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Posts tagged doll photostories

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!!!!!!

The Little Dorks in the candy store!

The Little Dorks in the candy store! published on No Comments on The Little Dorks in the candy store!

On November 9th, I took part of my grocery store set to VTDL: the sweets/snacks/candy. I also took the Little Dorks, who had a great time shopping and eating.

Other photos from VTDL are on the official blargh.

 

Continue reading The Little Dorks in the candy store!

A weekend at Andrea’s house, 07/04-07/07/2019: doll photostories

A weekend at Andrea’s house, 07/04-07/07/2019: doll photostories published on 1 Comment on A weekend at Andrea’s house, 07/04-07/07/2019: doll photostories

Amazing dramas involving ice cream and cats filmed in Andrea’s doll room with her backdrops. Continue reading A weekend at Andrea’s house, 07/04-07/07/2019: doll photostories

2 Juns, a photostory from 10/23/2003

2 Juns, a photostory from 10/23/2003 published on No Comments on 2 Juns, a photostory from 10/23/2003

Andrea sent me a bunch of photos that she collected from our MSN chats over 15 years [!!!] ago. Here’s an early photostory.

Same silliness, sarcasm, and emotionally expressive [?!] posing as always. Presentation, sets, and layout have, however, improved vastly.

Continue reading 2 Juns, a photostory from 10/23/2003

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

Character Study: Ann Z.L. Rich

Character Study: Ann Z.L. Rich published on 1 Comment on Character Study: Ann Z.L. Rich

The historian of Hardship, Vermont has a thematic, though not explicit, sort of debt to Doctor Who. Also the doll is a BCS Clara that I redressed, resculpted the hair on, and added glasses [with actual lenses!].

Continue reading Character Study: Ann Z.L. Rich

Thirteen’s new companion, Frankie

Thirteen’s new companion, Frankie published on No Comments on Thirteen’s new companion, Frankie

My 10″ Thirteenth Doctor has been lonely since I acquired them. Inspired this weekend, I made them a companion from a 3″ Titans vinyl head from Janine Melnitz, a character from Ghostbusters, spliced onto a body from a Disney Elite 10″ Princess Leia. Continue reading Thirteen’s new companion, Frankie

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!!!!

Help the Titan 3″ vinyls are TOO CUTE!!! — the Master, the Stylist, and an extra

Help the Titan 3″ vinyls are TOO CUTE!!! — the Master, the Stylist, and an extra published on No Comments on Help the Titan 3″ vinyls are TOO CUTE!!! — the Master, the Stylist, and an extra

My latest round of 3″ Titans — the Master x3, the Stylist, and an extra — arrived today. HELP HELP! They are too adorable for words. Continue reading Help the Titan 3″ vinyls are TOO CUTE!!! — the Master, the Stylist, and an extra

Thirteen and the TARDIS

Thirteen and the TARDIS published on No Comments on Thirteen and the TARDIS

Character Options came out with a 10″ Thirteenth Doctor. After seeing how gay and dorky @natalunasans’ looked, I decided to get my own. I knew that, if I hesitated, the Doctor would probably increase in price on the secondary market, as the 1:6 scale Tenth Doctor and Martha Jones dolls have, and I’d be shit out of luck.

The Thirteen doll bears a very recognizable likeness to the actor Jodie Whittaker. The expression is neutral, tending slightly to the befuddled and definitely dweeby. I like it! Molded hair, tucked behind one ear on one side and partly obscuring the face on the other, is simply, but effectively sculpted. Body is sculpted more for function than form, but it’s all generally in scale. Right hand is sculpted to hold included sonic screwdriver, while left is in an open, neutral position.

The fabric outfit replicates the character’s dress with a few concessions to ease of use. Thirteen wears a long-sleeve white undershirt and a black T-shirt with rainbow stripes over that. These two pieces have been combined by Character Options into one piece, over which is a partly lined blue-grey trench with rainbow lapel trim, functional lined hood, and nonfunctional pockets. The high-waisted blue culottes Velcro in the front and have separate thin yellow ribbons for suspenders. There are molded brown boots with molded socks.

Paint is very simple on the face, with long dark eyebrows, unadorned eyes, and lips in a neutral orangey shade. I haven’t been paying attention to promo pics, but I’m pretty sure the character wears at least some more eyeliner. The character’s hairstyle with brown roots showing is approximated with a pale yellow layer over a brown plastic base. The yellow is too striking; I’ll have to work on this.

In terms of articulation, the doll has a single sculpt for both head and neck, with a ball joint at the base of the neck. Swiveling is good, though the neck socket on mine doesn’t quite accommodate the neck on sideways turns, so the front and back bust pieces separate slightly. There’s a bit of nodding movement, but not much. There are ball-jointed hips and shoulders, double-jointed elbows and knees, swivel waist, and wrists with both hinge and swivel joints. Doll can touch head and face [for extra puzzled/dweeby poses! :D], sit competently, and stand unsupported. However, because the feet are somewhat small, with only ankle swivels, balance is compromised.

Unfortunately, the Thirteen doll is not 1:6 scale. At 10″, it’s 4′ in 1:6 scale. If the doll were going to be truly in scale, it would be slightly more than 11.5″, as the actor Jodie Whittaker is slightly over 5.5′.

This doll will run people in the U.S. between $30.00 and $40.00, depending on where you pick it up. It’s built for play, but the price is kinda steep for kids. Older fans of Doctor Who, however, won’t blink at the price and will take a highly articulated, realistic, well tailored Thirteen that actually looks like the character and go wild. I enthusiastically endorse this doll, with the caveat that it will not play nicely scale-wise with anyone else.

Would it have killed you to make Thirteen in 1:6 scale, Character Options?

Anyway…

Here the Doctor steps out of the TARDIS and detects something odd about relative sizes… TARDIS played by a truly 1:6 scale BCS Tenth Doctor’s TARDIS. Thirteen played by aforementioned NOT-1:6-SCALE Character Options Thirteen doll. Continue reading Thirteen and the TARDIS

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!

