Nadja in the Garden
I am awaiting Spring. While I wait for it to arrive, I decided to make my own garden of sorts. As I have shared in previous posts, I have been playing around with making my own 1/6 scale flowers. There are lots of tutorials on making paper flowers online. There is not….however…lots of tutorials on how to make 1/6 scale paper flowers. Given that, I had to essentially come up with my own patterns and a way of making them in this scale. I enjoy the process itself of figuring out things in this scale. In order to feel accomplishment however, I need an end project to work towards so this garden was the vision I had for making these glorious 1/6 scale bearded Iris’s . I hope you enjoy the images half as much as I enjoyed figuring out and making these flowers.
Model: The Enchantress Nadja Rhymes – Integrity Toys
Gown and Jewelry: Spell of Kindness Vanessa – Integrity Toys
Background: Designed and manufactured by ITFDS
grass mats were found at Daiso, gate was purchased online years ago and I honestly have no idea where. Boxwood mini trees where found at local homegoods store but can be found at many places online. Back wall of greenery was made by combining 12×12 greenery tiles I found at Joanne’s crafts and glued to poster board. All other flowers were made by me with paper.
Styled and photographed by Rebecca Berry for ITFDS
For these shots, I am using a Canon 5dMark III with a Canon Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS lens. I used natural light for this shoot augmented by one Lume cube (with diffuser) on a stand. I also used a white board to bounce the light from the left. I use Adobe Light room Classic to post process then Adobe Photoshop to clean up anything I can’t do with Light room. Side note…Coffee grounds work really well as dirt. Just make sure you are binding it with something and gluing it down. It will get everywhere if you just use it loose. Modge podge works well to adhere it to surfaces. I used a spray adhesive here then just applied coffee grounds to the board after so the grounds would stay in place. If you use “used” coffee grounds, the smell isn’t as strong as fresh ground coffee. That smell can be a bit overwhelming even for a coffee lover like me.
I hope you enjoy these behind the scenes looks. I know I am always learning and am always grateful when others show their process or some of the equipment they use. I know there are photographers out there with a greater wealth of experience. I am simply showing what I do and what I use. Enjoy the journey! 
-Rebecca
Poppy at the Flower Market
When I started making 1/6 flowers, it was with this diorama in mind. I wanted to do a French style flower market. I started with 1/6 roses and then just kind of took off into other types and varieties. I have not stopped. I work predominately in paper. All kinds of paper from tissue through crepe paper and into thicker cardstock. Each flower type has it’s different personality that requires a different structure. That is part of the beauty of discovery when crafting I suppose. For me, there is a photo shoot concept at the end that drives me. I have had some really epic fails and also..I am happy to report…some extraordinary successes.
Part of the project for this flower market was the construction of the flower shop window. That was accomplished with foam core board, stucco spray paint , plastic and dollhouse molding. I figured out how to make the little French flower pails out of paper. This glorious Dior inspired suit by Chris Stoeckel for Integrity Toys fits Poppy beautifully. It just needed a French flower shop backdrop.
Model: Looks a Plenty Poppy Parker GS 2018
Suit, accessories and hat: East 59th Mid Day Venture Aurelia Grey
Set: ITFDS
Bistro table and chairs: miniChair on Etsy
Styling and Photography: Rebecca Berry for ITFDS
In the Pink Nadja
What can I say…I am in a pink and Nadja mood right now. I adore this doll and in this amazing pastel pink she just sings to me. I don’t believe you can ever go wrong with pastel pink. For the past year now, we have been in quarantine in my area. We are located uncomfortably close to the first cases of the virus in the US. We knew we had community spread early on so my husband’s workplace told everyone to work remotely from home last March. Both of my college age kiddos also have been doing remote learning for their respective colleges for many months. It’s a full house once again and I kinda like it. I know it’s only temporary and will enjoy it while I can.
While I haven’t been active on the blog, I have not been idle. I decided last year to switch a now unused space in our home ( the kids play room) to a full time studio/craft space. I will do a blog post on that project at a later time but the crafting space is allowing me to pursue another passion for now…miniature plants and flowers. This love of crafting miniature plants has dovetailed rather nicely into a home re-landscaping project that has been in the planning for many years. We finally completed the bulk of the landscape project this year and await final pieces this spring. So, I guess what I am saying is…plants and flowers will be popping up on images for the blog.
