"Oops" Happens

I was cleaning house on my computer and found this picture from a set I took last year.  Its a nice reminder of how easily and often these dolls just tip over when trying to take pictures.  I know it can be frustrating when you have them "just right and your camera is in focus!" and BOOM.  Face-plant.

But thats ok!  This happens to everyone and takes some practice to find the best ways to balance your doll. It is an experience and theres something to be gained from that.

***sorry Cece!

Introducing Valour

Valour is my second custom doll and a very simple one at that.  The base doll I used was Marie Grace and she left over from my first custom doll project, Fable [1].  My original intention was to give my Marie Grace Doll Ruthie's dark, curly wig but once I had it on MG that wig did not feel just right to me. Also, I quickly realized that I already had mostly dark haired dolls in my current group [2].

  

Original Marie Grace and Ruthie

None of the dolls currently offered by American Girl had wigs that really excited me so I scoured the internet for "the perfect wig". I found many many beautiful wigs I would have loved to use that were offered for Ball Jointed Dolls (BJD) but unfortunately they were too small [3]. Most of the wigs I found in the correct size felt highly dated or were not in a style I liked.  That is until I found this beauty.

So much puff!

It has this awesome 80's vibe to it and the style and color gives my collection a wider balance and variety. Plus I just love the voluminous, craziness of all those curls!

You might have noticed that this post lacks *ahem* variety in the angles used to photograph Valour.  I am finding the Marie Grace face mold difficult to photograph in a flattering manner, which is a shame since it really is a beautiful mold to see in person [4]. I am not too worried though. With practice I will learn.

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Foot notes:

[1] Fable is a Ruthie doll with Marie Grace's wig and hand painted freckles.

[2] Currently 3/4 of my dolls have black/brown hair.

[3] I needed at least a size 11 wig and most BJD wigs I was finding were a maximum of about size 9.

[4] Finding a flattering hairstyle was a big issue when choosing a wig for Valour. A lot of the wigs I considered would not be doing that face mold many favors. 

Ikat Accordion Pleat Dress

On July 4th I went thrift shopping with a friend and found this awesome accordion pleated skirt originally from The Gap [1]. After a few days, though, I decided that this cotton, silk blend skirt was not for me and it ended up as sewing scraps.

                                                                               

Originally I was intending to use the Lisianthus Dress pattern by Melody Valerie Couture but it took a life of its own when I encountered issues due to my inexperience working with this type of fabric. But in the end I won.

 

  

Side detail

All in all, this dress made a great learning experience for me. There are some things I now know to look out for with fabrics that are light and fray very easily.

               

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Foot Notes

[1] I forgot to photograph the skirt before I took it apart but was able to find a picture of it through the magic of Google:

Image soure

Fable and her new Kaya doll

Fable is wearing... American Girl's Plaid Party Dress in the first set of pictures. In the last two pictures Fable is wearing a blue dress created by me, the shoes from Caroline's Birthday Dress, and the shirt from American Girl's retired Picnic Outfit (1998).

Introducing Fable

Here she is! My first custom AG doll, Fable. 

Before starting this project I made a promise to myself.  I would not alter or post pictures of my new doll until I had successfully launched my Etsy store, Pip & Twitch. As of May 9th, my store has been open!  I sell prints of my original paintings and paper cut art. Check it out  =]

www.etsy.com/shop/PipAndTwitch

My original intention was to put Ruthie's wig onto Marie Grace but in the end the combo did not seem just right to me. BUT…. I fell in LOVE with Marie Grace's wig on Ruthie.

I had the idea months ago but was too nervous to take the plunge, make the purchase, and then to actually modify a doll. However once I heard about the potential, impending retirement of these two I decided to get on it.

   

Fable has the classic face mold with light lip coloring and grey eyes. Her hair is a light reddish brown color with blonde highlights only in the top layer of her wig. It reaches down to her hips in soft waves. I also gave her custom, hand-painted freckles which I think suit her beautifully. 

Plus I am AMAZED as to how well MG's hair color matches Ruthie's eyebrows considering how dark Ruthie's hair is in comparison.

The Good and the Bad

The good news is that both Marie Grace and my mystery doll arrived.  The bad news is I need to delay my project due to the fact I need to have the mystery doll exchanged! She arrived with a giant glob of glue in her wig so for now I took some pictures of Miss Cecile showing off her new parasol.

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Foot notes:

Cecile is wearing Addy's Plaid Summer Set and carrying the Lacy Parasol from Marie Grace's and Cecile's collection

Exciting Decisions and Updates

After much debate I have decided I really want to try customizing a doll(s).  After seeing creations and doll combos done by other individuals I was sold on an idea so I finally decided to just do it and take advantage of the current free shipping through American Girl.

Here's a hint for part of what I will be working with:

Marie Grace

However it will be a while until I reveal them.  Although my dolls will arrive very soon, I have decided not to even unbox them until I complete a very important project.

Launching the Etsy shop for my art work.

This shop has been in the works since last year but I just never got around to truly working out all of the details and kinks.  Well enough is enough and I will finally take the plunge!

Wish me luck!

Oh yikes.  It's been a while since I have posted so I broke out the camera to get a little practice in with lighting and photo editing.