bill have a little adventure with Anima [the Doctor’s TARDIS].  Continue reading Last week’s photos — Alison, Bill, and Anima have an adventure

Little Shalka Dorks in Fixing the Horse I

Little Shalka Dorks in Fixing the Horse I published on No Comments on Little Shalka Dorks in Fixing the Horse I

The Little Shalka Dorks get busy with a new project: an old toy horse of my mom’s that we rescued from my parents’ attic around last Xmas. Little Alison is the one playing with dolls. Little Bill is the one reading pulp fiction. The Little Witch, in the cape and top hat, is my version of the Master when he was a little girl. The Little Fixit, with alien T-shirt and tool box, is my version of the Doctor as a kid. None of this information is really necessary to understand and enjoy the story.

Part I: The Dorks Gather.

 

Continue reading Little Shalka Dorks in Fixing the Horse I

Alison, Bill, and some TARDIS cats

Alison, Bill, and some TARDIS cats published on No Comments on Alison, Bill, and some TARDIS cats

The TARDIS cats have very demanding lives, okay?! An excuse to showcase some felted sleeping kitties by Awa of Nitwit Oddments, my preferred source for TARDIS cats. Order yours today!Continue reading Alison, Bill, and some TARDIS cats

Hacking a kid doll out of a Mattel Made to Move Barbie — arduous process, cute result

Hacking a kid doll out of a Mattel Made to Move Barbie — arduous process, cute result published on No Comments on Hacking a kid doll out of a Mattel Made to Move Barbie — arduous process, cute result

Whenever possible, I like to work with doll supplies on hand, rather than buying new. Therefore, since I wanted to make a Little Bill with the recently released adorable Mattel Skipper Babysitter Inc. AA doll, I used an articulated body that I already had from Mattel Made to Move Gabby Douglas. I yoinked the Babysitter head off the original body and spent several days hacking the MTM body to the appropriate size.

I am never modding an MTM again. Unlike a Spin Master Liv body, which has partly [but not fully] solid limbs and a hollow torso, the MTM body has solid limbs and nearly solid torso pieces. That’s a lot of plastic to cut through.

Furthermore, the proportions of the MTM don’t lend themselves to creating kid bodies. While the Liv’s limbs are largely tubular, thus shortening without much deformation, the MTM’s limbs are just weirdly shaped throughout. The MTM’s elongated ankles are the worst. I cut down the core and limbs until the proportions looked good, then gave up on the ankles. I took out the feet and jammed the stumps into shoes that I filled with  Aves Apoxie Sculpt. Covered by clothes, the reduced MTM looks convincingly like a chubby kid.

Continue reading Hacking a kid doll out of a Mattel Made to Move Barbie — arduous process, cute result

The Juku gang [NB: not an actual gang]

The Juku gang [NB: not an actual gang] published on No Comments on The Juku gang [NB: not an actual gang]

I customized the one-footed redhead Jakks Pacific Juku Couture Audrina from @glaceleau today. I redressed her in an MGA Bratz dress and some random leggings, then took off her remaining foot. I filled some Mattel Barbie hightops [also from @glaceleau] with goo+goo=thing Aves Apoxie Sculpt, jammed her leg stumps in them, and made shoefeet. All dolls with Juku Couture heads then gathered for a group shot. All of them are unreasonably adorable. Four kids, and not a lick of fashion sense among ’em. ^_^Continue reading The Juku gang [NB: not an actual gang]

Making a digital version of the Master

Making a digital version of the Master published on No Comments on Making a digital version of the Master

Over the last few days I’ve been working on a digital likeness of Roger Delgado as the Master. I finally got it pretty good, excepting the white blazes in the hair. This is another project done entirely within Daz Studio, with commercial morphs, custom D-Forms, and other tools available within that program. It was a challenge because there are few good stills of him to work from. Here are my progress screencaps that I was sharing with fellow dorks. Continue reading Making a digital version of the Master

Shalka Dorks and their tools [with bonus tortoise]

Shalka Dorks and their tools [with bonus tortoise] published on No Comments on Shalka Dorks and their tools [with bonus tortoise]

The Master apparently got a pipe wrench and a ball peen hammer for Christmas, while Alison got a drill and some pliers. All items are from ZC World’s latest 1:6 scale tool kit, shown on the floor in front of them. Jill’s tortoise, Sunny, is not 1:6 scale. Continue reading Shalka Dorks and their tools [with bonus tortoise]

Behold Little Alison!

Behold Little Alison! published on No Comments on Behold Little Alison!

