GIRL PLANET'S MONSTER HIGH FASHIONS!

Photo by girlplanet

I would really like to keep all those amazing dresses to myself! LOL! But word's bound to get out on Girlplanets amazing MH couture soon. A little bird happened to tell me that the line was just posted on her etsy shop tonight. I have been waiting for MONTHSSSS!!!! Every time she posted another amazing few photos of her mother's (yes, her mom creates these) beautiful dresses, I would just drool over them and try not to nudge her too much on exactly when they would be up for grabs. And now they're here!!! Sexy, understated, elegant, exquisite, shiny, soft, delicate and fierce. I purchased the dress above and a pair of sexy "wet" leggings. Oh, I cannot wait to get more. Weeee!!!!
: D

ADAD (A Doll a Day 365 on flickr)

Remember when I was doing Blythe 365 on flicker? It was a photo challenge that required all participants to take one picture of one Blythe doll a Day for a year. Reya, my selected doll and I failed on day 47. I can't really explain to you the pressure to be creative with one doll each and every day for days leading into months. I really admire those who succeed with it and really enjoy seeing their work.

Several weeks ago I dedicated myself to yet another 365 challenge; A Doll a Day. This one has been going much smoother because it allows me to take a picture of any doll I have, at least one, every day for a year. I'm on day 75 and don't feel any pressure at all. I had the terrible habit on occasion of forgetting and submitting photos to the pool after midnight but it doesn't seem be a problem. Check 'em out of you like.

Resigning from 365

So I just wanted to officially anounce that I have quit Blythe365 on flickr. You can't imagine the kind of pressure I felt coming up with creative, unique photo of Reya Light every single day, not to mention the anxiety of knowing I'd have to keep it up for the rest od the year. I mean I have homework, I have a life, and sometimes even dollies get the blues.  I don't regret quitting one bit and I am really thankful for all the comments  of support I've gotten from my Blythe flicker community and I sincerely cheer on everyone who continues their own 365 project.
I think being sick with a high fever since Thursday has really brought me down low. I mean, I just stopped, halted everything. My last photo I think was number 47. I chipped my two front teeth on the frigging craft needle I was using to re-root that scalp for Emily this weekend. That was kind of the end right there. I think I kind of had a bit of a breakdown over that.

I dunno, I feel like I might need to fall back on Blythe a little bit. I still have some clothes coming in for her from Hilary Wagstaff and this cute tweed coat from PinkyJane who I discovered on Facebook through my Blythe contact there, Bunny Brown. But that's just kind of my obessession with online shopping at work. I'll have to ease up on that all that soon as well.

And even having said all that, there is a seedling of excitement in me at the prospect of perhaps making another black Blythe soon. I found another shade of brown SEM vinyl paint this weekend on ebay and I got really excited. But I totally lost out (oh it still hurts!!!) on a really affordable Blythe I could have customized when I didn't buy it right away instead of waiting. It was for Punkaholic Blythe, shown above in a picture taken by mingstail on flickr possibly the only other Blythe left that I really want. I just love her, and I think she would make a great brown Blythe.  I already have a name picked out for her which I will not reveal here. I will not reveal her name unless I make her.

And yes, I know that some of you on my list serve have been waiting for me to customize a brown Blythe to give you and you must know, I really wish I could, if only it didn't literally cost me hundreds of dollars to make just for myself. I am just to poor to justify giving one away after all that work and money. And I mean I would really love to make one for somebody. I wish I was doing it as my job. But it's really not as simple as buy a Blythe and spray her black. Oh man is it ever not that simple!! It's a crazy undertaking. But when I finally make the decision, it suits me somehow. 

What I could do, is if you want to buy your own Blythe, you could send her to me with a desired color (Check SEM Motors on ebay for color swatches) and I can take her apart and sand matte her face spray her send pics and send her packing back to you. That could work. Anyway, it's something to think about.

I don't think it's Avatar

A really clever teeny Blythe video made by Pamela Hutton. Also she's made all the little drinks, snacks and popcorn as well. I love it when people never grow up. Please watch.
: )

Mail, Projects, Ideas, The latest

HAPPY NEW YEAR BLYTHERS AND BLYTHE LOVERS!