Improving the Little Witch’s body and likeness

Improving the Little Witch’s body and likeness published on No Comments on Improving the Little Witch’s body and likeness

After I upgraded the Little Fixit to a 21cm Obitsu body, I felt the need to work on the Little Witch too. I’ve been playing with these dolls more than I expected, and their limited poseability was bothering me. Continue reading Improving the Little Witch’s body and likeness

Otakuthon DollFest, Montreal, Quebec, 08/03/2018-08/05/2018: Friday travel and hotel, Saturday morning

Otakuthon DollFest, Montreal, Quebec, 08/03/2018-08/05/2018: Friday travel and hotel, Saturday morning published on No Comments on Otakuthon DollFest, Montreal, Quebec, 08/03/2018-08/05/2018: Friday travel and hotel, Saturday morning

Bittersweet Blue, Lyrajean, and I traveled up to Montreal, Quebec, Canada on Friday morning for the BJD-related programming at Otakuthon. Continue reading Otakuthon DollFest, Montreal, Quebec, 08/03/2018-08/05/2018: Friday travel and hotel, Saturday morning

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 4 with natalunasans — the Masters at Table Rock State Park

Day 4 with natalunasans — the Masters at Table Rock State Park published on No Comments on Day 4 with natalunasans — the Masters at Table Rock State Park

Yesterday we headed off to Table Rock State Park. Small-scale drama ensued in the form of a multipart photostory called The Master Disaster. Continue reading Day 4 with natalunasans — the Masters at Table Rock State Park

Lakis pokes around a strange blue box…

Lakis pokes around a strange blue box… published on No Comments on Lakis pokes around a strange blue box…

Lakis Atlantean, latest addition to my universe of reinterpreted Doctor Who characters, is done. She’s a Mattel Hawaiian Fun Kira head on a Mattel Curvy Made to Move Fashionista [Dancer] body. I customized her by stitching her bangs against her scalp, giving her the headband from a Mattel/Hello Kitty Chococat outfit and bootz from an MGA Bratz, hand-sewing her outfit [!!], and of course repainting her. It’s a very simple faceup, but I didn’t want to give her too much detail, as she’s supposed to be just 17 years old and very cute.

 

Credits: Inspiration for this body/head combo comes from @dollsahoy’s recent custom. Dress made by modifying a T-shirt pattern by @cosmomoore. TARDIS from @natalunasans.

Continue reading Lakis pokes around a strange blue box…

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

A Field Guide to Some TARDIS Cats

A Field Guide to Some TARDIS Cats published on No Comments on A Field Guide to Some TARDIS Cats

I got two more felted sleeping kitties from Nitwit Oddments recently. They are Loaf and Pretzel below, and they are adorable. They fit right in with the others.  ^_^ Continue reading A Field Guide to Some TARDIS Cats

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

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

Shalka Dorks experiencing unexpected hotness published on No Comments on Shalka Dorks experiencing unexpected hotness

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

Shalka Dorks showing off a broom published on No Comments on Shalka Dorks showing off a broom

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

Shalka Dorks and modern witchcraft

Shalka Dorks and modern witchcraft published on 1 Comment on Shalka Dorks and modern witchcraft

The Master got a better body in the mail today. It’s a knockoff of the Hot Toys narrow male body, with smaller and slighter proportions than their standard male body. I prefer the narrow body, as it is closer to the proportions that I see more regularly on everyday people. He reduced about the equivalent of six inches in height [!], but I’ll take the reduction because the body corresponds to the physique I imagine for him. It looks a little scrawny when naked, but it wears clothes much better than the bulkier bodies.Continue reading Shalka Dorks and modern witchcraft

Shalka Dorks encounter mini Dalek

Shalka Dorks encounter mini Dalek published on No Comments on Shalka Dorks encounter mini Dalek

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shalka Dorks encounter a KITTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! published on No Comments on Shalka Dorks encounter a KITTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

“Me, me, and…me have been busy”: Missies give Simm Master shit

“Me, me, and…me have been busy”: Missies give Simm Master shit published on No Comments on “Me, me, and…me have been busy”: Missies give Simm Master shit

When I went to @natalunasans’ house, I brought my Missy, a Barbie Fashionistas head repainted on a Takara Cy Girl body. @natalunasans also made a Missy out of a Spice Girls head with some repainting on a Spin Master Liv body. They proceeded to harass her Simm Master, despite intervention from her Ten. Shot at @natalunasans’ house with her props. Instructional book by me. Continue reading “Me, me, and…me have been busy”: Missies give Simm Master shit

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

Master meets Master: my Shalka Master and @natalunasans’ Simm Master cosplaying Razor

Master meets Master: my Shalka Master and @natalunasans’ Simm Master cosplaying Razor published on No Comments on Master meets Master: my Shalka Master and @natalunasans’ Simm Master cosplaying Razor

While I was at @natalunasans’ house over the past weekend, my Shalka Master met her Simm Master. They’ve talked before and gotten on pretty well, but this is the first time they met in…person? Since @natalunasans had just taken pictures of her Simm as Razor, I decided that, for some reason, he was cosplaying Razor. The two proceeded to give each other shit about their outfits. Ah, friendship. Continue reading Master meets Master: my Shalka Master and @natalunasans’ Simm Master cosplaying Razor

Holding Fast: Alison and the Master

Holding Fast: Alison and the Master published on No Comments on Holding Fast: Alison and the Master

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

When Shalkaverses collide: mine and @natalunasans’

When Shalkaverses collide: mine and @natalunasans’ published on No Comments on When Shalkaverses collide: mine and @natalunasans’

My Shalka Doctor and Shalka Master met @natalunasans’ Shalka Doctor and Shalka Master when I went to @natalunasans’ house recently. My Doctor is a custom Richard E. Grant sculpt that I modded the eyebrows on and repainted, putting on a Triad body. My Master is a custom Roger Delgado sculpt that I painted and put on a Hot Toys body. @natalunasans’ Doctor and Master are both custom sculpts by @thegoodwhovian on Hot Toys bodies. Cape in question by me. Background by @natalunasans. Shot at @natalunasans’ house with her props.