My mindset for the images in today’s post was Spring. Since Jessy Ayala designed a very chic and edgy outfit with vibrant color for the original doll, I wanted to try and take her softer and more pastel for contrast. In my mind, this is her office in Paris where she runs some kind of floral or home decorating empire. It is springtime in Paris and you can imagine that the sunshine coming into the shot is from a set of french doors with a view of the Eiffel tower over the black ornate wrought iron balcony railing.
I am also channeling a bit of Frida Kahlo here with the miniature hydrangeas in her hair. Just go with it.
Model and jewelry: The Enchantress Nadja Rhymes by Integrity Toys
Clothing: MUNLE ( @m.u.n.l.e on Instagram) and HOANGANHKHOI on Etsy
Shoes: Mademoiselle Lilith by Integrity Toys
Purse: @mydollhouse2005 on Instagram
Mac computer: Liluminiature on Etsy
Wall panel: divinitydolldecor on Etsy
Styling and Photography: ITFDS
This scene is also full of fun little miniatures that I have worked on for the past year and some that I have purchased ( the purse and computer). I always love to see detail photos in other people’s dioramas so I am including a couple here.
Behind the scenes 
. Happy first day of Spring!! I know, I know…meteorologically speaking of course..not astronomically.
-Rebecca
Siren Silhouette Korrine
Last year Integrity Toys released a small Fashion Royalty capsule collection called FR Maison Paris. It consisted of two dolls and I received the second doll in the collection not too long ago. Everything about this small collection had huge glamour factor. Jessy Ayala indulged his creativity towards elegant pastels and classic lines for this capsule. The results were big hits with collectors including this one. Thanks to my trusty dealer, I managed to secure both dolls.
Siren Silhouette
Korinne Dimas™ Dressed Doll
The Fashion Royalty® Collection:
Maison FR
Limited Edition: 1100 Dolls
Expected Ship Date: Early Winter 2020
Suggested Retail Pricing: $175.00
AVAILABLE ONLY FROM IT DEALERS
Head Sculpt: Korinne Dimas
Body Type: FR 6.0
Foot Sculpt: High-heeled
Skin Tone: Hungarian
Hair Color: Dark Brunette
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-applied
Quickswitch: No
I think she is exceptional! I adore the intricate details of this gown…beads down the seams of the skirt people!! All of them!!. This gown is pure confection . The accessories start off with a statement cocktail ring paired with the over the top chandelier earrings and delicate clutch with butterfly clasp. The shoes are a lovely iridescent silvery pair of stillettos with ornate metal heel (à la Ralph and Russo).
Here is how this beauty translated through my camera lens. I am very happy.
And sometimes…when taking images…the light reflects at just the right moment and in the exact right spot. I realize that this effect can be done using lightroom but it is always a little bit of magic when it happens organically. Here is the Siren herself…
For those of you interested in the behind the scenes set-up for these images, this one is for you. I had a reflector bouncing light from the left and partly cloudy afternoon diffused light coming in from the right. Here I am using two Replica Surface background boards in “Smoke”.
-Rebecca
Poppy Meets the Barbie® Pink Collection
The BFMC has officially closed up shop at Mattel but there is a small glimmer of former glory. Mattel has announced the Barbie® Pink Collection™. According to the press release this series will be “Classic Barbie® glamour meets on-trend style”. The first doll of the series is designed by Robert Best and is on a Silkstone model muse body.
Barbie®Pink Collection™ Doll
- Label: Gold Label®
- Designer: Robert Best
- Release Date: 1/25/2021
- Included with doll: Dress, earrings, shoes, doll stand
- Eyelashes: Painted
- Fashion:Off-the-shoulder high-low gown with bow accents and a dramatic train of cascading tulle
- Fashion Sewn On?: No
- Body Type:Model Muse (Silkstone)
- Doll Stand: Yes
- Facial sculpt: Millie Cl Mouth Collector Size (Silkstone)
- Package Dimensions (H/D/W): 14" x 4" x 10"
- Limit 3 per person
SKU #: GTJ76
Price: Wait for it…$100.00 If you are a Barbie Collector member at platinum level you get a discount. I might wait for a sale on this one folks.
The box is very pretty and suitable for a display piece. The dress is well made and is removable..that is a nice plus. The shoes are plastic…meh…but the earrings are metal. That is an improvement from past offerings. The facial screening is pretty but I would have preferred that the hairband was done with actual hair and not fuchsia material. To be honest it makes it look like a 1980’s scrunchie and detracts from the elegance of the gown.
