My Pretty Petal

Do you remember, back in early September, I pre-ordered Dalia Spoon? Well she arrived today and she is adorable! I've been studying her face and it made me realise why I love these Zwerganase Spoon dolls the way I do, her lips are perfect, her eyes so clear and shiny and that little button nose is so darn cute.

Now aside from how beautifully painted her little face is, her clothes are so well made and the back of her dress buttons up (NO VELCRO!) and the elastic at the bottom of the dress enables it to be worn two ways. Her stockings and undies fit perfectly snug and those leather boots finish her outfit off in an ideal manner.

I took these two pics on my office chair just to show you how her dress can be worn, and filled in the background the best I could using the editing programme's airbrush.

ANOTHER Ruruko!

It appears I have renewed my love of Ruruko dolls. Of course this may not have happened if  Alejandra hadn't come back to join us. I'm really glad she did though, it's really given me a new lease on life!

This is CCSgirl 24AW, and I placed an order for her (with HobbySearch Japan) earlier this week. I'm hoping, when she gets here, to draft a pattern for her skirt and bustier so my other girls will have outfits similar. I think they will be simple enough to sew. Not sure about the blouse though (I'm not really in to all those black bows on a white blouse), I may just give them all white tee shirts to wear underneath.

Details:
Hair ... Cherry-Brown x Cherry-Pink Mix
Eyes ... Lilac-Gray, Side Glance
Skin ... Natural
Height ... Approximately 22cm
Body ... Pure Neemo Full Flection XS, PetWORKs version (Azone International)
Doll Material ... PVC and ABS resin
Clothes Material ... Fabric
Mask Design ... Yoko Tokinor
Sculptor ... Keisuke Sawada (sawada-kobo)

Contents:
Ruruko (doll)
Bustier
Blouse with Ribbons
Frilly Mini Skirt
Shorts
Ribbon Socks
Ribbon Bijou Headband
Round Toe Mary Jane (STOC)

Does anyone else, besides Alejandra and me, collect Ruruko dolls?

My Rurukos are Ready for Summer

I had a little spare time to play today, so I went looking through my stash of clothes to find something new for my girls to wear. Then I popped them on my laptop and took a couple of happy snaps. Using a laptop as a little stage or backdrop is a great way to capture a quick, stylized shot of your favorite small dolls, miniatures or figures. I liked the way this one turned out after editing.

The one below shows exactly how I had them sitting on my keyboard. The outfits they are wearing were made for my Fairyland PukiFees, but they look fine on these two.

Then I tried editing out a background and replacing it with plain colour. This is a highly effective way to eliminate distractions and make your subject stand out, though it can sometimes look a bit "designed" or unnatural if the edges aren't perfect.

I recommend you try choosing a plain background color that matches the general brightness and luminance of the original environment. Putting a subject photographed in bright lighting against a solid dark background will usually look jarring as shown here.

If you want the photo to look like it was shot in a professional studio rather than digitally edited, use a subtle gradient layer instead of a perfectly flat solid color. A slight light falloff from the top or center makes a world of difference.

To create a really magical composite image add a PNG character or subject into a festive digital background like I've done with Santa's Workshop below, it's a great way to bring a holiday scene to life. I'm really happy with the way this one turned out, they really do look like they are in Santa's Workshop.

Because of my limited mobility, I mostly use my desk, and take photos with my phone. Doing so under the daylight globes in my studio helps me to capture beautiful, eye-level photos of my dolls without needing to physically drop to the ground. I sometimes use elevated staging surfaces, to bring the scene to my comfort level. Getting to the doll's eye level creates a lifelike perspective, and I can easily achieve this while standing or sitting comfortably.

I've never been really great at taking photos with a camera. However, the editing process is what enjoy the most and using the digital backgrounds, really makes photography fun for me!

How do you prefer to take your photos?

A New Old Ruruko & Two Little Pullips

Ruruko's are not easy to come by here in Australia, so when I saw this gal I snapped her up and she arrived today.

I had absolutely no idea when she was released, but I didn't really care as long a she was in good condition, and she is perfect.

However, I did some research and she could be either one of these two girls below, but seeing she came without her original clothing, I think she's more likely to be the second of the two.

As I rarely keep dolls in original outfits, it's not a problem for me and she will be a perfect sibling for Hatsuko.

Ruruko dolls don't come with different names, but she needs one of her own, so after giving it much thought . . . I think Sachiko will suit her nicely. In Japanese, the word "sachi" means “happiness” or “good luck” and the word "ko" means “child.”