Continue reading When Shalkaverses collide: mine and @natalunasans’

“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

Shalka dorks presenting interior decoration

Shalka dorks presenting interior decoration published on No Comments on Shalka dorks presenting interior decoration

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

Shalka dorks in a demonstration of bike safety published on No Comments on Shalka dorks in a demonstration of bike safety

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

@natalunasans keeps sending me doll stuff…

@natalunasans keeps sending me doll stuff… published on No Comments on @natalunasans keeps sending me doll stuff…

Most recently I got a fabulous set of kitchen cabinets and appliances, along with two Disney Elite Star Wars 10″ figures, Jyn and Rey, as well as a 7″ Disney Star Wars Elite K2SO [not shown]. I really like the 10″ figures. Though a bit smaller than 1:6 scale, they have amazing articulation [including double-jointed limbs and ball-of-foot joints], decently tailored clothing, detailed molded plastic accessories, rooted hair that accurately replicates the styles in the movie, and headsculpts with recognizable likenesses to the actors. I weathered both Jyn and Rey’s faces and redid their eyebrows to add more character. Then I shot this pointless photostory to show off some of my @natalunasans gifts. Zombie was also from her.

 

Continue reading @natalunasans keeps sending me doll stuff…

Shalkaverse Shenanigans: Climbing the Lilac Tree

Shalkaverse Shenanigans: Climbing the Lilac Tree published on No Comments on Shalkaverse Shenanigans: Climbing the Lilac Tree

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 Shenanigans: Get Me to the Doctor!

Shalkaverse Shenanigans: Get Me to the Doctor! published on No Comments on Shalkaverse Shenanigans: Get Me to the Doctor!

The Master is prevailed upon to compromise his dignity [?], which appears to be a regular occurrence. Continue reading Shalkaverse Shenanigans: Get Me to the Doctor!

At long last, Alison Cheney!

At long last, Alison Cheney! published on No Comments on At long last, Alison Cheney!

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!

It’s quiet in the Master’s library… TOO quiet…

It’s quiet in the Master’s library… TOO quiet… published on No Comments on It’s quiet in the Master’s library… TOO quiet…

I’ve spent the last few weeks making miniature books, both openable and dummy. The openable ones have page blocks made from a notepad that I cut down with a paper cutter, gluing pages with hot glue. Some of the covers are patterned notecards, while most are made of origami paper. Dummy books are made of craft foam for page blocks, more origami paper for covers. I love making books of different sizes, thicknesses, and covers, then arranging them messily on the shelves. 😀

 

Continue reading It’s quiet in the Master’s library… TOO quiet…

The Master and the Stylist in “Handcuffs vs. Hoodies”

The Master and the Stylist in “Handcuffs vs. Hoodies” published on No Comments on The Master and the Stylist in “Handcuffs vs. Hoodies”

So @halorvic drew one of their super cool cartoons of the Third Doctor swapping clothes with Ten, as well as Delgado Master swapping with Simm Master. @natalunasans and I were recently cracking up over Delgado Master’s “NO.” Recently I discovered why he’s objecting so hard. See photostory. Handcuffs are standing in for a 1:6 scale straitjacket and collar, which I [surprisingly] do not have.
Continue reading The Master and the Stylist in “Handcuffs vs. Hoodies”

The Master and the Stylist’s snark-off continues.

The Master and the Stylist’s snark-off continues. published on No Comments on The Master and the Stylist’s snark-off continues.

The Master got some new shoes yesterday, DAM Gangster Kingdom Marshall’s shoefeet, and holy flaming shitballs — they are the bomb diggety! Well, I think so, and so does he. The Stylist, however, begs to differ. Also starring the nifty molded plastic chair that came along with my Pop Toys British Detective dude, as well as one of the many blank books I’ve been working on.Continue reading The Master and the Stylist’s snark-off continues.

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

I made Barrett’s cape! Then the wizard in his own mind stole it…

I made Barrett’s cape! Then the wizard in his own mind stole it… published on No Comments on I made Barrett’s cape! Then the wizard in his own mind stole it…

Over the past two days, I successfully sewed a 1:6 scale semi-circular cape, lined and hooded, without a pattern. Black velvet forms the outer layer and the long, dangling, tapering hood, while small white skulls on black field form the lining. There’s a hook and eye for front clasp. I’m surprised at how well it came out! I originally made it for Barrett, a Zombieville denizen, but the Master got to it first. Here he is talking about it with the Stylist:

 

Continue reading I made Barrett’s cape! Then the wizard in his own mind stole it…

Body upgrade and clothing frustration for the Master

Body upgrade and clothing frustration for the Master published on No Comments on Body upgrade and clothing frustration for the Master

So I got my first Hot Toys body today for the Master. Aside from some squeakily tight joints, it far surpasses all other male action figure bodies that I have ever encountered. It can even do a decent fetal position!

I also got my second “Chinese suit,” as the first one’s plastic snaps broke off. I replaced the snaps on the first with some metal snaps, only to discover that the snap position interfered with all that cool HT neck range of motion. Ugh. Fine. I guess he’ll be wearing something less restrictive. Hey, at least the pants are nice. Continue reading Body upgrade and clothing frustration for the Master

Dolls survey 1:3 scale food in prep for next month’s feast.

Dolls survey 1:3 scale food in prep for next month’s feast. published on No Comments on Dolls survey 1:3 scale food in prep for next month’s feast.

Yamarrah and Never the Less discuss menu options, with special appearances from Submit and Araminthe. Continue reading Dolls survey 1:3 scale food in prep for next month’s feast.

Vermont Doll Lovers St. Patrick’s/Easter meetup, 03/12/2016

Vermont Doll Lovers St. Patrick’s/Easter meetup, 03/12/2016 published on No Comments on Vermont Doll Lovers St. Patrick’s/Easter meetup, 03/12/2016

Never the Less made her debut at today’s VTDL meetup. I posted her photostory below, while the full complement of VTDL photos is, as usual, on the blog. Continue reading Vermont Doll Lovers St. Patrick’s/Easter meetup, 03/12/2016

Timonium stars in “The Humiliating Sweater”

Timonium stars in “The Humiliating Sweater” published on No Comments on Timonium stars in “The Humiliating Sweater”

Christmas crap is 50% off at most stores, so I purchased several items for my dolls yesterday. The following photostory features a seasonal sweater ornament and an extremely pissed off fairy.

