Thursday, January 28, 2016

Liebster Award--Thank you Brini!


Here we are, the first Liebsters of the year. Thank you, Brini for nominating me. I'll begin right away with my answers to Brini's questions:
 
1.   What is your most treasured doll and why?
My most treasured doll is the one my mom gave me when I was just 20 months old. Her name is Sandra and I still have her. She is on my bed at my parents' home. The body was originally rubber, which over time, disintegrated so I had her re-bodied. She is the matriarch of my doll family! As far as the most treasured doll in my collection...it's too difficult to choose. From my natural haired So In Style Barbies to my most recent Fashion Royalty dolls, all are precious to me. In an earthquake, I'd probably bypass my own clothes and grab as many dolls as I could!
 
2.   What motivates your to continue your blog?
My passion for fashion. In putting together my blog I use many of the same skills as  those employed during my career in fashion and fashion education.  The blog keeps me connected and engaged in this field. It also provides an outlet allowing me to channel my creative energy while giving me something that gives purpose to my daily life now that I am no longer in the work force. Ideas for each post are drawn from current edgy looks as well as fabulous fashions I've seen throughout my life. Since digital cameras didn't exist until fairly recently, I use Pinterest as my scrapbook. My dolls are like tiny avatars, allowing me to "wear" fashion both past and present. All of you who are gracious enough to leave comments and lend support, make all the hard work that goes into producing this blog, very rewarding. Thank you.
 
3.   What doll challenges have you faced, (limiting, selling etc)?
The dolls themselves pose no challenges other than sneaking lots of their friends and families into my home. (How else could 20 turn into 100!)  I'm terribly sentimental so I haven't given any of them away. The challenge really comes with the blog which takes up nearly all of my free time. You know by now, I won't put anything up unless 1) it has a distinct link with "fashion" or has  "fashion appeal" 2) it is photographed in a way so as to seduce my visitors 2) and most of all----it is  interesting! As you've noticed, I operate more like a "magazine" in that my blog runs all year long with no real breaks. I do get away from time to time, but either I prepare posts in advance or I simply take the dolls with me and incorporate them into my trip. It's sort of the way fashion designers live.
 
4.   What new skills have you challenged yourself to in your selected play scale?
 
At first I found very simple ways to dress the dolls (draping designer scarves, feather boas or jewelry) around them. But one day while rummaging through my closet, I found clothes I'd made for myself that were really well sewn. Instead of approaching my work with the attitude of "Well, it's better than those made by Mattel," I started challenging myself with more complicated styles for the dolls and paying more attention to finishing. As a result, I think my work has really grown. I think this is especially important in maintaining the attention and interest of those who follow me.

 
5.   What was the last item you created or purchased for yourself that you had second thoughts about because you'd rather have a doll?
I have so many clothes in my closets and my lifestyle has radically changed now that I am no longer in the work force. So I don't feel the need to buy new clothes for myself and I don't need to update my tech toys as much as I once did. But, when I travel and say, dine out at a restaurant, I tend to think about what kind of doll I could have bought for the price of the dinner. This is very bad! Signs of a doll addict!
 
6.   How do you decide what to add to your collection?
I'm looking for dolls who have the same look and swag as real models on the fashion catwalks of the world. When I do see a doll who speaks to me, and is not outrageously expensive, I set my sights on her.


7.   What was the one doll mistake you made and what did you learn from it?
Making a Frankendolly without really thinking through my objective. Since all I need my dolls have to do is to simply strike a pose,  I had this crazy idea the body didn't really matter. I put an FR doll head on a Barbie Model Muse body, thinking I'd have the look of the doll without the full expense. Aside from the FR doll not being happy with her unarticulated Barbie MM body, I ended up with a devalued FR Kyori Sato doll. Even though she looked hot with either body (Photos: FR body on the left, Barbie MM on the right), the doll screamed and nagged me until I finally gave in and bought a proper FR body for her. In the end, it all came to the same price as a nude doll on the after market. Lesson learned----just go on and buy the whole doll!
 
8.   Which doll was your holy grail and do feel the same about the doll now?
The holy grail wasn't one doll it was Fashion Royalty dolls. Like many of you, I began collecting Barbie. I discovered FR while looking at other collectors' dolls pictured online. It took me awhile before I felt like parting with more than $20 for a doll but eventually I was seduced by the beauty of the FR dolls and how fashion relevant they were. My first FR was a "Envy" Monogram. I love her, but discovered quickly how challenging it was to fit clothes on dolls with articulation. (She kept bending in all directions.) Today, I still love FR and have stopped collecting Barbies. I bought an FR mannequin to avoid draping directly on those dolls!!
9.   Has anyone ever giving you a doll gift that you did not know if you should accept it or not?
With the exception of my "Christmas" gift (picked out by me and given by my dad) I'd rather people not give me the gift of a doll because I'm at a point where I'm looking for something very specific.


10. Which doll or item on your wish list that you will no longer pursue?

I was looking for the FR Hommes Takeo. On Ebay has always been expensive. Now there are so few on the market, he has become completely out of reach!
 
11. Which doll will be the doll you have to have this year?
She has not yet been created but I already know I MUST have her!!!
 
On that note, I nominate the 5 following blogs to continue the madness:
 
 
 
 
Here are the rules:
1. Thank the person who present you the award and link back to their blog.
2. Post the award image on your. 
3  Answer 11 questions posted be the presenter (see below)
4. Nominate 5 blogs with less then 200 followers (or in my case, those you love)
5. Create 11 questions for the nominees to answer.
6. List these rules in your post. Inform the people you chose to nominated by leaving a comment on their   blog and link them to your post!
 
