Winter Doll Photography

I have posted about this at American Girl Collectors, but I still feel like talking about it.

Taking doll pictures this time of year is really tough for me.

My apartment is really dark. Even if it's around noon and I have all the lights on, it's still too dark to take doll pictures.

If I drag lots of lamps over, I get very stark shadows.

I get pictures like this one:

Or this one:

And I guess they are adequate, but I want to take good pictures, and I don't want to wait until April!

I can't take pictures outside. The ground is covered in half-melted snow. It is not lovely.

I probably need to invest in some photography lamps and reflectors. Several have been recommended to me, and I just don't know what to get. Plus, I don't want to spend too much money.

So that is one reason the blog is currently quiet!

Kaya's Makeover in Progress

My second Kaya, that I got from a garage sale, is looking pretty good.

Here she is now:

Here she is when I got her:

The braid spray did a GREAT job on her hair. It feels much softer now. You'd never know it was the same doll. It's the biggest improvement I have seen from using braid spray.

The wig is still cut, though, in the back. You can't really see it unless you lift up her wig and look.

But I know it's there, and besides, I already have a classic Kaya.

I keep telling myself this, because I hesitate to alter a doll that looks this good.

I want to give her a different wig. I want one with dark hair, that is short, and preferably one that has bangs. I don't always like bangs, but I feel that the bangs will make her look very different from Classic Kaya.

I really kind of want Ivy's wig, but Ivy is retired, and the only Ivy wig I've seen for sale was cut.

I also like Monique's Stephanie wig, but it is no longer available in dark brown. I am not sure what the light brown wig would look like on Kaya.

Chrissa's wig would look great on her, but with no bangs, I feel it'll just look like she has a haircut.

So I am really conflicted and just looking out for the perfect wig to fall into my lap.

Girls in white Dresses with blue satin Sashes

Okay, you got me, I am a huge Sound of Music fan.

I saw a dress made by Traci at Isn't She Dovely. It was white with a blue sash, using the Aspen Party Dress by Liberty Jane.

Girl Scouts, Growing Strong!

One of my dear friends just sent me this off-brand Girl Scout Juniors uniform.

I am so excited! I already had the official American Girl Juniors uniform. Now I can have a Girl Scout troop of two!

It looks so cute on Ellie!
The tab is held on with velcro over a white fabric tab sewn onto the shirt, so you can remove the tab and use it with another outfit.
The shoes did not come with it, they are Kit's.
I think some of the the insignia on the sash are in the wrong order (on the bottom half), but I haven't read a Girl Scout manual in a few years. Maybe it changed.
The skirt even has pockets!

I think she's prepared. For what? Anything!

My friend bought this off of Amazon, and the packaging said Emily Rose.

I think this is a great outfit, and am so pleased to own it!

Meet Ellie!

Meet Ellie, short for Elena. I really thought about giving her a Chinese or Korean name, but I am pretty sure I wouldn't pronounce it right, and my hearing loss makes it hard for me to learn pronunciations.

I am so happy with her! She came wearing this all-blue outfit (I added the shoes) and I am a sucker for dolls dressed in blue. She has the newer style of bangs. That makes me happy, because Anne has pie bangs, and this differentiates them in addition to their mold.

She has a dot under one eye, and I am calling it a birth mark.

Her hair is a little dry, but I will fix that as soon as I find my braid spray. I like the wave that her hair has. I love her!

Renaissance dress, part 2

I finally finished reworking this skirt so that it fits better! What a big relief!

You can see my post about sewing this outfit here.

Happy Election Day!

Happy Election Day!

Everyone who qualifies, get out there and vote!

Here are some pictures of a new doll quilt I made with 1930s repro fabrics. Very American!

Zia likes the quilt!