Still waiting to re-root her hair. But I adore her so far. I should rename her Patience because Lord knows she's taken a lot of mine.
For love of Blythe and other dolly wonders...
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Vida and Molly Welcome the Fall
This weekend, Vida and Molly came along with me on a trip down memory lane at The Brooklyn Botanical Garden, my enchanted and beloved childhood haunt. I think they liked it. I sure did.
The BBG is one of the few things in my life that has remained as the same now as it was when I was a baby. So walking through it is like going back in time. My earliest lessons in life are the most valuable to me.
1903 (for zenzile)
I wrestled a bit over the purchase of my second House of Pinku dress, but only financially. Spiritually, there was no conflict. : )
I love just looking at this dress. V. Westphal is a genius as ever with the symmetry of her patterns and the signature buttons falling right in line on the design in the front.
This shade of green is one of my favorites and the the leaves take me right back to my recent trip to the Botanical Gardens in Brooklyn. The colors are so Fall inspired. Fall is quickly becoming my second favorite season next to summer. Maybe it always was. There's something sad and sweet and crisp and alive about the Fall. Harvest, the foliage turning earth tones and shades of gold, the air changing, bonfires, hibernation and long hot bathes. I welcome it.
I love just looking at this dress. V. Westphal is a genius as ever with the symmetry of her patterns and the signature buttons falling right in line on the design in the front.
This shade of green is one of my favorites and the the leaves take me right back to my recent trip to the Botanical Gardens in Brooklyn. The colors are so Fall inspired. Fall is quickly becoming my second favorite season next to summer. Maybe it always was. There's something sad and sweet and crisp and alive about the Fall. Harvest, the foliage turning earth tones and shades of gold, the air changing, bonfires, hibernation and long hot bathes. I welcome it.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Hello Kitty Loops Cereal
I know this is not on Blythe topic but I'm a big HK fan.The day I visit Tokyo, my head might just explode. I'm not kidding.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
I'll trade you my Licca for your ADG
THE LICCA BODY
THE ADG BODY
So I won this new Licca body for Reya on ebay, since the vinyl spray paint didn't dry well at all on the sticky legs of her original Takara body. The Licca body arrived at work yesterday and I could tell immediately that it wasn't the kind I thought it was. I thought it was just a Blythe Takara body without a head but it's called a Licca (that's the material it's made from) Takara body and while it resembles a Blythe Takara body, it's not exactly the same.
It's arms are not hard plastic but flexible and bendy and it's feet are bigger and it's legs don't bend in increments but wax like sort of like Gumby. And I don't even want to talk about those boobs. Please.
So I expressed my dissatisfaction yesterday morning on a couple of huge flickr Blythe pools along with possible plans to sell it and an inquiry as to who out there in Blytheland might have the body I needed.
Hello Jenny on flickr sent me a message later that night! She had an ADG (Ashton Drake) body I could use if I was interested, but wasn't sure what to charge. I said I'd be willing to buy it but that I could also give her the Licca body in exchange. We uploaded pics of each others doll bodies so we could each see what were getting and then made the deal for a trade. I love this!
I wish life was this easy. : )
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
GROOVY DOLLS! WHERE WERE YOU WHEN I NEEDED YOU??
Thanks to this Groovy dolls Blythe customization tutorial, the best I have found so far, I now realize how badly I screwed up on my SBL customization. I wonder though, if I would really have had an easier time of it if I had found this tutorial before I started on Reya. I'll never know now. But I will definitely be referring back to it if I ever do this again.
Today: Searching for Sharpie paint markers to paint Reya's scalp and prepare for re-rooting. Mohair is also starting to sound way to difficult to take care of so maybe I should just look for something wavy or curly.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Reya Test Shots
I put Reya's head on her old body just to get an idea what she would eventually look like. I put her in this Monkeyss dress I like. Her new body was shipped out today.
To re-root
I haven't exactly chosen which hair I'm using yet but I have decided that I want to re-root Reya's scalp myself. It may seem to be the hard way but something about it reminds me of knitting, in this regard, like knitting hair, and there's something that much more personalizing about it and about this whole process. I found this great tutorial on My Little Customs which I found on flickr of course from someone who ordered her doll customizing supplies there. My special crotchet hook is already on it's way. Now I just need to take that old blonde hair out and pick some new hair.
I'm getting excited.
I'm getting excited.
