Watch this interesting video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUZ2MAuY_9c
1/02/2011
Virtually Stunning Alex Makeover Progress
I previously wrote that I was very disappointed with VS Alex. I purchased her impulsively and I was really sorry about that. There wasn't one thing I liked about her except her body. I cut off all her hair and accidentally tore her scalp in the process. At that point I just wanted to throw the head away. I tried other heads on the body but her neck is huge and she is quite tall. Nothing looked right.
Using acetone, I removed her lips, cheek and eyebrow screening and some of the eyeshadow. I started liking the look immediately.
The third picture shows the current appearance of the head. I still would like to soften the eyeshadow somewhat and do something a little more defined with the lips. I used pastels and water color pencils the same way I learned to do a faceup on a resin doll. I sealed my work with a matte spray.
When I reheated her head to put it back on her body, I held my fingers on her cheeks and pushed in while it was cooling. This gave her more defined cheekbones.
She is wearing the same wig as the middle picture. The colors are different as I changed some internal settings on my camera to improve the quality of the pictures. The bangs were thinned.
I'm pleased with the progress. She looks less cartoon-like and I didn't completely ruin her and that's not an easy task. ;-)
I have to admit that I still do not like her face but it's much better IMO. What do you think?
Using acetone, I removed her lips, cheek and eyebrow screening and some of the eyeshadow. I started liking the look immediately.
The third picture shows the current appearance of the head. I still would like to soften the eyeshadow somewhat and do something a little more defined with the lips. I used pastels and water color pencils the same way I learned to do a faceup on a resin doll. I sealed my work with a matte spray.
When I reheated her head to put it back on her body, I held my fingers on her cheeks and pushed in while it was cooling. This gave her more defined cheekbones.
She is wearing the same wig as the middle picture. The colors are different as I changed some internal settings on my camera to improve the quality of the pictures. The bangs were thinned.
I'm pleased with the progress. She looks less cartoon-like and I didn't completely ruin her and that's not an easy task. ;-)
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| Original Virtually Stunning Alex |
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| After she was balded. |
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| Now |
I have to admit that I still do not like her face but it's much better IMO. What do you think?
1/01/2011
Integrity Announces New Products
Members of the W Club received notification of the following Monogram dolls and an accessory pack:
This doll is called Discreet. Integrity says that is is based upon last year's doll, Disclosure. They are calling this one a companion doll. $99.
Magnificent is a Dressed Doll who is wearing the same gown as the 2010 convention Smoldering centerpiece. The colors are different. This doll retails for $160.
If you don't have this gown, I recommend it. It's quite beautiful the construction is wonderful.
The Accessory Pack includes the resin bust, wig, hat, handbag, shoes and jewelry. Retail price $75. (!)
An interesting addition to the W Club email was the announcement that Integrity would have a booth at IDEX. Sounds like they are joining the world of doll manufacturers. Will there be surprises? Will the W Club get all the information before anyone attending IDEX? This is going to be very interesting.
Are you going to pre-order any of the above offerings? I made a decision two months ago that my Monogram collection was complete and unless something amazing came along, I wouldn't be adding new Monograms. I'm going to try to stick to that! I'll let you know how that goes. LOL.
I did treat myself to a new Cissy. It was an impulsive act and I blame it on my friend Ana whose shipping buddy I am. She had me order a bunch of stuff for her last week from Two Daydreamers which I did. I also browsed their excellent sales and unfortunately I did not escape unscathed. I ordered the 21" Vice Cissy. She had been residing on my wish list for almost one year. I know I will love her when she gets here but she needs a poodle instead of that whatever that dog is.
This doll is called Discreet. Integrity says that is is based upon last year's doll, Disclosure. They are calling this one a companion doll. $99.
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| Discreet on Left; Disclosure on Right (Integrity Toys Images) |
Magnificent is a Dressed Doll who is wearing the same gown as the 2010 convention Smoldering centerpiece. The colors are different. This doll retails for $160.
If you don't have this gown, I recommend it. It's quite beautiful the construction is wonderful.
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| "Magnificent" (Integrity Toys Images) |
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| "Smoldering" |
The Accessory Pack includes the resin bust, wig, hat, handbag, shoes and jewelry. Retail price $75. (!)
