Thursday, February 17, 2011

Fake Takaras

This is scary.  There are people selling dolls that are fakes (maliciously or unintentionally, I don't know).  I know I am buying clones with Basaak and Blybe but I did not even think about fake Takaras!


Ginny is outraged!

Simply Mango is one of them.  I am certain my Mango is real because I bought her from This Is Blythe. 

This is something to think about when buying dolls!  Go to the Flickr group Fake Takaras Galore and educate yourself!!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Boy?

I am now doubting my choice of making a boy doll.  He is cute, but I found that I don't want to make clothing for him.  I thought it would be fun.


I will ponder about it for a couple of weeks before I do anything drastic.  I think he can be easily converted back to a girl with a body, lip paint, and eye lashes.

What do you think?

Sunday, February 13, 2011

My New Girl



My second Black Beauty Blythe project is finished! In Arkansas we got the third snow of the year this past week; fortunately, my doll (head rather) arrived just in time to beat the it!  I took a bit of time off on Tuesday afternoon to get her painted before the storm.  I am so glad I did, she has turned out lovely!

Sad part is she has no name yet.  I like real human names for most part.  The nature-ish names are for my petites (Applesauce, Moon Flower, etc.).  I have broken the rules with Stone and I may name my RBL from Australia, Rabbit.  I am just stumped on this little lady.


All the same here are some photos:




So far all that has been altered is spray tan for the face plates and scalp, body transplant, and strawberry blonde hair wefting. One of the first things I change is the eye chips, except this time.  They are such a chore to change in Basaak dolls I just didn't bother.  Plus, the ones I ordered are still on their way.  

New girl is wearing a coat from the Etsy shop Cheekiepea, and the boots are Vintage World of Love doll accessory. What you can't see on the coat is the Chihuahua chefs!

A new project is coming up, my girl from down under! But, more on her later!

Friday, February 4, 2011

Meet Moon Flower



This is Moon Flower.  She is a Hollywood Hills Party Petite Blythe.  Apparently she is a true party girl.


Moon Flower is pictured in a little gold dress of my own design, but I think silver is more of her style.  The scarf is robbed from my daugther's LPS Blythe.

Yes, that is snow again!  I can't believe southern Arkansas got it again--  2.5-3 inches!

I even took photos of Moon Flower straight of the box.


Pretty sure Moon Flower is secretly a Marilyn Monroe want a be.


Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Welcome Home Outift for Petite Blythe

Welcome Home Outfit for Petite Blythe
Supplies:

US 1 DPNs
Sock weight yarn
4 stitch markers
Darning needle
Scrap yarn
Velcro

Sweater:
CO 15
Place marker at 3, 2, 5, 2 3
Row 1- KFB before and after every maker
Row- Purl all stitches
Repeat 1 and 2 once more or until there are 6 sleeve stitches.
Knit to the sleeves and place them on scrap yarn and do the same for the second one.
Stocking stitch for 6 rows.
K1 x P1 for 1 row
BO in rib and weave in ends.
Sew on Velcro for closure.
Sleeves x 2-
Place the 6 stitches back on the needles and pick up 2 at the armpit.
Knit for 5 rounds.
K2tog, knit the rest.
K1 x P1 for 1 round.
BO in rib and weave in ends.
Skirt:
CO 20
Knit for 6 rounds.
Decreasing-
*K1, SSK, K4, K2tog, K1* twice.
Knit for 1 round.
K1 xP1 for 1 round.
BO in rib and weave in ends.

Copyright by Natalie Scrimshire 2011
This is for personal use only.  Please do not sell pattern. I can be reached at nscrimshire@gmail.com or at Ravelry user name- PandoraPhelps.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Black Custom Experience


First paint job


I have been noticing a lot of search engine hits on my blog regarding to spray painting and removing spray paint.  So, this post will be condensing my experience into one area.

Angelina has been my trial and error doll. I first tried to match paint to a body with no success, second, I tried painting two different bodies (absolute no success), and third, I started over.

I bought a World of Love doll named Soul to place a Blybe (clone doll) head onto it.  The inspiration for this doll was Funny Bunny's Chocolate Pudding
(www.funnybunny.se/dolls).

I could not find Belton RAL spray paint in my area so I tried matching with an enamel spray paint from Hobby Lobby.  The head took the paint perfectly without any trouble.  The body was not even close to a match with the paint.  I tried painting the body with the enamel spray paint after sanding it. 

The paint never dried on the legs.  I removed it with some kind of glue remover, I don't know the name but it was mild.  I resigned to my doll wearing tights forever and then the upper body's paint started chipping.

I tried the same paint on a Ashton Drake body.  I read that the plastic is a bit harder and it holds the paint better.  Well, it was worse than the Soul body with the enamel paint.

I removed the paint from the ADG. I used, I am not going to mention, something that I heard is bad for the plastic in the dolls.

This version of Angelina I did the following:

I used Mineral Spirits to clean and remove left over paint.  Sanded her face and body down. The body received a good scrub with soap and water (make sure it is completely dry before painting). The paint was SEM Color Classic automotive paint.  It is made to repair color to vinyl, plastic, and leather car interior.  I checked with the Sherwin Williams clerk about if it will work on my doll and the answer was it should be perfect for that. 



I sprayed the Coolcat scalp, head plates, and ADG body all at once.  It took about half of a can.  The head and scalp dried nearly instantly.  The body was dry but not cured.  When I say cured I mean it could be touched without leaving prints or wrinkles but it was not ready for heavy work like putting the head on.  I used the scalp about 24 hours after the last spray with no damage or trouble.  The head was attached to the head about 26-27 hours after and this was too soon! 


You can see the scratch


Scratches getting worse

Since the head and body are not the same brands the fit is not perfect.  Unlike the Blythe, Neo and ADG, there was a lot of movement.  This caused the neck to be scratched.  I have touched up the scratches and it is now drying for 2-3 weeks.  If I am busy with other projects, maybe even longer.


Let me write out my disclamer.  I am not a professional.  Please do not try any of this without taking full responsibility of your own actions. If in doubt, don't do it. This was just my experience.