It's a small world!
WHOOOOOHOOOO!!!! Just discovered I'm in Group Two for the It's a Small World Blythe Doll Travel Route!!!!
It's a small world, if you don't remember is an idea thought up by Cookie95 on Flickr. "Two special Blythe dolls are packing their bags and heading out to explore the world and meet special people along the way." So basically, a whole bunch of us are splitting the cost (about 20 bucks each) of one Blythe doll and sending her all over the world to visit each of us for a few days. In those few days we will document her stay with us and and post the best pics on the Traveling Blythe Flickr pool. Eventually and hopefully, this will be a wonderful, collective record of all her cool travels around the world with us. There may even be a a book made out of it.
She (we don't know which Blythe she is yet) is scheduled to visit me in December. I'm number three on the Group 2 list for the North American region.
OH I CAN'T WAIT!!!! I hope I like her.
LOL!!!
It's a small world, if you don't remember is an idea thought up by Cookie95 on Flickr. "Two special Blythe dolls are packing their bags and heading out to explore the world and meet special people along the way." So basically, a whole bunch of us are splitting the cost (about 20 bucks each) of one Blythe doll and sending her all over the world to visit each of us for a few days. In those few days we will document her stay with us and and post the best pics on the Traveling Blythe Flickr pool. Eventually and hopefully, this will be a wonderful, collective record of all her cool travels around the world with us. There may even be a a book made out of it.
She (we don't know which Blythe she is yet) is scheduled to visit me in December. I'm number three on the Group 2 list for the North American region.
OH I CAN'T WAIT!!!! I hope I like her.
LOL!!!
Friday, September 18, 2009
To weft or not to weft
A look I was considering for Reya from the Marshmallow Factory on Etsy.So I just bought a new Takara Licca body for Reya, which I bid for to the death on ebay last night. I have to be really careful spraying this one because I will not be buying another.
But while I wait for that to arrive I'm now contemplating hair possibilities for Reya. I actually just bought a fine crotchet hook this week for re-rooting thinking I might just buy some human hair and re-root Reya's old scalp myself. That would take some time but it might look nicer if I do it myself. Also, since all the holes will already be there I would just follow that pattern. Another alternative would be to get someone else to do it for me. The Marshmallow Factory on etsy does full service mohair re-rooting for a price, but they only use Mohair and I worry that Mohair may not be very washable or might change in texture when wet. I inquired about it and I'm still waiting to hear back. So now I need to look at some DIY doll scalp re-root tutorials.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Vida Claims Copy Machine
There's a camera in every photocopier. This morning I used the work photo copier to take about thirty pictures of Vida. I got the idea from Hilary Wagstaff of Moshsi Moshi, one of my favorite Blythe doll clothing Designerson etsy. I love the way they came out but since they are copies, I have to scan them in order to convert them to jpgs and upload them on flickr.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
If I was to make her look like Lil Kim
I threw Reya's old scalp on her head last night just to see how it would fit. It fits perfect. Shopping for a new scalp and finding one with kinkier or curlier hair might be another giant pain. I may just save myself the time and customized this hair.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
The Birth of Black Reya
First off, I'm crazy.
Second, I wouldn't have it any other way.
Third, it ain't over yet.
This morning I went to the hardware store to buy a handsaw, rubber gloves and dust masks. It was painful sawing Reya's head open but it had to be done. It wasn't coming apart any other way and it was suggested by Blythe customizers who know way better than me. This has been one of the oddest things I have ever done. And it felt like something more than what it was although I don't know what that it is.
Because blackness is not the standard in many positive ways in this society, seeing Reya as a Black Blythe just kinda left me speechless and even when I f*cked her up on the first try I knew I had to do whatever I could to try and salvage the process because I just didn't want to lose her. But dayum! I will never do this again with a Blythe mold that doesn't come apart in three pieces!
A black doll shouldn't be so special but they are because they are so rarely seen in the mainstream market. So seeing Reya as a black doll, I felt suddenly that old feeling of false novelty that comes with being a "minority." I think all my dolls are special. I did even as a girl. But as a girl I was really able to play out my adventures the way I wanted to. As an "adult" I'm often not as free. I know better.
Crappy First Try
Success!
A glimpse of the future.
You can see the entire journey here. And it's not even over yet, because I have to put her back together again, find the right kind of hair for her. That's like the next chapter. Christ! I have a new found respect for the old dollmakers.