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| (Integrity Toys Images) |
Are you going to pre-order any of the above offerings? I made a decision two months ago that my Monogram collection was complete and unless something amazing came along, I wouldn't be adding new Monograms. I'm going to try to stick to that! I'll let you know how that goes. LOL.
I did treat myself to a new Cissy. It was an impulsive act and I blame it on my friend Ana whose shipping buddy I am. She had me order a bunch of stuff for her last week from Two Daydreamers which I did. I also browsed their excellent sales and unfortunately I did not escape unscathed. I ordered the 21" Vice Cissy. She had been residing on my wish list for almost one year. I know I will love her when she gets here but she needs a poodle instead of that whatever that dog is.
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| Vice Cissy ~ Madame Alexander / Jason Wu |
Happy New Year
Wishing you all a wonderful year.
May we all be healthy, prosperous and loved.
May our earth be on the mend even if it is getting warmer.
May our dolls not have wonky eyes or uneven hairlines.
May our doll stands support even the wobbliest of bodies.
May our ball jointed dolls hold their poses.
May our photographs be sharp and properly lit.
And may that money tree find it's way onto my property.
Feel free to use any of these free vintage graphic clip-art items found on the web.
May we all be healthy, prosperous and loved.
May our earth be on the mend even if it is getting warmer.
May our dolls not have wonky eyes or uneven hairlines.
May our doll stands support even the wobbliest of bodies.
May our ball jointed dolls hold their poses.
May our photographs be sharp and properly lit.
And may that money tree find it's way onto my property.
Feel free to use any of these free vintage graphic clip-art items found on the web.
12/30/2010
W Club Registration for 2011 is Open
Registration opened for the 2011 W Club yesterday. A beautifully put together brochure is available.
It is a PDF download. Check it out.
The Fashion Royalty upgrade doll is a tanned Kyori in resort wear. Images in this post are the property of Integrity Toys, Inc.
Hopefully, the designers will have the factory improve the fit of the jacket which looks awkward and ill-fitting in the prototype. I like big jewelry but this piece does not lay properly on the doll. The shoes look wonderful! Why no fabulous handbag?
The other optional upgrade doll is a rooted Avantguard with a new sculpt.
It was a jaw-dropping moment to see this doll's face. Was she a giant Poppy or a super tall Dynamite Girl? Are the Avantguards to join the enormous ranks of cutesy teenage dolls?
The rooted hair was a surprise. The fashion is very attractive; I want it for other dolls. It seems out of character in this sophisticated line. I wonder what the top and shorts look like without the jacket on. Following in the wake of Bijou, this doll pales (literally) by comparison.
Collectors have been asking for a new AG sculpt. Is this what they had in mind?
I won't be buying the Kyori but I'm undecided about the AG only for the fashion. It's a good thing that I have until January 21, 2011 to make up my mind.
On a different topic that's sort of related, those of us who joined the 2010 Gene W Club for a year got only 6 months. We definitely should be compensated in some manner.
It is a PDF download. Check it out.
The Fashion Royalty upgrade doll is a tanned Kyori in resort wear. Images in this post are the property of Integrity Toys, Inc.
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| Rising Sun Kyori $90. Plus Shipping (Plus $50 W Club Membership) |
Hopefully, the designers will have the factory improve the fit of the jacket which looks awkward and ill-fitting in the prototype. I like big jewelry but this piece does not lay properly on the doll. The shoes look wonderful! Why no fabulous handbag?
The other optional upgrade doll is a rooted Avantguard with a new sculpt.
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| Spring Kissed $160. Plus Shipping (Plus $50. W Club Membership) |
 |
| Avantguard Compared to DG Neve |
Collectors have been asking for a new AG sculpt. Is this what they had in mind?
I won't be buying the Kyori but I'm undecided about the AG only for the fashion. It's a good thing that I have until January 21, 2011 to make up my mind.
On a different topic that's sort of related, those of us who joined the 2010 Gene W Club for a year got only 6 months. We definitely should be compensated in some manner.
12/29/2010
Waiting For Mortimer
Here is one of my new Evangeline Ghastly dolls. She is called Waiting for Mortimer. The little creature with her is a 5" resin doll called Bella. She's a bat.
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| Waiting is such a drag. |
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| We'll practice our ballet moves. |
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| Bella is clingy. |
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