Gorgeous Doll Photography by Ernesto Padro-Campos

I don't know if I'm going to get back to the Picture of the Week Award as I used to do but today's picture of the moment is this fabulous shot of Gene Marshall wearing red as described by Ernesto here:

Miss Marshall is making everyone see red and on purpose. Her buddy Liz Cole designed a turban and gown of sparkly vintage knit in luscious red (and spicy) pepper. The Pepto Bismol pink gloves are from Oona's Bellwether ensemble. Jewelry from "Striking Gold" and sunglasses from Madra's "Cat Walk" ensemble. The boa is Carol Barrie's by TDC. The attitude is her own.

Ernesto Padro-Campos Photography

If you would like to see the original post, go to the Studio Commissary Doll Board.

Sybarite Domina, Champ Pac Accessory

I deboxed Domina last night and absolutely love her. She is stunning. From her hair to her neutral face palette to her animal print stockings, she's a winner in every way. I must get her a whip.

The workmanship on the shoes is not perfect. There seems to be glue mixed with paint in certain areas. You can see smudging of the black onto the tan in this image. So she isn't perfect but she's as close as it gets.

My Champ Pac was finally released from customs in New York. That was the first experience I ever had with a parcel being held in customs. I'm wondering if it had something to do with the Olympics being held in London and the security surrounding the events. I wonder if all parcels shipped out of London were held longer than usual at their destinations? Odd.

 The contents of the Pac is a collection of fun items: five shorts, two sequin tube tops, sheer gloves, two "shocking" colored wigs, winged pumps, a space blanket, champagne and best of all, four pairs of expressive hands. I could do without a few of the items but the hands were the important part of the Pac to me. The tube tops can be combined with other fashions so they will be useful and the wigs can certainly be used for fun shots. Anyone want a space blanket? I read that these mylar blankets are used by some athletes to keep the body warm. That makes sense.

Another shot of Neurotica in repose on my kitchen island.

Summer 2012 W Club Exclusive Poppy Parker Doll

W Club members are being offered the opportunity to order this Poppy Parker doll.
She is called Lilac Frost and retails for $110.  Approximate shipping date is late fall - early winter 2012.
What do you think?

Lorrence Makes It Work with Dynamite Girls

Lorrence, aka WuDollsClubKid, posted his reinterpreted versions of Mattel's set of Tim Gunn dolls on the W Club board. Lorrence used Dynamite Girls by Integrity Toys instead of the original Barbies. I love how well the clothes fit these bodies.

Photography by Lorrence.

If you look back a few posts you can see what the original dolls looked like. Which do you prefer? I like the Lorrence's Dynamite Girl version because they are articulated and make the best use of the cute outfits. It makes me want to purchase the Barbie dolls just for their clothing. It wouldn't be the first time I've done that but I always wind up selling both the Barbies and the clothes due to the quality issues.

Sybarite Neurotica

She's finally unwrapped and out of her box. I am loving her.

I am looking forward to photographing her with a good camera.

Sale Alert at Barbiecollector.com

Save $10 on orders totaling $50.00-$74.99; save $15 on orders totaling $75.00-$99.99; save $20 on orders totaling $100.00 or more (purchase amounts exclude any applicable sales tax and S&P). Offer ends 8/30/12 at 11:59 pm CT. May not be combined with any other offer or discount. Not valid on previous purchases. Offer excludes BFC™ membership fees, Gift Cards, and gift-wrapping

I pre-ordered the Silkstone Violet Eyes Elizabeth Taylor doll and got $20. off. Still overpriced at $105.  but I have to have her. Please let her look like the promo.

http://www.barbiecollector.com/promo/email/FALL2012_details

Barbie® Styled By Tim Gunn Doll 1 @ 2

Barbie® Styled By Tim Gunn Doll 1 @ 2
"Make it work!"

The ever-impeccable Tim Gunn mentors Barbie® doll’s style dressing her in a versatile Project Runway-ready ensemble that includes a classic yellow blazer, print blouse and skinny denim pants. Includes handbag, sunglasses, miniature phone and Tim Gunn “book.” $29.95

http://www.barbiecollector.com/shop/doll/barbie-styled-tim-gunn-doll-2-w3470

 Fashion consultant and television personality, Tim Gunn, brings his expertise to Barbie with a timeless outfit of smart separates including a crisp white shirt paired with a sleek black pencil skirt and cinch belt. Includes handbag, glasses, miniature phone, coffee cup and Tim Gunn “book.” $29.95

Barbie® Styled By Tim Gunn Accessories 1 and 2
 $24.95 each

 Extend the runway ready look with fashions and accessories that switch it up in style! Includes sleeveless black shirt, abstract print skirt, strappy sandals, clutch, “makeup” accessories and “party invitation” for stylish girls on the go!

Extend the runway ready look with fashions and accessories that switch it up in style! Includes faux black leather trench, houndstooth scarf, ankle boots, black glasses, hoop earrings and “magazines” for stylish girls on the go!

 I think this collection designed by Tim Gunn is delightful. If only the dolls had pivotal bodies!

New Home Update and More

If I seem to have been missing in action, I was. We have now been living in our new home for one day short of a week. I love the house more every day and will love it even more when our furniture gets here and we don't have to sit at a bridge table to eat or on a lawn chair to watch television. We do have a fully functioning and beautiful kitchen and laundry room. Dolls? Ha. I still have not unpacked my new Sybarites. The painters are starting tomorrow and estimate that it will take two weeks. Our stored household will be delivered on the 16th of August so, it will be a little longer before I can sit down with a doll to enjoy the deboxing experience.

Do you think it's a sign that I found this?

 I wonder what the buyers of our Woodstock house will find. Probably my all time favorite earring that one of my cats successfully hid 10 years ago. Every time I moved furniture or cleaned under heat registers, I hoped to find it. Sigh. I used to give our cats these little fur mice to play with. Most of them would disappear within a few days. I always wondered where they went. When two big armoires were moved, I found out.

 But no earring. They never disappeared after Rudy came along. He bit off their ears and tails, removed their eyes and eviscerated their stuffing. No wonder the cats didn't like him.

My doll friends have been asking if I will have a doll room in this house and the answer is a definite YES. During the months of house shopping, Bob would always ask, "Where will you put your dolls?" We have the perfect room. It even has it's own walk-in closet. My dolls will live in style!

The couple that lived here had four little girls. Ashley (a future graffitti artist), a set of twins and a baby.  Ashley decorated several places around the house. Fortunately, the best drawing was in her own room which will be the doll room. The picture above is her work and I am going to preserve it even though the room is being totally re-painted. I am having the painters block out a rectangle around it.  I have a fun project planned for that part of the room.

More will be revealed.