Now for the worst job of all - to tackle making a new Phantom mask.
I finished his shirt and vest yesterday, and am almost finished his cloak, and couldn't resist taking a photo. Rex is looking very Victorian, almost like a vampire here..... ...and then from another angle, with the Christmas tree in behind.... Makes his hair look so messy! But why always so critical of the guys?? I want them to be perfect, but have such a hard time getting them to look like I envision them.
Now for the worst job of all - to tackle making a new Phantom mask. Couldn't resist taking a photo of Rex today, as he was standing there waiting, while I was working on his Phantom costume. I had to make him a new shirt since the one with his formal suit had the wrong shape collar, and it didn't work with the collar tucked inside, so he was wearing one of my JID plaid shirts, just for fit, to see where the pattern needed altering. I'd already slicked back his hair with a lot of hair gel (when he wasn't wearing it), and gave him the Phantom mask to hold.... After Christine's costume, this one is a HUGE challenge. "But it looks so simple" you'd say. And you'd be right. That is exactly the problem! Simple, tailored clothes are the absolute worst thing to make in small scale. And after the success with the Christine costume, everyone will expect the same level of perfection with the Phantom.
The biggest problem right now is the mask. I made it months ago, out of Aves Apoxie, and it seemed fine back then. However, I had to shave a lot off, and sanded it quite a bit too, but there's no getting around the fact that it's way too thick. Sure, it looks great in his hand, but not so much when he's wearing it. So the plan is to go pick up my Lawrence, who has yet to get a new faceup, and then use him as a model to try make a thinner, better-fitting mask. I don't know exactly how yet, but I'm sure I'll figure it out. I don't exactly have much choice. But then, maybe Rex would rather play the role of Viscount Raoul de Chagne, and be the one who gets the girl in the end..... I took some studio shots of Bianca in her 'Christine' gown, so you can see the details... Now to turn Rex into the Phantom...
I'm finally finished Bianca's 'Christine' costume, and took a few quick photos. I'm very happy with how it turned out. I think it's my best one so far, but then I always preferred sewing for the smaller dolls. And Iplehouse Fashion dolls are the perfect models for these elaborate costumes.... Like always, when I make something, there's always all kinds of things that I wish had been done better - it's that pesky perfectionist in me - but overall I'm very happy with her. Now to tackle the Phantom.....
January 3rd is 'Fruitcake Toss Day', and it's always been one of my most popular 'Special Days' photos. Seems a LOT of people hate fruitcake, and are more than happy to see it come to some good use. However, that photo was taken 6 years ago, and I thought I should try do an update. So Aaron and Coco gathered up all the unwanted fruitcake, and took it outside... This time, for an extra challenge, they decided to include the use of a bat.... Aaron was going to be the pitcher, while Coco passed him new pieces of cake.... Olivia was ready.... Milo was back-catcher, although he hoped he wouldn't have to... The first piece of fruitcake was too far out of range.... and fell into the snow.... Coco passed Aaron a new piece..... Byuri and Erzulie watched in anticipation..... But Olivia missed again....and again..... They were starting to get low on fruitcake.... Aaron got ready to pitch some more.... ...and this time she smashed it!! "Here, pass me another one..." ...and she hit it again..... "Anyone else want to try??"
*Disclaimer - No fruitcake was actually smashed or wasted for this story. All the fruitcake pieces were gathered up off the fresh, clean snow, and happily devoured by Jan (who loves fruitcake, and generously allowed me to use some of it for my pictures) The smashed 'crumbs' were from an unwanted sacrificial stand-in. Among my dolls designated as 'regular kids' right now, are my two newest BIDs Olivia and Cookie. It took me a while to start playing with them because of all mess with the courier after they arrived damaged and missing a COA. Both are duplicate sculpts of dolls I already have, so I've been avoiding posting them together. But I decided it was time. The two new girls have Iplehouse faceups, while my first ones have custom artist faceups by Charie Wilson, so they are not exactly the same. They aren't going to be 'siblings', but can be 'cousins'. First the two 'Bono' girls, Holly and Olivia.... Then the 'Coco' cousins....Coco and Cookie....