 

Continue reading Timonium stars in “The Humiliating Sweater”

Made Honorine a night cap tonight…

Made Honorine a night cap tonight… published on No Comments on Made Honorine a night cap tonight…

I stitched together 4 triangles, each measuring 0.5 inches along the base [plus seam allowance], as her head circumference is ~2 inches. I turned it inside out, added slits for her ears, and stuck it on her head with sticky tack. The waffle pattern on the fabric and the perky shape put me in mind of a hat made out of a leaf, although Honorine, along with her fellow denizens of 1 12th Street, is adamant that she’s not some cute little pixie. [That’s why she looks annoyed — too many 1:1 scale people have said, “Awwww, how precious!”]

 

Continue reading Made Honorine a night cap tonight…

Doll work and acquisitions this weekend: a little Honorine, mostly Christmas crap

Doll work and acquisitions this weekend: a little Honorine, mostly Christmas crap published on No Comments on Doll work and acquisitions this weekend: a little Honorine, mostly Christmas crap

Besides hosting the monthly VTDL meetup yesterday, I also worked a bit on dolls today. Honorine got wiring in her limbs, as well as a comfy outfit of pajamas and slippers.Continue reading Doll work and acquisitions this weekend: a little Honorine, mostly Christmas crap

Submit previews her new clothes and body!

Submit previews her new clothes and body! published on No Comments on Submit previews her new clothes and body!

Wow, when was the last time I did a doll photostory that wasn’t Zville? Here’s Submit getting a sneak peek at the type of body to which she will soon be transferred — one with greater poseability that also happens to be a bit taller. Swappable faceplates are perfect for photostories that depend on reaction shots, like this one… 😀

 

Continue reading Submit previews her new clothes and body!

Timonium and Submit encounter bunnies!

Timonium and Submit encounter bunnies! published on No Comments on Timonium and Submit encounter bunnies!

I saw some chocolate rabbits in Costco today, packaged in their own little wooden hutch with fenced-in sides, surrounded by felt grass, ladybugs and butterflies on the outside. It’s a surprisingly well-made piece, with a magnetic closure on top, a hinge on the lid, then three sides + top covered in wire mesh. Besides the felt decorations around the outside of the box, there’s also some shredded green paper in the box pretending to be grass.

Because I like Belgian chocolate and cool packaging, I purchased a box. Then some of my dolls found it…

Continue reading Timonium and Submit encounter bunnies!

My Barbie Coca-Cola Soda Fountain and the horrors of customer service

My Barbie Coca-Cola Soda Fountain and the horrors of customer service published on No Comments on My Barbie Coca-Cola Soda Fountain and the horrors of customer service

This post was going to be a series of photos just showing off my nifty new set piece, a Mattel Coca-Cola Soda Fountain, which I acquired this week for below original retail. It’s surprisingly huge and true to scale, unlike most playline Barbie stuff, which is undersize. I appreciate its solid, high-quality details, like vinyl cushions on the bar stools and the wooden crate of Coke bottles. I particularly like the tabletop jukebox and the straw dispenser!

I was just going to provide some closeups of the accessories and long shots of the set with dolls showing scale. However, my narrative imagination cannot resist adding plot to photo ops. And so here’s a photostory that doesn’t really highlight the soda fountain set. Oh well. :p
Continue reading My Barbie Coca-Cola Soda Fountain and the horrors of customer service

Figurvore prop challenge: I made a fridge!

Figurvore prop challenge: I made a fridge! published on No Comments on Figurvore prop challenge: I made a fridge!

This month’s Figurvore prop challenge was to construct something kitchen-related and to provide photos of dolls using the item. Originally I planned to make a popcorn popper, though I had no use for it, but I turned my mind instead to one of the gaps in my set collection that has long frustrated me: the lack of a 1:6 scale refrigerator. Sure, I’ve got a stove, a sink, a microwave, a coffee maker, a table and chairs, a toaster, a blender, cooking utensils, silverware, plates, bowls, a hutch, crockery, a colander, etc., etc., etc., but I wanted a fridge dammit!

Continue reading Figurvore prop challenge: I made a fridge!

Puritan virtue names do not fare well these days.

Puritan virtue names do not fare well these days. published on No Comments on Puritan virtue names do not fare well these days.

The Puritans used to bestow upon their daughters nouns and verbs for names in the hopes that their children would embody these traits. Faith, Hope, Charity, Prudence and Chastity are a few of these virtue names that have survived to the modern era. Others of them have died out, including Obedience, Abstinence, Humiliation…and Submit.

The only reason that I’m familiar with Submit as a name is that my great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandmother on my dad’s side was named Submit. I’ve always thought that was really cool, so I named one of my dolls Submit. This sometimes leads to confusion when my other dolls are surfing the Web….

Continue reading Puritan virtue names do not fare well these days.

Really sarcastic dolls continue Valentine’s Day adventures.

Really sarcastic dolls continue Valentine’s Day adventures. published on No Comments on Really sarcastic dolls continue Valentine’s Day adventures.

This time it’s Jareth and Submit [with me talking off-screen in the first panel]. They’re so cute together!

Continue reading Really sarcastic dolls continue Valentine’s Day adventures.

Araminthe and I investigate a little house in Winooski, VT.

Araminthe and I investigate a little house in Winooski, VT. published on No Comments on Araminthe and I investigate a little house in Winooski, VT.

Araminthe and I went to a small park in Winooski this morning.

Continue reading Araminthe and I investigate a little house in Winooski, VT.