CCSgirl-26ETO-Ruruko-Horse

22cm Body: Pure Neemo Full Flection XS, PetWORKs version (Azone International) 

Hair Color: Deep Ash Blonde 

Eye Color: Khaki 

Skin Tone: Natural 

Comes With: Full Furisode Kimono Obi Outfit, Underwear & Boots

Fresh-Ruruko-2408

22cm Body: Pure Neemo Full Flection XS, PetWORKs version (Azone International) 

Hair Color: Deep Ash Blonde 

Eye Color: Pale Khaki 

Skin Tone: Natural 

Comes With: All in one Outfit only

It's been a long time since I gave Pullips a thought, but the same day I saw these two tiny faces peeking at me through the computer screen and thought they'd make a nice little treat to give myself for Christmas.

The Little Pullip Carol & Rudolph (F-811) is a rare, limited-edition Christmas two-pack released by Jun Planning in November 2005. The dolls are tiny at approximately 16 cm (5 to 6 inches) tall and were the first and only two-pack released in the original Little Pullip series. Little Pullip Carol was based on a full-sized Pullip release, while Little Rudolph was an original companion design.

Carol is dressed in a festive red-and-white Santa Claus-style outfit with fur trim, a belt of tiny bells, and matching holiday wear. While Rudolph is dressed in a plush brown reindeer outfit with antlers, a red-and-green striped scarf, and green straight hair. The set also includes a miniature Christmas stocking.

Like other early Little Pullips, they feature real fabric clothing and fixed non-mobile eyes (they cannot blink or look side-to-side) with limited articulation compared to full-sized Pullips.

I ordered the Pullips from Japan on 3rd (the same day as Ruruko) and they arrived yesterday, the 12th, a day quicker than the sweet little Ruruko from Western Australia.

Orla Arrived

Yes, she arrived on the 7th October, but I wanted to wait until I had my camera working again before sharing photos of her . . . and here she is. I was not disappointed with her in the least, I love her carrot red hair, fair skin and gorgeous blue green eyes.

She has a beautiful face and I'm going to enjoy taking photos of her, outside where the lighting is much better. These are surely not the best photos, they certainly don't do her justice and by the looks of them, I'm going to need a lot more practice in how to use my camera again.

I will be changing her dress and socks though. The dress has a Velcro closure which is bound to catch her hair and the blue socks could stain her very pale vinyl.

Challenge Meme

Seven years ago I issued a challenge to celebrate 20 years of the modern BJD, that I had also done three years previously. As things have been so quiet on the dolly blogs I thought it was time to revive it . . . just shoot and edit a magazine cover.

   

As October is when many of us celebrate Halloween, I have incorporated that theme in the covers above. If you would like to have a little fun this month, I would love to see you all join in and design one of your own.

1. You need to think of a name for your magazine.
2. Choose a theme (it can be Halloween or something completely different).
3. Take an appropriate photo using your own BJD or other doll.

4. Use your own editing programme (let us know which one you used).
5. Most of all . . . have fun!

NOTE: Now I know many of my readers don't own BJD's, but they do own dolls, so if they would like to do this using dolls from their own collections, I would be thrilled if they would join in the fun. :) I'm adding links below to each one that participates below.

1. My own 2026 versions. (Yes, I've added more than one).

2. Alejandra at Fantasywoods. You can find her older version here.

3. Inesa's Doll Art. She has expanded on the idea, it's a very interesting post.

4. Nina at Dolls Dolour. Previous covers here and here.

Transformation of Dolly Dingle

It was February 2020 when I found this very cute 1997 Dolly Dingle Garnet doll by Karen Kennedy for Goebel on Etsy. I didn't realise it then, but she would become one of my very favourite dolly makeovers.

My little foundling arrived wearing her original dress, undies, socks, shoes, hair bow, but I wasn't at all interested in keeping them . . . I had other plans for her.

Dolly Dingle was in wonderful condition and had great eyes which really spoke to me. She makes me smile and has the funniest face I've ever seen on a doll . . . it looks like someone has sat on it!

Though if you look below at the original 1922, 1923, 1924 versions of Grace Drayton's Dolly Dingle paper doll illustrations which were published in the Pictorial Review, I think it's probably the closest representation of Grace's idea of rosie cheeks the manufacturers could muster.

It's these illustrations which I based my Dolly Dingle on, none of which have a top knot or ponytail on top of her head.

I had to remove her wig, wash and completely restyle it. I'm so pleased with the way it turned out, now we can all see her eyebrows.

Finally my Dolly Dingle, or as I prefer to call her, Dee Dee, as she is now. Do you think I did Grace's illustrations justice?

 

NOTE: Born Grace Gebbie on 14th October, 1877 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Grace was considered to be one of the first and most successful American female cartoonists, she was also an illustrator of children's books, postcards, fashion pages and magazine covers. You will also find her work (1904-1911) signed Grace Wiederseim or G G Wiederseim.

For Alejandra

Or for anyone who believes in the Elvin Folk. This map is from a book that I wrote about my BJD Elves, back when I was really into writing short stories and poetry, called Tales from the Elvin Forest.

 

Double click on the map to see the Elvin Forest in more detail.