So, another new year is upon us, and what are my plans? Well, first of all, I need to finish my Phantom couple. The gown for Bianca is getting close. I still have some beading to do, and need to add fringe to her shawl, and come up with a tiara. Then it's Rex's turn to become the Phantom. There's also the end-of-year finishing up of existing (and not yet created) Favourite Photo albums, before I can start the new ones for 2019. There's quite a few folders full of photos on my desktop just waiting. All the ones about my Wizard/Santa, his Halloween party, his journey to the North Pole, and all the ones from the North Pole workshop, and Christmas. And to add to my already overflowing schedule, I offered to take some photos of my sister's Gnome collection for her. They are a set of very small soft-sculpture figures made by a friend of hers. I'm always up for a challenge, and it could be fun... What new dolls am I waiting for? I was surprised when I added them all up. There's six of them! Any day now - like tomorrow or Friday - will be Phairby Flowers, the Fairy Godmother, from DreamHigh Studio in Indonesia. She is coming blank, and I'm excited to see how she ends up. And having a Fairy Godmother around, opens up all kinds of fairytale adventures.... Also, I received an email from AGatti, in Russia, the other day, that Vakhmurddarr, the Dwarf King, is ready and will be shipping next week. He's also coming blank. The plan is to make his costume, along with the ones for my two Feegles (still in their boxes), and then have all three painted. Probably next will be a boy KID Daisy from Iplehouse. I've liked the smiley sculpt right from when it was introduced, and decided I wanted her as a boy instead. Coming blank too. Not sure who would likely arrive next. Jan ordered a Baby Sena from Supiadoll, as a Christmas gift. He/she is coming blank, and I have no idea how fast Supia is. Anyways, one of my doll families will be getting a baby. I'm thinking the Victorian one, since that's what all my baby buggies are.... There's also another House Elf from DreamHigh Studio on order. This one is a guy - Nolan - and he will be coming blank. I envision him as a tiny warrior elf in chainmail and armour. The plan is to dedicate much of the winter and spring to making Fantasy costumes - like knights - for several of the new smaller dolls (and some older ones) in hopes that we will actually be able to take them on a road trip (or two) again this year. The places I want to go would make perfect settings for those kinds of characters... And finally, ordered first (in August) and coming last (likely at the end of this coming summer) will be Mini Missy. I resisted all the other Minis from Kaye Wiggs. They are so expensive and take almost a year to come. But my curiosity got the better of me, so there is one coming...eventually.. Well, back to my beading.....
Yesterday I was far too tired to gather all my Tiny dolls together for a new New Years photo... so I forced myself to do it this morning......so..... Happy New Year from the gang!!A day late, but at my age, it's close enough.... Back row; Iplehouse KIDs Lonnie, Aaron (Ah-ra), Angela, Milo (Millie), and Paige.
Third row: Iplehouse KID Lisa, BIDs Byuri, Erzulie, Coco, Bonnie, Efreet, and KID Peach Second row; Iplehouse BIDs Eris (Serca), Elin, Olivia (Bono), Kaye Wiggs Tiny Talyssa, Tillie and Cinnamon, and Iplehouse BIDs Ringo, and Effie (Addiction Efreet) Front row; Iplehouse BIDs Nyssa (Naias), Holly (Bono), Cookie (Coco), Gray & Beige Smuzkha Racoons by Whispering Grass, BID Nami, two Foxes by Whispering Grass, and BID Chloe In the very front; four Manuna Mice (white, grey, and two tan), and two Mr. Ropuha Toads, all by Whispering Grass, and Willie the House Elf by DreamHigh Studio And today it's the beginning of yet another new year! That last one sure went fast!! Too fast to have taken some new celebratory photos, so I'm dipping into the Archives.... Happy New Year from previous years..... Here's hoping everyone has a happy and healthy 2019!!
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AuthorMartha Boers is an award-winning Canadian doll maker and costumer specializing in fantasy and historical-style costumes. Archives
May 2024
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