The investigation of Timonium

The investigation of Timonium published on No Comments on The investigation of Timonium

Remember last month, when my BJDs were discussing the taciturn newcomer Timonium? I shot the continuation of that completely trivial and banal saga almost a month ago, but have not gotten around to posting it until now. Since Jareth has gone off to a tailor’s to acquire some bespoke couture, who will be the voice of reason in his stead??? Who cares?
Continue reading The investigation of Timonium

The continuing adventures of Flower, Epona and others

The continuing adventures of Flower, Epona and others published on 1 Comment on The continuing adventures of Flower, Epona and others

After experiencing violent allergies, Flower tells Epona why he’s really hanging out in the fake forest. Jareth butts in.

Continue reading The continuing adventures of Flower, Epona and others

Bunny bread from Great Harvest

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Great Harvest makes big and little bunny breads the week before Easter. I picked one up Friday because it was so cute. It freaked out the local doll population.
Continue reading Bunny bread from Great Harvest

Testing my comic panels with Jareth and Sardonix

Testing my comic panels with Jareth and Sardonix published on No Comments on Testing my comic panels with Jareth and Sardonix

Well, that was arduous. After much wailing and gnashing of teeth, I created custom panel layouts in Photoshop Elements and then figured out how to stick photos in the panels so that they wouldn’t overlap and/or block out other panels or photos.

I thoroughly frustrated myself in research about transparency, layer masks and clipping masks until I discovered that Elements has a Paste to Selection tool. I therefore just selected the interior of the desired panel with the Magic Wand tool, then copied my desired photo and Pasted to Selection.

After the photo is pasted, I can resize and reposition it, although this feature goes away as the panel and photo layers merge when I move to work on another panel. I’m sure there’s a way to Paste to Selection or its equivalent, while retaining the ability to resize and reposition the pasted photo, but this method suffices for now.

So here’s me experimenting with my new pages with the help of Jareth and Sardonix. I need to create custom shapes for speech bubbles with different orientations and also figure out how to make the bubbles default to white with black outlines and the text default to black, but, again, this suffices for now.Continue reading Testing my comic panels with Jareth and Sardonix

The very first scripted doll photostory I ever did

The very first scripted doll photostory I ever did published on No Comments on The very first scripted doll photostory I ever did

Is there any interest in seeing the first three episodes in an aborted 1:6 scale melodrama, The Pink Squad, written [and crappily photoed] nearly a decade ago?

It was my earliest scripted photostory series [as opposed to my earlier, pictures-only attempt], and it contains many of the characters and themes that we know and love today:

  • Female protagonists
  • Queer characters
  • Trans characters
  • Disabled characters
  • Characters of color
  • Vermonters
  • Kinky sex
  • Horny robots
  • Mad science
  • An amazing amount of sarcasm
  • PINK HAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111eleventy


DISCLAIMER: If I do post this story, please note that it contains humor that I thought was funny back then, but which now strikes me as blatantly racist, sexist or transphobic. That’s the main reason I’ve refrained from making it public again.

On second thought, maybe I’ll just summarize it or something. There are some cool, engaging, humorous, well-developed aspects to it, but it’s also a glaring example of How Not to Write People with Marginalized Identities.

Or maybe there’s no rehabilitating a bigoted piece of personal history, as fascinating as I find it for reasons of historical creativity. Arrrrgh, I dunno.

EDIT: Fuck it. Discretion is the better part of valor. No Pink Squad for you.

P.S. Earlier I wondered if Baozha started me on my pink hair kick. Uhhhhhhh, nope. I place all the blame at the feet of the Pink Squad.

This entry was originally posted at http://modernwizard.dreamwidth.org/1425481.html. You can comment here, but I’d prefer it if you’d comment on my DW using OpenID.

Sarah, Janvier Jett and the very small food.

Sarah, Janvier Jett and the very small food. published on No Comments on Sarah, Janvier Jett and the very small food.

Lesson: 1:6 food doesn't work well with 1:3 people.

Also a test of my new light setup on a grey, rainy day. Verdict: I need to soften the light a bit because the whites are blinding!

Sarah [at left]: "So I thought we'd have a welcome party for you…"
Janvier Jett: "Purrrr!"Continue reading Sarah, Janvier Jett and the very small food.

If there’s one thing I hate, it’s being bothered when I’m reading.

If there’s one thing I hate, it’s being bothered when I’m reading. published on 1 Comment on If there’s one thing I hate, it’s being bothered when I’m reading.

Me: “Sarah, I’d like to take some pictures of you.”
Sarah: “Shhh.”Continue reading If there’s one thing I hate, it’s being bothered when I’m reading.

Lola Paprika reveals her personality.

Lola Paprika reveals her personality. published on No Comments on Lola Paprika reveals her personality.

My first photostory of Lola Paprika in action, as it were. She was originally going to be a loud and flamboyant person, but, once I saw those sweet anxious eyebrows, I knew she was more of an introvert, no matter how flashily dressed.

Me: "What are you doing, Lola Paprika, playing cards?"

Lola Paprika: "No, silly, I’m trying to tell my fortune. But…"Continue reading Lola Paprika reveals her personality.

Sarah and Sardonix think it’s boring around here.

Sarah and Sardonix think it’s boring around here. published on No Comments on Sarah and Sardonix think it’s boring around here.

SIGH. They’re never satisfied!

Sarah: "Well, it’s not too fun playing dolls any more when Elizabeth hasn’t brought all her Rement foods to the new apartment. There’s nothing to play WITH!"Continue reading Sarah and Sardonix think it’s boring around here.

Meta-narrative: My dolls play with their dolls.

Meta-narrative: My dolls play with their dolls. published on 3 Comments on Meta-narrative: My dolls play with their dolls.

Now that my BJDs all have their own BJDs, they can play dolls together. Given the differences in personalities, this can lead to conflict.Continue reading Meta-narrative: My dolls play with their dolls.

Araminthe, Junebug and the camera

Araminthe, Junebug and the camera published on 2 Comments on Araminthe, Junebug and the camera

I got a little Hello Kitty camera yesterday. When you look in the viewfinder, you see scenes of Hello Kitty that change when you click the shutter. Araminthe apparently has other plans for the camera.
Continue reading Araminthe, Junebug and the camera

Araminthe’s arrival! [Or, Bad-tempered vampire is bad-tempered.]

