Black swan, white swan? Not exactly

I've been very drawn (there is a family wedding coming up next summer) -- to the idea of a bride's gown... That said -- I'm thinking one gown in off-white and one in BLACK... I want to incorporate antique lace into the off-white one. Many, many years ago I attended a wedding that the bride's maids wore black.  At first,  I thought black? really?  But it was...

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Realize I've been neglecting my dolls

Looked back on my Flickr and all but forgot some of the dolls/outfits! Felt inspired.  Took out my Popovy doll -- poor thing...  Never did get a proper wig for her. Put on an old wig, it is too big for her but I get the idea... This weekend I have some free time (Yipee) -- I plan on working on making xmas gifts (and) work on an outfit for this doll. ...

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Most exciting news....

Well, I got two emails this past week. Dust of Dolls -- new dolls cuter than ever. http://dustofdolls.com/en/  I want one to "travel with" -- I thought it would be cute to do an expose with traveling with a tiny doll and photographing her wherever I went.  I'll have to think on that only because.... the other email..... The amazing one has been that I've been on  a waiting list and my turn has COME!!!!!!!!!!  I'm so excited...

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Popovy sister!!! New

Price list for Pupa came out today.  Love, love, love their work.  So amazing.  www.popovy-dolls.com I'm still hoping that when my name comes up I have enough for a doll and at least one "costume" --  definitely some shoes. &nbs...

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I think this was thoughtful

I saw where Emilia Couture asked their constituents whether it would be better to release their fashion now or if they should wait (until after Christmas) -- I thought that was cute.  I think all their stuff usually sells out right away so maybe that is why -- they want the timing to be right. I wish I had Dolly dollars available.....  hmmmm...... Oh we...

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Emilia Couture

The Inamorata sale started yesterday.  I received an email at noon, telling me that sales would start in 5 hours.  I'm not sure if all the doll companies do this to "hype" or cause some type of frenzy, but I guess it is good marketing.  The initial price list (on the email) -- was for the shipping -- $45 to ship an outfit... The price to ship a doll was $65 -- so I'm a little confused.  It would seem that shipping an outfit might...

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New dolls!

See where Emilia Couture now has a facebook page.  They have teasers of their new dolls.  Really detailed work.  Their website is www.emiliacouture.com.  Perhaps all the dolls released at 16" is the reason Sybarite's popularity has been fading.  Or maybe its the "cool factor" is all but lost.  These new dolls are the new "coo...

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Gorgeous "slippers"

saw over at http://iimagined.blogspot.com/ that Terri has made some amazing shoes.  She has such fantastic work.  Everything is so detailed.  Love her stu...

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So, I was wonder what was "new out there"

Sure enough.....  The Popovy sisters have out done themselves.  Their newest collection Pupa is pre-selling.  Wow, wow, wow.  Endless talent those ladies.  http://popovysisters.blogspot.com/  I love what they have done.  Very cool.  I'm nervous to inquire as to price.  Whatever the price, I'm sure they are worth it -- Probably won't be within my budget....  :( --  Check out the gorgeous photos....

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Just got back from a trip to NYC and Boston

Wish I had had more time to do some bead shopping and also some fantastic fabric shopping.  Been mostly working on being healthy!  Eating better and exercising.  Traveling isn't too conducive to eating well -- I've found a ton of farm to table restaurants that I love.  I saw some really interesting things on Terri's blog -- PaperWhite.  I love her work.  Her dolls just have a style and whimsy all their own.  I've...

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I know I've been terrible... I appologize

My apologies to anyone who has tried to follow my blog.  Work, illness and my mom have all been impediments to my posting.  I love posting and I love even more working of "dolly things".  The sad fact is that I haven't had any time to work on any dolly things. I want to get or make a wig for my newest muse.  As you can see from the photos, the commercial...

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Tax time....

Here in the states April 15 is synonymous with paying our income taxes...  A dreaded day ;) I completed the top to this dress....  (Still need to hem -- I hate hemming) The positioning of the fingers reminds me of a campaign from years ago, I think it was Lanvin.  It was a woman in a yellow flowing dress we knicknamed her the "cookie monster" -- she looked...

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I wish I had more time....

I guess everyone does.  I'm very busy with work and my mom and I can't seem to find much free time.  Last week, during the late evenings, I was able to start work on a really interesting gown... I still have the pink petal one to work on (I couldn't find the pink thread that was needed-- so I didn't want to do nothing with what precious time I have to work on doll...

