Daily Dose of Vanessa

Today's Vanessa is "High Tide." She arrived in 2007 in the line called "Style du Jour."
This gal is pure pin-up material from the 1940's.

High Tide was on the original tall body with high contrast makeup and period styled hair.

At first, I wasn't in love with her hairstyle so I cut it and ultimately had her re-rooted and repainted. This is prior to the reroot.

I have an original and I've grown to appreciate the donuts. There's a lesson to be learned but it's hard to keep dolls that I don't love. I have repurchased original issues of dolls on occasion.

A French Name Does Not Always a Great Doll Make

Ombres Poétique = Poetic Shadows

Poésie Enchantée = Enchanted Poetry

Poésie Sans Couleur = Poetry without Color

Do we see a connection here?

Integrity Toys put lots of effort into "Ombres Poétique" Mademoiselle Jolie, the last 2014 W Club exclusive doll, but missed the mark.  The gown, which could have been drop dead gorgeous, is a boring, boring beige with forgettable trim.

It consists of layer upon layer of tulle, all the same color. They had an opportunity to actually create an ombre (shaded, nuanced) effect by using graduated colors and eliminating the trim.

I would have rather have the gown in all black but Tulle is so fragile,  I'm wondering if I dare dye it.
Maybe some other brave soul will attempt it first. 

How to:
http://www.ehow.com/how_8044925_dye-tulle.html
http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/dye-tulle-27626.html

The accessories are the clutch purse which has a nice embroidered design, a lovely necklace and matching earrings. Getting the necklace required using jewelers' pliers to open the hook a bit.  I like that the clutch opens so the doll can insert a finger to actually hold it.
The ribbon ties on the shoes are a fiddly annoyance. I found that the arch of the shoe did not conform to the doll's feet but they stayed on anyway.

In addition, the mini giftset comes with some lingerie which I haven't put on a doll yet.

IT Photo

 As far as the doll herself, her hair is the same color as the other Poetic dolls - platinum. Even though I'm not a fan of the hair bump, I must say that her hair is beautifully done. I have seen it taken down and apparently there are no bald spots. That's a good thing for those intending to restyle.
If I were going to keep mine, I'd repaint her lips as I don't think the parted mouth does anything for this particular sculpt.

IT Photo

The Isha sculpt appeared for the first time in 2005 as Riveting Premier and as Age of Opulence.

In 2007, the same sculpt was used for two IFDC dolls as Luchia Z. Photos below are IT promo.

After that it was anyone's guess who was who as Isha lost her ethnic edge in all the incarnations except in "Purple Pose."

Another doll named Imogen used the sculpt as well, not too successfully I might add.**
**Ed. NOTE: I have been corrected. Imogen is not the same as Isha/Luchia. (1/22)

There may be more.  Only the Shadow knows.

My Favorite Doll

Our dog, Rudy, passed away this afternoon after a long battle with congestive heart failure and related illness. I have a huge empty space in my heart.
This beautiful poem helps a little.

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die. 

by Mary Elizabeth Frye

Not Just For American Girl Dolls Anymore

The very popular adolescent line of American Girl dolls offers accessories, furniture pieces and room settings which fashion doll collectors are going crazy over. As it turns out, these items which are made for the 18" American Girls actually work better with our 16" dolls!

First up is a shop called Grace's French Bakery which retails for a whopping $500. Prego member, Johanna, posted many pictures or her insanely fantastic collection which includes the La Patisserie and Grace's Pastry Cart  ($150) with her dolls.  If you look carefully, you will see Gene Marshall chairs and tables in the setting! It's perfect.

Johanna also showed us Samantha's Ice Cream Parlor  ($300) being visited by her Tonner Patience dolls.

Mike (laughon45) posted the following three rooms. He, like Johanna, has added other 1/4 scale furniture to enhance these American Girl rooms. All of the dolls he used in these settings are Kingdom Dolls.

Isabelle's Studio ($275) That's quite a transformation. I love it.

Caroline's Parlor ($300.) I want this one!

Photo by Seumas' Mom

 Juies Bed & Bedding ($125.) and Julie's Egg Chair Set ($100)
As if the Egg Chair weren't adorable enough, it is actually equipped with stereo speakers. You plug a cable from the chair into your own music source and your doll can enjoy.

Some retired American Girl pieces can be found on Amazon.com and on eBay.  Some sellers will say "fits American doll" when it's not genuine American Doll. It that matters to you, be aware.

Wilde Imagination: New for 2015 and a Bit of Yoko

If this doll doesn't look like Yoko Ono then I don't know......

"Bright Moon"   LE350    $229.00   In Stock

Evy's gown is stunning but just more of the same - lots of fabric, black, long, sweeping things going on. I think the glasses are a great touch even if they're out of character.
I love Yoko's leather embellished jacket.  Yoko was 80 in 2013 when this photo was made. Not bad, eh?

There are nine new dressed EG dolls. Among the nine is a Mortimer, an Angelique and an intense-looking Parnilla in a gorgeous sequined, faux fur trimmed coat. I use the word 'intense' in an effort to be diplomatic regarding my opinion of her face.

Parnilla "Time To Go"  LE350   $219.00   In Stock

Nine new outfits, too, are part of this release and only two of them are black. The prices are all under $100. for the new outfits, except for one.
This is my favorite. It's only a bustier and pair of shoes.

"Midnight Silver Set"   LE250  $69.00   Shipping 1/26

*************************

There are 11 new dressed Ellowynes which include a new male character, Penn. 

Most of the new Ellowyne line offerings are only sketches. 

 *************************

Out of all the other offerings, I must comment on Sad Sally. This line of 7" resin dolls is so darn adorable and highly tempting. I'm trying to be strong as they fit nowhere in my collection. But just look at these.

"Pretty Sad" is a new release. "It's My Hat" is not.

"Pretty Sad"     $260     Shipping 1/26     Edition Size not specified

"It's My Hat"    $285.00  In Stock  Edition Size not specified

One of the outfits available: (This is not a new one.)

"Happy to Be Sad" (Outfit Only)  LE200  $50.00  In Stock

WILDE IMAGINATION

Runway Right Away Vanessa, 2005

Vanessa Perrin "Runway Right Away" LE 1000  $89.99

Another gorgeous early Vanessa is seen above modeling a Randall Craig sheath.
Jewelry by Joy now going under the name of Exsyntrik on Etsy.
This Vanessa came on the first articulated body; however, I had already switched her to the first tall body when I took this picture.

Below is IT's original promotional photo.