Araminthe’s arrival! [Or, Bad-tempered vampire is bad-tempered.] published on 2 Comments on Araminthe’s arrival! [Or, Bad-tempered vampire is bad-tempered.]

Araminthe arrived today! She’s the first representative of B&G Doll [Boy &Girl Doll] that I’ve encountered, and I really like her. She has smooth even resin without mold lines, well-hidden double joints and perfect stringing. She stands and holds a multitude of poses right out of the box. I’m not going to even have to wire her arms!

Araminthe’s headsculpt, the snarling Burrysa head, came with the bloody faceup, not the non-bloody one, so I guess she’s a messy eater. Her default smoldering red eyes go well with the red and black tones used in her faceup, and the drips of blood outside her lips seem more stylized than realistic. As for Araminthe’s head itself, it’s very small compared to other 60cm heads, with fine, pointy features and harsh, flat planes. I think her expression is hilarious.Continue reading Araminthe’s arrival! [Or, Bad-tempered vampire is bad-tempered.]

Sarah and Precious Little: a very small Xmas

Sarah and Precious Little: a very small Xmas published on No Comments on Sarah and Precious Little: a very small Xmas

Sarah plays with Precious Little, who plays with a Rement Xmas tree. Bonus picture of Sarah with a violently pink ball of yarn, clashing with her pink outfit.Continue reading Sarah and Precious Little: a very small Xmas

Sarah likes to read.

Sarah likes to read. published on 1 Comment on Sarah likes to read.

After she got home from Christine’s, where she was getting a new faceup, Sarah immediately flopped down on my bed with a good book [Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland]. After she finished that, she saw that Junebug and Sardonix were reading Poe, so she told them about her favorite stories by him, "Ligeia" and "The Fall of the House of Usher." Junebug was deliciously creeped out; Sardonix was fascinated. Continue reading Sarah likes to read.

Junebug and Sardonix have sushi, part I

Junebug and Sardonix have sushi, part I published on 3 Comments on Junebug and Sardonix have sushi, part I

My sister gave me some fragrant soaps in the shape of sushi for my birthday in the hopes that my dolls could use them. Junebug and Sardonix obliged.Continue reading Junebug and Sardonix have sushi, part I

Junebug, not walking in a winter wonderland

Junebug, not walking in a winter wonderland published on No Comments on Junebug, not walking in a winter wonderland

I scrounged a backdrop of winter trees from the holiday decorating contest at work, so I tried to use it to mollify Junebug, who wants to go outside, but doesn’t have a jacket [or at least a sweater!] or a hat. I won’t let her go out until she’s properly bundled up. She’s not happy about that. Continue reading Junebug, not walking in a winter wonderland

Junebug endorses The Graveyard Book

Junebug endorses The Graveyard Book published on No Comments on Junebug endorses The Graveyard Book

Note: The opinions of my dolls in no way reflect my own thoughts. 😀

I did a quick photostory of Junebug just now. I think she’s quite expressive for a doll who’s not very poseable. Maybe I am just enamored with her cute face, but she seems more lifelike than those frightening American Girls. Maybe it’s because she can tilt her head from side to side and up and down a bit. Continue reading Junebug endorses The Graveyard Book

Will’s Commission

Will’s Commission published on No Comments on Will’s Commission

Sometimes freelancers sell out.

Darkness in the first six photos was achieved by darkening the darks, lightening the lights, burn/dodging Will’s eyes where necessary and fiddling with the contrast. I think it is amusing how easily adjusting these controls can give Will the look of a person with heavy eyeliner and dark lipstick.


Jennifer is proud and pink!

Jennifer is proud and pink! published on 1 Comment on Jennifer is proud and pink!

Jennifer visited Youth Pride yesterday! She got hit on several times [by people who even successfully identified her as an Asian BJD, like the girl with the pink bob], as any of my dolls do when taken in public. Why wouldn’t she be the center of attention? When she dresses to flatter her appearance, she looks attractive! Photos and story below.

http://www.oddpla.net/blog/dolls/jenniferdoll/youthpride07/IMG_0180.JPG

http://www.oddpla.net/blog/dolls/jenniferdoll/youthpride07/IMG_0183.JPG

http://www.oddpla.net/blog/dolls/jenniferdoll/youthpride07/YouthPride07-001.JPG

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http://www.oddpla.net/blog/dolls/jenniferdoll/youthpride07/YouthPride07-004.JPG

Blast from the past: Photos of my first BJD, Zephque, in Ptown, Memorial Day, 2004

Blast from the past: Photos of my first BJD, Zephque, in Ptown, Memorial Day, 2004 published on No Comments on Blast from the past: Photos of my first BJD, Zephque, in Ptown, Memorial Day, 2004

It’s now May. This month, three years ago, I had 1 BJD, a Custom House Ai Gene named Zephque d’Amaranth. He accompanied me and some others on what was then a traditional yearly spring sojourn to Provincetown, Massachusetts, gayest city east of San Francisco.

As you can tell from the pictures below, my tastes in BJDs hasn’t changed at all. Back then, they were self-important, nerdy, little supernatural weirdos with a propensity to loud colors and clashing patterns, and the same holds true today. It’s just that I photograph them in a slightly more flattering manner.

For a documentary of this momentous May, 2004, event, see below. [For pictures from Frank’s trip to the same town last July, go here.]

http://www.oddpla.net/blog/dolls/zephque/ptown/ZephqueinPtown-001.JPG
http://www.oddpla.net/blog/dolls/zephque/ptown/ZephqueinPtown-002.JPG
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A new arm and some more love for Jennifer

A new arm and some more love for Jennifer published on 1 Comment on A new arm and some more love for Jennifer

Since Jennifer’s elbow joint broke at the last Burlington meet, I’ve been waiting for replacement parts. Today I received them, so I installed her new elbow and forearm. Temporarily thwarted by an overly tight elbow joint, I then realized that the hemispherical halves of each “ball” in the Obitsu joints are actually caps concealing a screw that holds the joint together. I loosened this screw with a letter opener and got her new elbow to the appropriate tension. I also fixed her loose right leg by tightening her knee screw.

