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
It’s Party Time
Everyone in the fashion world has their eyes turned toward Paris right now for the culmination of the 2017 Spring Summer Ready to Wear shows and I thought, “what does one do at the end of fashion week?”. If it were me, I would want to celebrate so that is the inspiration behind this group of photos. Well…that and a killer sparkle dress from Rimdoll.
Here is the mood board I posted on Instagram.
Dress: Rimdoll on Etsy
Shoes: Integrity Toys Cold shoulder Eugenia
Earrings: Integrity Toys Fabulous Fields Luchia
Glassware: Facets by Marcia
Fur Wrap: Pottery Barn wine bottle adornment ( yes!! seriously!! I know right?!)
Champagne bottle: origins of which are lost in the quagmire of my mind….
There was another item besides the gown that I was inspired by. Those of us who attended last years Integrity Toys convention were a bit hmmmm…lets just say underwhelmed by the convention doll last year. Her name was ‘Making an Entrance’ Karolin Stone and she was a severe looking lady with a major broad forehead. Not the most attractive look in my opinion.
I really liked her facial screening but I was all ready to sell this one when I saw an image of a restyled Karolin on Rimdoll’s Etsy site. I decided to change course and see if I could soften her look a bit. Here is what I ended up with and I have to say…I am very happy 
.
She still has the wide forehead but at least it’s softened up by the roll of bangs.
Welcome to Fall everyone!
And before you say it…YES I know there is no such thing as a pink pumpkin. They are there to remind all of us that it is breast cancer awareness month people…so do those self exams and get those mammograms!!!
Convention Doll 2016
So here they are the official convention dolls from the Nation Barbie Doll Collectors Convention 2016.
The dolls were inspired by Jacky kennedy and the movie Valley of the Dolls.
The edition size of these dolls is a 1000 together.
The surprise donation for the silence auction from Robert Best turned out to be the original sketches of this years dolls. Are the lucky winner is getting them signed.
Congrataiolations Sebastiano !!!
Agnes at the Palazzo
For those of you following my Instagram, you have seen a little taste of this shoot. If you don’t follow, here is a little backstory. It all started with this amazing dress which I found on Etsy by the talented duo AquatalisBoutique . You may have seen some of their work over on Rogier’s Blog this week. It took a while for this gown to get to me because the first one was lost in the vast quagmire of postal services between Vietnam and my home. Aquatalis was great about it and after we waited a reasonable time without the dress showing up, they promptly made and mailed another one. Excellent customer service and kept me informed the whole time. When I saw this gown I immediately thought of Dolce & Gabbana and their 2012 and 2013 collections. Such vibrant color and opulence. I needed an appropriate backdrop. Nothing I had was doing it for me. So….time for a new one and I went to the Dutch still life masters to find inspiration. I had seen a wall covering recently that I was obsessed with and wanted to do something similar…this set was what came from all that brainstorming.
Inspiration room photo…
source: https://www.pinterest.com/explore/flower-mural/
The beginnings of a new background
The headdress is the necklace from Fiorella Silkstone Barbie. The flowers have been digitally altered to match the dress.
The detail on this dress is really something!
The minis in these shots are Orcara miniatures. These items are from their red wine set. Above are miniature paper sunflowers found at local craft store.
And the perfect photo to express the Agnes attitude.
-Rebecca
Presentation Luncheon
Miss Classic Black Dress joined Rogier for the luncheon in Paris today.
The schedule today at the Paris Fashion Doll Festival started with the silent auction. It would appear that the big ticket item was a prototype of Water Sprite Barbie® Doll from Mattel
Upon entering the dining room, a few gifts were set on the table.
The Barbie Collector catalog had some interesting pages with new promo shots!
They say “coming soon” and “discover other partnerships in spring of 2016”…hope they mean that! Would love to get my hands on these silkies this Spring.
After lunch it was time for a fashion show and doll presentation. Had to share this one from the show…. Cinderella and her prince! How adorable is that?!!
Lot’s of creative people showing their talents in Paris for this luncheon. But wait….who is that lady on the left…with the white collar??
But wait….who is that lady on the left…with the white collar??
The convention doll was introduced in a fun and new way this year! She walked out in the fashion show. Too fun!
It’s the flaming redhead for Paris. J’adore!!!! I know a number of us collectors were hoping that this hair color was going to be produced after seeing the photo earlier this year in a Wall Street Journal article
A nice touch they have added this year to the convention dolls are boxes that specify these are platinum dolls.
That wraps it up from the Paris Fashion Doll Festival today. Tomorrow it concludes with the salesroom. I am sure Rogier will have photos and stories for us on this tomorrow. 
–Rebecca
Poppy Sizzles in Vegas
This year is Poppy Parker’s 5th anniversary and Integrity Toys is certainly showing up to celebrate it. I shared a photo earlier today of the first exclusive Poppy Parker for IFDC (International Fashion Doll Convention). Tonight, two additional Poppy Parker dolls were unveiled to much applause. These were the convention doll and a companion doll that was given to all attendees. If you are a Poppy Parker fan and chose this year to go to IFDC, you scored a jackpot in Vegas!
