The Avant Guard Makeover

 Through the years my attitude toward having dolls repainted has changed. At first I resisted thinking that I wouldn't even buy a doll if she needed to be altered. What a difference having a doll repainted can make. I loved the changes so much that I re-bodied these gals as well.

Left:  IT outfit; Ficon sneakers; Monique Wig; Superdoll Glasses
Right: Nigel Chia suit; Patta wig; Jamieshow shoes

The doll on the left above, was originally "Lush," a sculpt also used by Androgyny and other AGs.

I had the green eye shadow changed the lips darkened. I love her now.

Fashion: Modsdoll Aurum

Fashion: Integrity Toys for FR16; Superdoll Wig

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The doll with the blonde wig at the top of the page was originally either "Attention" or "On Edge." They all used the same open mouth sculpt along with my favorite, "Goldmine." 

Below is the original "Goldmine."

My "Goldmine" had yellowed and deteriorated and Vin recreated a new one for me.

The FR16 bodies can wear Kingdom Doll, many Gene and most Tonner Antoinette fashions along with the original Avantguard fashions, of course. Their wig size is generally a 4/5.  That also depends upon the wig. 

It's unfortunate that Integrity Toys ruined the line by using messed-up face-ups with exaggerated colors and weird outfits. They were beautiful sculpts. Like they've done with other dolls, the bodies could have been upgraded to a more stable design. The Tulabelle and FR16 sculpts never came close. 

Repaints by Vin Trapani.

A Repaint by Lisa Gates and the Monster High Monster Maker

 The very talented Lisa Gates has repainted a Wilde Imagination Sad Sally. With her new face and grown up earrings, Sally is no longer an innocent little girl. She now looks like a teenager. It's quite a transformation!
 Visit Lisa's website here: http://www.dazzleemrepaints.com/

I love my original Sad Sally although I do believe her face could use a little blushing.

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While we're on the topic of a quirky little doll, I was browsing through pictures of Monster High dolls last week. I went through a period of buying and displaying them. To say the least they are unique and clever. Personally, I lost interest in them rather quickly. They are cute play-line dolls and what you get for your money is enough but I found them to be nothing more than decorative characters. I used some of mine to decorate one of my smaller Christmas trees.

In spite of all that, this particular one caught my eye. Her name is Wydowna Spider. She's a ToysRus exclusive. Mattel categorizes Monster High dolls as fashion dolls.  Well, she does come with two additional fashions although I'd call them outfits.

Apparently, many collectors do consider them to be fashion dolls so I'm out-voted. I posted the question on a Facebook board last week.  Six out of 29 respondents said no, they do not consider them to be fashion dolls.

Some of the more interesting answers:

-Yes but only because don't consider them to be baby dolls
-I consider them more Playline fashion dolls like barbie Fashionista dolls - though i do have a few and a few Ever After High dolls
-Yes! The details on their fashions is incredible. If you're not a collector, take a closer look next time you see one. You'll be amazed how the purses, jewelry, & shoes are all different for each character.
-Yes!! They are actually amazing little posers and for an inexpensive doll they are very detailed
-Yes, sure they're playline but still fashion dolls.
-I think the difference is Monster High is a Playline fashion doll. The 16 inch dolls like Tonner, Sybarites, Kingdom Doll, Fashion Royalty 12 and 16 inch are collectible higher end dolls.
-Yes, fantasy fun fashion dolls of a sort.
-No, though their premise might be fashion forward off springs of the our favorite ghouls, monsters and ghosts, but still they're character based, and the movement of their clothing leans on costumes more than fashion.
-Yes a fashion doll is a doll that comes with fashions! So yes it would be considered a fashion doll so thought many collectors say no because the consider realistic type dolls as being fashion dolls.

Other items I stumbled upon in the MH line that are appealing are the Monster High Monster Maker, the Monster Maker Primary Extension Pack,  and the Monster Maker machine. There are multiple add-ons and design packs. The Monster Maker is $49.97 (Amazon) and the Primary Extension Pack is $13.99 (Amazon.) The Mattel Shop lists the maker for $129.99 before a 20% Easter discount, way more than Amazon's price.

Here is the description:

Bring Her to Unlife!

Monster High® fans can create their own unique monsters using the ultimate customization tool: Monster High® Monster Maker. Simply select a style from the design software (desktop or app), then start creating your doll’s unique look using a variety of graphics and patterns or draw your own design. Transfer your scary-cool creation from your tablet or computer onto individual doll parts using the Monster Maker machine. Best of all, you can watch the whole design process as it unfolds.  

