More Commentary on IDEX 2011

Many who attended IDEX this past weekend posted their reviews and more photos today.
I love what Tom Courtney posted on Prego. Here it is, in its entirety, with his permission.

You, know...I've been doing this a long time...some of the faces change...but the dolls never fail to delight, amuse and inspire...

To those I did get the pleasure of seeing...so wonderful for me...to those I did not...I am very, very sorry I missed you...lots of things to accomplish on this visit...and it was all wonderful.

Tonner's line is as rich and full as always...no disappointments there...I felt like I did back before I worked there...I'm a collector again...making more of those critical decisions about what I hope to acquire in the next year. Getting everything is no longer an option...so now it's more up to scrutiny...and love. Alice in Wonderland will get my dolly cash...as will Harry Potter in both sizes. I LOVE that Robert is offering both sizes to explore two different worlds of Harry. And I am very much looking forward to more articulation in 22" dolls...and the NEW TYLER!!! As the original #1 Tonner Cheerleader...I can say I am most thrilled listening to his plans for his beloved Tyler. Robert nevers fails to take the doll introductions from IDEX...and keep them fresh and surprising through Toyfair, truly making it a season of wonders!

Cheryl Crawford...LOVE. It is THE return of the artist's doll...and not a mere BJD. Add the level of clothing detail and serene faces...I must get one of these...problem is choosing. Congrats, Cheryl! J'adore.

Joan Greene's Cordelia...fun concept...beautifully conceived collection. Would loved to have seen a factory doll...but I understand how that goes...and I know Joan has the eye for detail. Watching this collection closely...especially the Vault. Helen Skinner...the face painting was so gorgeously rendered - it was beautiful magic to behold. Sandra - thank you for everything...it means the world to me.

Integrity...plain and simple, they rock. It was all beautiful...but David, that red gown in tiers of bias...was a triumph in miniature couture.

Horsman deserves a second and third look...Kurt, you really 'get' it...and I look forward to seeing more from your imagination.

Wilde...Joe: Evangeline's wardrobe is so over-the-top in the best of stylish ways...and dare I say it, it garnished [sic] quite the buzz around the room. So very hauntingly beautiful, indeed. Ellowyne: you may be bored...but we certainly aren't...keep up your therapy, it'll all work out.

So much more to say...so many other things to observe...but have otherwise been beautifully reported by others. I loved reading all the comments and observations!

Tom

______________

This Tonner info was culled from several people's posts:

-New action figures coming: Electra, Frost (?), Captain America, Wolverine, Rogue.
-Next Halloween convention will be in Vermont. (?)
-May convention is selling out quickly.
-Tyler 2.0 line is not done.
-Other sculpts will be on Antoinette body.
-There will be more sculpts for the 13 in Revlon body.
-There are going to be ten Theatre de la Mode fashions for the Antoinette and Tyler body.
-A new "Mood" Tyler, Esme and Sydney will be a build your own doll with inset eyes, 15-20 wigs to choose from, 3 chest plate sizes, removable hands and feet and various hand styles.
-A new American Model in a Goth style will come as a basic doll with inset eyes and better articulation. -There will be a new Johnny Depp Pirate figure. There will also be a Penelope Cruz doll.
-Twilight series will get two Volturi figures.
-More Harry Potter large sized figures.

______________

Angelic Dreamz showed two new resin males. See them at the AD website soon.

______________

Here is a scan by James of Joan Greene's story cards for her new line. Click on the image to see its original size.

______________

Juan's Flickr Photos

Link to Tonner's Fun Pictures of IDEX

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=b8clxgcab&v=001yqHNAgdI3Xi1oetOTFS4zwzwEw_JJ-0EzZMc1cin81zZzpF4CFFOkQyMTCa0LabsynhQikFfxa9SXlfVZr9TRCeoC7iT__LXpq1Ltzknq-nu6DBxVUTrCBU5FeTIVEazxdjxB4r5T3A1f9YRhz00BtgwNKISgofDYMoQkao3XlFJjxuRxBpHGI-W2GonfGA30gvn3CbjGwQ_i7lIv0sZlSigtY-4yFJFpzm9Q07Lt6Ee9UM0fGOFN8yI08x0pF5kpHzJLkq-7VpGBvneN7eyEZtbmJZibRza

New Stuff - Ellowyne, Sybil, Evangeline, Outfits

This month has been filled with hard-to-avoid sales and I avoided very few of them.

Here are some of the latest additions to my collection, all from Wilde Imagination.

Ellowyne's Cat, Sybil, will make an appearance from time to time. I love putting creatures in my doll photos. This one is a riot with her crazy face and motley fur.  I just noticed that she arrived with part of her lower jaw missing. Apparently she has bitten off more than she could chew. Bad kitty.

My newest Ellowyne is called Empty Thrill. I love her outfit!