As I took apart and put back together the Obitsu body, I admired Jennifer. I realized that I have not paid much individual attention to her since getting her last November; for example, she hasn’t had a photoshoot of her own. But, now that I have calibrated her so that she is more mobile and poseable, I appreciate her much more. I recognize what drew me to her when I first saw her last summer at Ivy’s house. When calibrated correctly, the Obitsu body is a tough and flexible poser. Additionally, I love my Jennifer because of her face. Her expression and her maturity fluctuate slightly with each angle. Such an unstable physiognomy works well for a character who is both childlike and full-grown, sexual and also innocent. [Plus I like her glowing eyes.]

Blah blah blah, silly photostory below.

http://www.oddpla.net/blog/dolls/jenniferdoll/arm/NewArm-001.JPG

Submit, Sardonix and the mini Cadbury chocolate egg

Submit, Sardonix and the mini Cadbury chocolate egg published on No Comments on Submit, Sardonix and the mini Cadbury chocolate egg

Size is relative, as illustrated in this photostory about a sizeable piece of candy. Sardonix appears to have pissed off even the perpetually cheerful Submit. What will happen? Stay tuned.

http://www.oddpla.net/blog/dolls/sardonix/chocolateegg/SardonixandtheChocolateEgg-001.JPG
http://www.oddpla.net/blog/dolls/sardonix/chocolateegg/SardonixandtheChocolateEgg-002.JPG
http://www.oddpla.net/blog/dolls/sardonix/chocolateegg/SardonixandtheChocolateEgg-003.JPG

Sardonix’ pink hat

Sardonix’ pink hat published on 1 Comment on Sardonix’ pink hat

Thwarted in my quest to refine the goggles because all the craft stores were closed today, I worked on my crocheting skills. Instead of using a small yarn that showed my mistakes more clearly, I chose a soft, fuzzy, pink yarn that camouflages skipped stitches and irregular gaps! It is called Caron Bliss, Article BL1000, Color 0002 Cotton Candy. I think I got it at Walmart. I liked how soft and violently bright it was. Sardonix, however, did not. See discussion and pictures below.

I worked this hat differently than Submit’s smaller hats. I used a 2-1-2-1-2 series of stitches in an unjoined spiral for the crown. I continued this pattern of stitches until the crown seemed the right size to fit over Sardonix’ head. Then I began to do circles of single crochets with each row joined. Thus I made the sides until I tried that hat on her and it covered her ears. As a result, I got a lopsided [as usual], irregular hat, but the frothiness of the yarn disguises most of my mistakes.

I’m more pleased than I expected with this hat. Having purchased the yarn for its obnoxious properties, I did not expect to produce a project that I was proud of. The messy, forgiving weave of the yarn worked to my advantage, though, creating a serviceable hat that looks much less atrocious than I feared. While I have not achieved the evenness and perfection of my fiancee’s crocheting [she’s the one who taught me], I am slowly mastering hats and becoming less self-conscious about my abilities. I won’t be selling any time soon [not unless anyone particularly wants a fuzzy pile of crocheted cotton candy vomit], but I slowly approach my goal: neatly done amigurumi animals.
http://www.oddpla.net/blog/dolls/sardonix/pinkhat/SardonixPinkHat-001.JPG
http://www.oddpla.net/blog/dolls/sardonix/pinkhat/SardonixPinkHat-002.JPG

Crochet hat #2

Crochet hat #2 published on 3 Comments on Crochet hat #2

Submit likes the 1:6 blue hat I crocheted for her. I also think she likes Frank… My crochet skills are slowly improving, although I find working in the round more challenging than straight lines [e.g., a scarf]. I keep messing up the counts when I’m increasing each round. I also still have problems figuring out where to poke the needle for the next single crochet. Despite these obstacles, I produced a small serviceable hat on the second try. It even looks like a hat too, which is more than I can say for the pith helmet. Pictures below.

http://www.oddpla.net/blog/dolls/submit/bluehat/SubmitsBlueHat-001.JPG

Crochet practice: a hat [?]

Crochet practice: a hat [?] published on 3 Comments on Crochet practice: a hat [?]

Before moving on to animals, I will practice making hats first. My initial attempt at a hat turned out lopsided and pathetic. However, Submit was much more gracious about my crocheting than Sardonix was!

Frank and Submit go so well together. His character definitely has maternal inclinations.

http://www.oddpla.net/blog/dolls/submit/helmet/SubmitsHelmet-001.JPG

Sardonix’ scarf goes to good use…

Sardonix’ scarf goes to good use… published on 2 Comments on Sardonix’ scarf goes to good use…

Last night I wired Submit’s arms with pipe cleaners so that she has a greater range of motion in her wrists and elbows. After the ordeal of disassembly, she quickly fell asleep in the most convenient area: Sardonix’ scarf.

Scarf 2, Sardonix 0

Scarf 2, Sardonix 0 published on 1 Comment on Scarf 2, Sardonix 0

I made another scarf this weekend, blue, for Jennifer. Compared to rainbow scarf #1, blue scarf #2 features stupendously even gauge and small, accurate stitches. If Jennifer were a real person, it would keep her warm. Naturally, Sardonix coveted it… This story was supposed to document my improving crochet skills, but Jennifer and Sardonix are hogging the camera.




Sardonix to emo dollies: “Bitch, please!”

Sardonix to emo dollies: “Bitch, please!” published on 2 Comments on Sardonix to emo dollies: “Bitch, please!”

This photostory is Sardonix’ reaction to the infestation of unoriginal characters on DOA. Now that I’ve gotten this out of my system, we return to our regularly scheduled weirdness…



Sardonix lives up to her name.

Sardonix lives up to her name. published on 2 Comments on Sardonix lives up to her name.

She is not impressed with the scarf that I made. Neither am I, for that matter. You haven’t seen it yet, but my stitches have become much more even, my tension more consistent and the results much neater. I still favor the rainbow yarn, though. HAHAAAHAH.

Sardonix “helps” with the laundry.

Sardonix “helps” with the laundry. published on 2 Comments on Sardonix “helps” with the laundry.

