Random Photos-Look At The Wee Dragon!

I still have dolls patiently awaiting shoes, and then a photo session.  I console myself with the thought that this is still January, and I just haven't properly gotten into the swing of things yet.  I do plan to post regularly soon, at least once a week, as well as get many, many more dolls, toys, and fashion doll outfits sewn up and listed.  But that darn day job, the one that I rely on to pay the rent and car payment, and keep the internet on, yeah, that's been pretty busy.  :D

Enough excuses!

On to the latest little creation, and the subject of today's randon photos.

I just discovered another wonderful pattern creator on Etsy, TypingWithTea.

I purchaed her little dragon pattern, and made up my first of what I anticipate will become a tiny, adorable army very soon.  :)

The pattern has lots of pictures to guide you along, and this little guy was made up in a very short time.  The tiny pieces for the spikes, claws, and horns might generate some cussing, mostly from my losing track of them as I go, but they're definitely the key to the cute factor.  I will definitely be going back to try other patterns soon, but I told myself I must resist while I finish up the multiple of projects I am currently juggling.

So for now, here are some pictures.

Random Photos!-New Little Dolls, Plus Some Monsters...

I did get my Poppy Parker doll set, but a sick kitty and life in general got in the way of taking lots of photos.  And in the way of sewing, and taking pics.

But fortunately my old kitty is doing better, and now I'm just fighting the day job and other chores for time to play.  :D

I managed to make some more Binky Boos, a Pocket Poppet, and finally, some Mini Blobby Monsters. 

My Wilde Imagination Amber doll agreed to pose with a monster or two.  :)

New Dress For Victoire Roux

Doll Photography By Sharon Wright gave me some motivation to finally make my Fashion Royalty Victoire Roux doll a new dress.  She put out an "all call" for designers to send her a dress that she may be able to use in an upcoming photo shoot she landed for a fashion magazine.

Now, there's definitely no guarantee this will be used by her for that photo shoot, or any she has in mind.  But the possibility, and the theme she suggested of "Fantasy Princess" (on the dark side of things!) got the creative juices going.

I have a ton of doll clothes patterns, but typically I purchase them for inspiration and instruction more than actually planning to make those specific clothes.  The few fashion doll outfits I've made over the last year or two have been done on a whim.  I've had a piece of fabric I liked, started draping it on a doll, and then started hand sewing.

That's definitely the case with this one.  I had a red fabric that feels like upholstery weight, with a light pattern.  In general I knew I wanted a big, voluminous skirt and a corset style bodice, so I started folding and stitching.  It took me roughly four hours by my estimation, over two days.  I finished up hand sewing the skirt into shape/place this afternoon.

I had a few props I added for interest, including the sword, funky "belt", and a necklace intended for an American Model or Super Dollfie sized doll.  The boots I've had for years.

Sharon Wright is a busy lady, but extremely nice, too.  She sounded excited to see the dress and props, and even if she can't use them in her upcoming shoot, she offered to still take a picture of the dress for me to use.  Definitely a class act!

I'm excited to see how she photographs the dress, no matter the use.  If you're not already following her page on Facebook, if you're a fan of dolls, or photography, you really need to!

So here are my pics, including one using Sharon Wright's nifty doll suspension stand.  It was nice to not have to have my doll constantly leaning against the wall for a photo.  :D

And now my favorite one of the set I took-where I added some lighting effects in Photoshop:

Random Photos Day-Maudlynne Macabre

Tonner's Maudlynne Macabre doll was one I anxiously waited to be released.  When I finally got her, I was smitten.  Those big eyes!  Those worried brows hidden under her bangs!  And she's flexible, and can even stand on her own.

Plus, her back story was one I felt I could relate to.  Basically she's a shy young girl who would rather stay in her room and read than venture out and gasp! meet people!  :D

I made up some tiny toys this weekend, a miniature version of a doll I made last Xmas, and named Blobby Monsters.  I've been making full sized versions, but until the holidays roll around again, they are probably just going to work on taking over at least a corner of the house.

But with the quest to miniaturize Binky Boos, I found myself picking up scraps of felt and fleece, and voila!  A micro/mini Blobby Monster was born.  And Maudlynne seems like a girl who would appreciate them, so I pulled her out for a few random pics.

Random Photos Day-Horsman Urban Vita

Look at me, labelling this post as "Random Photos Day", as if it's something I've ever done before. :D

But, this could easily become a "thing". I love to snap photos of my dolls, so why not share some when they turn out at least halfway decent?

I currently am using a Canon G12 for the majority of my photos. My hubby has a Canon Rebel, an older model (I can't think of the version off the top of my head, but we've had it for at least five years now, maybe seven), which I am encouraged to use when I feel the need. I sometimes go through the extra time and hassle to pull it out and use, but often I just want a few quick pics while the mood is upon me. Plus, using the professional level camera makes me feel like I should pull out all the stops and set up our mini photo box, and take "proper" pictures.

So in lieu of the extra steps, I normally opt to set up my makeshift photo stage, consisting of two pieces of foamboard duct taped together with cardboard on the back of one to keep it standing upright. I drape that with grey fleece, which seems to work the best for most shots. Or, in the case of these photos, I'll pull out pieces from my giant stash of scrapbook paper for backdrops. With the G12, I just use the "auto" settings, which normally turn out well as long as I have good light coming into my office that day.

So here are a few photos of my lovely Horsman Urban Vita "My Valentine" doll. I love the wig she came with, and those big earrings. She looks 1920's-era glamorous, but still modern. She's wearing a sweater I knit up on a whim.

And now for my favorite picture of My Valentine I took today:

Click picture for larger image