A new dress for Isha's accessories

My good friend (and fellow FDR contributor) Kathie is always coming up with interesting projects for me. The latest was taking the accessories from the Hello Bolly! luxury wear accessory set, released in 2005 by Integrity Toys, and creating a new outfit to go with them.

At first, I thought I'd go with a dark chocolate brown dress to match the color of the leather in the accessories, but decided it would be much to dark to dress her all in brown. So, I decided to go completely the opposite and created her a dress out of some vintage, ivory lace that I pieced together to create the "fabric" of her dress. I did give her just a little brown satin bow at the neckline to tie the accessories to the dress.

Knife's Edge Designs: 7 Deadly Sins

One of my favorite 12" doll jewelry designers is Amber Park, who runs Knife's Edge Designs.  She just put up her newest collection today called "7 Deadly Sins".  There are 7 bracelet sets to choose from, each at $19.  To see her post and details for ordering, or to just ogle her amazing photos and setups for each of these "sins", click here: http://members5.boardhost.com/pinkparlor/msg/1303244973.html

Here are 2 quick selections: GREED and LUST

*photos are property of Knife's Edge Designs*

February POTM

La Boutique is offering 2 Purse of the Month (POTM) choices this month!  First up is the Betsey Johnson bow purse in luscious Italian red lamb, with a chain-edged bow, side pockets, leather tassle and darling heart-shaped faux lock on front.  Second is Lulu Guinness’s “The Cat Who Got the Cream” tote.  Each bag is $32 plus shipping and can be made for 16″ dolls for an upcharge fee.  As always, La Boutique offers coordinating fashions that can be seen here:  http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/7504078

Also available is a retro style Jackie Kennedy Box suit, plus a mod  60′s jacket and dress with bag.  The Elite Ensembles can be seen here: http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/23673338

Please send all order requests to:  dianawieler@sympatico.ca

**photos are property of La Boutique**

January POTM: Vera Bradley

La Boutique released their January Purse of the Month and it's Vera Bradley!

They wanted to go with the cruise feel this January and so they have miniaturized Vera Bradley's floral print "Make Me Blush" and are giving you 2 options. You can purchase the Alice bag or the Tote bag (both trimmed in apple green leather) and each will come with a matching wallet. Cost is $32 each plus shipping from Canada. As always, exclusive fashions are offered to go with the purses, so if you'd like to see those pics you can see them HERE.

To order the purses, contact Diana at dianawieler@sympatico.ca  (For those of you with bigger dolls, you can also purchase the purses in 16" doll size for a small upgrade charge)

**Photos are property of LaBoutique**

An Interview with Maryann Roy of Welcome Home

Maryann Roy's winning entry of Mattel's Mad Men competition, "Flowers for Joan."
Used by permission. See more photos on her website.

We at the Fashion Doll Review were honored when Maryann Roy of Welcome Home agreed to do an interview. Interview by Shuga-Shug.

Maryann Roy has been in business since 1996, starting initially as a vintage doll restorer before moving into her own line. Welcome Home creates visually stunning diorama items and furniture, designed for the distinguishing doll collectors' palette. You can find Maryann's work in Fashion Doll Quarterly, and she has been featured in American Miniaturist, Dolls Magazine and Haute Doll. She also had the occasion to contribute to Integrity Toys for Poppy Parker, Fashion Royalty, NuFace and others.

Be sure to visit Welcome Home's website. The latest post features its very own jingle advertisement, written and designed by Maryann. You can now also follow her on Flickr, where she posts some of her items as well.

The Sisters of La Boutique Purse of the Month Club

September 2010 POTM Quilted Chanel Bag

 Do you have a closet full of designer purses? A different purse for every day of the week...of the year? Do you wish you could do the same for your fashion doll? Let me introduce you to Diana and Janet.

Diana Wieler and Janet Ellis are the sisters behind La Boutique Purse of the Month Club (POTM). Every month they offer new spectacular designer purses and coordinating outfits for our favorite fashion dolls.  Most of their offerings are geared to the 12" dolls, but they occasionally have something for the larger 16" gal, too.  I used the occasion of POTM's fifth anniversary to ask them some questions regarding their business.

FDR: Where are you located?
Diana: We both live in the Niagara Penninsula/wine country of Ontario Canada. Janet lives in St. Catharines and I'm in the metropolis of Grimsby.

Fanciful Delights - an interview with Roweena23

I discovered Fanciful Delights, and Jessica (also known as Roweena23 on Den of Angels), a few weeks ago, and I couldn't resist asking her for an interview. Currently, you can find Fanciful Delight's handmade one-of-a-kind hats for sale on Etsy, on Den of Angels' Marketplace forum, and often at GoGa and GoGa Lite conventions in San Francisco.

How to turn those extra bookshelves into Barbie real estate!

My two-year-old niece, Emma (whom I absolutely adore! all you Aunties out there know what I'm talking about) is starting to express some interest in Barbies. So, when she recently came to visit, I wanted her to have a doll house to play with them in.

If you've ever been to my 600-square-foot condo, you know that there is not much room inside for an additional residence, Barbie-sized or not. So, to save room and cost, I cleared off two bookshelves and transformed them into a brand new housing development!

If you have a niece, granddaughter, neighbor or friend coming over, or just want to create your own display diorama, here are a few tips I've discovered:

September POTM: Chanel

Another month, another purse! This month La Boutique has deemed Chanel as their purse of the month. 

For those unfamiliar with La Boutique, each month they make a miniaturized version of a high end purse. They always have several options for purchase, with accessories and outfits.

The purse this month is availabe in red and in gold. Plus you can order in 12″ or 16″ doll sizes ($32 & $35)! So even our bigger dolls can sport some Chanel this month! For more information click HERE. To order, email to: jellis116@cogeco.ca


**Photo is property of La Boutique**