Another Kate Middleton Doll and More Royal Silliness

"Kate Middleton Doll, The Royal Engagement, Vinyl Portrait Doll by Paradise Galleries. Phew. That's a  mouthful. This one will be available on Amazon.Com beginning April 15. No price is listed.
This one is prettier but IMO still doesn't look like the real thing.

This is for the human owner of the doll.

The doll mentioned in my previous post is even worse than I thought. Look at this picture:

Here is an excerpt from the San Francisco Chronicle:
London's famous Hamley's toy store just introduced the Barbie-like doll that sells for 35 pounds ($75).
The toy store's website says that this doll "oozes British style"--although it seems that the doll's resemblance to Kate is less than striking. The doll has a horsey sort of look to her face; Kate is much prettier.
The doll is sporting a royal blue dress similar to the one Ms. Middleton wore when her engagement to Prince William was first announced last winter.
She's carrying an Eaton clutch bag that's an exact replica of Kate's with gold-colored fake snakeskin leather, a horseshoe clasp and a gold chain.
The slingback heels are inspired by British shoe designer Beatrix Ong and even feature a miniature Ong label on the insole.
And of course, the doll is wearing a shimmery purple amethyst engagement ring.
If you want to buy this special commemorative doll, then you better act now. Only 10,000 were made and anything related to Kate sells out fast. After the media got their hands on engagement images of Kate in her blue dress, stores carrying the same frock sold out of it within hours.

Every household needs one of these in addition to a few dolls:

Do you think it has coloring pages inside? I would like that. ;-)

This post is definitely going down the drain.

HRH Prince William and Kate Middleton Royal Bobble Heads

Only $80.16

Here is an item for your crown jewels, Royal Wedding Commemorative Condoms Collector's Edition. No, I am not kidding. Click on the link below and read.

"Lie back and think of England."

Pretty Woman ~ Not So Pretty Doll

Soon-to-be Princess of Wales, Catherine Middleton, has been poorly rendered as a doll. It is being sold in London for 35 British Pounds. Sad.

I'm sure it's not the last or the worst.

Diorama 101: How to Make 1/6 Scale Dioramas by Nina

Are your dolls looking for something to read?

This real-looking bookcase library is scaled for 11-13 inch dolls. If you would like to learn how it was created, go to Nina's website, to a post entitled Dioramas 101 to find out.

Nina covers topics such as One Wall Dioramas, Walls, Floors, Dos and Don'ts.  Although directed at 1/6 scale collectors, all the techniques can be adapted to other scales.

Fashion Doll Quarterly: Summer 2011 "Fantasy"

The latest issue of FDQ is shipping now. While waiting for your copy, check out this wonderful and interesting video of Robert being interviewed by editor, Pat Henry.
The Fantasy issue is multi fashion doll oriented and features interviews, photographic essays, doll and artist information and so much more.  Pat's stunning photography graces the two distinctive covers which are available on this issue.
My own contribution on the hats of Cisca Durieux is included.

Click on the magazine cover below to see the Robert Tonner interview. 

Progress with Ekaterina and Hand

Conditioning and trimming helped tame Ekaterina's hair. A little gel added texture and control. I am happy with her hair now.  I never loved Dreamscape's gown but it was hanging out and E needed clothes. It's too tight in the bust so I basted it closed. It is cute on her.

Pokey and Gumby snuck in there when I wasn't looking.

Re: the broken FR2 hand stem. I was wondering if the bust part of the torso could be pulled off of the rest of the body like Tonner bodies. Yes, they can.

I used a small diameter drill to open up the clog.

The next step is making the pin on the replacement hand smaller so it will fit inside properly. Stay tuned.

This is not turning out well.

Today I worked on Dasha's hair and it finally looked nice. I put on her jewelry and shoes all the while handling her extremely carefully. In order to put on her solid bracelet, her hand must be removed. I pulled gently on the left hand and it came out. Unfortunately the plug end stayed inside the forearm with nothing protruding. 
This has gone beyond frustrating.
I wonder if I can drill it out. I have a Dremel and fine jewelers bits. If I can drill the pin to make it slimmer, I might be able to remove it and use one of her replacement hands. So now I will have to undress her in order to wrap her for protection. Not fun.

Renegade Dasha Needs a New Hair Stylist and So Does Integrity Toys

She looked gorgeous when I opened the box. Renegade is stunning in her red fashion. Her screening is gorgeous. Her hair color is a blend of light blondes. I love the color. But look at the back. WTF?

What is this?

I was so hoping I would love everything about this doll. The pony tail hair is divided into two sections. One is rolled under and ends are caught up in the hair that wraps around the ponytail. Did you get that?
Who thought up this stupid hairstyle?  It does not work and it looks ridiculous. Someone at IT had to approve it. The prototype was different but I never examined the back.
I will fix it by taking the end of the curled clump out and boiling it straight. I'm quite certain that I will have to take it all out. It ruins the joy of a new doll. That's two ruined dolls because of the hair. I am still waiting for my Flawless Elise replacement head.

Don't turn around.

 Maybe that's why she has side glancing eyes.

I Love How You Love Me — Poppy Parker Gift Set

A great benefit of being a shipping buddy to a collector who lets me debox to lower the weight of their shipment is that I get to play and photograph their goodies.
"I Love How You Love Me" is a Dolls Magazine exclusive of only 300 pieces and the retail price was $150. There was a huge brouhaha on the day half of these items went up for order as the link crashed and an alternate link was put up. Many who would have ordered did not know of the alternate link and it caused a great deal of angst. It's my opinion that this is part of the reason that the secondary market rise in price of this gift set.
This season's Poppy Parker fashions do not appear to have the same styling as prior years. Although this set is primarily white, the clothes on the rest of the season's Poppy's and Darla are darker and more sophisticated. Something is changing.

 She comes wearing a white a-line dress that has lovely bodice detailing with a pleated back and the omnipresent bow. This set has a total of eight bows. I may have missed one or two.
The coat is a different fabric from the dress. It is a thin brocade with silver thread running throughout. The jumper is simple and goes over a frilly white blouse. Her pajamas are a smooth fabric, perhaps a polished cotton, with ruffled lace and ribbons and matching panties. The accessories consist of 3-fingered gloves, clutch bag, hair bow, red flats, white low-heeled shoes, fuzzy slippers, lace pantyhose, regular pantyhose, pearl stud earrings and a hat pin.

The best pictures I've seen of this doll show her hair restyled. As it comes it is styled into 3 hard rolls without butter.