A few weeks ago I purchased a nude, bald "Essential Ellowyne, Too Wigged-Out - Debut." She was just hanging out on the day Princess Diana's "Travolta" gown arrived so she was dressed in it. One snap located at the widest part of her hips had to be left undone, otherwise the fit is excellent. She is wearing her "bored" wig with the pieces of hanging hair wound around the buns. I think she looks great.

Everlasting Evangeline who came with two wigs got a quick shot in  her basic outfit. I added the Joe Tai jewelry.

Below, Everlasting is dressed in a new fashion called "Grey As The Moors." One of the things I love about her fashions is that there is no skimping on volume. The cape is amazingly beautiful and the hood is very large.

 Here is "A Tangled Web" dressed in "A Windy Evening" coat and the "Eternal Tulle Skirt Set." The skirt comes with hosiery that has differently patterned legs. It's a little Alice in Wonderland-ish but very pretty.

Finally we have Waiting For Mortimer wearing the most amazing fashion yet, "Widow's Walk."
It starts with a lovely, all black dress that laces up the front and has a full, sweeping, drapey skirt. The coat is made from a gorgeous woven brocade fabric with puff sleeves and sweeping, long black drapey things. This fabric spreads out quite far, if desired, or can be puddled at the hem. Right now the outfit is on sale as it's almost sold out. I paired it with the shoes called "Plum Paces."

Here are  pictures from the Wilde website to show you what the dress underneath looks like and the shoes which I added.

The new Evangelines are stunning. But it's time for me to really enjoy what I already have and get some of that Play Power turned on.

Boudoir Doll on eBay

This composition/cloth boudoir doll is available on eBay. Click the photo to access the auction.

IDEX Pictures

I will be adding links as I find them. Keep checking this post.

Facets by Marcia:
http://www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=120448628005505

James:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/26069793@N05/sets/72157625808373651/

Gerald Anthony:
http://geraldatonysdollworld.blogspot.com/

Shuga-Shug:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shuga-shug/sets/72157625786061465/with/5390180023/

New Project

 

The crochet girl has sat and watched me every day this week, while I was busy with another project.

 

 

How to make a Sofa for your dolls from a Shoe Box

I originally posted this on the American Girl Fan Message Board today.
How to make a Shoe box Sofa:
You can make a sofa for your dolls: The back will be one long side of the shoe box. The seat will be the bottom of the shoe box. The ends of the shoe box will be the arm rests or high sides.
Here's how you do it:

1.  Get some fabric glue. and an adult size shoe box.
2.  Get some scraps of fabric: 4 rectangles. Read step 7 and 8. Get some stuffing like from an old pillow.
3.  Take off the top of the box [if it has a top] and set it aside.
4.  Cut one long side of the box completely off. You will now have a back attached to a seat and sides.
5. Measure the seat area of the box (That is the original bottom of the box.) Make a cloth bag by hand from a 2  rectangle pieces of material that are 3 inches longer and 2 inches wider than the size of the seat area .Sew the bag as follows;
6. With right sides of the materials facing each other, sew one short side and two long sides up. Leave one short side open . Now, turn bag right side out..
7.   Measure the side that you didn't cut off. (the back of the sofa) Make another cloth bag from 2  rectangle pieces of material that is 2 inches longer and wider than that side which is now the back of the sofa. Make the bag the same way you did for the back.
8.   Stuff the bags. Check to see if each little bag has too much or too little stuffing to make a nice seat bottom and back. Then hand stitch up the end.
9. Put the bottom seat cushion in the sofa first, then the back.
10. It should start to really look like a sofa now. The remainder of the instructions are IDEAS and aren't necessary.

• Using fabric glue, cover the back of the seat and arm rests on both side. Or you could use contact paper or paint or anything.  Felt works well if it co-ordinates with your little seat cushions. You don't have to cover the seat bottom because the seat cushion will be over it.
• You can raise the sofa off the floor by making legs out of  4 thread spools and glueing them to the bottom of the sofa. Or if the top of the shoe box that you set aside is sturdy, you can glue the outside of the old top to the outside of the bottom of the box which is now the seat.  This will raise the seat up a bit.
• Make little throw pillows by hand out of  4 or 5 in squares of  2 pieces of material sewn right sides together then turned so right side is out.  Just like you did the big cushions. Stuff. and  hand stitch closed.

This sofa will be either sitting on the floor with no legs or close to the floor with spool legs. The dolls will love it because their legs don't bend and they can sit well in it without a foot stool.

Enjoy, Have fun.

FR2 Photos from Integrity Toys

 The FR2 being revealed at IDEX are now available for pre-order although I've heard that some dealers are already sold out.

The dressed dolls will retail at $175. each. The outfits will be $100. each. 

