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.

If You Starting Seeing Pink Ponies...

At least in our household it just means I've made another little doll.  :D

I love the color combo of the rosy pink and auburn silk tussah top roving.  I wasn't sure how that would look, but as I started adding it, I thought it was a good choice.

The little pony is up for auction right now.  Lately a lot of the dolls I make from Ginger Melon's patterns have been going to Australia, with a Binky Boo going to Austria today.  It's pretty cool to think of the dolls traveling to all parts of the globe like that!

And because I can't resist posing the ponies like this:

A Racoon, And A Mini Binky Boo

I finally got my Parkland Racoon finished!  The next one I make will probably be more colorful/fantasy, but I still like the natural/neutral tones on this first little guy.  Using the fusible fleece on the back of the fabric worked out well, but I'm going to watch and see how he stands up to a little wear and tear.  The black fabric was more polyester than cotton, so the next Racoon I make I will definitely be pickier going through my scrap fabrics for his body, inner ears, eye mask, soles, and tail rings.

I also sold one of the little Binky Boos I recently made, to a fantastic doll photographer (if you're on Facebook and are a fan of doll photography, you need to be following her!).  She asked a question about making them even smaller, and I figured, what the heck?  Let's start trying to miniaturize!

I was going to wait until the weekend to start trying, but the bug bit me yesterday evening as I looked at my smaller felt scraps.  Here is the first result, which turned out pretty cute.  I hand embroidered the eyes, but next version I think I will use seed beeds, or see if I can find even smaller safety eyes. The pic below shows the mini guy in orange next to a "regular" sized gray bear.  The mini isn't quite half the size.

The mini Binky Boo's little arms move, too.

Little guy next to a U.S. quarter for scale.

Closeup on the face. 

The next version I may try to make a little smaller, too.  Plus, I'm eyeing the pony pattern, and picturing it a bit smaller, too.  :D

Tonner's Basic Patsy #4 Auburn Doll Has Arrived!

I kept my dignity when the UPS driver arrived late this afternoon, mostly because I was still working when the driver pulled up, and my hubby received the package.  I still kept my dignity when my hubby brought the doll into my home office.  I kept my inner kid's jumping in excitement all internal.  I didn't even pull a muscle from the effort that took.  :D

I already have a Tonner Patsy, the 2013 New Year doll.  I adore her.  But she has a different personality than the new Patsy Basic #4.  It's mostly in the eyebrows, but their makeup palettes are slightly different, and their wigs make them look like cousins, rather than identical twins.

Basic #4 comes in a short bob wig (mine is auburn) with a white hair bow.  She has a pink outfit consisting of a tank top and bloomers.  The tank top closes with snaps in the back.  She also has socks, and little shoes with straps and tiny seed bead buttons.  The shoes come on and off easily, but I think the tiny buttonhole will quickly wear if I choose to swap her shoes frequently.

Basic #4's wig is definitely glued to her head securely, where New Year Patsy's wig, although listed as being glued, came as if she were designed to easily swap wigs.  The little auburn bob style gives her a young appearance, while New Year's long curls make her look a little older.

I may want to swap Basic #4's wig eventually, and when I do it will take me patience and work to get free.  However, in the meantime I'll not have to worry about her wig slipping on her head just when I get her in the perfect pose!

I compared Basic #4 to Ann Estelle, and to my Bambicrony Lottie dolls.  Basic #4 stands about ten inches tall, roughly the same as Ann Estelle and the BJD Bambicroy Lottie.

You can also see that the skin tones between the two Patsy dolls are slightly different, even though both are listed to have the "cameo" skin tone.  It's barely noticeable, but Basic #4 is just a shade darker in skin tone. 

Basic #4 also has a slightly worried look, compared to New Year's more optimistic eyebrown arch.  Both are still extremely sweet, but definitely have different personalities as a result.  New Year seems more confident, and maybe even a little more mature. 

Both of their eyes are inset, and have a green hazel tone.  I definitely love Basic #4's eyes with her hair color!

Basic #4's knee joints also give her extra posing options.  I hope we will one day see a child doll like this with elbow joints, as well, because there's only so many poses you can put her in with stiff arms, but those knee joints are flexible!  Look at her pose!

For the base price of $89.99, Patsy Basic #4 is worth every penny.  If you have the funds, I recommend you snap one up now while they are still in stock.  Once they sell out, the eBay prices are going to sky rocket.

Patsy can easily swap clothes with Ann Estelle.  With the BJD Bambicrony Lottie doll, the swap will be trickier, because the BJD is skinnier.  But props like furniture will definitely work for all.  This is a great size to work with, being big enough to find props and make clothing without too much trouble or cost (unless you choose to go all out), but not so big that you can't display them on a bookshelf. 

Be sure to check out my gallery, which has a lot more pictures!

Pocket Pixie Doll With Luxurious Hair I Envy

I stumbled across a plastic bag with a doll in progress.  This happens occasionally in my house.  The poor thing probably had been ignored for months.

So, I pulled her out and finished her up over the last few evenings.  Once again, it was a Ginger Melon pattern, a Pocket Pixie.

I decided to try something a little different with her hair.  Instead of using fingering weight wool, I used DMC floss.  Three full skeins of black went into covering her scalp, and I really like the results.  I hand sewed the strands on, using the same technique I learned when I used to make Raggedy Ann dolls by hand.  It's a nice, secure method.  With the lighter weight floss, it also lays nice, and I could make it pretty thick without getting a "pouf" effect.  I sewed the hair three strands of floss at a time, until I got to the forehead area, and then switched to two strands.

I went with little felt flowers for details on her dress and shoes, instead of my usual embroidery.  Her little hair decoration is felt flowers, too, tied in with white embroidery floss so I can switch it around if I feel like it.

This doll is up for auction on eBay now.  I'm curious to see how long it will take me to sell her.

I'm still working on my little racoon, but he's coming along well, and should be done by the weekend.  The little details on his tail took me a little longer than I expected, plus that darn paying day job getting in the way of my crafting.  :D

I'm also watching the front porch anxiously for a package from Tonner doll.  Once that package arrives, there's going to be lots of photo taking!