But now that I have gone this far I can honestly say I have created an original Black Blythe doll. Lets hope I can finish her up with less grief.
Second, I wouldn't have it any other way.
Third, it ain't over yet.
This morning I went to the hardware store to buy a handsaw, rubber gloves and dust masks. It was painful sawing Reya's head open but it had to be done. It wasn't coming apart any other way and it was suggested by Blythe customizers who know way better than me. This has been one of the oddest things I have ever done. And it felt like something more than what it was although I don't know what that it is.
Because blackness is not the standard in many positive ways in this society, seeing Reya as a Black Blythe just kinda left me speechless and even when I f*cked her up on the first try I knew I had to do whatever I could to try and salvage the process because I just didn't want to lose her. But dayum! I will never do this again with a Blythe mold that doesn't come apart in three pieces!
A black doll shouldn't be so special but they are because they are so rarely seen in the mainstream market. So seeing Reya as a black doll, I felt suddenly that old feeling of false novelty that comes with being a "minority." I think all my dolls are special. I did even as a girl. But as a girl I was really able to play out my adventures the way I wanted to. As an "adult" I'm often not as free. I know better.
Crappy First Try
Success!
A glimpse of the future.
You can see the entire journey here. And it's not even over yet, because I have to put her back together again, find the right kind of hair for her. That's like the next chapter. Christ! I have a new found respect for the old dollmakers.
But now that I have gone this far I can honestly say I have created an original Black Blythe doll. Lets hope I can finish her up with less grief.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Oh jeez
I don't wanna go into my room right now. Reya's head is in there. I hate it when I can't figure things out that I know can be done.
Learning to knit infuriated me
Figuring out how to upload pics from my new camera to my computer is making me angry
But getting expert advice on how to take a Blythe Doll's head apart and still not being able to to pry her face plate off is making me a bit depressed.
The thing is, If I'm going to spray her, I have to get her face plate off to remove her eye mechanism so that I don't ruin her eye chips and so that she is thoroughly covered. That's just how it's done.
It's been insane! I mean I had to cut her scalp off with a box cutter. At least I got her head off of her body.
I don't want to talks about what the next stop may have to be. I do need to hit the hardware store.
This is painful.
Learning to knit infuriated me
Figuring out how to upload pics from my new camera to my computer is making me angry
But getting expert advice on how to take a Blythe Doll's head apart and still not being able to to pry her face plate off is making me a bit depressed.
The thing is, If I'm going to spray her, I have to get her face plate off to remove her eye mechanism so that I don't ruin her eye chips and so that she is thoroughly covered. That's just how it's done.
It's been insane! I mean I had to cut her scalp off with a box cutter. At least I got her head off of her body.
I don't want to talks about what the next stop may have to be. I do need to hit the hardware store.
This is painful.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Emily Sand Matte
So then I matted Emily's face as well. You could say I went a bit sand matte crazy!
Francis told me that spray painting in the apartment would be dangerous because of the noxious fumes. I was like "can't I just open the windows really wide?" Wisely, he vetoed this suggestion as well. He's a smart man. That's why I keep him around. : )
But now I have to figure out exactly where the heck I'm going to do this. See, this is when it really helps to live in a house. I mean I might have to be one of those crazy people in the park sitting on the ground with elbow length rubber gloves, a mask and newspaper spread around on top of which I will lay assorted doll parts. Not a good look. But then I do take pictures of overpriced vintage dolls, own five cameras and have about four blogs, one of which document the daily progress of my doll collection so how can this be any crazier?
I'm thinking the bleachers in Marcus Garvey Park might be a good spot. More later.
Francis told me that spray painting in the apartment would be dangerous because of the noxious fumes. I was like "can't I just open the windows really wide?" Wisely, he vetoed this suggestion as well. He's a smart man. That's why I keep him around. : )
But now I have to figure out exactly where the heck I'm going to do this. See, this is when it really helps to live in a house. I mean I might have to be one of those crazy people in the park sitting on the ground with elbow length rubber gloves, a mask and newspaper spread around on top of which I will lay assorted doll parts. Not a good look. But then I do take pictures of overpriced vintage dolls, own five cameras and have about four blogs, one of which document the daily progress of my doll collection so how can this be any crazier?
I'm thinking the bleachers in Marcus Garvey Park might be a good spot. More later.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
New Clothes!