Modern Sensibility
Dasha™ Dressed Doll

Modern Sensibility
Dasha™ Dressed Doll

Engaging
Elise Jolie Dressed Doll

Flawless
Elise Jolie Dressed Doll

Flawless
Elise Jolie Dressed Doll (accessories)

Impossibly Beautiful
Dominique Makeda Dressed Doll

Rare Appeal
Dominique Makeda Dressed Doll

 

 

 

 

Renegade
Dasha™ Dressed Doll

Renegade, above,  will be offered by lottery through the W Club. It is an IT Direct Exclusive.

Metropolitan
FR2™ Fashion

Sheer Bliss
FR2™ Fashion

Only Natural
FR2™ Fashion

 Nice. Really nice. I've got my pre-order confirmed for several of the dressed dolls and one of the fashions. I would have liked to order all the fashions but I had to pick just the one I liked the best and that was "Only Natural." I loved it the minute I saw it at the convention. I don't remember Sheer Bliss but I can go look it up. I'd get that outfit just for the shoes.
It was hard to decide if I wanted "Engaging." But I like the doll a lot. I'm not sure about the dress - although it might look better on another doll along with that hat. The shoes remind me of the 16" Virtually (ugly) Alex doll's shoes.
The redhead Dasha and the blonde  Elise will be moving in here as well. Sigh. I love that blonde Elise. I love that sculpt.
The Dasha beauty in the red dress has a place reserved for her too. But I have to win the chance to buy her so you all should go buy something else - Veronique or Vampires...

IDEX Pictures Posted by Facets by Marcia

 Marcia has uploaded quite a few pictures from assorted manufacturers to her Facebook albums. You do not need to be 'friended' by her to see these pictures. Here is the link:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=160398747343826&set=a.160398107343890.101998.120448628005505#!/photos.php?id=120448628005505

Mattel Announces Four Club Exclusive Dolls for 2011

Mattel sent out email to all members of Barbie Fan Club showing two sneaks of actual dolls and a drawing of another. The fourth is still a secret.
Redhead Silkstones are winners in my opinion. This one is BFMC Ekaterina. She is the first club exclusive and will be available in February with free shipping.

This is a screen shot of part of the email. The Platinum Label doll is the blonde in the white dress. She is called Pinch of Platinum and has the endlessly skinny, hands-on-hips model muse pose, a boring vapid smile and an un-articulated body and collectors will buy every last one the minute she goes on sale. The sketch of the witchy-styled doll is called "Fall Holiday Hostess." The outfit is cute - nothing new but cute.
 "The opportunity to purchase Ekaterina™ Barbie® begins 2/9/11 at 11:00am CT for $99.95, for 2011 BFC™ members only, in the online shop. No more than 3,000 of these dolls will be available for sale. Doll purchases are optional and available only to members of the 2011 Barbie Fan Club." 

Information on joining (or re-joining) the BFC is coming next week.

Cloth Boudoir Doll

I received an email from the Educator of the Columbus County Historical Society, inquiring about this 33" cloth boudoir doll. I believe this doll is French - at least, the head looks French. The clothing, although vintage, may not be original to the doll. Thanks for allowing me to blog this doll.

Postcard from France

This French postcard shows a nude model holding the hand of an all cloth male boudoir doll.

Integrity Toys' Booth at IDEX

W Club members were just sent this photo by David Buttry of the Integrity booth at IDEX. I hope we get some better pics later.
For Integrity to make an appearance at IDEX is a good public relations move.

I must be thinking I want to go to a Luau

Isn't the ocean beautiful? Thanking God for it today!

Dracula and His Brides Have Returned!

Integrity Toys is continuing the vampire collection but this time the line is not affiliated with Ashton-Drake. It's called Dracula and His Brides: The Eternal Love Collection. Each doll is a LE500 and is priced at $125. Contact your favorite doll dealer to preorder.

The Count

The Contessa

Lucy

Mina

The photography is excellent for this series.
They fashions are very cute. I really like the Count. It's too bad that there isn't the option for NO FANGS.

The red chairs are the same chairs we received at the convention in black, honoring the Sherrilyn Kenyon Dark Hunter series of books. These do not have the DH logo, of course. They are available in unlimited quantities to members of the W Club through the IT store.

I don't know what I will be ordering. What about you?

Who Is This Doll and Why Are They Calling Her Veronique?

Most of my readers know by now that the re-designing of Veronique is something I was opposed to. I believe she should have been discontinued if anything at all.  She is unique and was one of the two characters that launched the Fashion Royalty line. How can she be improved upon? She can't.
She can only become a new character. But the decision was made two years ago and the new Veronique has finally been introduced as Modern Comeback Noir and Blonde.  Each edition is 500 dolls and retails for $90. directly from IT. The opportunity to purchase the dolls has been offered as a lottery to W Club members only.

My personal reaction to these dolls is underwhelming. I was hoping for something I could love - something that attempted to be better than I expected - but what I got was ho-hum. Just another nice face and nice lingerie. Nothing new. This is not a comeback it is a drawback.
This doll should have been offered to all who wanted to buy her, not as a lottery. There are going to be lots of disappointed W Club members.