BLYTHE 365Number 1 of 365

So on flickr, there is a group called Blythe 365. The point of this picture pool is to choose one of your Blythes and commit to taking a picture of her a day, everyday for a year, no matter what and submit each one, each day to that pool. It helps of course to make a set in your own account, eg 365 Days of "BlytheDoll" so you can look at your own progress as you go. I've observed with great admiration and awe as many of my own flickr friends and contacts do this (Hello Jenny is one of my favorite 365ers) and have been considering it for the past few months or so, especially near the end of this summer. I even did a 365 audition where I took pics of the five trying to figure out pros and cons of their photogenic abilities and which one would I be able to make this commitment to for a year! I mean I take pictures of them a lot but only when I feel like it. This would mean having to be inventive even when I'm wiped out and pissy, bored or overwhelmingly busy but I love what I've seen come out of this project.

You get this really funny, creative and often inspiring narrative, not only of a doll but also of the photographer. I love it. So I kinda bit the bullet last week and named Reya the winner not only because I adore her but because she is notoriously problematic to photograph. Her dark color makes we work extra hard to find the right lighting for ideal exposures of her and it's a genuine challenge. When I get it right, I feel really accomplished. So there's that. I am presently on day 4. I guess I should start posting the pics here so you can watch the fun. We'll see. : )

In other news, there are some other projects at hand and some mail that should be arriving soon but I swear, I've been bargain shopping! On the way are:

-Green converse (used on Plastic Paradise)
-Rollerskate shoes (used on Plastic Paradise)
-A cheerleading outfit I found on Ebay Singapore (Don't ask. I stumbled on it)
-Three plastic headbands by cupcakecozy (Hello Jenny) on etsy
-Two mini Lucky Blythe Magazines by confettilexi
Okay, that does sound like a lot but trust me, they are all very affordable.


Emily has been wearing a blue bob wig since I removed her scalp this summer and I love it but it's time to do a permanent re-reoot on her old scalp so I ordered some Saran hair for her from My Little Customs last month. They have the largest online selection of dolls hair I've seen thus far and they're displayed so well, it's like looking at candy. The hair I ordered is this amazing color changing orange. It's heat sensitive and when touched changes from a dark orange to a bright yellow!! Weeeee!!! But before I can get all excited about the color changing abilities of hair I have to perfect my lock and loop re-root technique which I failed miserably to do with Reya. But that was because I used human hair. I hear that Saran synthetic hair is much easier.


And last but not least I am increasingly more curious about these Blythe Doll knock offs called Blybes. Some collectors have begun to embrace her as a doll that's more affordable and ideal for customization. Collectors with similar interests have been experimenting the two types of knock off, CCEs and Blybes to see which is more compatible with a better quality Takara or Lica Blythe body. I will wait until I see a really good looking one before I attempt a Blybe re-make myself but I've been itching to design another doll of color and the Blybe may be a great way to start.

Boogie Beach Reese (and my crazy doll schedule)

Originally uploaded by Bubblegum18

Did I mention that I purchased Boogie Beach Reese last week? I did. So I am awaiting her arrival along with Jungle Fever (Ugh, that name!) in the next week or so. The last doll I get for a long while may be a male integrity doll, Takeo Mizutani. Because I like some good old action as much as the next guy and besides, these chicks need some testosterone. Takeo, as he is called is on a "Moscow Mission" and comes in dark suit and has a long kick ass Katana blade for dismembering enemies or the very badly dressed.

In other news Perrin, The Traveling Blythe will soon be on her way to me to visit NYC and the Fab Five for a few days in December. I got an email from the TB crew today verifying my mailing address. which I decided to make my work address because I would just die if I had to deal with the deadbeats at my local post office to get Perrin safely home. I can't wait to see her in person! Her first stop was Chicago and now she is in Canada. I'm her third stop!! YIPEEEE!!!

