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
The Fashion Doll Vignette
I think you can tell by now that I love collecting fashion dolls. I also love photographing my collection and sharing those photos with you all. Another thing I really enjoy doing is displaying my collection. Some of the most popular images I share either here or on my flickr page involve some kind of diorama. To me, it is infinitely more interesting to share a scene rather than just a fashion image of a doll and outfit. One is editorial, the other shares a story. The second you add items and accessories, it becomes a scene and scenes have stories. Do I have a story when I set a scene? Sometimes, yes, sometimes, no.
This vignette started with the following youtube video. This is where I imagine all of my Silkstones live LOL!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETxufpX8yFc&list=UUonF9muPaQugKknkbQfQ2iw
In this diorama there are a number of amazing pieces. First and foremost, there is this exquisite suit, hat and gloves from Matisse. It is worn by Ballgown Silkstone.
The other treasures in this diorama are the 1/6 terrarium, 1/6 garden cloche and the OOAK painted 1/6 bombe chest. The plants are all miniature scale plants found on Amazon. The picture above the chest was a find on an antiquing trip to a local shop.
I don’t know if these little terrariums are available anymore but they are too adorable.
The miniature cloches can be found in most fairy garden supply stores. I have added a link for some at Amazon. Just click on cloches.
Let’s talk about this amazing bombe chest for a moment. It started life as a plastic jewelry chest. I have dear friend ,Carolyn Grentz, who is an amazing artist and she transformed this plastic jewelry chest into a 1/6 French baroque treasure. I am trying to talk her into doing a few more to sell at Barbie Convention.
Dark Moon Rising
I posted earlier this week about how some collectors will go back and forth over whether or not to purchase a particular doll. Here is another one that I was on the fence about. She is from the 2014 Integrity toys Gloss Convention collection.
Dark Moon
Poppy Parker™ Dressed Doll
The 2014 Integrity Toys Convention: Gloss
Limited Edition of 500 Dolls
source: www.integritytoys.com
source: www.integritytoys.com
source: www.integritytoys.com
The promo pictures didn’t do it for me and the purple disco dress CERTAINLY wasn’t doing anything to recommend this doll to me. The disco theme is just not what I like to collect. Something about this doll spoke to me, however, and I am glad I purchased her. Here is why…
For photos below
Model: Dark Moon Poppy Parker
Gown: Shadow of Her Smile Poppy Parker
Jewelry: Fashion Royalty Regal Solstice Anja
Obviously I was having some quality time with Photoshop on a few of these shots. I have to say that the facial screening on this Poppy is a bit more sophisticated than the norm for Miss Poppy. We saw this same palette on the Poppy’s that were introduced at IFDC this year. To be perfectly honest, I am not sure I am ready to say goodbye to the dewy eyed fresh faced Poppy quite yet. This harder, more polished Poppy does make for some dramatic photos though.
Tiffany Blue
“Tiffany Blue is the colloquial name for the light medium robin egg blue color associated with Tiffany & Co., the New York City jewelry company. The color was used on the cover of Tiffany’s Blue Book, first published in 1845.[1] Since then Tiffany & Co. has used the color extensively on promotional materials, including boxes and bags.
The Tiffany Blue color is protected as a color trademark by Tiffany & Co. in some jurisdictions including the U.S.[2][3]
The color is produced as a private custom color by Pantone, with PMS number 1837, the number deriving from the year of Tiffany’s foundation. As a trademarked color, it is not publicly available and is not printed in the Pantone Matching System swatch books.” (source: Wikipedia)
Just say the name “Tiffany Blue” and instantly people know exactly what color you are talking about. When I think of this color, I have an almost visceral response. It has come to mean not just “Oh I’m getting something really special if it’s in a box like that” but indicative of the upper echelon of beauty, style and elegance. If something is presented in that color, I’m going to spend time looking at it. It’s the reason why I stand transfixed when a Korean Air commercial comes on….it uses that color. Only one other color approaches this kind of power in my life…Barbie pink of course. So, it can come as no surprise that when Matisse had a dress of this color for sale, I went after it like a shark after a chum boat.
Miss “The Happening” Poppy Parker is wearing a Mattise outfit with matching hat and clutch. Shoes are by Mattel. The faux fur wrap is also by Mattise and Poppy’s pearl earrings were borrowed from a sister Poppy whose name escapes me at this time.
I was all set to type this blog post up and call it a day…and then the sun came out in the doll room…and I had to take some more shots. I also think its important to note the difference between studio lighting and actual daylight. while I strive to be as color accurate as I can when I photograph things in the tabletop studio, invariably there will be color variation. Both settings also have a different and distinct feeling. Most of what I do, is in the studio. I like the look and feel of it. I am branching out to more natural light shoots but I only anticipate being able to do that in the summer months. I have noticed that outdoor shots of dolls is enjoying a renaissance on the doll boards. It is really beautiful and inspiring to see.
Brenda…I think I like the dress. 
I adore your work!!
Evening Gown and a Matisse
For those of us in the 1/6 OOAK clothing arena, scoring a Matisse can be a bit like winning the Lotto. She sells on her Etsy site( info below) and if you happen to be at the right place at the right time ( i.e. online when one of her notices hits your inbox that she has something new on her Etsy site), you may be lucky enough to get one. Her work is truly beautiful. The attention to detail is superb and the accessories never disappoint. I only have a few of her pieces and I treasure each and every one. I even managed to snag not one but two pink little works of art by her and I was waiting for Ms. Evening Gown to make her way here to model them. Now that I have shown you Evening Gown in her original Robert Best couture, I hope you will enjoy her in one of Matisse’s pink confections.
Model: Evening Gown Silkstone Barbie
Dress and veil: Mattise Fashions ( http://www.etsy.com/shop/MatisseFashions)
Wall Panel and gold urn with flowers: Made by me
Pink and White 1/6 Kissing Chair: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-6-Scale-Lover-Chair-For-Fashion-royalty-barbie-Momok-BJD-1-6-Scale-dolls-/320977023146?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4abbb8b0aa
Its all about the hat…Part two
Things have been crazy, crazy busy for the past three weeks so no chance to update the blog until now. I was recently lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time and snag a beautiful pink silk suit and hat by Matisse. I just love everything she does. Whenever I receive on of her lovely creations, it’s like Christmas. She wraps everything so carefully and beautifully that I feel like I am receiving a special gift….and of course I am 
Outfit and jewelry: Matisse ( http://www.etsy.com/shop/brendavisaya)
Model: Restyled Silkstone Verushka
Inside the Fashion Doll Studio 