In the ultimate test of character, last week, Jennifer proved herself hard-working and helpful when she did the laundry for me. In this week’s ultimate character test, Sardonix scored…uh, slightly deviant results. See below for details.

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Jennifer takes matters into her own hands.

Jennifer takes matters into her own hands. published on 1 Comment on Jennifer takes matters into her own hands.

Jennifer got fed up with the huge piles of laundry hanging around the house. Therefore she took the initiative and cleaned the clothes herself. How did a 1:3 doll manage a task that daunts even 1:1 people? As you can see below, Jennifer handed the challenging task with ingenuity and strength.








Frank’s love monkey

Frank’s love monkey published on 2 Comments on Frank’s love monkey

Well, this was going to be a series showcasing the hats and scarves that

[info]damsel_ophelia

crocheted for Jennifer and Frank. However, Frank’s love monkey distracted the crew, and silliness resulted. It’s a completely innocent story…really! I am amused by how disturbed Jareth looks and how taken aback Jennifer appears.

Frank: center of attention, as usual.

Frank: center of attention, as usual. published on 3 Comments on Frank: center of attention, as usual.

Jareth and Jennifer [now in large, improved format] stage an intervention about Frank’s fashion choices. As usual, Frank is impervious to criticism. The glasses, they do nothing! My first photostory in a long time is primarily a showcase for…well, it was gonna be for Sardonix’ clothes, made by rattimoth on DOA, but Frank ended up putting the spotlight on himself, as usual.

Frank visits the most fabulous city on the Eastern seaboard.

Frank visits the most fabulous city on the Eastern seaboard. published on 4 Comments on Frank visits the most fabulous city on the Eastern seaboard.

Frank took a day trip with me yesterday to Provincetown, a town at the end of Cape Cod. He got cruised so many times, attracting much more attention than me. See below for his escapades. Continue reading Frank visits the most fabulous city on the Eastern seaboard.

Frank’s first shoot

Frank’s first shoot published on 1 Comment on Frank’s first shoot

…Better late than never, right? Proudly presenting Frank, shot the day he arrived in the mail, acting sultry in a Dollmore warm-up set. Intended for 60 cm dolls, this outfit looks gut-bustingly sexy on the Model body. In case you haven’t paid attention to my ecstatic raving, Frank is a Volks Yukinojo head on a Dollmore Bella body with a neck modified by our very own Armeleia the stupendous. I painted his face. See him in his leisure suit below….

Jennifer and pink do not get along.

Jennifer and pink do not get along. published on 5 Comments on Jennifer and pink do not get along.

Wrote this last night, but didn’t have a chance to put it up. Andrea the fabulous sent me a birthday gift of funky 1:6 clothing for Jennifer. I personally like the juxtaposition of patterns and prints. Jennifer, however, has other opinions. Continue reading Jennifer and pink do not get along.

Happy spring from the angstbusters!

Happy spring from the angstbusters! published on 2 Comments on Happy spring from the angstbusters!

It’s been so brilliant and beautiful around here recently, with the sun and the forsythias shining yellowly. Tulips are pushing through the earth, purple and white, while yellow daffodils looks like little frilly teacups and saucers on green stems. Meanwhile, I realized that Jareth was still wearing a monochrome ensemble, so I decided to have Jennifer bug him about it. Continue reading Happy spring from the angstbusters!

Jennifer finds mermaids, bare boobs and mandalas in the Granary.

Jennifer finds mermaids, bare boobs and mandalas in the Granary. published on 6 Comments on Jennifer finds mermaids, bare boobs and mandalas in the Granary.

Jennifer ran on ahead of me today and got lost in the Granary Burying Ground. When I found her, she dragged me on her own little tour. Continue reading Jennifer finds mermaids, bare boobs and mandalas in the Granary.

Jennifer hat sitting

Jennifer hat sitting published on 1 Comment on Jennifer hat sitting

You’d never know it, but Jareth, Frank [not here right now] and Jennifer act out some of the heaviest dramas when they’re in my head [running around in my thoughts, as opposed to doll form]. When they get out into the resin, though, they show their playful sides…like tonight. I really like the first shot for its forced perspective. Continue reading Jennifer hat sitting

Jennifer up a tree

Jennifer up a tree published on 2 Comments on Jennifer up a tree

Jareth and Jennifer have been hanging out ever since Jennifer’s arrival, but this is their first photostory together. You get to learn more about Jennifer’s personality. Jareth tried to keep her from messing up the nice frilly outfit I put her in, but she went ahead and climbed trees anyway. Sheesh! Shots of unreasonably stubborn and athletic characters follow. Continue reading Jennifer up a tree

Sleepy Jennifer in a teddy

Sleepy Jennifer in a teddy published on 1 Comment on Sleepy Jennifer in a teddy

I’ve never done a photostory before where nothing happens. Well, there’s a first time for everything, and Jennifer, here in her PJs with her ubiquitous memorandum book, proves it. It’s not really a photostory so much as a photomood, all about those comfy, lazy times when your sweet fatigue overwhelms your big plans. Continue reading Sleepy Jennifer in a teddy

Jennifer in Central Burying Ground and the grave of an (un)real character

Jennifer in Central Burying Ground and the grave of an (un)real character published on 2 Comments on Jennifer in Central Burying Ground and the grave of an (un)real character

Once upon a time, I fell in love with Boston’s Chinatown. Devoted to its yummy, cheap restaurants and fascinating import shops, I decided to learn more about one of the city’s most distinctive neighborhoods. I began to search the library and the Web for information on the history of Chinese immigrants in Boston and unearthed a much cooler story than I ever could have hoped. Continue reading Jennifer in Central Burying Ground and the grave of an (un)real character

Jennifer’s artistic expedition

Jennifer’s artistic expedition published on 8 Comments on Jennifer’s artistic expedition

Jennifer and I hopped on the T this morning. I had my camera in my jacket, and she carried her sketchbook and pencil in her duffel bag. We rode on the T to the Central Burying Ground in Boston Common… Continue reading Jennifer’s artistic expedition

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