More Trouble

So recently, I've been cooling down my Blythe doll obsession a bit, mostly because, after purchasing Sabine, I've had to re-focus and manage my finances around that investment. I've been broke. So while I'm still browsing etsy, Miss Blythe, picking up a cheap vintage Barbie outfit hither and thither on ebay, I'm really being more frugal, saying no to Moshi Moshi and staying away from Ann Blythe on flickr.
However, my curious mind always leads me down paths of mischief and I've noticed recently that on flickr there are literally scads of Blythe owners posting pics for clean out sales. You're not supposed to do this on flickr but if you're careful you can post pics of clothes and just indicate that people should contact you. I've done this on more than one occasion but always thought I was just lucky to find one or two people who happened to be doing this. It's great when the clothes are second hand but in good condition because they're much more affordable.

I just did a general search on flickr for the words Blythe clean-out sale.
....Ummm, I'll be riiiight back.

BTW: I have not forgotten about my Black Blythe Customization. I have gathered all the materials. The hour is close at hand.
: )

How to Make a Black Blythe Doll (The Journey Part1)

I've been doing some intense research online, specifically the "Black Blythe is Beautiful" group on Flickr which has many conversation threads around this subject. I posted topics, asked around. I received the message below in my flickr mail today. I've also been trying to reach out and get a sense of how many black women out there are collecting Blythe dolls and what their feelings are about the total lack of information on Black Blythe customization or the fact that Ashton Drake or Takara never made a black doll.

Hi!

Am trying to customize a black blythe doll and have seen that you've been looking on the same threads as I am. Have you had any luck?!? I'm just going to try a black skipper body with spray paint for plastic that matches for the face. Please let me know if you find anything out, and I will do the same for you. FunnyBunny is a very good source and very nice and helpful. Good luck!

Hi there!
I am slowly moving in the direction of customizing a black Blythe but I just feel there is a sadly lacking amount of instruction available on how to do so and I'm not sure why because I get the sense that a significant number of Blythe collectors want to make one. I have some superfine sanding paper, and I've got my eye on some vinyl spray paint on ebay motors because I read somewhere that this was the best spray especially for rubbery bendy parts like the legs. But i'm still terrified to open my Blythe's head. I don't know if I can put it back together right. And I'm not really confident about the sanding process either.

Pucchi collective has a lot of tutorials on everything but this. So far the only site I've found on one black blythe customization is by jazzmade but but even she claims that this worked for her and may not work for everyone. So I'm pushing on, looking everywhere I can. If I hear of anything I will definitely let you know!

: )

Hubby Thinks I'm Crazy

There's a long thread on the Blythe Blythe Blythe Flickr group entitled, "How did you first discover Blythe" and it is endlessly fascinating reading everyone's first Blythe experience story. If I was ever serious about doing a book on Blythe there is some really great stuff here. But what I'm really struck by is the ongoing theme of women who's husbands or significant others think they are crazy because of this hobby or obsession. I constantly read stuff like "my hubby also thinks I'm crazy" or "my b/f thinks im crazy now."

Myself, I have a significant amount of self consciousness around Fran when I'm playing or dressing or taking pictures of the dolls. He doesn't say anything but since I know he's freaked out by them, I have a deeper paranoia that he also thinks I'm crazy even though I'm sure he doesn't. It doesn't matter. I tend to sort of hide them when he's around and feel a little weird that I love them so much when he's so freaked out by them. I guess that's because I am usually able to share everything with him and this has (insane as it seems) become such a huge part of my life, yet I can't really show him the results of any of it.

I haven't told him about the third one I bought recently. I kind of want to just put it away for a bit when I get it and then pull her out later so it seems like she was always there. How insane is this?? I'm talking about DOLLS!

But that's just it you know? It's not just me So what is the deal? What's at the heart of all this?

1668 (for zanalee)

1668 (for zanalee)
Originally uploaded by valentine westphal

Here is the most expensive dress I have purchased for Blythe so far. This is because I basically designed it. I found Valentine Westphal of House of Pinku on flickr. You cannot look at all her dresses in one sitting. She's that prolific. She is working at it like every week. Her dresses are categorized by charming and simple silhouettes and she has a gift for combining an eclectic array of patterns which really appeals to my abhorrence to too much matchey matchiness.

She does tons of custom stuff and most of the dresses on her flickr photostream have already been sold.