Little Alison is complete! She’s a representation of my interpretation of Doctor Who extended universe companion Alison Cheney, who appears in The Scream of the Shalka. She is a Jakks Pacific Juku Couture Kana head, repainted and rehaired, on a modified Noix de Rome Ninie body. I would have kept her on her original Juku Couture body, but it was all single-jointed, with an inability to sit realistically with thighs together, so I spent much time and labor splicing her onto a Ninie body for the double-ganged arms and knees, plus the realistic thigh position.

For head mods, I removed all original hair and paint, except for eyelashes. Removed a patch of skull to make hair removal easier. Carved out neck hole to fit Ninie neck. Repainted face. Made hair by gluing to scalp in spiral pattern. Made hair band from waistband of Bratz pantz.

For body mods, I wedged part of a fake plastic grape around neck prong to fit larger head opening. Painted neck and breast to roughly match head. Added upper arm swivel joints made of pins sunk into shoulders and held with Aves Apoxie Sculpt. Hot glue provided tight friction fit. Spliced original Juku Couture forearms onto Ninie forearms with Aves Apoxie Sculpt. Ripped off original squidgy feet and sank ankle stumps into plastic Barbie sneakers filled with Aves Apoxie Sculpt. Glued sneakers on ankle posts.

Also of note is that Little Alison is wearing a pair of pants that I handmade all by myself from a pattern that I reverse-engineered correctly on the first try. She was originally wearing some Bratz pantz that were the right length, but did not cover her butt. I ripped apart the pantz and reverse-engineered a pattern from them, being sure to add enough room to cover the butt, even when Little Alison was sitting down. These pants, sewn from stretchy knit, were the result.

I now know how to make two types of shirts, a collared one and a raglan sleeve one, and one type of pants. With this knowledge, I can make serviceable clothes for any of my dolls, no matter what the size. MUAH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!

In other words, all my dolls are going to wear novelty sock sweaters, loud printed cotton shirts, and leggings of questionable taste from now on. Continue reading Behold Little Alison!

Two Dorks and their relationship

Two Dorks and their relationship published on No Comments on Two Dorks and their relationship

This photo says so much about their relationship…

 

NB: Alison got a better collar for her key. This one is more in scale.

 

NB II: Alison stole that black over-robe from him, as well as the ombre skirt [not shown].Continue reading Two Dorks and their relationship

The Dork fam and sock sweaters

The Dork fam and sock sweaters published on No Comments on The Dork fam and sock sweaters

Been making a lot of sock sweaters recently, including a bunch that I cut out last year and only now have gotten around to sewing. Three quarters of the Dork fam shows a few of the results. As for the other quarter, why yes, Alison does steal the Master’s clothes. :p Continue reading The Dork fam and sock sweaters

Shalka Dorks in a cosplay contest: Alison wins

Shalka Dorks in a cosplay contest: Alison wins published on No Comments on Shalka Dorks in a cosplay contest: Alison wins

She’s got the appearance and the mannerisms down, don’t you think? 😉

Continue reading Shalka Dorks in a cosplay contest: Alison wins

Shalka Dorks experiencing unexpected hotness

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So apparently the Master’s style borrows liberally from the silhouettes, colors, and layers of the characters in that dull middle Star Wars trilogy. I picked up two Hasbro Princess Amidala dolls, one of which was the Hidden Majesty version and the other of which was the Traveling Gown edition. I hacked out the red undersleeves of the Hidden Majesty robe and yoinked it onto him, then covered up any gaps with two layers of robes from the Hasbro Darth Maul. The black net sleeves are from somewhere else, as well as the black stretchy leggings, not shown. I knew that this was the sort of gear I imagined him in, and I also knew that he looked pretty good thus dressed in my head, but I did not expect the doll to look equally hot. He looks very cool, in the intensely geeky way of someone who wears big fwoopy red robes with his name all over then in mystic runes when he’s summoning Daemons. >_>

He has yet to learn that “cute” is Alison’s default adjective of gleeful approval. Continue reading Shalka Dorks experiencing unexpected hotness

Shalka Dorks showing off a broom

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I made a broom. The handle is a wooden chopstick painted red and sealed with Mod Podge. Bristles are made of string, of which I cut many individual lengths, attached with micro rubber bands and Mod Podge, then trimmed to be even. I glued some stiff folded manila folder at the core of the bristles to make them stand up. Then I wrapped some more string near the head and near the base of the broom and unleashed my creation into the wild. Pointless photostory resulted. Note: Scintilla, who’s all in blue, is the humanoid robot form of the Master’s TARDIS.

 

Continue reading Shalka Dorks showing off a broom

Body mods: making cute little Black girl dolls even cuter by adding articulation!