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WIP

I'm just hoping this outfit doesn't become a RIP. I've had this little number sitting on a mannequin next to my bed for several months.  I look at it each day.  Today I took it off and put it on.... (just realized I haven't named this doll) -- I usually do, so I'll have to think about that. Anyway, back to this outfit.  Born out of the flower theme.  I...

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Another bad hair day

I realize the bangs on this wig aren't even cut straight.... The wig cap fits these dolls, but the "volume" of hair just seems overwhelming... On to clothes.  I will have to get a wig made.  Or try to make one myself (either endeavor will be a feat)...

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I'm not a fan...

synthetic hair wigs.  But I figure some hair better than no hair.  She has on quite a bit of make up, but it's not that evident in photos.  I'm content with her blushing, although it isn't obvious in the photos, I can tell the difference. She looks pretty good for her close up (in dim lighting) ...

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Face up'ed

I think I'm pretty happy with her face up -- but the camera tells for sure.... ahhhkkkkkk.... I can't tell.  There's not enough sun light... but I am liking her eyes mo...

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Layering the eyes

I've decided I want to "keep working" on them. I'm going to seal and then put on some make up.  I need to "clean up the lashe...

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My biggest problem now is...

I've re-done the eyebrows... (lost count as to how many times) I just need to resign myself to the fact that I'm not an artist and my face-up will never look like those that are.  I think my paint is all wrong. The other paints appear more translucent.  Mine are too opaque. I'm going to seal her, add make-up and then one day when I get up the gusto, I'll wipe...

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I "wiped" her face

I guess it is like erasing everything and starting over.  It looked ok.  But not what I was looking for.  With limited time and talent, I still want more.... better..... I was nervous to wipe her face as I thought what if it looks worse the next time.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iz9X4UPM_0 I took the plunge, so I started from scratch and redid her...

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Windows of the soul

There's a saying, the eyes are the windows of the soul... as far as dolls are concerned they make/break the face.  I think I need to use some more translucent of a medium and perhaps build the color as in a real eye that has many colors/features.  The work is tiny and exacting.  I have no talent or experience, so it's hard. I finally got a feathered brow...

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Face!!!

So, this was my first "faceup" ever.  I had to do quite a bit of research on youtube and Den of Angels. Well, now looking at her in a photo, I guess that shows...  She looked so much better to me in person... Maybe it is the lighting or my bad photography.  Hmmmm,  back to the drawing board. The eyes are tough...  I knew they would be..  I...

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Start out slow....

Face painting.  I've blushed a bit. (forhead, around eyes, nose, cheeks, ears)... Then I wanted to do the eyes (hardest -- imo).... I hated what it looked like so I used that kneadable eraser and removed it. So then lips.  Yes lips. I like the way they look in person, I did wonder what it would translate to photos. In photos, they look a little light.......

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mani, pedi....

St. Patty.  (Happy St. Patrick's Day) After the blushing, I started with the easiest part of the painting.  The mani and pedi.  Not that easy.  It takes a very steady hand and I don't like the sloppy moons or nail tips that just look like a blob/circle.  I've been amazed at the workmanship on the dolls I have that are already painted, so I embrace...

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Very happy with my progress

Spent quite a bit of time body blushing.  I tried to do a stop motion animation on it as I thought it would be cool to do.  But I needed an extra person...  someone to photograph as I did the work.  I was nervous too so that didn't help. I'm all about light blush.  I really don't like to "see" where was blushed, more it helps with the way the light...

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Just what I need...

So, before spraying that stuff, I needed a respirator.  As luck would have it, the husband had one... Now my question is:  Why is it pink??  Did you get it on sale or something? I'm going to be oh so stylish as I go outside to spra...

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I'm "ready" to go....

Work has been so stressful lately.  I'm working until late tonight.  I got a package in the mail yesterday. So I can begin my body blushing/ faceup attempt.....  Very daunting for me.  I'm pretty scared.  The last thing I want to do is wreck my new found muse and joy.  I'm going to take it slow and I also have to make sure it is not too humid...

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Wasn't my favorite day

I had a pretty rough day today, but when I stopped home for a break, it was so amazing to see this doll. The more I look at her, the more I marvel.  I have quite a few dolls that I'm enthralled with, but some how, this one is just a little different.  I really wish I had her (the doll) when I used to travel...  It would have been so cool to try to sneak a photo...

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Faceup, wigs, shoes, outfits, so much creative juice and no time!

