Alices in Wonderland

Alices in Wonderland, originally uploaded by alington.

So, you know how I've been telling you all I'm tired of Alice in Wonderland-themed dolls? Well, maybe just one more photo. My DollHeart order arrived from Boutique Doll a few days ago. The Pink Alice set actually belongs to a friend, but she let me borrow it for Briana for a day, just to try it out.

From the left: Dollzone Morphoa is modeling the Queen of Hearts and a new wig, Peak's Woods tan Briana is in Pink Alice (wig and boots included), normal skin Segi is in the Duchess and DollHeart wig, and Yeru is in Blue Alice, wig and boots included.

See more photos on Flickr.

Oh yes. And it turns out, those silver things on the boots are indeed snaps. Thanks, Melissa! Now it won't take me 20 minutes to get those boots on or off. (I'm so embarrassed.)

Morphoa, according to Leah Lilly of Froggy Duds

Morphoa, per Leah Lilly
Originally uploaded by alington

Morphoa, my 58cm (almost 23") Dollzone girl, has returned from Leah Lilly's spa, and I am in love all over again. I sent a few inspirational photos to Leah before the face-up--Peak's Woods girls, actually--and now, she's absolutely gorgeous.

She's wearing shoes and the Alice Underground outfit by DollHeart, hat by JennyGrey, and a Tori wig by Monique Gold. Eyes are acrylic by Glib in Dove.

You can see a few more angles and some full-length shots of her on Flickr. Also, check out Leah's photo stream--you can see some more of her work. She's really amazing!

This is the doll who formerly had the pink eyes and flower tattoo on her face. I have included a before photo (she's a full-set doll) here as well.

I mean--she did have her charms before, but I was really thinking of selling her. Now, she's a great addition to my Peak's Woods lovelies! I don't think I'll ever be able to be without her.

Let them eat cake!

Finally, I've found a look I really like for my DollZone Morphoa BJD. I bought her as a full-set, and her make-up is very, very pink. Plus her little flower tear can almost be mistaken as historical style makeup.

The gown is a OOAK creation--just lovely--which I bought from Boutique Doll. The wig is either Leeke or Lutz, and I've pinned up some of the curls to make it look higher. I made the jewelry and hair accessories.

You can see more photos of Morphoa on my Flickr photostream. I love how she can pose, but I'm really not fond of DZ joints. The gown is perfect to cover them up!

Dollzone Christmas Babies for sale!

Denver Doll is offering the Dollzone Christmas Babies, which were formerly exclusively a gift-with-purchase item only, for sale now, at a bargain price of just $99 for the blank doll, or $129 with a face-up. Mine is shown here (face up by me).

I believe I have the Baby Girl B, white skin, and she is only jointed at the shoulders and hips, but she's very tiny--only 8.5 cm (3.3 inches)--and she doesn't really require any other jointing.

DollZone baby BJD

DollZone baby, originally uploaded by alington.

So... she's not over 12", but she belongs (officially now) to my SoulKid Amy. This is my newborn baby DollZone girl, who was a free gift with purchase of Melin last year. She came completely blank, and I believe she is now finished.

I'm pleased with how she turned out. I've blushed her body, and added some highlights to her face. I finally used some Liquitex gloss to her lips, eyes and cheek to make some tears. I think it's very cute, even though (as I now recall) it's a few days before your newborns actually make tears of their own.

My friend Jen made a little diaper for her, so she doesn't have to be naked anymore. I need to find her a little onesie, too. Cute little baby!

You can see some more photos, including my progress photos, on my Flickr photostream. (And don't be a chicken like me when it comes to adding pastels to your blank dolls. Once you get going, it's really fun.)

Fantastic Mr. Fox

Fantastic Mr. Fox, originally uploaded by alington.

My second ever face-up attempt--please be kind!--is on a DollZone Fox 16 cm limited with yellow skintone. I am fairly happy with how he turned out, and I think I'm ready to seal him with my next shipment of Mr. Superclear.

He's wearing a new set of blue acrylic eyes, too. He's only 16cm tall. So cute!

Mr. Fox is my very first boy doll (really!) and my first anthro. I think he's both a little bit freaky and cool at the same time--and I loved doing his face-up. It was so much fun!

See before photos here, and some more after photos on my Flickr photostream as well.

Melin in Lynea

Melin in Lynea, originally uploaded by alington.

I think I let the day go by without posting to either of my blogs. Oh dear!

At any rate, this is one of the photos I took today of Melin. I've been trying her out with different wigs, at the suggestion of a comment on one of my Flickr photos. I love her with longer hair, actually. She's really got a great face-up, and an adorable face--and her mouth and chin sculpt so nice, you hardly see it with her bobbed hair.

This is a DollHeart wig, Lynea in Sunstreaked. It's a YoSD size, just a bit too snug. But the MSD size is too large. I think I'd stick with this smaller size for her.

See more photos from this set on my Flickr photostream.

Morphoa in red and black

Morphoa in red and black, originally uploaded by alington.