Monster High Monster Maker comes with Monster Maker machine, Monster Maker software (desktop and app), body part adapters, nine colored markers, three doll stands, an eraser, three blank fashions, a rooted wig, two wig caps and three “blank” bodies ready for monster customization.

These items are certainly not for young children to play with on their own. The machine requires that one installs the included software and is connected via USB to your computer be it PC or Mac.  I recommend reading the reviews of the products on Amazon.com and watching the instructional video prior to purchase.
Fascinating tech! I'd love to play with this toy.

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My Monster High tree in the process of being decorated 3 Xmas' ago.

A photo from a piece I did for FDQ's Vacation issue:

Daily Dose of Vanessa

Today's Vanessa is "High Tide." She arrived in 2007 in the line called "Style du Jour."
This gal is pure pin-up material from the 1940's.

High Tide was on the original tall body with high contrast makeup and period styled hair.

At first, I wasn't in love with her hairstyle so I cut it and ultimately had her re-rooted and repainted. This is prior to the reroot.

I have an original and I've grown to appreciate the donuts. There's a lesson to be learned but it's hard to keep dolls that I don't love. I have repurchased original issues of dolls on occasion.

Agnes Von Weiss Gift Set Saga and Amazing Deja Vu Repaint

It's been pretty quiet doll-wise around here which is not actually a bad thing.

Here's long version of what happened with my pre-ordered High Visibility Agnes Von Weiss Doll Mini Gift Set:
1. The first shipment to me of my two sets were shipped to some location in Delaware. By that time I had heard about the mold and other defective issues people were reporting and I was very wary. I wanted to cancel my order but they would not refund my deposit so I agreed to accept a new delivery.
2. The two new dolls arrived, both with glaring defects. Customer service agreed to replace both giftsets and sent me a return postage label.
3. The third shipment of dolls was worse even though, according to Alain, Percy himself inspected both dolls. One doll had mold down her dress and heaven knows where else. I was afraid to touch the doll. The other doll had a large patch of unrooted hair.

The shipment back to them contained four sets of dolls and I received a full refund.

What a waste of time for me and a sorry state of affairs for them.

Here's hoping that the Fifth Anniversary Poppy Parker Joyous Celebration dolls do not have any issues. They should be arriving any minute.

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The most stunning repaint I've ever seen of a Deja Vu doll was posted on Prego today.

 

This is the work of Leslie at Sands of Fire. She has achieved major realism and depth. The open mouth looks appropriate on this face. She could be Cinderella before being turned into a princess. Beautiful!

The link to the post on Prego: http://members5.boardhost.com/prego/msg/1413511439.html
There are several other photos of this doll who has been sold to the highest bidder.

Heads-Up, Sasenachs! Outlander Dolls by My Immortals

The STARZ television series, Outlander, has captured my imagination and that of many others. It has motivated me to read the books which are huge. I'm on #4.
Susan Hook, the artist behind My Immortals, has recreated Claire and Jamie by repainting Tonner's Lilah and James Dean dolls.
Check these out!

Link to Susan's website

The stars IRL

Heughan is a hottie. Phew. Claire is very pretty. Normally they are not so clean - in the show, that is.
I love the series and the books. Hopefully Tonner will produce a Claire and Jamie. I'd want Jamie in full Scottish dress. Sigh.

Dougal MacKenzie is pretty hot himself.

Who's That Vanessa?

Aerodynamic Vanessa - the original - had surprising black lips and beautiful red hair pulled back into a straight pony tail.

I freed her hair and crimped it.

Then I had her repainted.

And then I bought another one who had been rerooted.

She was not a popular doll at first. Now all the original Vanessas are sought after.  Who is your favorite?

It Begins: Repaint of Carmen Dell'Orefice Doll by Freddy Ramirez

This is the first full repaint I've seen of Tonner's new Carmen doll.

Freddy Ramirez is spot-on in this repaint. The changes to her hair, eyebrows and eyes and particularly her lips have transformed the sculpt into an excellent representation of Carmen.

She's up for auction (nude) on eBay with a starting price of $400.
Here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/OOAK-Carmen-Dell-039-Orefice-Repaint-by-Freddy-Ramirez-/251543434145?ViewItem=&item=251543434145&nma=true&si=jnsNXixyimqTJmdNGjXK8DJvt%252F8%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Maleficent Doll Transformed by Noel Cruz

Noel Cruz, master doll re-painter, has created a doll that looks just like actress Angelina Jolie who stars in the Disney movie Maleficent. He used a Jakks Pacific Maleficent doll to work his magic.

When I first saw this picture, I thought it was a still from the movie.

