Monday, August 26, 2013

Fortune Cats

Fortune Cats by alington
Fortune Cats, a photo by alington on Flickr.
So they aren't actually dolls, but they are still pretty cute.

I thought I'd share them with you, dear readers, today. Two "Fortune Cats" from Peak's Woods, one black, one pink, I have to listen to my kids each time I get them out, and explain why I can't unroll their fortunes.

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Steffie of the Day: Vidal Sassoon Barbie 1970s

Vidal Sassoon by alington
Vidal Sassoon, a photo by alington on Flickr.
I can't post about the 1960s version Vidal Sassoon Barbie and not also post about the 1970s version as well. Also styled after J-Pop start Namie Amuro, this doll's styling is inspired by an outfit worn in the music video to Rock Steady:



You can see sort of a crappy full-length shot of both dolls, which Leslie of The Vintage Goddess had for sale for $2400 at this year's Barbie Convention, here:

Vidal Sassoon

The 1970s version is actually for sale in her online store (I believe the set sold at convention). I think the 1960s version comes up less often and is slightly more popular.

Her arm is actually on the same side as one of the original Barbie Basic Model 03, though this doll wasn't released as a Target exclusive till two years later. Her hair style is also similar, though her facial screening is quite different.

Her outfit is really cute--check out the beaded details and the boots in the full-length photo.

Again, I'd love to add both to my collection. I can't decide which doll I like most!

Steffie of the Day: Vidal Sassoon 1960s Barbie exclusive

Vidal Sassoon by alington
Vidal Sassoon, a photo by alington on Flickr.
This special and hard-to-find Barbie was exclusive to the Japanese market (in 2008) and was not available to purchase. She was raffled off as a prize, limited to a small edition of 300 dolls. Japanese pop star Namie Amuro promoted these dolls in conjunction with Vidal Sassoon, who gave this doll (along with the 1970s-styled version) away as prizes to people who participated in a contest.

Check out the pop star (and see how the doll's styling was inspired) in her music video here on YouTube:



As you might notice, this doll may have started off as a Barbie Basic Model No. 03. However, the dolls that have this face mold don't have brown eyes, their facial screening is different, and their arm poses (there are several versions of this doll) are slightly different (this doll's arm is on the opposite hip, for example, compared to one of the dolls).

The outfit is pretty much identical to the one Namie Amuro wears in the New Look video, and it's really well done.

I would love to have this doll in my collection, but the dolls rarely come up for sale. Leslie, the lovely and wonderful The Vintage Goddess on eBay, had both versions for sale at this year's Barbie convention. She was gracious enough to allow me to take photos of both.

The asking price for the dolls varies, depending on what the original owners ask--in this case, the set included both dolls (they are rarely found as a set), and was $2400. From what I can tell, the set is sold, but she still has the 1970s version available and in stock.

Leslie is your go-to person for anything hard-to-find when it comes to Barbie, by the way, and especially Japanese exclusives!

Friday, August 23, 2013

Raffle Steffie from Magia 2000

Magia 2000 by alington
Magia 2000, a photo by alington on Flickr.
Here's pretending that it hasn't been a week since my last post--I must apologize. My kids have started school, and my oldest starts after Labor Day, but has started (no joke) an all-day band camp. I have four kids in three different schools in two districts this year. The driving is a little crazier than I'm accustomed to, it seems.

I'm usually a no-nonsense kind of parent--it's a requirement as a mom of four. There is just no other option. But since David is in high school this year (how did that happen? Am I really no longer in my 30s?), I feel like the, er, responsible thing to do is to allow some extra-curricular activities into the schedule, and to encourage them, even. We'll see how long this lasts.

That being said and, while my sanity is mostly still in tact, this is another favorite from the Magia 2000 fashion show. She is a gorgeous Steffie repaint with a beautiful fashion. Amazingly, Mario and Gianni found it reasonable to create her for a raffle prize and gave her away to one lucky person in attendance at the show that night!

Simply fantastic!

Friday, August 16, 2013

Steffie from Magia 2000

Magia 2000 by alington
Magia 2000, a photo by alington on Flickr.
Which was my personal favorite from the Magia 2000 The Colours collection? Oh, do you really have to ask?