Body mods: making cute little Black girl dolls even cuter by adding articulation! published on No Comments on Body mods: making cute little Black girl dolls even cuter by adding articulation!

Today I increased the articulation of two of my Black girl dolls. The taller one is 8″ high. She is an MGA Moxie Kids head with repainted eyes on a very hacked-down Mattel ballerina Barbie. I removed length from the calves, thighs, waist, and wrist. I also sawed off the breasts and filled in the cavity with stuffing. Since the kid’s head, neck, and hands are all that’s showing, I painted these areas roughly to match. Hands are from a Noix de Rome Ninie body, mounted on pins. Oh yeah, and I also replaced the elbow joints with wire for better flexion. She’s held together mostly with hot glue and prayers, but she makes a decent bulky kid when fully clothed.

The shorter one is maybe 5.25″ high when hair and platform shoes are subtracted. She is a Mattel Chelsea Club kid that I found at Walmart yesterday. Despite her painted-on tank top, her excessive mascara, and her weirdly hot pink lips, I saw potential in her. I cut her limbs at the major joints, drilled them out, then hot glued wire in both ends so that she could have some basic articulation. I also wiped off the brows, mascara, and pink lips, then redid the brows. I’m pretty sure she’s Alison at age 5. 😀

The poor kids look atrocious when they’re naked, but I don’t care because they look fine with clothes on. All kids are tertiary characters in my stories, which means that they don’t sustain the levels of scrutiny that Isabel and Alison do. I am fine with jerry-rigged dolls, as long as they have decent articulation and paint jobs. And these cuties certainly qualify!

 

 

Continue reading Body mods: making cute little Black girl dolls even cuter by adding articulation!

Shalka Dorks encounter mini Dalek

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Redid the Master’s cat ears and tail over the weekend. I was going to show them off a bit more, but the story went on a tangent about my mini Dalek, a gift from Lyrajean. Alison doesn’t know what a Dalek is! Continue reading Shalka Dorks encounter mini Dalek

Shalka Dorks in hat competition

Shalka Dorks in hat competition published on No Comments on Shalka Dorks in hat competition

There was a point to this photostory, but I forgot it in the midst of Alison and Bill being darn cute.  Oh yeah…I found some felt witch hats as earrings. They are 1:12 scale, but they work well as “accent hats” for people like Alison, who have floofy hair!Continue reading Shalka Dorks in hat competition

Shalka Dorks showing off window seat and incidental Cheshire Cat

Shalka Dorks showing off window seat and incidental Cheshire Cat published on No Comments on Shalka Dorks showing off window seat and incidental Cheshire Cat

I was just going to see if I could make a window seat set out of my recent bookcase efforts. I thought I’d just get some shots of Alison being cute as Alison Wonderland, but then the Cheshire Cat came in… Continue reading Shalka Dorks showing off window seat and incidental Cheshire Cat

Alice Costume: Two Shalka Dorks and a new kid

Alice Costume: Two Shalka Dorks and a new kid published on No Comments on Alice Costume: Two Shalka Dorks and a new kid

I was just going to take some photos of the kid I recently spliced together, but then it turned into a photostory. The kid in question is an MGA Moxie Kids head on an articulated Mattel Stacy body with hacked off hands and extended neck post [with Aves Apoxie Sculpt]. Hands are from a Noix de Rome Ninie body, mounted on pins and painted to match head. Extensive outfit coverage obviates need to match more of the body for skintone. :p Alison’s in the Alice in Wonderland gear, and the Master is wearing some Sith stuff. Making him the butt of jokes will NEVER get old. NEVER.

Continue reading Alice Costume: Two Shalka Dorks and a new kid

Shalka Dorks encounter a KITTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Inspired by this xkcd cartoon. The Shalka Dorks meet a cat. Hand felted by Nitwit Oddments on Etsy, this was originally a brooch, a little large for 1:6 scale, but so damn cute that I couldn’t resist. Alison [in dress] is a human. The Master [left] and the Doctor [right] are Time Lords Dorks. Continue reading Shalka Dorks encounter a KITTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alison Wonderland — commission for Triad Alpha by Peppermint Circus

Alison Wonderland — commission for Triad Alpha by Peppermint Circus published on No Comments on Alison Wonderland — commission for Triad Alpha by Peppermint Circus

A few months ago I approached Peppermint Circus on Etsy. She has a store full of BJD dresses with puffy sleeves, aprons, and A-line skirts. I wanted an Alice in Wonderland costume for Alison, a bitchin/Eric Barclay resin head on a Triad Alpha medium bust body, and Morgana’s work looked stylistically appropriate. She was also one of the few tailors I found who worked in 1:6 scale. I asked her if she took commissions and if she would be willing to sew for the Triad Alpha; she said yes to both, though she did not have an Alpha. I sent her one for modeling purposes, and we embarked on a collaboration of several months that culminated in the outfit that you see below.Continue reading Alison Wonderland — commission for Triad Alpha by Peppermint Circus

