Inspiration

Today, I received a purple helium balloon for an early birthday present. This, combined with the Pacific Northwest's unusually mild, sunny weather, combined to give me an idea for a cute little doll photo shoot.

It all started with the original designation of this particular doll - Pessimist in Purple Agnes Dreary, who has been renamed Winona in my collection. I belong to the Yahoo! group, Cheery About Agnes Dreary, and I have written up many adventures for Winona, so it just comes second nature to me to run with an idea when it comes to this particular doll.

The most important tip here is, if you get an idea for something for a good photo shoot with your dolls, run with it. You never know when an idea is going to strike, or the right lighting conditions, either.

Anyway, here are the pictures - I let my imagination run away with me, and I was pleasantly surprised when they turned out.

Captain Winona to tower, requesting clearance

Winona's dress is by my friend Nikki in Wales.

You don't have your pilot's license yet, kid.

Winona's daddy James (Captain Jack Sparrow) manages to catch his girl, and keep her anchored to the ground. I had to cheat a little to get the shot I wanted - the adult Tonner males aren't really strong enough to hold on as I wanted, so I have them sitting, and did a little cropping to try to maintain the illusion. One fine day, I WILL "get it."

Yep, that's my girl all right!

I love the naughty little twinkle Tonner caught so well with the Captain Jack Sparrow Character Figure - it works with such hyper kids as Winona and her "evil twin" Alex (Viktor Dreary).

Here's your GOTCHA kid!

Taken during the "Snowpocalypse!" of last month. Alex surprised his dad with a snowball. Dad is about to surprise Alex with an even bigger snowball.

Steffie of the Day: Fashion Photo PJ

Fashion Photo PJ, a photo by alington on Flickr.

From 1978, one of my grail Steffies, Fashion Photo PJ. She's a lovely highlighted brunette, who needs a little hair help.

It turns out mine isn't exactly mint, but she's still very pretty. I love this doll. Some things that make her special to me:

• Her gorgeous brown eyes and soft golden eye screening
• Her ultra natural lips
• Her naturally styled hair
• Her turquoise Superstar jewelry
• Her "posing" body, which reminds me just a little of the Walk Lively bodies

Did you think I was "over" Steffie? Um, yeah. I'm over Steffie like I'm over Alice. I don't see it happening. You can see more photos of her on Flickr.

My first doll from Wilde Imagination: Lizette!

Lizette, a photo by alington on Flickr.

Essential Lizette, Wigged Out, has arrived, and I just love her. Of course, she can't come live here without me messing with her a little, so here is a list of her beauty treatments so far:

• manicure
• liquitex on her eyes and lips for vavoom shine
• applied lashes
• a Peak's Woods wig
• outfit by Jennygrey Designs
• bling by Tonner and Gene

I think her spice skin tone is simply lovely. Her original lingerie is really fun and detailed--a lovely cotton camisole and bloomers--plus she includes white tights and lace boots.

The two wigs included with this doll are fun--a long raven mohair-like wig and a short and sassy brown style--but I have a hard time with the hard cap. I think because of my experience with BJD stretchy wig caps, I prefer those. Here, she is wearing a wig usually worn by my MSD-sized girls.

You can see more photos of her on Flickr.

Lizette, a photo by alington on Flickr

New items from Wilde Imagination

Serendipity outfit

There are two new outfits available from Wilde Imagination for Ellowyne, Lizette and friends:

Serendipity - a gorgeous fringed bouclé jacket in warm brown tones with faux leather belt and matching hat, brown knee high boots, and eggplant stockings. LE1000 $84.00

Easy Does It outfit

Easy Does It - a 1940s inspired floral print dress with front buttons and lace collar, striped stockings, black boots, lace gauntlets, and gorgeous hat. This outfit ships for free through midnight, February 10 to continental US customers. (Other customers, just follow the instructions on the listing to get a $9.95 shipping credit.)

Additionally, be sure to check out the End of Edition Specials for some fabulous deals, including five coordinating separates of the Ennui Too collection for just $50, an additional matching blouse for $12, as well as two other outfits for $59.

Finally, the last promotional email from Wilde Imagination has a few photos from IDEX, including:

On The Bright Side Ellowyne - from the Tea event, who is now sold out. Look at that necklace!

A sneak peek at Eternally Yours Evangeline - the newly designed resin Evangeline, coming in March.

And OMG - Ellowyn, Totally Refined - a sneak peek at the new resin BJD Ellowyne, available later this spring! I wonder if she will be available at the Tonner convention? (Oh, for my budget's sake, I sure hope not!) 

Still looking for Integrity Toys pre-orders?

Try Treasure Dolls. A website is still in the works but you can email treasure dolls [at] yahoo (and then) dot com. Here what this shop still has available:

• Hansel & Gretel
• FR Monograms
• FR:16
• Darla and
• Chaffeur's Daughter Sabrina

Good luck!