First the Weeding the Garden last month. I had already posed the dolls inside so I'd know how I was going to position them, then chose one of the only spots in the backyard that actually looked like it could be an overgrown garden. All the dolls were held in position with my wire poke-in-the-ground stands.
I take so many photos for several ongoing stories, and in no particular order that I forget what behind-the-scenes shots I've shared. So I'll try catch up. First the Weeding the Garden last month. I had already posed the dolls inside so I'd know how I was going to position them, then chose one of the only spots in the backyard that actually looked like it could be an overgrown garden. All the dolls were held in position with my wire poke-in-the-ground stands. Then I had to get down on the grass to take photos at their level... But it was also one of the rare times that taking a photo from above worked.... When taking photos it's important to make sure all the details are correct. I was taking photos of Naomi reading out on the patio, and her book kept falling out of her hands. So I didn't notice until afterwards that I had put the book back upside down. Now, in my defence, the front and back covers are very similar, and I don't see details in the dark very well.... But once I noticed, I had to reshoot with the book right side up... Then I was working on a new story (coming soon) and these two guys, both had roles to play in it, so they were standing together in my workspace. Matias who is a SartoriaJ 51ATH guy was being changed into his knight outfit and still needed his leg armour, and Owen who is an Iplehouse JID, was waiting for me to make him a 'safari' vest. The contrast between the two of them couldn't have been greater, and I was amused thinking of what the two of them could possibly be thinking, so just had to take a photo.
Sometimes I'll need a buckle of a certain size, and the fabric store doesn't carry any that small. I also am not a fan of ordering them online since I prefer to actually see what I'm buying. So, then I go check out the shoe section at Value Village on Senior's Day, looking for cheap second hand shoes that hopefully have at least two buckles on each shoe. I used to feel guilty buying shoes just for their buckles, then throwing the shoes out, but after the Senior's discount, I get a handful of nice buckles for just a few dollars. And with no waiting or shipping fees. Making Fabric 'Armour'I was making a knight costume for one of my dolls, and it needed some armour. But it had to be made of fabric. So I designed the patterns for an armour breastplate and two shoulder-plates. I made the first set out of a textured silver lame. I tried adding studs for decoration but after a bit of handling they just started coming off. Then I tried making the same pieces out of a plain silver lame, but it looked too shiny, like it belonged to a spaceman or the tin woodsman from the Wizard of Oz.... So then I started over yet again with a silver-gray satin reinforced with stiff interfacing. I finally had something with a bit of a sheen, but not too shiny, that could pass for steel armour. So I added the studs and stitched small silver beads around the outer edge...
In early September we were planning a road trip out to the Maritimes, and like usual I was thinking of which dolls to take along. I thought Rex and Bianca and their family in contemporary times. I thought Bianca could use a new sweater for the trip so started working on one. But plans changed and we didn't go to the Maritimes. But I still wanted to finish the new sweater set anyways, and when it was finished I tried it on Naomi, and took some photos of her wearing it... It was such a lovely autumn day, that she took an afghan.... ...and a book... ...to spend a cozy afternoon doing some reading out in the garden.
Princess Zora loved reading and looking at picture books with her cat... "How would you like to look at my new picture book with me?" "It's about dragons." But what her cat really liked was when she would read to him...
Thinking of all my American friends who were hoping for something better..... They weren't the only ones.....
I set up a castle interior so my Princess could make herself comfortable, and to see what would interest her. She chose to try her hand(s) at the harp, and played something for her kitty. "So, what do you think?" But, being a cat, he couldn't exactly say anything....so she just kept on 'playing'....
Almost two years ago I was contacted by Ruby Red Fashion Friends to see if I'd be interested in submitting some costume designs for a possible future collaboration. I thought it might be fun, and they sent me a doll to use as my model. Then I immediately started on three totally different costumes in hopes that they would like at least one. I was thrilled when they wanted to produce all three! The first one to be released as a preorder in June 2024 was Princess Zora, which was their version of my Princess with the Frog. Ruby Red sent me a Princess Zora and she arrived in late October. I was surprised that their limited edition dolls come bald and undressed for the collector to put together. Everything came wrapped in tissue paper, and after dressing her I had to take some photos. First, in her garden with her horse... the Princess and Her HorseJust a few photos of a tender moment between the two of them.
I was in the middle of cleaning up the set and changing their outfits after photographing her birthday story earlier this year. He was already fully dressed and Naomi was still in her robe, and they looked so good together that I felt inspired to take a few photos.... September 17th was National Fox Day, and I wanted to take some nice portrait shots of my Foxes ever since, and finally got around to it last week... Kittie and Rhett are the most elite members of my Forest Dweller community.... Then Kittie posed for a few more portraits by herself...
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AuthorMartha Boers is an award-winning Canadian doll maker and costumer specializing in fantasy and historical-style costumes. Archives
February 2025
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