Shalkaverses collide part II: @natalunasans’ and my Alisons and their girlfriends

Shalkaverses collide part II: @natalunasans’ and my Alisons and their girlfriends published on No Comments on Shalkaverses collide part II: @natalunasans’ and my Alisons and their girlfriends

I visited @natalunasans over last weekend. After our Shalka Doctors and Masters met each other, our Shalka Alisons met and had a picnic with their girlfriends. @natalunasans’ dolls are on the left, mine on the right. @natalunasans’ Hot Toys Rocket tries to get the damn kids off his lawn. Shot at @natalunasans’ house with her props. Food made by Rose!

Continue reading Shalkaverses collide part II: @natalunasans’ and my Alisons and their girlfriends

Holding Fast: Alison and the Master

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Hanging out in each other’s laps. Alison goes zzzzzzzzzzzz. Body language is fun!!! Shot at @natalunasans’ house with her props.Continue reading Holding Fast: Alison and the Master

“But he’s a GOOD kitty!”: the Doctor paints a T-shirt for the Master

“But he’s a GOOD kitty!”: the Doctor paints a T-shirt for the Master published on No Comments on “But he’s a GOOD kitty!”: the Doctor paints a T-shirt for the Master

The Doctor is very proud of themselves. The Master is…less so. Alison thinks the whole thing is damn cute. Shot at @natalunasans’ house with her props. Continue reading “But he’s a GOOD kitty!”: the Doctor paints a T-shirt for the Master

The Master: a wizard in his own mind

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The Master, being a wizard in his own mind, took advantage of a visit to @natalunasans’ house to don a truly impressive pointy hat. Alison is either going, “EeeeeeeeeeeeeeEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeee so cute!!!!!” or laughing at him, probably both. Shot at @natalunasans’ house with her props. Continue reading The Master: a wizard in his own mind

Thee quarters of the Dork Quadrangle: Alison and her partners

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Alison is in the center. Bill is on the left. The Master is on the right. Still having fun with body language!Continue reading Thee quarters of the Dork Quadrangle: Alison and her partners

Gerry Cole, 1:6 scale porcelain kid and project long in the making

Gerry Cole, 1:6 scale porcelain kid and project long in the making published on No Comments on Gerry Cole, 1:6 scale porcelain kid and project long in the making

About four years ago, I bought a 1:6 scale kid doll from local figural sculptor Georgia Landau, along with some mohair [or maybe wool] wig fibers. She has a porcelain head/neck, lower arms/hands, and lower legs/feet, all attached to a cloth body with wire armature. Though she has limited poseability, she is extremely adorable, with a gawky, earnest, curious personality. However, she has been sitting on my shelf, garishly dressed and bald, thus unfinished, for most of her life.

Continue reading Gerry Cole, 1:6 scale porcelain kid and project long in the making

Shalka Dorks read more pulp fiction

Shalka Dorks read more pulp fiction published on No Comments on Shalka Dorks read more pulp fiction

Making mini vintage sci-fi pulps is too much fun, so I made another four. Here are the Shalka Dorks engrossed again.

Continue reading Shalka Dorks read more pulp fiction

Fresh Dolls Mia repaint as 1:6 scale custom Bill Potts done

Fresh Dolls Mia repaint as 1:6 scale custom Bill Potts done published on No Comments on Fresh Dolls Mia repaint as 1:6 scale custom Bill Potts done

Here’s Bill! I finished the repaint this morning. She’s a Fresh Dolls Mia head on a temporary body: a tan Cy Girl 1.0. I customized her by giving her a full repaint, a haircut, and a pin-back of some of her hair. She’s wearing an action figure fem shirt, a vest by Dolls Ahoy, pants from Fashionista Ken Color Block, and shoefeet made from Hasbro Shoezies.

While only single-jointed right now, she can still cuddle with her girlfriend Alison. Awwwww, lookit the WUVS! <3 <3

Alison is a custom cast resin action figure fem by Eric Barclay on a Triad Toys “Hispanic” skintone. I customized her with a full faceup and addition of a [shittily styled] wig. I also modified all major joints for greater flexion. She wears a Triad Toys leotard, arm sleeves and skirt from Mezco Fashion Victims, and her favoritest yellow sneakers, even though they do not match. I made her choker.