Doll Props

Sometimes it can be a challenge when photographing dolls to make them interesting, that's why I am always on the lookout for props. Where to find good ones isn't always easy, and finding them in a particular scale is even more difficult.

Today I'm sharing a few photos of my BJD's with props that I have found when I've been out and about.

This Fairyland LittleFee Ante is riding a tiny rocking horse I came across in a toy store which only sold wooden toys. This was a tiny version of a child's and the only one in the store at the time.

This time we have a PukiFee Lindt riding a different rocking horse, this one I picked up at a doll and teddy bear show. It is still in need of a mane, the tail is hair from my first dog's ears. The horse's body still needs a paint job . . . I'm so slack at times.

The boys from the 'hood love this Vespa. Left is Iplehouse BID Serca, centre DollZone Choco, right is Iplehouse BID Peekaboo. This was purchased from eBay, it's in excellent condition for a second-hand toy. I'm not sure, but it could be a Barbie bike.

In this photo of my Iplehouse KID Lonnie, she is playing with a miniature ballerina teddy bear which I designed and made by hand. The fabric backdrop I used for this photo has always been a favourite and seems to suit the clothes she is wearing.

Tao Yue is from Doll Family-H, she is a pink skin girl who I have called Suzanne. She has been given multiple jointed hands, which mean she can hold things in them all by herself. Here she is holding an eraser designed to look like a biscuit (cookie). This came from one of the Japanese stores that sells lots of bits and pieces.

Luts Honey Delf Lolly is riding in a mini go-cart and carrying a hobby horse. I cannot, for the life of me, remember where they came from. However the Radio Flyer pull along cart was another eBay purchase.

Terrible photo, but the washing machine and oven shown in this photo with my with Fairyland PukiFee Cadbury, were purchased from Wooja for just $7.50 each.

Lastly we have Suzanne together with LittleFee Bisou in the gardening shed. The rusty watering can and gardening tools were purchased online from either AliExpress or Temu, I can't remember exactly.

Hope that inspires you to post some photos of your own dolls with props. Until next time be happy!

Perfect Day

The weather was absolutely perfect today, the temperature was 28 C, the sky was blue, and there was just a slight northerly breeze. It was what one would call an idyllic spring day.

So after enjoying a hearty husband cooked breakfast of bacon, eggs and button mushrooms, followed by buttered toast with marmalade and a cup of Earl Grey tea, we set off to enjoy some of that lovely sunshine.

Pup was sitting safely in his booster seat looking out the  car window as we set off up the road to Cardinia and Crystal Brook Park.

THE WATER TOWER

Cardinia Reservoir is truly stunning when the weather aligns as it did today . . . the water was a brilliant aqua and quite spectacular. Cardinia itself is a stunning expanse of water and is Melbourne's second-largest reservoir. The dam at the Reservoir is a rolled earth and rockfill embankment, and was completed in 1973.

NOT MY PHOTO

Crystal Brook Park that surrounds it, features a dedicated Kangaroo Viewing Trail, about 15 minutes one way, starting at the spillway carpark. The kangaroos are most active and easiest to spot grazing on the open grassy slopes during dawn and dusk. We were there mid morning, so all we saw was all the roo poo left behind after their dawn graze.

NOT MY PHOTO

Crystal Brook picnic ground is the perfect location to spend time relaxing in nature and exploring. There is plenty of parking, a playground which you can see here with the dam wall behind, barbecues, shelter and toilets.

We then drove to Emerald (the home of Puffing Billy) and stopped at the Over the Road Café for ice-cream cones. I had strawberry, hubby had mango sorbet and pup tried a little of both while we sat outside in the sun.

THE CAFE IS THE ONE WITH THE UMBRELLAS

Driving home via Beaconsfield meant hitting the Freeway and we were surprised by the amount of traffic on the road, it was like peak hour. Everyone has been airing their grievances about the cost of fuel here, however, it certainly didn't deter them from taking advantage the beautiful weather today.

Hope you enjoy the pics!

Big hugs,

X

A New Red Haired Doll

It was this time last year when I emailed Maxine at My Doll Best Friend to ask for a red haired Chosen Gotz Happy Kidz doll and she told me something was in the pipeline. I've been waiting ever since and had almost given up expecting one to arrive.

Then this morning at some unholy hour, I received an email saying there were TWO red haired Chosen dolls. I decided then and there to bring this one home . . . I mean look at her hair, it's gorgeous!

Her name is Orla, she is part of a really special double release in the exclusive Chosen series with Götz, limited to 250 worldwide.

For the very first time, they've used a brand new super pale vinyl colour. If you are aware of resin art dolls you will know exactly how special Orla is with her delicate pure appearance.

Orla will be my Christmas present to myself, and will make a perfect sibling for my Chosen blonde haired Kitty (2017).
Big hugs,
X