Love these! They just arrived in the mail today! That dress has pockets on the side. and the detail on that knit top is sick! it's just amazing! The shoes are more like goldish or pale yellow than tan but I love them as well. Plus, the new doll is here and If I can manage to not rip the box open until tomorrow, I will be so proud of myself.
Orange eyes
She's going out for a night on the town but not before walking through Central Park. My next challenge will have to be to take pics of these guys in a non-nature setting, something more cosmopolitan. I like the park because I now know exactly where the perfect isolated no human spots are. City spots are swarming with people. Iiiick. Well, we'll have to get over our shyness. People might at least be amusing.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
I Love You It's True... esta de caminooooooo!!!
Ahem!
This is my fifth Blythe. The one I purchased (quite by accident if you must know but the story is too long and treacherous to go into at this time) on ebay is a used one and so she will be arriving nude. To my credit it was an amazing deal. The price was so low with no bid in like the last 20 minutes of the auction! It was so amazing I couldn't help bidding on it just to see if someone would try to outbid me. And they did. And the rest is just a result of my insanely dangerous curiosity and tendency to got too far.
Anyway, now that she is mine and on her way, and now that the weather will be getting cooler which is ideal for drying paint I will be attempting to transform her into a beautiful Black Blythe!!
WISH ME LUCK!!
This is my fifth Blythe. The one I purchased (quite by accident if you must know but the story is too long and treacherous to go into at this time) on ebay is a used one and so she will be arriving nude. To my credit it was an amazing deal. The price was so low with no bid in like the last 20 minutes of the auction! It was so amazing I couldn't help bidding on it just to see if someone would try to outbid me. And they did. And the rest is just a result of my insanely dangerous curiosity and tendency to got too far.
Anyway, now that she is mine and on her way, and now that the weather will be getting cooler which is ideal for drying paint I will be attempting to transform her into a beautiful Black Blythe!!
WISH ME LUCK!!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
My First Blythes Blurb Book
For me, the whole purpose of buying a Blythe doll was so that I could photograph her and make this book a la Gina Garan, because I was so inspired by her and so shocked to discover through months of research that there are nor many American Blythe books on the market all.
The thing is I started to get distracted.
It started when I became part of the Blythe community on flickr, When I saw all the different Blythes, all the endless possibilities, all the clothes, I went crazy! i had to have more Blythe dolls because I had to have more options for photographs. In the meantime I kept having to remind myself to start the book every month or so.
I started it at home but still couldn't get it off the ground. Finally, I started it again one day at my job of all places. Something about creating it in the midst of chaos and clerical insanity made me happy and motivated.
It's a very modest book basically introducing all my Blythes, not at all like the thick volume of historical and urban study context I originally had in mind but it is a jumping off point to something bigger. I can't wait to order a copy!
Please feel free to visit my blurb page for a sneak peek. : )
The thing is I started to get distracted.
It started when I became part of the Blythe community on flickr, When I saw all the different Blythes, all the endless possibilities, all the clothes, I went crazy! i had to have more Blythe dolls because I had to have more options for photographs. In the meantime I kept having to remind myself to start the book every month or so.
I started it at home but still couldn't get it off the ground. Finally, I started it again one day at my job of all places. Something about creating it in the midst of chaos and clerical insanity made me happy and motivated.
It's a very modest book basically introducing all my Blythes, not at all like the thick volume of historical and urban study context I originally had in mind but it is a jumping off point to something bigger. I can't wait to order a copy!
Please feel free to visit my blurb page for a sneak peek. : )
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
The Traveling Blythe
A fantastic idea by Cookie95, a Blythe collecting friend of flickr. I hope we can actually get it together and do it. I would love to circulate an internationally communal Blythe to document and see how others document her travels as well. Heck, I wish I could be that Blythe!
And I'm not worried about shipping costs. Right Amanda?
: )
And I'm not worried about shipping costs. Right Amanda?
: )
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Blythe Players
How has it taken me this long to post this?
Emily and Vida doing the wedding scene from "When Harry Met Sally." I did a scene from "Short Cuts," "Broadcast News," and "The Player" but somehow this one came out the best.
Emily and Vida doing the wedding scene from "When Harry Met Sally." I did a scene from "Short Cuts," "Broadcast News," and "The Player" but somehow this one came out the best.
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