For context, Alison Cheney is the companion of an alternative Ninth Doctor in a [crappily animated] web series done for the 40th anniversary of Doctor Who called Scream of the Shalka. Bill Potts was the companion of the canonical Twelfth Doctor in the latest season of Doctor Who, otherwise known as A Tragic Waste of a Wonderful, Compassionate, Curious, Level-Headed, and Overall Adorable Black British Lesbian Character Played by the Talented Pearl Mackie. I disapproved and fixed things in my head by moving Alison forward to the present day, having her rescue Bill, and then having them get together. See? They’re so happy together! And, when Bill gets a body with better articulation, they’ll really be able to snuggle!Continue reading Fresh Dolls Mia repaint as 1:6 scale custom Bill Potts done

1:6 scale Bill Potts WIP

1:6 scale Bill Potts WIP published on No Comments on 1:6 scale Bill Potts WIP

This morning I erased the Fresh Doll Mia’s eyebrows, most of eyelashes and eye makeup, and lips. Current status of repaint below. At least needs better eye bags, as well as gloss to eyes and mouth. Hanging out with Alison below.

Continue reading 1:6 scale Bill Potts WIP

Shalka Dorks read pulp fiction

Shalka Dorks read pulp fiction published on No Comments on Shalka Dorks read pulp fiction

The Internet Archive has a beautiful trove of pulp magazines ranging from the late 1800s through the 1990s, all free, all scanned in high-quality color, available for you to read or to admire the pretty pictures.

Being a sci-fi and fantasy fan, as well as a connoisseur of the Technicolor cover art of 20th century pulps of that genre, I picked out some of most iconic and amusing covers for my own use. I modified the covers to add silly titles and author names. Then I reduced covers and backs to a size at which people could still admire the covers, but at which my 1:6 scale populations could also read them.

Here are my Shalka Dorks getting meta-fictional: sci-fi characters reading Atomic Age pulps!

Continue reading Shalka Dorks read pulp fiction

DW meme: @natalunasans, I did this because I love you.

DW meme: @natalunasans, I did this because I love you. published on No Comments on DW meme: @natalunasans, I did this because I love you.

Doctor you started with: Ten.

Favourite Doctor: I don’t like the Doctor.

Favourite Companion: Neck-and-neck competition between Alison Cheney and Shalka Master.

Favourite Episode: Roger Delgado. Uh, wait a minute. I mean any episode that Roger Delgado is in.

DW OTP: Shalka Doctor and Shalka Master.

Favourite line/quote: Too many amuse me, but currently at the top of my head is a line from a novel [don’t know which]: “Characteristically, the Master explained everything.”

Favourite Character that isn’t the Doctor or a companion: Roger Delgado’s MAGISTERIAL eyebrows. Queen Galleia of Atlantis [The Time Monster]. Shreela Govindia [Survival].

BrOTP: Donna/Ten [right up until nonconsensual mind-fucking].

Favorite relationship that I made up and which is neither an OTP or a BrOTP: Alison/Shalka Master.

Favourite DW fic (if you have one): Frankly, whatever I’m writing at the moment. After that, anything by @natalunasans

Favourite DW fanart/blog (if you have one): @halorvic for fanart.

If you could pick anyone to be the next Doctor, who would it be? (Why, if you feel like explaining): Any awesome actor but another straight cis white dude.

If you could pick anyone to be the next companion who would it be? (Why?): I’d like to see Pearl Mackie as Bill continue with some decent storylines that did some decent addressing of her gender, color, and sexuality. While I’m dreaming, I’d also like the current President to be impeached and forced to resign.

Favourite fan theory: The Doctor is NB. The Doctor is ND. The Doctor and/or the Master are some variety of ace. The Doctor and the Master are polar complements. [See what I did there?] Gallifreyans are so obsessed with Earth because they’re descended from Earthlings, which makes them basically humans with magnified faults. @charamei’s whole conjecture on the Gallifreyan class system.

Other fandoms: ????

Shalka dorks presenting interior decoration

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Alison and the Master talk interior design. Scintilla, the Master’s TARDIS, butts in. Set is from the Mattel She-Ra doll box. Continue reading Shalka dorks presenting interior decoration

Shalka dorks in a demonstration of bike safety

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The Master argues with Alison. As usual, he loses. You think he’d know better by now. 😛

 

Continue reading Shalka dorks in a demonstration of bike safety

Scream of the Shalka fanfic manifesto, or, Alison the Amazing

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If you’re going to write Scream of the Shalka fanfic, Alison Cheney is where it’s at, folks, and here’s why:

Alison is important. Though the SotS canon writes her as a walking, talking plot device for the Doctor Learning To Care Again, Alison is central to all SotS stories because SotS is her story; it’s her story about finding equals in curiosity, partners in adventure, and a life that’s finally as thrilling as she always wanted it to be. Alison must appear in all SotS stories because they’re all her story.