Morphoa, a full-set DollZone Asian ball-jointed doll, SD-size, redressed in assorted clothing by DollHeart and shoes by ImplDoll. I've modified her to DollZone high heel feet. Wig by Peak's Woods. She's wearing her own red glass eyes.

She can stand with her legs crossed (and in heels) because she's sueded with microsuede (the artificial kind by Dr. Scholls). So fun!

I think she's sad because she'd like to go and and play.

See the rest of the photo shoot on Flickr.

Tuesday Tea for Two

Melin and Kai, originally uploaded by alington.

It's time for tea, and Melin found something in her cup. It's Kai, who is none too happy. Again, nothing seems to make Kai very happy! We do what we can around here. See the rest of the photos here.

The dolls are: Elfdoll Kai, who is 14 cm (5.5 inches), dressed in a gown by Clochette of Pixiedust Designs and Melin (full set) by Dollzone, who is 45 cm (17.75 inches).

This post is the brain child of Wanda Lee of the Plumed Pen, who hosts these online Tea for Two tea parties every Tuesday. You can participate, too. Visit her website for details!

More sleeping beauties

Melin and Olivia, originally uploaded by alington.

Dollzone Melin and Elfdoll Olivia were pleased to get some photo time yesterday. I am finding I enjoy the challenge of combining larger and smaller scale dolls, and I'm trying to find creative ways to take photos of both scales together.

You can check out the rest of the photoshoot on Flickr.

Now, before my house really falls to pieces around me, I'd better get back to work!

Melin at Christmas

Melin, originally uploaded by alington.

This is my DollZone Melin (MSD size, about 17" or 43 cm), who is really due for some more photo sessions. With her eyes sculpted nearly shut, she's one of my more peaceful doll sculpts.

Her outfit is pretty fantastic--an Alice in Wonderland reimagined. I just adore her. Though I maybe should change her into some pajamas, if I can find some that will fit her. She's very sweet.

You can see the rest of her photoshoot on Flickr.

Dollzone Baby

Dollzone Baby, originally uploaded by alington.

Here is a better close-up of the Dollzone baby who arrived last week. She was a gift-with-purchase with my Melin doll (a Christmas gift that I opened in November).

The baby came blank--I think she is a normal skin baby, though she may be white skin. I added all-over blushing with pastels and sealed (and primed) with Mr. Superclear (LOVE it), and my very first attempt at a face-up.

I think it came out all right. I had to go back again the next day to add some more shading and color, because I wasn't quite happy with her. I also used watercolor pencils for her eyes. She's really a fun little grumpy thing.

Now, I'd love to try a "real" face-up!

See more photos on Flickr.

Souldoll Amy and Baby Grump

My SoulKid Amy makes a good model for the season. (Please notice she has upgraded eyelashes, which I painstakingly put in.) She's dressed in Dreams of Tomorrow, an outfit for DeeAnna Denton (Tonner Doll Company).

She's holding a limited edition resin ball-jointed and strung newborn baby by DollZone, which was a limited edition gift-with-purchase doll when I purchased Melin from the Doll Market. The doll arrived unpainted--the face-up and blushing is done by me.

You can see the rest of this photoshoot on Flickr.

I wish all my readers a very merry Christmas, if you celebrate, and/or happy holidays if you celebrate another holiday! In any case, enjoy the time off with your loved ones.

Why you should consider sueding

Morphoa, sueded, originally uploaded by alington.

At the ball-jointed doll convention in San Diego earlier this month, Pam of Dollovely gave us a short and easy demonstration of sueding, using Dr. Scholl's synthetic self-adhesive moleskin. The moleskin goes in the sockets of the joints (the concave parts, so you don't see it) to provide an extra layer of friction between the parts, and therefore gives your doll extra stability and control, limiting your doll's "kickiness."

It was an easy process. Basically, I cut half-circles the size of the joint socket. Then I cut pie slices from the center of the circle out to almost the circle's edge. Next, I peeled off the self-adhesive backing, and stuck it into the joint socket. Cut off any access and make sure there is room for the elastic to string easily. Repeat till the socket is well covered and the joint feels smooth.

I did not unstring my doll for this technique. I found I could gently pull my doll apart and apply the moleskin as needed, working around the elastic string. I did remove her head, however, for her neck joint, and I wasn't able suede her torso. I did her hips and knees, and also her neck, shoulders and elbows.

Morphoa (DollZone) was a great poser before. But now, she has even greater stability. Check out this pose--no hands, no stand! Woo hoo!

Melin

Melin, originally uploaded by alington.

My newest BJD has arrived--and she's a Christmas gift. But I had to open the box to make sure none of her fingers were broken and to make sure she was complete.

And while the box was open, I went ahead and tried on her outfit--just to make sure everything was included. And since she was already dressed, I took a few quick photos. Hey, I can always package her back up and wrap up the box, right?

Her name is Melin, and she's another Doll-Zone resin ABJD. She's MSD-sized (about 17") with pink skin (or perhaps normal--it's very lovely). Her eyes are nearly shut: you can see the golden yellow just barely through her lashes. She's got a double-jointed body, also, so she poses like a dream.

