Basic Agnes Von Weiss

I received Basic Agnes Von Weiss quite a while back in Late October or early November, but never got around to de-boxing her, and decided when I was decorating for Christmas- to wrap her so I could have the nostalgia of opening a doll on Christmas day. 

I love the nostalgia of a tree with beautifully decorated presents so I sometimes wrap boxes or have boxes with beautiful bows that match the tree's decor , just so hubby and I can sit back and enjoy the ambiance of the tree with out the hassle of all the gift shopping. We prefer to just buy whatever we want and enjoy it ahead of time- since it is just the two of us. Most of the time I want dolls any how and hubby loves cookies and candy. 

Here are the photos of Agnes deboxed and with her jewelry and sunglasses on. She reminds me of a blonde Cher. 

 I think the pale blue suits her. I am halfway tempted to take photos of her with Malibu Barbie, since this is the anniversary year of the Malibu Barbie/ Ken dolls.

I am really glad that W Club is creating basic dolls, as she is a lovely addition to my Agnes collection. Now to find the right ensemble for her. She is just so sleek and chic. 

Love, Life and Lace Agnes Von Weiss...Merry Christmas to me!

So my event doll, Love , Life and Lace Agnes Von Weiss , arrived just in time before Christmas and this was my Christmas gift to myself.  I had to sell a few of my Agnes dolls this year because of the medical bills except Concerto in M, my favorite, which I will never part with. I will be getting another one soon in the sister Moguls set in January- yeah!

I de-boxed her last night.  I haven't felt much joy lately in de-boxing my dolls but I did with this beauty. I am finally getting my happy back ...and it feels so good.  This has been a year from hell on so many personal levels I can't begin to explain. Looking at this beauty, she takes all of it away. I love her sulky expression. Personally, I love her Mess with me bitch expression. ( Dear Reader, I apologize for the profanity ahead of time here. But Agnes brings that cattiness out in us doll collectors. It is all meant in fun.) 

Something else that gave me surprise when I deboxed her was the number on her certification. 379 out of 1420!

My only problem with this doll is her shoes. I did not take a picture of them, they are lovely strapped heels, very well made, but impossible to put on. I put them on her feet but strapping them on is impossible. I honestly wish Integrity would not make these god awful shoes that require a magnifying glass and skeletal fingers to put on the dolls. A simple pair of pumps would have been fine in the toned satin to match the gown. Strapped sandals that have straps that come apart don't appeal to me. My Veronique convention doll's shoes had a piece that came off her gladiator sandal and her shoes I didn't even bother to put on when that happened. It really is frustrating to have these intricate shoes that are a bear to put in. I would much rather have the intricate gown than intricate shoes I can't put on the doll. Just my two cents. 

All in all, she is lovely. I hope that everyone who got her loves her. She is definitely a keeper. 

Agnes at the Mansion....

I finished editing the photos of Agnes at the mansion, and I'm really pleased with them. I have never really given alot of re-dress time to this lovely diva, and I'm glad I took the time to go through some of my dresses. The gown she is wearing is Concerto in M Agnes Von Weiss who was one of the very first Agnes at a W Club convention, who I was lucky enough by chance to win on a w club lottery on the forums. That doll is my favorite doll and her mansion is the mansion, Maison de la Royale, which resides in the doll room. I think in all right now I have about five Agnes dolls. They are quite literally taking over. She is one of my favorite characters,next to Elise Jolie and Victoire and of course, Poppy. 

She is so very stunning, isn't she? I just cannot get oer how she is so chic in this dress. She kind of oozes the 30's and 20's sleekness. I so loved that period with the furs, and the silk clinging to the body. 

Here's a little black and white and a little light play to give you an idea. Her luggage is in the background as she's just arrived home from the city for a weekend houseparty to the country. Let the cocktails begin, but after tea, of course...

A whole view of the mansion with the columns. Construction will begin as soon as the prop I have ordered arrives and Set B will be in full swing and my schedule settles down a bit from this week. Since Halloween is over with, I can rest now with the spooky dolls and begin to work on the mansions' Thanksgiving and Christmas decor in full splendor. Though it is a 'gothic' mansion , like all mansions it has a extravagant/luxury  factor and I want to take advantage of that with my divas. 

Part of the inspiration for this 'set' or diorama has been my Pinterest board,
Miniature Set Building and some wonderful pins of the movie, and its behind the scenes set builders- The Boxtrolls. Mainly of their homes, the lovely staircase, and the characters, the town, and so on. Other movies as well that required animation.  Building dollhouses is much like miniature set building but 1:6 scale is really when it gets into set building as the figures are life like and articulated and there is more detail. And the Gothic Mansion- Dark Hollows- is the culmination for me, of a dream of building a set. Just to see if I could do it. 

Today I will be getting lighting in my shop.I had purchased some lights to set up as my lighting sucked and it is difficult to take photos as once that upper floor was put in, the lower floor was very dark and there was no way to light it to get really good photos. These lights are extremely bright so I am going to have soften them so that will be another problem as it is a limited space. I may have to take one wall down to photograph this which will be difficult. One of the things that is great about this is the challenge of figuring out all the problems! It is fun, believe or now. I'm finally also getting to play with all my dolls. 

