Starring Princess Leia x2. The one on the left is mine. The one on the right is Jill’s.
Posts tagged doll photostories
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
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 IV
Part IV: A Happy Ending!
Little Shalka Dorks in Fixing the Horse III
Little Shalka Dorks in Fixing the Horse II
Part II: A False Start. Continue reading Little Shalka Dorks in Fixing the Horse II
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.
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 Camping IX — Beach III
Shalka Dorks Camping VIII — Beach II
Shalka Dorks Camping VII — Stargazing
Shalka Dorks Camping VI — Scintilla Biking
Shalka Dorks Camping V — Beach I
Shalka Dorks Camping IV — Pancakes
Shalka Dorks Camping III — Setting Up
Shalka Dorks Camping II — Packing
Shalka Dorks: Camping I — Invitation
NOEL –> LEON
My sister and I always rearrange the NOEL decorations at my parents’ house. I deputized the dolls to do it this year. Continue reading NOEL –> LEON
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
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 in feline-related conflict
The Master drops in on Alison. :p Continue reading Shalka Dorks in feline-related conflict
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.
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
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
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 and the demanding TARDIS cats
Alison masters [?] Cat Master. Continue reading Shalka Dorks and the demanding TARDIS cats
Shalka Dorks discuss cattitude
The cat saga takes a more psychological turn. And Bill shows up!
She and Alison are in so many WUVS. 😀
Shalka Dorks attack T.P. and find mice
This cat thing is still hilarious. Made tail and pants today out of black velvet.Continue reading Shalka Dorks attack T.P. and find mice
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
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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
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 Read more posts by the author of Shalkaverses collide part II: @natalunasans’ and my Alisons and their girlfriends, ModernWizardNo 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 Read more posts by the author of Master meets Master: my Shalka Master and @natalunasans’ Simm Master cosplaying Razor, ModernWizardNo 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
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’
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
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
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
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…
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.
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!
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!
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…
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”
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 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 Read more posts by the author of The Stylist gets into the Master’s kitchen: a.k.a., True Friends Poison Each Other, ModernWizardNo 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…
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
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
Fritillaria finds a heart…
Heart from @natalunasans. Dialogue from, of course, my twisted imagination. Continue reading Fritillaria finds a heart…
Small-scale political activism on my desk today
Even my dolls are involved.Continue reading Small-scale political activism on my desk today
The Truth About Pleather…
…is that it scales and degrades really easily. T_T Since such a fate has befallen my 1:6 scale fetish nun dress, I decided to give it a last hurrah before consigning it to the dust bin of history. Continue reading The Truth About Pleather…
Touralyn Comes Home
Wordless photostory. Continue reading Touralyn Comes Home
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.
I distributed my 1:3 food amongst my dolls today.
This is what ensued. Continue reading I distributed my 1:3 food amongst my dolls today.
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”
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…
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!”]
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 Read more posts by the author of Doll work and acquisitions this weekend: a little Honorine, mostly Christmas crap, ModernWizardNo 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!
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… 😀
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…
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!
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!
Turnabout is fair play for really sarcastic dolls.
Jareth and Submit continue Valentine’s adventures.
Continue reading Turnabout is fair play for really sarcastic dolls.
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.
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.
I have really sarcastic dolls.
I’ve been saving this prop for about six months to use in just such a photostory.
In case you don’t know, that’s Epona on the left and Peekaboo on the right.
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
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
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
Flower vs. nature
I finally got some green crinkle paper of the right shade to act as ground cover for my forest set! I was just going to take pictures of it, but Flower and Epona started chatting, and this happened…
Mysterious blood bag
This photostory started off as a simple showcase for my latest 1:6 scale accessory, a blood bag, but then changed into something longer and more pointless.
Continue reading Mysterious blood bag
Bunny bread from Great Harvest
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
Waiting for Yamarrah with Jareth and Araminthe
An entirely pointless photostory in direct continuation of that posted earlier!
Continue reading Waiting for Yamarrah with Jareth and Araminthe
Testing my comic panels with Jareth and Sardonix part II
The rest of the story, such as it is.
Continue reading Testing my comic panels with Jareth and Sardonix part II
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
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.
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.
Janvier Jett sings the blues
Janvier Jett: "Meow-wow-wow, I got them flamin' hot pussy bluuuuuuuuuuuues!"
Beware the vampire with a camera!
Araminthe: "Sigh… Trees…Flowers…"Continue reading Beware the vampire with a camera!
Lola Paprika strikes a chord.
I just got Janvier Jett’s swirly guitar in today!
Lola Paprika: “Are you sure I can play this?”
Me: “Go ahead!”
Continue reading Lola Paprika strikes a chord.
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.
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.
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.
Today I learned…not to bother Sarah when she’s reading.
It was a hard lesson.Continue reading Today I learned…not to bother Sarah when she’s reading.
Junebug’s new hat and scarf!
Maria made Junebug a hat and a scarf, which she gave me at doll club yesterday, and Junebug is very proud of them…. Continue reading Junebug’s new hat and scarf!
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.
“Have you seen my hair gel?”
Araminthe lounges on my bed in a fabulous new fright wig.Continue reading “Have you seen my hair gel?”
Sarah is writing on the new computer
What do you think she’s writing about?
Her dress and necklace are by the inimitable an42!!!Continue reading Sarah is writing on the new computer
Araminthe is not amused.
"Why must you torture me with such hideous wigs???"Continue reading Araminthe is not amused.
Araminthe reads over Sarah’s shoulder.
Araminthe: "What are you reading?"Continue reading Araminthe reads over Sarah’s shoulder.
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 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.]
It’s a snow day!