When I commissioned her to make a dress for me, she asked what my favorite colors, patterns and silhouettes were and then she sent me links to postings of several fabric choices. I chose these two before I had too much time to think about it because most all the fabric selections she sent me were beautiful. I was instantly drawn to that lime green hexagonal pattern on the bodice and although I told her I didn't care which pattern made up the most of the dress, I'm really glad she chose to use the flower and cattail fabric for the skirt.

Lastly, she asked me what buttons I wanted for the dress and I knew for sure I wanted those hearts. I had seen them on other dresses she made and just passed out with adoration. That orange polka dot lining was her choice and I love it. I mean I love that it has lining period! I just paid for it on Paypal, which is fast becoming my new favorite secure monetary transaction source. That shit is better than Western Union!

Anyway, I hope Emily and Molly appreciate this. After this purchase, Mommy will be cutting her dolly clothes spending off for awhile. I need to save money for upcoming human activities. Besides, I think I now have enough to start working on my fourth Blurb book.
More on that later.

Blythe Photography in Public (part 2)

I went out early this Sunday morning to take pics of Molly in Marcus Garvey Park. I still feel weird about it. I go to really remote places so that no one will see and so early, barely anyone is ever up. I'm more comfortable when I get into it because then it's just like photographing anything which I do all the time but I'm always super conscious of sounds of footsteps or low voices. The other thing is that that early in the morning, the sun is often way too hard and washes out a lot of detail in your subject. Great natural light is the kind we're all familiar with. It allows you to not only see marvelous detail but it also creates a mood and an emotion. I think I'll need to do like an afternoon in Central Park with Emily and Molly. There are just so many places to shoot there and perhaps, since it's not in my own neighborhood, I may not feel as self conscious about it.

As I mentioned recently, I got some really great responses from people to my "Blythe Photography in Public" discussion post in the flickr group "BLYTHE BLYTHE BLYTHE." I discovered there were more this morning. Below is another one I really appreciate.

momoko_girl_1 Pro User says:

Zanalee, I have been taking my dolls out for pics for years now. My suggestion is that you just do it! At first, you will feel self conscious, but it gets easier and easier each time you take them out. You will be surprised by people's reactions. Some will snicker, some will embarrassed for you, some will be curious and ask if you work for a magazine or why are you doing this. Some will offer to hold the doll for you to take a picture of you and the doll and some will ask what kind of doll is she. Some people will think she's pretty, some people will think that it's cool! Most of all what you will find is that most people are actually very nice and curious about what you are doing.

But, the reason why I tell you to "just do it"? You will open up your world of photo taking, you will become enthused about taking her to different locations, you will put a smile on your own face!

As for being nuts, I don't think anyone can explain what it is that makes Blythe such a fascination for us. But then, why do we feel the need to find an explanation? The fact is, we love a doll with a big head and changing eyes. She is our muse, she is a source of happiness and fills a need for each of us. I say, "embrace that" and don't ever be shy about it! After all, many adults continue to play basketball or baseball (activities associated with children), many still read comic books, many collect miniature cars, many still roller blade, and some even dress up as cowboys and go to the range the 3rd Saturday of every month to join others in cowboy action shooting (my husband and sometimes me). So, you see there are many people other than us enjoying things that are associated with childhood. I would be willing to bet that people who have hobbies, indulge in them, and enjoy them are happier people than those who have no hobbies at all.

I hope to see some of your "public place" pics of Blythe soon! :0)
Maggie

[Flickr] You are rlkataja's newest contact!‏

These are the people I love connecting with on flickr. Below is the profile for my newest contact who just added me to her flickr network. She also has a shop on Etsy. Weeeeeeee!!! : )

Hello!
I am so glad to have found the world of BLYTHE!!! I'm not sure how I stumbled upon her but I'm soooo happy I did!
I joined Flickr really as a way to communicate more with others who love Blythe as much as I do!!! I feel silly sometimes to tell people how much I LOVE this doll. Some of my friends (and my 14 year old!) think it is all sooo weird and don't really understand that BLYTHE is "NOT" your ordinary doll! She is sooo special and Unique!
(my daughter does like the outfits I make though and my new addition AA!)