** pictures are courtesy of Integrity Toys**
IT Girl
Poppy Parker 5th Anniversary Collection
2014 IFDC Convention Companion Doll
Limited Edition of 300 Dolls
Doll Tech Specs:
Body Type: Poppy Parker Hybrid (w/ High-heeled Foot)
Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: FR White
Hair Color: Redhead
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-Applied
Glamorous Darling
Poppy Parker 5th Anniversary Collection
2014 IFDC Convention Exclusive Doll
Limited Edition of 300 Dolls
Doll Tech Specs:
Body Type: Poppy Parker Hybrid (w/ High-heeled Foot)
Head Sculpt: Poppy Parker
Quick Switch Feature: No
Skin Tone: FR White
Hair Color: Brunette
Eyelashes: Yes, Hand-Applied
The WClub has set aside a very few of these for a lottery so if you are a WClub member, look to your emails for information on how to enter. I predict these beauties will be hot tickets on the secondary markets. There is a huge demand for Poppy Parker and quite a few collectors have expressed interest in this newer and more sophisticated Poppy Parker look. As for me, I may be tempted to enter for the brunette and the redhead. Adorable!
Integrity Toys “The Premiere” Convention Day 3
And on the third day there was rest. Well…kind of. The hectic daily pattern that is convention slowed down on Saturday to basically two events. The WClub luncheon and the final dinner. I managed to get myself out of bed early enough to finish up the blog posts for the previous day and then all my good intentions of being on top of blogging went out the window. I am now home and finishing up LOL!
The WClub Luncheon
The WClub luncheon is an event that you sign up for separately and have to be a member of the WClub for. This year, it was announced that it would be a Victoire Roux event. In years past it has been a FR2 event. For this event, it is a sit wherever you want. Our table of 10 quickly filled up with some great people that I was not able to see at some of the other events.
The centerpiece was STUNNING! And…even better… we all had a chance to purchase her!
Story Of My Life
Victoire Roux™ Dressed Doll
2013 Convention Exclusive
Photo source: Integrity Toys, Inc.
We also received a Victoire outfit as a gift with our meal.
Night at Ciro’s
Victoire Roux™ Fashion
2013 Convention Exclusive
Photo source: Integrity Toys, Inc.
Chris Stoeckel talked about his love for 1950’s fashion and how it inspired his designs for Victoire. He also shared a sneak peak photo of the next Victoire coming down the pipe.
It says IT Direct so get ready for the possibility of a lottery people.
Once the luncheon was over, it was time to go upstairs, rest and attempt to start boxing up the insane amount of loot accumulating from this convention. Integrity Toys really spoiled us this time around.
The Red Carpet Gala with Jason Wu
By this point in the convention many conventioneers realize “ Hey wait….we get a convention doll too!!”. Somehow, I always get to Saturday afternoon and I realize that the big reveal is yet to come LOL! It ALWAYS sneaks up on me then I spend the afternoon hours thinking “ I wonder who she will be?” We were so overloaded with amazing swag at this point that anything was going to be complete gravy on a plate of steak, lobster and chocolate decadence.
We walked into the ball room and were hit with a very edgy Jason Wu designed dress on a beautiful Vanessa. This one was a straight of the runway design by Jason.
Black Orchid
Vanessa Perrin™ Dressed Doll
2013 Convention Exclusive Centerpiece
Photo source: Integrity Toys, Inc.
We also received a completer outfit for our convention Monogram gift doll
Completist
FR: Monogram™ Accessory Pack Giveaway
2013 Convention Exclusive
Photo source: Integrity Toys, Inc.
The competition winners were announced and the winner of the Advanced Design competition will have their design produced! Congrats Lisa Ramsammy!!
Jason Wu also made a special call out to my fellow blogger Shuga Shug . It was very deserving recognition for an amazing and inspirational doll blog. Shug, you rock it girlfriend…every post and every picture are an inspiration and I thank you.
Finally, the big moment of the evening had come and the convention doll was revealed. It was another straight off the runway gown by Jason Wu and apparently a particular favorite of Jason’s.
Midnight Star
Elise Jolie Dressed Doll
2013 Official Convention Doll
Photo source: Integrity Toys, Inc.
Holy Shitake mushrooms people!!! Now THAT’S a convention doll. We filed out of the ballroom happy little campers with our loot and wonderful convention memories. The real work began upon returning to our rooms….how the heck were we going to get all this convention swag home??!!!
Convention…The aftermath, and final thoughts coming up tomorrow 
Bogue’s Vogues Vendredi
Oh yes…it is that time again. 
Ever since a dear Barbie friend helped me obtain this Milan Boater Silkstone, I have been looking for the perfect purple dress to photograph her in. Mr. Bogue was ,of course, obliging and I had to share.
Model and Earrings: IDC Milan Boater Silkstone Barbie
Gown: Bogue’s Vogues
Gloves and Shoes: Mattel
NBDCC 2011–The Official Convention Doll
Typically, the last evening of convention there is a final dinner and you receive the official convention doll. At this years convention, as it was Ken’s 50th anniversary, we received a doll set. A beautifully designed and crafted Barbie and Ken set designed by the very talented Matt Sutton and Matt Trujillo. I just can’t say enough about this pair of gentleman….LOVE YOU GUYS!
Here is a quote from Matt Sutton about the inspiration and ideas behind the dolls….
“They weren’t designed as “formal”– the thought expressed to us was that they were a young couple in 1961 in Ft Lauderdale, went to a lovely dinner, and found themselves taking a long romantic walk on the beach at night. It’s dinner jacket and party dress, not tux and ballgown. Matching ties and/or a cummerbund seemed too “formal” and “prom”, which wasn’t the esthetic we were going for. Plus we loved the idea that she was dressing in “his” color (the aqua) as a tribute to him, vs the matchy matchy…
We actually did a TON of research for the era, and made sure things were as accurate as possible, and still within our design sense. Ken’s jacket– did you notice his little gold cufflinks? (another subtle homage to the 50th) Her dress is very much of the era, and the sash is sort of a signature of mine– again, the aqua is Barbie paying tribute to her main squeeze. ^_^”
Still in the box…..
And…..out of the box and in the studio………..
Inside the Fashion Doll Studio 