Holiday Diorama preparations...

I noticed I did not have any posts for October! Which means I have been busy with other things...and have had very little doll time.
October is when I begin to decide what I would like to do for my Christmas cards, as I use the dolls and their props to create a Christmas card setting that I send to family friends and my customers with their orders during the Christmas season.
Here are a couple of photos from Christmas past:

Last year, I did the top card scene -'I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus' and the 2nd scene was done for our friends who belong to the Acca Shriners, my husband is a Mason and a Noble of Acca Temple here in Va and belongs to the motor patrol unit - he rides a go-cart in the Shriner parades. It is a great organization where money is raised to support the Shriner's Children's hospitals. Our friends simply loved the card.

This year, I have a couple of holiday projects in the works...one is the abandoned Abbey with cemetary for the Buffy the Vampire slayer dolls, where Giles has his secret library. I was hoping to have it finished. Here is the work thus far-

Sorry for the bad pictures...which brings me to my recent purchase of Hunger Games Katniss, that I purchased at Target with this Fashionista Ken, Ryan. I was disappointed with him- his legs are not jointed, but he will do for the project I have coming up.
The door is almost finished on the Abbey. I need to finish the door and decide to finish the door, put the hinges on it and create the doorknob/handle. I also need to finish the roof. I have the tombstones for the graveyard, so that just needs to be landscaped.
My 2nd holiday project in the works is to do a Nativity scene using the dolls. That means I will have to make everything- the robes, clothing, manger for the Baby Jesus, the stable, and find animals that will be 1:6 comparable. It is ambitious, I admit. Usually when I embark on a diorama of this type I google search for images or photos but found none where someone had used Barbie or action figures in 1:6 scale for a nativity. The closest I have found is the Fontanini Store which sells remarkable nativity accessories and figures in all scales- even full size. Their 12 inch sizes I had seen at the Yankee Candle outlet in the Christmas section in Williamsburg, Va. I love the animals, but cannot afford $25 for one sheep. I have searched on Ebay for Breyer animals, may have better luck there or at Hobby Lobby.
So I picked up the above two dolls and I think Katniss will make a great Mary. I knew I did not want that cheesy smile on their faces, but a serene look, and the doll who plays Joseph must also have a similar look too. Fashionista Ken will probably end up as a shepherd, but I have decided to use the Basics Ken with dark hair for Joseph, simply because he is taller than the Fashionista Ken and looks better beside Katniss.

Here they are and they look great in this pose. Imagine the manger in front of her, with a white robe and blue mantel, with the infant and straw, and so on.
So far I have in the lineup the Holy Family- Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus; the Three Kings or the Magi; I have earmarked my Pirates of the Carribean Johnny Depp as one  the Three Kings. I will probably have 2 or 3 shepherds and I also have a Todd doll that I can dress as the Little Drummer Boy.

The hardest part is the clothing for this project. I have already begun on Mary's robe, which I thought should be in keeping with the Nativity Christmas cards I have always received from time to time, and I had some beautiful white filmy fabric as well as satin. Here is what I finished a couple of days ago after bringing home Katniss-

I went to Hobby Lobby and found in the felt section this powder blue fleece for .50 cents- they had pink as well. I figured this would be good for part of Joseph's mantel as well as under the Baby Jesus in the manger.
Her robe or overlay is still unfinished on the sleeves and neck. I have to admit on this project I might be sewing 'to the camera' so those sleeves might be finished with ribbon or tucked up under so they drape. I have some beautiful blue satin that will look wonderful for her mantel & hood.

I have several infants in my collection, but will have to look for a new one. Ross has the babysitter Barbie which has a very realistic looking infant in the playset- all for 14.99 and it has some cute toddler furniture..I may go back and get it when I have more moolah. Target's price on Katniss is reasonable and this is one of the times when their clothing and doll far exceeded my expections. Katniss has an articulated body, much like the first Fashionista body, and the clothing and props exceeded what I expected. Go figure. I have thought of buying another one of this doll simply because I love her face!

So back to my trip at Hobby Lobby. I found a small sheep, but do not know if it will work- here it is beside Fashionista Ken. It might work standing next to Todd as a shepherd boy.

I was thinking it might work as a lamb in 1:6 scale. The lambs that went with this particular animal were quite small. I did find a camel in wood seated, at Hobby Lobby, but did not get it. They did have 1:6 scale animals, but they were all dinosaurs, dragons, lions, bears, everything but cows, donkeys, and sheep! sigh...back to Ebay. I would really love to have a 1:6 scale cow or sheep, but may have to forego the cow- there are a few on ebay and they want $35 & up for them.