I work a day time job @ the McCall-Butterick and VOGUE pattern company in NYC as an illustrator. I love my job and really enjoy all the creative people I work with. I have access to lots of great fabrics-trims-etc. Making Blythe clothing is my newest and most loved Passion!!! (besides my daughter "Linnea" and my big fat cat "Buster")

:)

Here is my Flickr group to post pics of your girls in my fashions:
www.flickr.com/groups/586849@N25/

Molly Mol

DSC_1504
Originally uploaded by zanalee

I'm just starting to get Molly's look. Her hair has been a bit challenging me as I'm so used to all the light easy body of Emily's hair which will do anything. Molly's hair color is beautiful but the Takara hair is flat and really just hangs but today I really started to feel her look. She's more of a "natural" girl.

Project Black Blythe

I have been getting so much helpful mail from Blythe collectors in my flickr correspondence that it’s really made me feel like part of a little community. It usually happens while I’m browsing through flickrverse adding favorites and leaving comments as I go. Someone will check out my pics, add faves and essentially do the same and then add me as a contact so that they can see any new pics I upload in the future on their home page. This is how I came to correspond with Amanda Ruth, a young lady (also an etsy seller) who is in the process of knitting a cute green dress for Emily. It was a dress I saw posted on her flickr set and I as soon as I saw that she had an etsy shop I had to ask her if she could make me that dress.

I’m still trying to figure out a way to get plasticfashion (Laura is her name) to make me a pair of her Blythe jeans. She has a shop on Etsy and Artfire but there is nothing on either of them. That really irritates me especially given how prolific she is. Her Blythe clothes are incredibly detailed and well made and when I saw the jeans I nearly passed out. My mom was a professional seamstress back in the day and we always had at least two sewing machines in the house so I know how hard it is to make clothes for people. I never cared for it myself. I’m more into design. I can only imagine how difficult it must be making accurate measurements for a doll dress.

My latest correspondence is from Jewels Blueberry who just finished customizing a black Blythe, something I am determined to do in the next few months or so. I commented on how nice her doll looked and mentioned my plans as well as a looming lack of confidence about it since I have never done anything like this. She sent me a message in flickr mail right away: a set of clear, detailed and simple instructions on how to make a black Blythe and assurance that it really is pretty simple. It filled me with encouragement and at now I east feel like maybe this is something I can successfully do. I think it will be an interesting and socially informative undertaking, you know? Will a can of spray paint be the only thing to make a Blythe doll black? Stay tuned.

Bring Blythe to Work Day

So I brought Emily to work with me today in a small Gap bag, and I feel surprising normal about it for the most part. My supervisor actually squealed with joy when she saw her sitting on top of the desk next to my camera. Apparently she's seen my pics of her on flickr and now in love. That made me really happy. I hadn't even realized I'd left her out. I was trying to be incognito but Blythe actually appears to fit in rather well. I'm taking her to lunch on Bryant park in a few and will probably get some busy shots with her and a few co-workers later.

Still waiting for all the clothes I ordered for her to come in. I haven't received one thing yet and I'm starting to get a little anxious. Worst case scenario, they get here on or around my birthday. That would be great.

Morning Blythe!

Emily Blythe got me up really early this morning to take pictures of her in front of the windowsill. It’s a gorgeous day and the wind is blowing pretty strong. I love the smell of the air in the Spring. I guess Blythe does too.

It is possible to take pictures of Blythe that are too perfect. I’m not really into just good pictures of her. I have to take a few warm up shots of her just looking like a cute doll until she begins that subtle but definite shift into a sort of silent, human like animation and begins to reveal a personality. It takes some time but after a while she does start to look like she’s either bored or really engaged. Or maybe that’s just me waking up and projecting on her. Either way, you can see it. She starts to show her many faces.

Click on this photo to see the entire series on my flickr account.

A New Scarf for Emily Blythe

Believe it or not I was up really late last night looking at over a thousand Blythe pics by a flickr user named bitterstrawberries. She's really an amazing photographer and really brings out the personalities of these dolls. One of them had this really cute scarf on and it inspired me to knit one for Emily myself while watching the movie RocknRolla. I think it came out pretty good. Of course it only took about twenty minutes or so.