Nobody fucks with Alison. Sure, the canon turns her first into a Shalka loudspeaker and then a victim of a psychic vampire, but enough is enough. It’s not that nothing bad happens to Alison; it’s just that she never gets gratuitously victimized, objectified, or turned into a MacGuffin just to move the plot forward. She’s already traumatized enough from her canonical mind-fucks; she doesn’t need any more. [Special corollary: I don’t care how far the Master gets in trying to mind-fuck her in the animation; he never uses his psychic powers on her unless she knows what she’s getting into and consents.]

Alison doesn’t have to do anything alone. As a corollary to the above statement, Alison has staunch allies watching out for her who will do everything they can to ensure her happiness and safety. In my version, that’s primarily the Master and Brad, secondarily the Doctor. They can err on the side of overprotectiveness, and they’re not always right in what they think she needs help with, but they do well overall. They keep her from harm as best they can. And, when she’s in need of care, they help her and take care of her. She knows that she can count on them, and she’s happy to have them.

Alison is badass, tender, vulnerable, and flawed, all at the same time. In fact, her greatest power is something like irresistible love, acceptance, and sense of wonder. Add to that a pointed, analytical mind and a zero tolerance for bullshit, and you’ve got someone who has no problem calling out Time Dorks on their crap. At the same time, she doesn’t just go around Shouldering The Weight Of The Universe And Taking Care Of Everyone. As someone who has lived with racism and mental invasion, she struggles to embody the image of the Strong Black Woman, even as she realizes that it’s impossible. She doubts her confidence, has trouble recognizing her own power, and has a secret wish for someone to hold her fast while she cries. Fortunately her friends/partners/allies/chosen family love her and support her, whether she’s feeling capable or overwhelmed. And yes, there is always, always, always someone to hold her fast and let her cry.

Alison is a Black British woman. Why yes, the canon completely ignores this, but her race and gender affect almost all aspects of Alison’s backstory, character, personality, even the conflicts and adventures she encounters. Her race and gender do not predetermine all these things, but must be considered as part of all these things. And even though she doesn’t appear to think about or talk about her race and gender in canon, she definitely does in fanfic because, realistically, that’s what people do when they are navigating a society where they are discriminated against and/or a minority.

Alison is awesome. The canon does everything it can to objectify the shit out of her and make her a prop in The Doctor vs. the Master: Married Edition. But there’s enough there for a wonderful character foundation, including, but not limited to, the following: having dropped out of a history degree and become a barmaid, being the only woman of color in a town apparently populated by white dudes, yelling at the Doctor, “How emotionally needy are you?!”, looking the Master in the face and taking none of his blandishments, dressing in a very casual style without makeup or pierced ears, and, unfortunately, getting mind-fucked twice canonically despite proclaiming, “I’m not your zombie!” And this is why I write SotS fanfic: to give her the stories and development she deserves.

Shalka dork photos: there’s one in every picture…

Shalka dork photos: there’s one in every picture… published on No Comments on Shalka dork photos: there’s one in every picture…

From left to right: the Doctor, the Master, Alison, Brad, the Stylist. There’s always someone a) not looking at the camera [the Doctor], b) wondering if this is beneath his dignity [the Master], c) totally chill as the center of attention [Alison], d) hamming it up [Brad], or e) not at all thrilled with any of the proceedings [the Stylist].Continue reading Shalka dork photos: there’s one in every picture…

Shalka dorks have Halorvic buttons; Farrier has identity crisis

Shalka dorks have Halorvic buttons; Farrier has identity crisis published on No Comments on Shalka dorks have Halorvic buttons; Farrier has identity crisis

@natalunasans surprised me recently by sending me some Doctor Who and Doctor Who extended universe buttons by @halorvic of Coffee and Tea Dragon fame. I got probably my five favorite DW characters in halorvic’s inimitably cute style: Alison Cheney [Shalkaverse], the Master [Shalkaverse], the Ninth Doctor [Shalkaverse], Delgado Master, and the canonical Tenth Doctor. The three main Shalka dorks posed proudly with pictures of themselves, although my iteration of the Master was confused, as he’s robotic, a la Shalkaverse Master, but Delgadesco in every other way. He decided to hold up both. For those who are interested, you can buy your own fab Halorvic stuff here.

Everything went well until a Zombieville denizen, Farrier, discovered that one of the buttons looked strangely like him. [No surprise there, as he’s a BCS Tenth Doctor.] He puzzled for some time over whether it could indeed be a cartoon of him before deciding that it couldn’t possibly because it looked way too happy.