But my Hobby Lobby score was in the fabric department. I have been searching for scraps of brocade, satin, broadcloth, muslin and did not want to have to buy alot of yardage to get the miniscule amount I would need. Hobby Lobby had lots and lots of gorgeous remnants that were a jackpot- I got a large roll of unfinished muslin for the mens's robes in an off white, and lots of subdued colors for their mantels, overblouses, and all. I have some purple velvet too, and I think creating the Kings' ensembles will be quite fun.
Reading back thru the passages of the Bible for clues in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John was also enlightning- the details are few and far between, so it leaves the way open for imagination. I am hoping to pick up last year's Angel Barbie so I have put it on my list to cruise Tuesday Mornings in my area because at one time she was there. She would be perfect for the Angel of the Lord above the stable, or nearby. One clue I found was in the time of Casear Agustus, so that should give me an idea of fashions from Rome, Judea, and Egypt as well. I think in the end, I will stick with a basic robe pattern I have made and make it to fit the different sized male dolls.
The only thing left on my list is what to use for the gifts, Gold, Frankincense and myhr. Forgive me if I have misspelled these- I always remember at Church or Mass when the Nativity is re-enacted elaborate boxes and perfume bottles decorated with paste gems were used, I may have something suitable in my stash of minis.
So far, this is the mish mash of progression! I hope to finish Mary's ensemble then work my way thru Joseph, the shepherds and then embark on the Kings ensembles since they will have the most detailed ornamentations.



 

Stardoll clearance from Target

Target is having a clearance sale of its Stardolls and their clothing packs, at least the one near me was. Price was $7.48 score on the blonde with the cute tweed jacket and the punk rocker clothing pack. Walmart is still $10 on these items.

 

I have always been mystified why Mattel would price these pitiful straightbodied dolls out of the ballpark- ($19.99-29.00) I think the former retail price was, or thereabouts. Must have been smoking something to think someone would buy this doll over the Fashionistas. What is a shame is the face sculpts are nice on these dolls, but have a modern take on that awful vintage body, straight arms, straight legs, blah.

That said, a little drama came about with the Baroness when she smelled new clothes were being photographed without her inspecting them first. I should've known

 

 

Agnes: You must be new here, are you one of those pitiful bodied dolls on clearance from Target?

Stardoll: What the???????

Agnes: Simple question dear, I like your jacket. This company put such nice clothes on you! What a shame you cannot move your arms in it! And that brooch! I like this ensemble. Dress is trashy, but the Fashionistas love that sort of thing....

Stardoll: Look arrogant, overpriced, articulated doll, I'm WEARING the jacket...

Agnes: NOT for long........!

 

Agnes: YO! HUMAN!

Stardoll: What the F**??

Long Suffering Human who likes dolls- ME: Yes Agnes?

Agnes: This pitiful bodied doll has arrived with clothign that has not been modeled in my suite at the One Sixth Scale dollhouse! I assume you were going to give me the clothing when she loses her body, no?

Stardoll: What the--wait a minute! What do you mean, 'Lose the body???"

Long Suffering Human Who Likes dolls-Me: Well yes Agnes, I was going to bodyswap this Stardoll, I was taking photos when you sniffed out the clothing.But yes, you can have the outfit.

Agnes: Thank you. I must inform you however, the pivotal Frank sinatra in the box was meant for the Duchess of Cambridge, you will have to buy a Fashionista to give this one a suitable body...

Stardoll: WAIT A MINUTE! This isn't fair! This articulated bimbo gets my clothing and I lose my body????That isn't fair!

Long Suffering Human who likes Dolls- ME: WELCOME TO THE ONE SIXTH SCALE DOLLHOUSE, STARDOLL!

Stardoll: F%*@#ing Target Clearance sale!

 

As you can see, Agnes has made her wishes known in the dollhouse. I will probably be going to Target for ever more clearance items, as I cannot resist these clothes.

NOW, a note from your diorama specialist:

 

The dolls may suck as far as their bodies go, but the packaging on these dolls and their outfits offers infinite possibilities for diorama shop windows! I carefully took the doll and the accessories outof the package and carefully cut out the parts that were not needed. The pictures on the accessory packaging can be used as poster/picture placement in a shop window, model agency, or something of the sort. The backgrounds will be perfect with curtains for my Boutique window in Barbietown, and possibly an additional corner window of another shop if I'm feeling ambitious.

The packaging will make great backdrops for a shop window, and I jumped on this packaging since I need to re-decorate the window for Barbietown. That is, if Agnes doesn't swipe everyone's clothing before they get out of their packaging!LOL!...

~Lisa

 

IT Doll Autumn & Fall in Barbietown

I received my IT Direct Exclusive 'Autumn' sometime last week but have not had time to take any really satisfactory pics of her until today. Loads of people passed on this little lady, and I think they missed out on a great doll.
She wears a black dress, adorable black shoes, and has pink hair. (In my viewpoint, a cheaper version - $50 - of Jem that was done for Hasbro...) I am thinking of making this little lady the leader of a band called The Seasons, and the other IT dolls will be in the band with her, as well as Rosie (my Fashionista Tattoo hybrid) along with Buck (my tattoo yard sale doll). Now onto pictures!