1. What was it about the first doll you ever bought that prompted you to start a collection?
2. When you get a new doll, how does it make you feel and what do you do right after de-boxing?
3. Do you name all your dolls? If so, where do you get ideas for their names?
4. Do you do anything special to care for your dolls?
5. How do you organize your dolls' clothes, accessories, props?
6. What motivated you to start writing a blog?
7. How has your blog evolved since you first started?
8. What kind of camera do you use to take your photos?
9. What challenges does this hobby (or blog) present? (What have you learned?)
10. Where do you go to discover new dolls to buy?
11. Doll-wise, what are you hoping for in 2016?

24 comments:

  1. I loved reading your answers! I also love your blog and your fashion sense. I love that you re-create looks from the runway for your dolls. Like you, I had never even heard of Fashion Royalty or Integrity Toys until I started reading doll blogs. I now have several different kinds of dolls because of the knowledge from reading about other collections.

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    1. Thank you, Phyllis, for all of your kind words. And yes, isn't it interesting as to how many different types of dolls there are. When I started out, I only knew about Barbies and Tonners. But since then, I've learned so much. It's one of the many things I love about this community.

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  2. Such great responses! I knew it, knew it, knew it! You can really sew your A$$ off! Your dolls are always dressed and I love seeing what you create. Yes, I am an addict. I will put groceries back for a doll, especially when I happen upon her and wasn't expecting too, lol. I love your set of question too, they are great. I think all creative people need a outlet to express themselves and your blog is great.

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    1. Well Brini, I really needed to stop and think about the answers. Thank you for your very kind and encouraging words. This is such a labor of love. And yes. Let's call this what it is.... an addiction. I walk around the house in slippers full of holes and sweatpants with safety pins, but think nothing about paying $25 for a pair of doll shoes just because they make for nicer photos! Well at least I know I'm not the only one afflicted! ;-D

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  3. Your answers were interesting to read! <3 You are such an inspirational person, I love reading your blog because you're talented, know what you're talking about & have a good sense of humour. ^_^ I always look forward to what new you have written, and what stylish tips you have got for your readers.
    Keep blogging & have fun~ <3

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    1. Thank you Uraru. I think when you have fun doing something, it shines through. What is also so much fun is discovering how many other "big children" are out there playing with dolls!!! I LOVE this community!!!!!

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  4. I enjoyed reading your answers. It would be really cool to get a glimpse of all your dolls together :)

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    1. Thank you, BlackKitty. It would be cool to get them all together for a family photo. And I do have dreams of building a super big stage for this since otherwise, it doesn't seem to be possible. Hmmmm.....maybe I can try this in Photoshop.

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  5. Very nice to read your answers about yours dolls,fashion and inspirations!!!

    Thank you for the nomination <3 <3

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    1. Thank you Urszula. Hope you will consider participating in our little game.

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    2. Yes, of course :) I just need to find a little time to do it :)

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  6. Congratulations, April!!!! This is a true accomplishment and one well merited. I, too, am impressed with the evolution of the clothing, finishings, styles, innovation and the craft in itself. I always wait for the next post to see what surprises lay in store. Bravo!! Chapeau!! Olimpia

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    1. Thank you Olimpia. After three years of making 1/6 scale clothes, I have certainly learned the meaning of...practice makes (a bit closer to) perfect.

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  7. Hello from Spain: Congratulations on the award. Brini is always lovely. I enjoyed reading your answers. I agree with you in many ways. I also compare the prices of my expenses to buy another doll. We are addicted to dolls. Keep in touch

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    1. Thank you, Marta. Yes, keeping to a budget is very important in this hobby. Who know dolls could be like drugs!!! At least they are legal.

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  8. I loved reading your answers :-). Your blog really shows how dedicated you are and how hard you work on the posts. You do a wonderful job each time and we learn so much from your creative ideas!
    I agree that it is different at first to make clothes for an articulated doll, it takes some getting used to to the moves of the limbs and waist :-).
    Oh, and what BlackKitty said: I would love to see all of your dolls together some time!

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    1. Thank you, Linda. I am convinced that articulated dolls were not made to be fit models. I was so frustrated trying to make clothes for them, I kept going back to my Barbies. That's why I finally sprung for a dress form. I am trying to figure out the logistics for getting all of the dolls together for a family photo!

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  9. Bardzo dziękuję za nominację! Oczywiście wezmę udział w zabawie, muszę tylko znaleźć czas aby przetłumaczyć pytania. Niestety mój angielski nie jest zbyt dobry i muszę się wspomóc translatorem. Mam nadzieję, że nie przekręcę treści :)))
    Pozdrawiam serdecznie!

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  10. Olla wrote: Thank you for the nomination ! Of course I will take part in a game , I just have to find the time to translate the questions. Unfortunately, my English is not very good and I have to help the translator . I hope you do not misunderstand what I say :)))Best wishes!

    Hi Olla. Glad you will be participating. Like this we'll all get to know each other a little better. The Google translator is pretty good! Look forward to seeing your answers.

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  11. Loved this post! So many of your answered resonate with me. I love your blog because I share your love of fashion and of dolls...also because I don't sew and am in awe of your talent.

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    1. Hi Jewell. I think most of us doll people have lots in common. Even if you don't collect the skinny Barbies, we are in one way or another, preoccupied to a point with their appearance. But particularly for those of us who are into fashion, dolls allow us to "live" our fashion fantasies whether or buy the clothes. Thank you for your kind words.

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  12. Nice to read your story of dolls in your life :) You have beautiful dolls, really :)

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    1. Thank you Aya, and welcome to my blog. Come back any time!!!

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  13. Félicitation d'être de nouveau nommée en première pour 2016. Waw ! On te découvre un peu plus. Je ne savais pas qu'on pouvait être nominée plusieurs fois. Donc je dois participer également. Puis concernant la question 9, je suis pareille. Je suis de plus en plus sélective.

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