Her outfit is amazing. It's inspired by Alice in Wonderland. It includes the chiffon dress with a sequin halter strap and crocheted overlay, a blue cotton and mesh petticoat, matching floral chiffon bloomers with ribbon trim, a ruffled choker, hair bow, pink hose, and adorable platform shoes.

You can see more photos on my Flickr photostream. Enjoy!

Morphoa in Pure Red

Morphoa in Pure Red, originally uploaded by alington.

More (and sharper) photos of Morphoa (by Doll-Zone) redressed, re-wigged and with new eyes, in a DollHeart outfit called Pure Red are now up at Flickr and my Mobile Me Gallery.

The eyes are by Peak's Woods, and they are acrylic, and a hazel shade. Quite lovely, if I do say so myself. The wig is a Tibetan lambswool wig by Michele Hardy.

The outfit, as are all the DollHeart outfits I've seen so far, fantastically detailed. If you're on the fence about splurging for one of these, my recommendation is to just go for it. You won't be disappointed. The details are just amazing.

Enjoy the photos!

Morphoa and Sky in DollHeart

Morphoa and Sky in DollHeart, originally uploaded by alington.

Check out Morphoa's new outfit. I bought a special new outfit--just for her--by DollHeart, called Pure Red. (Why it's called Pure Red, when only the hat is just red, escapes me.) For this photoshoot, Morphoa has gotten a new set of eyes (hazel) by Peak's Woods and is wearing a blonde Tibetan lamb wig by Michele Hardy. Sky is dressed in Alice Fantasy by DollHeart (wig also by DollHeart).

The outfit is adorable, and it has many intricate pieces. I have to admit, DollHeart outdoes itself time and again in quality. The outfit includes:

• red hat with stuffed printed heart trimming
• long (bell) sleeved cotton shirt with velcro closure and button front trim
• printed collar with snap closure
• long necklace with puff heart trim
• triple chain belt with floral trim
• floral print skirt with attached corset with zip closure
• red skirt with snap closure and elegant pin tuck embellishment
• white petticoat with lace trim
• cotton bloomers with lace trim
• lace socks with pom pom trim

The outfit is just lots of fun. You can see full-size photos on my Mobile Me gallery. The details are amazing!

Morphoa redressed

When I get a new doll, I have to completely redress her and see how she looks in different outfits (and wigs and eyes, if she's a ball-jointed doll). I haven't switched out her eyes (yet), but here's Morphoa, my newest Doll-Zone SD-sized girl, modeling an outfit by Michele Hardy, bohemian shepherdess style, in a mohair wig.

I think she passes! I can't wait to swap out her eyes--I have a pair of 16mm (or maybe 18mm) hazel eyeballs I am dying to try out! I think they will really suit her. But all in good time! She's just so much fun.

I'm still learning the intricacies of how she poses. She is really fun to photograph. You can see her full photo shoot on my Mobile Me gallery.

Morphoa has arrived!

Morphoa, originally uploaded by alington.

Finally, Morphoa, my first Doll-Zone SD-sized BJD, has made her arrival. You can check out my box-opening photos here. (Sure, it's a little out of control.)

After waiting so long, I was afraid I wouldn't be as thrilled with her as I would have hoped, and I was also afraid her red eyes and flower tattoo would scare me a little. But I shouldn't have worried: it was love at first sight!

Morphoa is 58cm (almost 23 inches) tall, and she's a white-skin doll, and her eyes are 18mm. She has double-jointed elbows and knees, which is different from my other SD-sized doll, a Peak's Woods Sky. Morphoa can touch her face, cross her arms, and keep her arms posed easily without assistance, right out of the box. Plus, kneeling and sitting poses are easy for her as well.

Her outfit is a little over the top--she has white puffy bloomers with coral and purple trim, a strapless zip-back babydoll top with bells and bows on the front, a collar with chiffon trim, a pair of sleeves with bells and ribbons, striped socks, platform shoes with ribbon ties, and a lace-trimmed petticoat. Her long pink wig is the only part of the outfit that leaves anything to be desired--the bangs look a little thin, but it can be worked with and styled.

The doll also included an extra pair of high-heeled feet, which is nice, and I love the shape of her fingers and elegant hands. Her pale skin is longing for some blushing, though! I just can't wait!

You can see more photos on my Mobile Me gallery. Enjoy!

Doll Zone outfits available now at the Doll Market

In SD sizes, MSD and YoSD (I believe), there are multiple selections available. These are pre-orders, so get your orders in soon.

Also, if you get on Doll Market's mailing list, they will often send you a coupon for $10 off your order during a particular month--"Doll Dollars." I'm not positive that these can be used towards pre-orders, but it would be worth a shot!

My current favorites:

• Adorable Me - just love the green, plus I think that's Clovera modeling the outfit, and she's hot in a dark wig!
• Blue Bell - for Sky, so she could match her new buddy Morphoa
• Pearls & Lace - of course. How could I miss the adorable Alice outfit!

Lots of others are listed, too. And check out the other sizes--these are only a few listed in the SD category!

Photo collages courtesy of the Doll Market/Doll Zone.