I have shown her here with Summer(yellow dress) and Spring (pink dress) and the sculpts are very nice, I think. I have always been attracted to Integrity's Dynamite girls because for the money you get a really nice doll...the exact opposite of Mattel. The clothing on these girls are adorable. The only one right now that has a really professional job in Barbietown is Evie (Spring in the pink dress) who is an administrative assistant for Agnes and plans her events, appointments, parties, etc.
With the dreary rainy day today- and it is chilly, after being so hot for so long! I decided to take today and stop lusting after the W Club's Tropicalia convention photos of dolls that I can't afford! lol....and get Barbietown ready for fall....pumpkins, haystacks, halloween preparations, and so on. That means getting the dolls dressed for fall shopping. So Agnes and Frank Sinatra Barbie were the first to get ready for fall shopping in Barbietown....

Agnes is wearing a sheath dress underneath the Silkstone trench coat, Tweed Indeed's purse, a Barbie scarf , FR Shoes, pearl jewelry. Frank Sinatra Barbie is wearing jeans, purple wrap sweater, Barbie Basics shoe boots and FR Purse from Going Public Eugenia. I thought she looked smashing in this outfit. I have another Frank Sinatra Barbie still in the box and this has become my favorite Barbie, that I carry about for size comparisons when out shopping (I have a large purse, lol) for props.
That's all for today, will have more in Barbietown later!
Lisa
 

New dolls! Truly Madly Deeply Agnes & High Envy Erin

New dolls arrived last week, but I was so taken up with tweaking the dolly diorama for the Fun Four meetup on Saturday, I took pictures  but didn't post about it. Truth to tell, I was pooped after the dolly fun PLUS I was working on my Buffy structure for Halloween and Barbietown. PLUS I had a ton of work for the Ebay store, website, and my hubby's business, LeoPaul and Associates , (I do alot of the paperwork, and invoicing while hubby is in the field or at meetings)....soooooooo anyways, pretty active.

Anyhow, Truly, Madly, Deeply Agnes and High Envy Erin arrived!here are the pics I took before the rest of the Fun Four arrived on Saturday.

I have to say, at first I was irritated as all get out to receive both invoices for these dolls at the same time....though now I would say THEY ARE WORTH IT! Sheesh, Agnes is just- well my favorite doll, and I do not own an Erin. I have seen this beauty all over the dolly boards being sold, and I do not know how anyone can bear to part with her. She is gorgeous! I love how they subtly did a somewhat 'chic' what I refer to as a gothic look with elegance...her red hair is subtly streaked black on the sides. Her shoes, jewelry and purse are gorgeous.
Agnes, well, whenever Integrity does Agnes Von Weiss- I now have three of these ladies, all with different hair and makeup and skin tones.....I love this beauty. The thing I love about her the most is she more mature looking than my Concerto in M Agnes or Regal Solstice. She looks like a mature, (around her late forties) type with that hair do. I need all the mature people I can get in my dolly world. Happy Family Grandma is somewhat lonely. lol....

Just a day before these two lovelies arrived, Sideshow 'Hush' Buffy the Vampire slayer arrived from Ebay as well- in her box. Sorry I ddin't get photos. Though I despise the molded hair I loved the more slimmer body. Prophecy Girl should have used this head mold with rooted hair. Or is sideshow just being cheap. The clothing was wonderful. This looks more like Michelle Gellar than Prophecy Girl, but she might become my favorite Buffy. Even though I redressed Prophecy Girl she just looks like one doll out of the looney bin.

here is a comparison-

'Hush' Buffy has a slimmer body. Prophecy Girl can only wear very large fashion doll clothes and mainly Ken clothing and action figure guy clothing....that jean jacket is from Cotswold Collectibles and the pants are from a Ken clothing set. The tube top is a strapless item handmade from an ebay seller. Hush Buffy came with stakes, arrow gun, and vampire book that is unable to open. I really liked her melancholy faraway look she has and her clothing was top notch. Her nice black boots are molded on, socks are painted, and she also comes with a neat little stand made to look like cobblestone that her heels have holes, and the prongs on the stand go into the holes in her shoes, sort of like the old vintage Barbies. She stands better without the lame stand.

 

Above is the 'Abbey' structure, that I am currently working on. It is madeof cardboard, builder's foam, foamcore and will house all of the secrets of the Slayer....sounds spooky, doesn't it? Buffy is currently standing in the doorway, which is carved out of builder's foam. I cut the doorway too large in the box so built it up with strips of builder's foam. The spray paint eats at the foam a little bit and creates this decrepit look...I am going to make the door of foamcore. I haven't yet taken pics of the floor, which I'm proud of since it is made of cardboard! I need to cut more cardboard for the roof and create stonework on the sides.

The story of this structure is there is a old, vacant, forgotten cemetary with the legendary crypt of Dracula ...in an ancient abandoned monastary. The crypt is empty, and so is this structure, which will soon become a meeting place/hide out for Giles and his library and Buffy to hone her slayer skills. Or maybe it will just be a place to patrol. Or maybe a place for Dracula to live...lol! You get it. I set myself an incredibly low budget with making this, and have had fun every stepof the way, since it started out as a cardboard Scotch bubble wrap box that my bubble wrap comes in! I think I have only bought spray paints and acrylic paints and glue, that's it. So far I'm on track with my low budget for this diorama...and of course, the $1 halloween tombstones from the dollar tree and Michael's for the cemetary part of course. lol.

Enjoy!