Royal Amelie

Royal Amelie, a photo by alington on Flickr.

Oooh--wow! I took a photo! Yay!

It's Royal Amelie from the 2009 FR Nippon collection by Integrity Toys. This version has strawberry pink hair and is a special edition by LEONIDAS. She, like the rest of the FR Nippon collection, was available exclusive from Japan. With her pink hair, she's perfect for my collection.

I ordered her from Doll-Collectible, who has just fantastic service. I believe they had an older address for me on file. I don't know if it was my mistake or theirs--but the doll was reshipped at no cost, immediately, with no hassle at all. I'm really impressed, and I recommend them highly!

The prices are fantastic as well. So please check them out for all your FR Nippon needs. I have one additional photo of Amelie on Flickr, if you'd like to check her out!

W Club Lottery - Victoire Roux Buenos Aires

W Club Members were invited to enter a lottery to win Buenos Aires, an exclusive IT Direct Exclusive Victoire Roux doll from the Christmas in July unveiling. She's limited to 600 and is priced at $99, with a delivery date of early August 2013.

She has the FR White skin tone, pale blonde hair and has hand applied lashes. She's wearing a New Look-inspired Dior fashion, it seems, and includes an umbrella prop.

New release - Barefoot in the Park - Poppy Parker

Integrity has also released two new gift sets to celebrate Paramount's film, Barefoot in the Park. The first in the Barefoot in the Park collection features Poppy Parker as Corie Bratter. She's limited to 800 sets, retails for $160, and is estimate to ship in late September of 2013.

This set includes a redhaired doll with an updo with three different outfits and three coats. She also includes two clutches, two pairs of pumps and a pair of boots, hoop earrings and gold toned accessories.

The second set, The Bratter Lovers, features Poppy Parker and Chip Farnworth III as Corie and Paul Bratter in a two-doll gift set. This set is limited to 800 and is estimated to ship in late September as well. Its retail is $180.

Photos are property of Integrity Toys.

Poppy Parker Fashion Teen - new release

Also released - It's Poppy Parker Fashion Teen. She's 16" tall with applied lashes, great articulation, and she doesn't have super positive reviews on many collector blogs, apparently. Personally--just adding my two cents--I think she's cute, if more on the anime and less realistic side. And her outfits are pretty amazing.

I adore the detail of the clothes, actually, which happen to fit Fairyland's Chicline BJD body perfectly--right down to the shoes. 

Four dressed dolls were released with an October 2013 estimated delivery and $140 retail price. The dolls have rooted hair and applied lashes.

Above, it's The Glad Game. She's blonde with green eyes, and has a sweet printed dress, matching hat and tote, white gloves, flower jewelry and blue pumps.

I quite like the outfit from One Fine Day. She's wearing a sophisticated white printed polka dot dress, white gloves and red pumps. Her accessories include a red train case, matching hat, sunglasses, bracelet, earrings, and hat. This doll has dark blonde hair and blue eyes.

Magic Moment features an evening look with an auburn-haired doll with aqua eyes, a shimmering leopard print evening gown with a belt, faux fur wrap, faux leather gloves, gold and black shoes, gold clutch and black and gold earrings.

Winter Wowzers! reminds me of a mod Barbie fashion, and features a raven-haired doll with blue eyes. She's wearing a yellow knit sweater under a spotted coat, black stirrup pants, faux fur trimmed boots, yellow earrings, ear muffs and yellow gloves.

Photos are property of Integrity Toys.

New IT releases - better late than never - The Stingers!

So, what have I been doing this whole time? Other than trying to break my foot and traveling, not much, it seems.

I missed an Integrity Toys release for you all, and I apologize.

This time, even more Jem and the Holograms have been released--The Stingers--three more dolls to this line. Apparently, these dolls must be selling very well. While I don't personally collect this line--I grew up in Germany, and must have missed the original Hasbro collection and TV show--this release of is pretty cool.

Rory Riot Llewelyn, Ingrid Minx Kruger and Phoebe Rapture Ashe make up the band The Stingers. All are blonde with big hair--especially Riot, with his huge Whitesnake-look alike do. Their outfits are pretty cool, and again, gorgeous mini instruments, I have to admit, especially a neat keyboard for Minx. Retail is $119, with an estimated delivery of September. I don't actually see an edition size for these dolls.

Photo is property of Integrity Toys.

My "first" attempt at a OOAK Barbie

Okay, so the "first" in quotations means that this is not actually the first one-of-a-kind Barbie that I've tried to re-paint. There is one very sad attempt that is hidden deep in a drawer somewhere in my my house. You will never see a picture of her and we will never speak of her again.

Now that that's cleared up, here are the before & after shots of the first OOAK Barbie that I'm not ashamed to share pictures of. She began as a "Celebrate, Disco Doll!" Barbie (2008) with an afro of short, sausage curls & glitter eye shadow. Cute in her own way, but ready for a different look.

Photo shoot with Soom Rosette

FDR editor, Alison, recently acquired this Rosette BJD, made by Soom. I was drawn to her dramatic curves and her sweet little face (that reminds me of my 5-year-old niece, Emma), so Alison let me borrow her for a photo shoot in some of my new 16" fashion doll clothing. Enjoy the photos, and feel free to check out all of the clothes in my Etsy shop!

Just kicking back.

Dolly Bureau, Volume I - A new pattern book by Megann Zabel

Poppy Parker/Misaki Pattern, a photo by theartofmegann on Flickr.

Doll patterns in a book, all to scale, with clear instructions in English, designed for beginners to intermediate dolly couture fans? Sounds too good to be true--but it isn't! Check out Megann Zabel's newly released book, Dolly Bureau Volume 1, available now!