The doll is on eBay and the bids are up to $1,525. already. Perhaps Angelina herself is bidding on it.

Link to auction:

OOAK Angelina Jolie as Disney's Maleficent - custom doll repaint by Noel Cruz

Picture of the Day - by Me

Dionysis repaint by Yian. White mohair wig by Ilaria. Dress by Superfrock.

Once Bitten, Twice Shy

I recently purchased an NRFB Sybarite convention fashion called Viper Byte. I'd seen beautiful photos of dolls wearing the fashion.  I had to have it.  

The jacket along with the pants are the best parts of this multi-part fashion. The pants are very nice and fit beautifully. The t-shirt, which I did not photograph, is unfitted and the stitching on the stretchy fabric is poorly done. I took it off my doll.  The finish on the belt is very fragile and after closing the hook I noticed that a small part of the surface of the belt was scratched off.
The bracelets are metal and there's no way they could have gone on unless the hands were removed or the metal was spread open. I chose the second method knowing that closing them up again would probably cause them to break. One did break. The heels on the beautiful shoes are as thick as the lead in a pencil and as fragile. Luckily I did not break them. This is the first individually purchased Sybarite fashion to cause me such disappointment.

So last week it was Lawn and this week it's Viper Byte.
Update on Lawn...she's been sent back to Superdoll and they are going to replace her with a new doll. Postage at their expense both ways - as it should be.

My model above is a newly acquired Dionysis repaint by Yian wearing a wig by Cheryl Wood.

Are We Waiting For A Sybarite Sale?

The third Sybarite in the current Monoglam collection went live today on Superdoll's site. She is called "Chiffon" and uses the Voltaire sculpt.

Description:

Voltaire clone: 0801, Default skintone!
THE CURRENT COLLECTION "MONOGLAM"

Eyes of burnt ginger, dusted in tangerine, lemon and warm chocolate eyeshadow. double liner to top lid in netalic silver, yellow and black. Lips of transparent coral.
Sporting a one piece yellow custom dyed guippure lace slash front dress with multi layer hemline and divinely delicious ribbon bows that peek a boo between the layers of the hem.
Hair of matching yellow in mohair, simply gathered in portions that hang free, frame her face and tie back. Wig is trimmed in silk ribbon bow and whispy centrepart fringe that add to the beautiful aura of summers nonchalant times.
Accessories consist: Custom print silver 'leather' bag, ribbon and grosgrain belt , AW tag earings and the daintiest, most delicious yellow stiletto courts ever to grace the Sybarites!
Includes dollstand and applied eyelashes.
 Price: £355.00 ($555.97 US)


The first two Monoglam dolls are still available. I've not seen this in a while - dolls not selling out. Are people waiting for a sale, hurting for funds or do they just not like the dolls enough to shell out the bucks? Perhaps the hats, which will be offered as a separate package of four, should have been included.

Meadow £384.00 ($601.38)

Velvet £377.00 ($590.57)

There is one more Monoglam doll coming. She is called Lawn and is dressed in green. Three more separate fashions are also expected. This will be interesting.
So far, the only purchase from this line I've made is the set of 5 pastel colored jeans. That offering sold out quickly.

Here is my new Syb repaint (Yian) trying to decide which ones to wear.  Poor girl. She hasn't been in my photo studio yet and doesn't even have a top to wear.

Vanessa and Veronique

I never seem to play with my 12" dolls these days. I've redressed so many of them and haven't photographed these changes yet. That's a big difference for me. Tonight I grabbed these two dolls and gave them a little camera time.
First up is a totally redone Veronique. It doesn't even matter who she was originally because she's been repainted twice, rerooted and rebodied. I still want to apply eyelashes again. She did have them once. Vin Trapani repainted and Susan Korba rerooted. Vero is wearing Blue Blood Tatyana's outfit.

The last (real) Vanessa release was the surprise doll at the W Club luncheon during the Wu convention. She originally had a hairstyle that looked like a collapsed tornado about to fall off the front of her forehead. I did not like her look.

I took out all the pins and I was not surprised to find a mess of different lengths and density of rooted hair. I cut it all one length and it still looked crappy. She needs to be re-rooted or wigged. In the meanwhile I played around and created a silly upward swirl. The product called "Got 2 B Glued" was what I used to stiffen her hair. It's great stuff.

Her dress is a shortened version of Most Wanted Elise's gown.  It's very easy (but tedious) to remove the lower tier. I also removed the two dorky bows from the front of the bodice. She is wearing Elise's shoes, jewelry by Joy and carrying the purse from Sheer Bliss. I'm having a talented collector/designer make a jacket from the removed fabric and will show it once I get it.