Continue reading Shalka dorks have Halorvic buttons; Farrier has identity crisis

Shalkaverse Shenanigans: Climbing the Lilac Tree

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Alison and the aliens went out in the front lawn and climbed a lilac bush tree. [Just pretend that the Master found a way out of the TARDIS, okay?] Alison literally hung around, which made the Master nervous. Then the Doctor sang a lot and nearly flattened the Master, which made him annoyed. Alison, very worried, wanted to know if the Master was okay, an inquiry which he found rather confusing. They all went home because he needed some fixing up. Alison insisted on accompanying the Master during his surgery, which caused him yet another moment of confusion. After that, Alison hugged him, which was also very puzzling. In short, it was a very confusing day — well, for the evil alien super-powered robot at least. 😛

Continue reading Shalkaverse Shenanigans: Climbing the Lilac Tree

Shalkaverse dorks and their default postures

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Experimenting with body language — here’s the Shalka dorks and their default postures upon encountering something new.

Continue reading Shalkaverse dorks and their default postures

Ziggy Marshall, magician!

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I had a Mattel Fashionista Zigzag Curvy hanging around, the cool WOC with half cornrows and half rooted blond curls. I also recently acquired a Wolf King Female Joker, mostly for her cool clothes, a reinterpretation of the Joker’s from Batman Begins. The two-tone hair on the accompanying sculpt put me in mind of Zigzag, whose head I liked more. I decided to make a person cosplaying the Joker.

Of course, that’s where my idea started, but Ziggy took it in her own direction. At first I thought I could pop her head on the Wolf King body and just paint the neck to match, then hide the rest with clothes. Well, it turns out that paint don’t stick to those #%&%@$ squishy bust bodies, so I hacked off the Curvy’s bust. I removed the arms and reamed out the inside of the bust with my Dremel, then glued it over the Wolf King framework. Then I had only to cover everything else up with clothes, which I did. Ziggy’s pink socks prompted me to keep her BRIGHT PINK lips and then add some more pink in the form of the hair covering her original rooting area.

Anyway, folks, here’s Ziggy Marshall, the Maestra of Mystery, the Magical Master…Maestro of Mistress… Fuck it. The title is still a work in progress, apparently. Anyway, she’s a stage magician. She can juggle pretty well, but her specialty is scrying, which is cold reading with an acrylic juggling ball as a prop.

Continue reading Ziggy Marshall, magician!

Alison and Brad

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Hey everyone! It’s Alison from the Shalkaverse and Brad, her partner that I made up. Alison is a custom cast resin head from Eric Barclay/bitchin on Men With Dolls, painted by me, on a Triad Alpha body in Hispanic skintone. Brad is some Volks Neo Goh [?] dude head painted by Jon/pickles/etc. on an Obitsu slender male body. Alison is a woman who uses feminine pronouns. When she first meets Brad, Brad is an NB person who uses feminine pronouns, but they soon switch to third-person plural. Continue reading Alison and Brad

All my dolls, 05/17/2017

All my dolls, 05/17/2017 published on No Comments on All my dolls, 05/17/2017

All of them, as of 05/17/2017.

Tags denoting which universe dolls belong to are as follows:

 

  • [No tag: Not assigned to any universe.]
  • Bug[s] me: my universe.
  • LHF: Love Has Fangs.
  • M3: Me and My Muses.
  • SciAdv: Julian the Scientific Adventuress.
  • Shalkaverse: Scream of the Shalka.
  • Zville: Zombieville.

 

Continue reading All my dolls, 05/17/2017

At long last, Alison Cheney!

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Finally I have finished a doll that I have been working on for about three months. It’s my version of Alison Cheney, protagonist of alternative Doctor Who adventure Scream of the Shalka, for which I’ve been writing entirely too much fanfic. This is the version from the Alison Wonderland ‘verse, which means that she and everyone else are significantly happier than they were in the Reverberations of the Shalka ‘verse. In my ‘verses, she ends up much closer friends with the Master [the Magister to her because it means teacher in Latin, and don’t tell her any different :p ] than the Doctor, which is why she’s hanging around with him in these pictures. Once I finish the Doctor, I’ll have all four major characters of the Alison Wonderland series. [The other is Brad, Alison’s significant other. Hmmmm, I should take pics of the two of them, though Brad has not officially entered the storyline yet…]Continue reading At long last, Alison Cheney!