The retail price of the book is $27.95, and you can currently find it for sale from DollyBureau.com, Amazon, Denver Doll Emporium, The Doll Peddlar, The Swell Shop, and also at Azone's booth in doll shows in Japan. This price gets you a 100-page full color book, in 8.5x11 size. Inside, you'll find 14 full outfits (lots of mix-and-match pieces) for various dolls.

Volume I includes outfits for Momoko, Poppy Parker/Misaki, Chip (FR:Homme), and 1:4 (MSD) and 1:12 (Lati Yellow and Pukifee) sized BJDs. Additionally, lots of full-color photographs display other dolls, such as Pullip, Odeco, J-doll, Tiny Betsy McCall, Model Muse Barbie, Ken, Limhwa To You, and Liv. The patterns are to scale, and require only tissue paper to transfer.

Megann Zabel, the owner of MegannArt, has a background in fine arts and design, which really shows in this publication. The attention to detail in her patterns, illustrations, and overall design of the book is amazing. The book is beautiful--it is a must-have for any fashion doll fan, in addition to the budding designer.

In addition to her gorgeous layout and photography, I must add that the instructions are really wonderful. Megann includes a step-by-step photo tutorial of the first pattern, which--for me--is particularly helpful. Even if you have no (or limited) prior knowledge of sewing in smaller sizes, the supply lists, techniques, and clear instructions (such as what exactly "easing" means), all make me want to try again.

Additionally, the author invites her readers to share the results of their endeavors online. While the patterns are designed for personal use, you can join the group on Flickr here--plus sneak a peek at the terrific patterns inside the book. Personally, I am in love with Megann's photography!

This is Megann's first publication, and I happen to know Volume II is in the works now. I'm thrilled to see more from her, and am so excited to see this new line of easy-to-use patterns.

This book would make the perfect gift for a young doll collector, in addition to those of us who have been collecting for a while. My nine year-old Lauren is really inspired, and I hope to be sharing some of her creations shortly!

FR: Nippon Promenade

FR: Nippon Promenade, a photo by alington on Flickr.

I can't believe how adorable FR: Nippon Promenade Amelie is in person! Misaki is also adorable, by the way.

It's been a while since we've seen new dolls in this line, and they were just beautiful in person.

If you'd like to see the rest of the dolls in Integrity Toys 2013 collection, visit my Flickr photo album here.

New CCS Momoko: 13AN Home

Momoko just seem to get cuter an cuter.  Check out this lovely new Momoko whose theme is "Mauve Maiden."  Her description provided by PetWORKs is pretty great: 

"A mademoiselle momoko living in the mansion with luxury drape curtains.
A sigh fallen from her mauve lips fades away into the high ceiling."

Some features of the doll include the honey face, fair skin, gold faded eye-shadow, and mauve lips.  Something about her reminds me of City in the Sea.  Perhaps this is City in the Sea's rich sister?

She will be available for preorder soon for 19,000 yen through sources like the PetWORKs Global Store.

Want some special designs for you Momoko?  I provide lots of dolly attire and even a pattern book.  Support an artist!  Visit my website (MegannArt) for an Etsy shop, Twitter, Facebook (with occasional discounts), Pinterest page, and much more.
 
Picture courtesy of Petworks.

IFDC Horror High Integrity Toys exclusives

IFDC was really a blast this year--my fourth year attending--even though we saw a smaller crowd than usual. My daughter Kate and I were both in attendance. The Orleans seemed even less smoky than some years, though being from California, we are pretty spoiled. The weather was beastly hot--topping out at 118 degrees on Tuesday, if I recall. 

My husband and other three kids followed us out in a separate car, and we stayed in a suite for the first time. It was really quite nice--especially with the entire clan. Now, we can spend the next week recovering from vacation.

The souvenir doll this year is simply stunning. She was provided by Integrity Toys and was included with the registration price. Glam Vamp uses the lovely Anja sculpt on a Fashion Royalty body, in the FR white skin tone. She has raven hair, blue eyes with applied lashes, and is part of the Nu.Fantasy collection, as all three convention dolls this year.

She is limited to 300, with a suggested retail price of $175.

Her outfit is a fitted black gown with high side slit and beaded accents. She includes fishnet stockings, gorgeous silver and rhinestone jewelry, and fun black and red lace-trimmed "bat wing" open-toe pumps.

In the sales room, Dark Fable was offered as an addition IT Direct exclusive with the suggested retail price of $150. She's limited to just 300 dolls as well. She uses Imogen's head sculpt on an FR body with the FR white skin tone as well. She has two-toned black and red hair, which is styled in an intricate partial up-do with lots of really well-done spiral curls. She has green eyes with applied lashes.

She is dressed in a two-piece outfit, including a red and black lace top with bell sleeves, and a gorgeous mermaid style skirt with lots of tiny tulle ruffle layers toward the bottom. She includes a brooch, earrings, and ring with red rhinestone accents. Her pumps are black with red splatter pattern.

Attendees were treated to an extra companion doll as well. Blood Lines is limited to 300 with a suggested retail price of $150. She uses Tatiana's head sculpt on a Fashion Royalty Japan skin tone. She has raven hair with white streaks, and blue eyes.

She is dressed in a white gown with black ruffle detail, and includes red rhinestone stud earrings. She also includes an amazing snake necklace, and white pumps with black lace overlay.

W Club members are given a chance to enter a lottery to purchase any remaining dolls at the suggested retail price, which they must enter by July 15. I have to say, though, the reception of these dolls was pretty fantastic at IFDC, and I saw a lot of attendees standing in line to buy extras as well. They are indeed fabulous!

I hope to have some additional photos posted by the end of the day, though I confess my camera duties were slightly neglected this year.

Photos are property of Integrity Toys.