I definitely feel motivated.  I know now how designers get inspired and refer to some models as their muse.  I've got a ton of ideas for faceup, for wigs, for shoes -- it runs the gamut.  I am however super busy at work and just taking a little of my time to post this as I feel electric! Here's a quick pic of my "loot" -- art supplies for faceup and blushing. Things...

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I spent a good deal of time

researching face-ups and trying to figure out how to "try it on my own".  I'm not the most artistic person, but I do think I'm crafty.  I bought some supplies.  (I think I'll only do this once or twice, so I shouldn't have "invested" so heavily -- but I didn't want to get anything that was substandard -- why ruin a work of art with substandard materials). I've always been enthralled with the way people do face ups so I got a boat...

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Ahhhhhhh!!!! It's been a crazy week

I've been waiting most of the week to open my new doll.  That's right.  My restraint was unparalleled.  Even my husband said, "aren't you going to open it?"  He got it for me as an anniversary present!!!  It arrived when I got home late one evening from work.... Ok, so I wanted to do an SMA of the opening.  Similar to the one I have posted on the side of the blog for Agnes (Terri's lovely porcelain BJD -- PaperWhite)....

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Slight set back

So, if it isn't enough that I have work and a sick parent, last Tuesday, I was returning late from work and was in a car accident.  Car accidents in Florida are an everyday occurrence.  Luckily no one was hurt.  The person that caused the accident claimed "the light was green".  Well that's funny, the guy you hit and sent his car into mine and I both say...

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Really exciting news...

There's a new girl coming... I've been negligent of my blog...  With work and my mom's health, my plate has been pretty full. Several months ago, I got on a waiting list.  Now, my name hasn't come up on the waiting list -- so I still have to wait, but there is some activity and I can't wait to see how this will all transpire. I re-read an old post of mine.  It was about porcelain bjds (Actually entitled something like blogs, forums,etc),...

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let the painting begin....

and it has.  I've decided to go with a craft paint water based (as I have it on hand) and I will decide whether to use sandpaper to distress.. I started on the back side to test the paint and what the finished product will look like. so far, so good, but it isn't dry y...

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Uh, oh.... Wish I had done more measuring

When I did the dry fit, I had the clothes pins (clamps) in the way.  This made for some bad measuring....  It seems that the 1/2" or so -- on each side -- makes for about a one inch gap... darn it.  I could disassemble the bed and reassemble the rails, but that glue is very strong so I would have to break off the pieces and sand it down.  Really not practical....

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Gotta start painting

I almost want to either white wash it or paint it and then distress it so it will look more shabby chic.  I've been "pinning" a ton of shabby chic things for inspiration. I don't know if I should use craft paint or enamel or something else?  It is wood, so I could always strip it and start over if I don't like the finished produ...

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Linens

I went to a shop a couple days ago that had something I think I can use. The lighting was bad, it is a light purplish blue.  This makes it look more like a dusty blue.  It's made by Laura Ashley and I'm going to use the ruffle on this pillowcase  to make a dust ruffle for the new bed!...

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Getting there!

At least for the frame part, I've got linens and painting still to happen. I glued most of the frame and I'm pretty happy with how it has come together.  My husband said "You made that?  Was it a kit or something?"  I said no, I was just thinking about a bed and I got the materials (I've been thinking about this for a while!  So the wood, most of it had...

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Its coming together

I'm pretty excited.  There have been a few "technical" challenges, but for the most part, I've been very happy with the progress.  I don't have as much time as I hoped I would to work on the project, but day by day I'm getting there. Cans holding glued pieces in place. Still fitting things together ...

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Went all the way to the craft store....

And realized I hadn't written down the part number to match the other wood carving.  Not only had I bought several, but there were several others (I hadn't chosen-- or had I). I was so perplexed by the time I chose "the one" that was the match.  The guy in the store was so nice, he said, oh it's no problem if you have the wrong one, I'll let you bring it back....

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Getting into the "groove"

I'm back to finding time for myself...  Great... I'm feeling more creative... Great..... Got more of the bed competed... Excellent! There's leg attachment. Then there's more: Dry fit with side rails... So far, so good... Just need the carving for the footboard, glue it all together, paint it, cut the slats and put the mattress on, make some bedding... (I guess...

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almost ready for Valentine's Day!

If only it were ready... Almost Still clamped, propped, and taped, just to see if all the parts are going to fit together.... So far so good. Coco has plenty of room for a Valentine's day "guest".  I'm pleased so far.  I see where I want to add some more trim, etc. The mattress and boxspring will "sit" higher on slats so the headboard trim won't look...

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