What should Junebug, Sardonix and Sarah do?
Continue reading It’s a snow day!
The inmates are restless.
They’ve been hearing me pine for Araminthe.Continue reading The inmates are restless.
Junebug plays with dolls.
What kind of story do you think she is telling Noodge and Precious Little and the Rement bear?Continue reading Junebug plays with dolls.
Sarah makes Precious Little work for it.
I caught Sarah playing with Precious Little and some of my new Rement. Continue reading Sarah makes Precious Little work for it.
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
Who got sugar all over my desk??
Me: "Who got sugar all over my desk?"Continue reading Who got sugar all over my desk??
Xmas prezints: Sarah
Me: "What did you get for Xmas, Sarah?"Continue reading Xmas prezints: Sarah
Xmas prezints: Junebug
J: "Lookit my toy butterfly!"
S: "Does it do anything?"
J: "It sparkles!!"Continue reading Xmas prezints: Junebug
Noodge and the Turkish delight
Got some [unfortunately plain-flavored 🙁 ] Turkish delight today. Noodge had fun playing around the box. RealPukis are perfect for peeking out from behind things.Continue reading Noodge and the Turkish delight
Junebug reads Poe.
Here’s Junebug reading The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe. She likes morbid stories, especially on a stormy night. I used the burn/dodge tool to lighten her eyes, but the photos are otherwise untouched.Continue reading Junebug reads Poe.
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, Sardonix and the nail polish
Junebug: "Look, Sardonix! I got some nail polish!"Continue reading Junebug, Sardonix and the nail polish
My dolls like to read too.
Here’s a picture of Sardonix and Junebug enjoying Tales by Poe, one of the mini books that I purchased for my 1:3ers.Continue reading My dolls like to read too.
Junebug and Sardonix greet warm weather.
It was about 80 degrees F today and a little hazy, so we had a preview of summer out.Continue reading Junebug and Sardonix greet warm weather.
Junebug and Sardonix have sushi, part II
Junebug and Sardonix are eating sushi [soaps] that my sister gave me for my birthday.
Continue reading Junebug and Sardonix have sushi, part II
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 in the park
Today was sunny, with a high of 55 degrees F, so Junebug went to the park with me, where she successfully conquered a HUGE boulder!! ^_^ Continue reading Junebug in the park
Junebug frolics in the snow in Vermont!
Junebug came to my parents’ house in Essex, VT with me this past weekend. Continue reading Junebug frolics in the snow in Vermont!
Well, SOMEONE’S excited that it’s snowing [not me].
J: "Oh wow! It’s snowing!" Continue reading Well, SOMEONE’S excited that it’s snowing [not me].
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
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
Sardonix’ weird accessory of the week
You’ve seen her Vengeance Unicorn, her string devil and her Tarot cards, but have you seen what the previous tenant left for her in our new apartment…?
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.
Will playing Tarot solitaire
The world needs more Sabik pictures demonstrating the beauty of this doll, so here’s my excuse to talk to Will and show him off at the same time…
Peanut gallery opens a box.
Jareth, Frank, Jennifer and Sardonix greet Will.
Distracted by naked dollies
Frank and Jennifer’s conversation is interrupted by an interloper. Note fur wigs on Frank and Jennifer. My current denizens keep stealing the hairpieces I have acquired for Will….
Fur wigs for all
I’ve been purchasing many fur wigs for Will’s flamboyant hair styles, but my other dolls keep stealing them. Since I finally got around to priming the wall behind my doll displays, I took pictures of their wig-nabbing actions.
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.
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 Read more posts by the author of Blast from the past: Photos of my first BJD, Zephque, in Ptown, Memorial Day, 2004, ModernWizardNo 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.]
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.
Small and Mighty: Submit does laundry!!
In my continuing series on dolls helping [or hindering] the laundry, I now present Submit doing the laundry all by herself. [She insisted. Stubborn gal.]
in ur park, hangin on ur barz
Finally the weather turned seasonable, sunny and warm [75 degrees F!], so Sardonix hit the park for the first time. Then we went out to eat and she stole all my French fries…
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.
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.
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.
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.
Annoying sweater >:
Problem: Itchy sweater. Solution: A creative one as only Submit can think up.
Little girl, big playground equipment
Submit came to the park with us today.
Frank likes Submit.
Frank gets along well with kids! Who would have expected?!
Submit gets new clothes
Submit got a shipment of Only Hearts Club clothing and eagerly tried it 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.
Submit wants to play Scrabble.
I was going to take Submit apart for some modding and restringing and wiring, but I met with some resistance.
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!”
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sardonix’ nature documentary
As an introduction to Sardonix’ character, this episode just wrote itself when I saw the Vengeance Unicorn toys in a local comics shop. Warning for Calvin & Hobbes-like humor and cartoony, goreless violence.
Frank’s love monkey
Well, this was going to be a series showcasing the hats and scarves that
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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.
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’s fashion statement
Frank hijacked all the pink in my small wardrobe of 70cm clothes. Despite Jareth’s revulsion, I think Frank looks fabulous, in a purposely shocking kind of way.
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
…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….
Rules for deboxing
Last entry, I promised box porn. This entry, I deliver. Naked doll penis below [though that’s really just a small part, heh heh, of the goings-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!
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 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.
Jareth, Jennifer and the bad puns
Inspired by my cemetery notes to myself, Jareth and Jennifer were talking this evening. Now presenting your USRDA of angst-free entertainment! Continue reading Jareth, Jennifer and the bad puns
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
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
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
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 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
Jareth gets a head.
A package from Japan arrived today. Jareth snatched it out of my hands and sliced it open. Neither of us were expecting the contents… Continue reading Jareth gets a head.