The Stylist gets into the Master’s kitchen: a.k.a., True Friends Poison Each Other

The Stylist gets into the Master’s kitchen: a.k.a., True Friends Poison Each Other published on No Comments on The Stylist gets into the Master’s kitchen: a.k.a., True Friends Poison Each Other

@natalunasans sent me several sets of 1:6 scale accessories made by Battat for their 8″ Lori dolls. As you can see, they all work great for 1:6 scale people. While not on the level of Rement, all pieces show very good molding, sparing but realistic paint apps, realistic color schemes, and overall charming design. Better than Mattel playline.

Also starring a plastic overstuffed chair that came along with my Pop Toys British Detective [unlicensed Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock from the Abandoned Bride ep of the eponymous show set in 1895 or something]. And finally you can get a good look at the Stylist, who is a 2016 AA Holiday Barbie headsculpt on a Made To Move Body. I removed her eye makeup, brows, and lips, adding new brows, new mouth, and, of course, shading around eyes and nose. I also added a scar on her forehead because she was going to be Alison, but she doesn’t look like her.

 

 

Anyway, here’s the Stylist plowing her way through a selection, with eventual interception from the Master, whose pantry all that stuff was in. :p

No, apparently my Time Lords don’t have adventures; they just hang around and annoy the shit out of each other. 😛 Continue reading The Stylist gets into the Master’s kitchen: a.k.a., True Friends Poison Each Other

The Master, the Stylist, some Fiendish Devices, and some books

The Master, the Stylist, some Fiendish Devices, and some books published on 1 Comment on The Master, the Stylist, some Fiendish Devices, and some books

My first iteration of the Master is finished! Custom sculpted Roger Delgado head painted by meeeeeeee [note to self: skin color is a mixture of Plaid/Apple Barrel Colors/20556 “Medium Flesh” and Anita’s All Purpose Acrylic Craft Paint 11007 “Chocolate Brown”], Dragon action figure body, “Chinese suit” for clothing, gloves from some other action figure, shoes from Character Options Dalek Sec [the only ones that fit]. The Stylist, a fellow Time Dork, is a 2016 Holiday Barbie repainted by meeeeeeeee, Made to Move Barbie body, most of the MTM yoga outfit, and MC2 shoefeet. Bookcases are from @natalunasans. I made the books a few weekends ago with a perfect bound notepad for signatures and note cards or origami paper for covers.

Now that I have him all together, the Master definitely needs some improvement. 1) A better body with more poseability. 2) Gloved hands in molded plastic. These bendy ones are shit. 3) Decent shoes. 4) A decent suit. 5) Most importantly, his Domina carissima, Alison!

P.S. Hey, Master, you do know that’s Julian’s Device, right?

Continue reading The Master, the Stylist, some Fiendish Devices, and some books

How not to write, part seven zillion and one in an infinitely extensible series

How not to write, part seven zillion and one in an infinitely extensible series published on No Comments on How not to write, part seven zillion and one in an infinitely extensible series

I picked up Eon by Alison Goodman after reading some laudatory reviews on Amazon and also being marginally intrigued by the concept, in which a young woman adopts a boy’s identity to compete for the chance to communicate with dragons and wield great magic, which is, of course, reserved for men. Of course, Eon wins the chance to communicate not just with any dragon, but with the super special awesome Mirror Dragon, the most powerful of all. Then she becomes involved in imperial politics, and eventually the fate of the emperor’s succession and the kingdom depends on her. Of course it does. :p

I did not expect this book to be quite so shitty. It really reminded me of The Diviners in that it was a textbook example of how not to tell a story.

Do you need to learn how not to write, kids? Okay, then pay attention to the following precepts, in no particular order.Continue reading How not to write, part seven zillion and one in an infinitely extensible series

I can’t stop buying books!

I can’t stop buying books! published on No Comments on I can’t stop buying books!

Now that I have a month-long trial of Amazon Prime [free 2-day shipping!!!], I can't stop buying books. Yesterday I got Whipping Girl by Julia Serano and One of Us: Conjoined Twins and the Future of Normal by Alice Dreger. Today I got Alison Bechdel's two memoirs, Fun Home and Are You My Mother? Yum yum yum, so much to read!

Scutwork

Scutwork published on

Today’s phrase is “the scutwork of the flesh,” from Alison Bechdel’s pretentious but fascinating graphic memoir Fun Home. She uses the phrase to refer to the minutiae of embalming that her father did when he ran the family funeral home. It’s a perfect word; it sounds foundational and visceral at the same time, as if it involves ploughing through muddy trenches or the furrows of an open abdominal cavity, trudging with dismal work. It also has a Shakespearean sound. “Poor forked creatures…” I think that phrase is from Shakespeare, but I can’t find out wherefrom.

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