Here are some photos of Agnes that I will leave you with....

Tomorrow will be a busy, and hectic day as there is a doll show so I hope to get some pictures, and some cool items for the mansion. If not, I will have a post up later in the week!~Lisa

Decorating the Tree at the Manor...

I have been very busy, but finally found time to take the pictures of the Baroness and the family decorating the tree. The children have arrived, and a cozy evening around the tree with Uncle Giles helping the children. My dramatic Living vintage Skipper got a new dress for the occasion, and visited Santa with my vintage Buffy.

I am sorry for a lull in the blogging, as I have been distracted with work and waiting for this Skipper's dress to come in. I wanted to dress ALL of the Skippers and Tutti in holiday finery, but it is difficult to find handmade artists who use pleasing fabrics in a holiday pattern like Nancy's doll things that are in scale. Some of the fabrics of the handmade items are too big in their patterns and looks like the doll would be wrapped in wrapping paper versus wearing a cute holiday dress. I hope this artist lists some more as her work is very good and looks lovely on Skipper, especially the vintage girls. I have been meaning myself to buy some vintage Skipper patterns and make some dresses for them.My very first Skipper was Malibu Skipper, who I adored , then Growin' Up SKipper- (considered so very controversial back in the 70's!) who I loved even more. I also have a Fluff in her original outfit that I would love to dress up and need to add Scooter and Ricky to my collection too. 
More to come!~Lisa

My favorite Agnes Von Weiss...

Through the  W Club's most recent lottery, I had won one of the new ITBE basics- Morning Dove. I actually liked the doll, but really wanted her shoes and dress more than her. That lovely grey brocade with the shoes is just stunning. 
The new backdrop has been getting alot of attention since I started working on new gowns for the dolls. It seems lately like all that has been arriving in the mail is---dolls! One or two days I received two in one day! I also purchased the Barbie wardrobe when theyhad free shipping plus my coupon- this is still unboxed. My birthday is on Thursday, so I just might have a de-box day. 

My favorite Agnes is believe it or not, one I did not buy. I have three Agnes Von Weiss dolls and I love them all. The one that is my favorite I won by a great stroke of luck after first becoming a member in 2007? I think. I fell in love with Fashion Royalty dolls when I first saw someone bring them to the fashion doll club -I had just joined. I had never seen dolls that looked like this with such detailing...I was just getting into collectible Barbie ! The W club hosts monthly contests where they give away a doll after they randomly pick one of the postings in that contest thread. I think it was- where do you think the FR convention should be held and why? I still remember opening my email and seeing the unexpected email that I had won! At that time, I did not know all the characters and was still learning about how to order the dolls, etc. What I won was a convention doll - Agnes Von Weiss in Concerto M. She was the diva that took over my collection and still 'owns' the dollhouse, so to speak. It is only fair she snagged Morning Dove's fashion!

She is still such a beauty, with that lovely red hair and green eyes and her beauty mark in the perfect place, sigh. I am having to watch how I pose her because her body is becoming a little loose with age, no yellowing like I have heard of. She usually reigns supreme in the dollhouse so I keep her away from strong sunlight in the doll room in the dollhouse. I have always thought she would make a wonderful 'young Queen Elizabeth' like  Cate BLanchette from the movie Elizabeth...another project on my todo list!

I hope to be taking some more new photos soon when I have time. My schedule has been up and down these past two weeks!~Lisa

Photo Fun....

Today, as evening was coming on, and the light was just right, I decided to have some fun with some dolls that needed photo time, 'just because'....

First up, was Silkstone Boater....

She is such an amazing Silkstone. Back in the 80's, I had a similar looking suit in my 20's though I did not wear black stockings with my spectator pumps. My hat also did not look like this one- Boater's was cuter than mine. Yes, I used to wear hats in the 80's. 

Next up was Plantation Belle. This doll I love, but one of the biggest problem is her skin tone and the color palette of the dress, very pale, so I thought a green, spring background would work with her. Hopefully I will have some more time to photograph her when the sun is a tad brighter.

The 'jewel' or Queen of my collection, Agnes Von Weiss, Concerto in M. I never purchased this doll, I won her in a contest on the W club. She captured my heart with her hair, pale skin tone, and character in her face. Can't explain it, but she 'reigns' in my doll town as well as owns the dollhouse. She is one of my most demanding divas, and usually refuses camera time if things don't suit her...lol. Here, she pauses to admire one of the first blooms of spring. The green background of spring only serves to compliment her dress, purse and that stunning red hair.

Next up are two of my newest vintage dolls, won on Ebay. Buffy & Mrs. Beasley, a vintage grail score for me, and Dramatic Living Skipper. Both have near perfect hair and face ups. I can't say how much I absolutely adore these two dolls. 

I am also playing with putting text in my photos. I have seen too many photos stolen or taken -for whatever reason, by others. Though this isn't fool proof, I know, but I want my work recognized for me.