Since I am not the model muse body type collector anymore, I decided that Poppy was going to wear the gown. The color of this gown is INTENSE. It’s the signature pantone Barbie pink color and for the very first time in my career of using Photoshop/Light room on images…I had to actually dial the vibrancy back a bit on the images! I didn’t adjust much but I felt it was fair to say that I did it. Important to note…the little upper arm sleeves are separate so you can use them or not.
This is Shining in the Spotlight Poppy Parker in the Pink Collection gown and earrings with fashion royalty shoes. I have changed Poppy’s original hairstyle slightly from the original by twirling the long braid up and around the crown of her head and securing it with pins. Her green eyes work beautifully with this almost florescent fuchsia gown.
New photo prop alert!!! So I have been trying my hands at making some 1/6 plants mostly for photo props ( and just to see if I could frankly) during our quarantine. I think these court palms turned out good! The little ornate toile urns are from Seda France candles I purchased and have used. They make beautiful planters for 1/6 scale. They are extremely fragrant. My current favorite is Hyacinth 
-Rebecca
Reign of the Redheads
I have a special affinity for redheads. I have always been drawn to the vibrant hair color and often, this hair hue is what I gravitate to when I want a model for a dramatic shot. Red hair and freckles run in my family of origin and while I was not lucky enough to get the red hair ( the freckles…I did get) I was thrilled that my son was born with strawberry blond hair. So…in honor of those redheads, I did this shoot. The exquisite gowns are a recent acquisition from the talented Rimdoll on Etsy.
Models: (from left to right) 2016 Japan Barbie Convention doll, Black and White Tweed Suit Silkstone Barbie and 2016 Paris Fashion Doll Festival Barbie
Gowns: Rimdoll on Etsy
Still not a fan of the articulated bodies on these silkstone Barbies. It is very limited articulation and it irks me that you cant bend the hand at wrist joint to put it fully on the dolls hip.
Love this elegant Black and White Tweed Suit Silkstone’s facial screening though.
Gorgeous blending of hair colors on this Japan convention exclusive
This vibrant red hair color is my absolute favorite…especially when it’s paired with a green eye. Yummy!
And these gowns were so perfect in these fabulous pastel shades. Adore.
-Rebecca
Timeless Show Eden
I decided to pair up a favorite new outfit and a “holy grail” Eden. I don’t pull this doll out as often as I should.
Model: Style Mantra Eden by Integrity Toys
Dress, socks, shoes. purse and hat: Timeless Show by Lovetones
Set: Cargo Culinary Containers and Miniature Wood Pallet Drink Coasters
-Rebecca
Mademoiselle Papillon Rouge
Giselle has been restyled as Miss Red Butterfly for today’s blog post. I have been inspired by some beautiful images coming from Dior’s Spring Couture collection and the new captain at it’s helm Maria Grazia Chiuri (formerly of Valentino). She had unicorn’s lining the walk into the collection venue! Ok, Ok, they were not real unicorns but still….very whimsical. She had a park like setting and I supposed that has helped influence the backdrop for this shoot as well.
Model: Integrity Toys AKA Gigi Giselle
Dress: Rimdoll
Hat: Integrity Toys “Love The One” Kyori Sato ( I embellished with flower and butterfly)
Gloved hands: Integrity Toys “Royal Treatment” Véronique giftset
Earrings: Integrity Toys “Admiration” Monogram
Purse: Bogue’s Vogues
-Rebecca
A Spring Fling
Reluctant to tear down the set from the previous shoot, I decided to give Miss Tullabelle a chance to model. I just had to show off this amazing head of delicious golden curls. I also received this exquisite Matisse creation by Brenda Visaya and had to use it. It’s funny because I took the photos of Tullabelle posing up against the white arbor I had created. When I looked at the images in post processing…she just seemed too refined. I wasn’t completely happy with them which was a complete shock for me because that is the look I normally go for when editing photos. I woke up the next morning and did a few more shots showing a more flirtatious Tullabelle and in the end…these are the shots I am most happy with. Go figure 
Model: Integrity Toys “You Better Werk” Tullabelle
Dress and gloves: Brenda Visaya – Matisse on Etsy
Hat: Rogier Corbeau of Dutch Fashion Doll World
Shoes: Integrity Toys “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” Eden
-Rebecca
Inside the Fashion Doll Studio 