Of course it's this girl. She is a former a Barbie Basics Model 03 (Steffie), with a complete repaint and hair restyle. Her gown is soft pink with intricate beading and silver thread embroidery. Her large green cape gives her the appearance of movement. She includes beaded jewelry as well.

See additional photos on Flickr. I so wish I could have taken her home! (There's always next year!)

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Magia 2000 fashion show

Untitled by alington
Untitled, a photo by alington on Flickr.
The most amazing event at Barbie convention this year was the Magia 2000 fashion show. Sure, I'm giving myself away as a fan girl (again!), but I just can't help it. Glittering dolls with perfect repaints, hand embroidery, sequins, crystal, silk, satin, and chiffon--I go nuts!

Check out the rest of the photos on Flickr. Also, I have an additional set of the dolls.

Mario did the narration, and Gianni and Ibrahim Ismail (another talented designer) assisted with tray-passing the dolls down the runway. Special guest and OOAK collector Richard Simmons joined in as a doll-passer as well, about halfway through the show.

The collection was introduced as The Colours collection. There were 50 one-of-a-kind dolls introduced, plus an additional raffle doll and the pair of silent auction dolls as well.

Next year, I'll be sure to budget accordingly--I won't be leaving without one of these amazing pieces. Each one was really an amazing work of art. And did I mention: I could have listen to the descriptions (and speaker, Mario) all night? Simply mesmerizing.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Competition room

Competition room
Competition room, a photo by alington on Flickr.
My favorite new artist at convention is Tommy Barzilla. Here's his competition entry. You can also visit his website here.

You can see the rest of my competition room photos on Flickr as well.

Raffle room

Raffle room by alington
Raffle room, a photo by alington on Flickr.
I've uploaded photos of the NBCC 2013 Raffle Room, and this is probably one of my favorite (surprise!) sets. Of course, you'd think by this time I'd remember to take full photos--including the artist and who donated them. Years later I'll be that organized!

Feel free to peruse the rest of the set on Flickr!

Magia 2000 Live Auction Donation

Magia 2000 by alington
Magia 2000, a photo by alington on Flickr.
Oh my--if funds were unlimited...

My favorite item from the live auction was Marie Antoinette by Magia 2000. Exquisitely beaded and embroidered sapphire silk, this wonderful repainted Silkstone is a gorgeous tribute to Bob Mackie's Madame du Barbie. She helped raise money for the charity auction, and is simply a work of art.

You can see additional photos on Flickr--as a lucky tag-along, I got a sneak peek before the auction, and was simply floored.

Sunday, August 11, 2013

La Reine de la Nuit

La Reine de la Nuit by alington
La Reine de la Nuit, a photo by alington on Flickr.

Before I hop in the shower this morning, I though I'd post a few quick photos of the convention doll. She's really gorgeous, designed by Edge of 17.

The AA version has black and white hair (the Caucasian version has red and black hair, I think). Her outfit uses a black spiderweb pattern over blush shantung, with lots of ruffle detail. She includes an umbrella with a silver skull on the handle. And yes, that would be a nose ring!

See a few more photos on Flickr.

Friday, August 9, 2013

Why you should come to Barbie convention... One of our table mates made these by hand--aren't they cute?

Masquerade Magic by Dressmaker Details fashion exclusive!

Dessert!

Chicken and risotto--it's chicken!

Dinner menu--looks great!

Wish you were here! The Future Looks Bright dinner has started, and the centerpiece looks great! Her name is Madame Fortune.
Grease!
Pop Life Ken!
Pop Life Kelley--so fantastic!
Our suave table host, Joel McKinnon.
So smooth--restorations by Arnoldo!
More holiday Barbies!
The fashion show is one of my favorite parts of Barbie convention. This year was fun as always, but I've forgotten to bring the right adaptor for my good camera. So I apologize in advance for the crappy videos from my iPhone.
I'll be posting additional videos when I return as well.

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Kmart's Christmas holiday display dolls--so pretty!

Audrey Hepburn Silkstone IRL--beautiful!

City shopper variation from Mattel!

Dessert is a chocolate treasure chest with white chocolate mousse and golden pearls. It's tasty! The pearls are pink!

A daring choice--BBQ pork loin with cornbread, andouille dressing and broccoli au gratin. I'm thrilled--something traditional and NOT boring chicken. It's delicious!

Centerpiece beauty from Swashbucklers Luncheon--so gorgeous!

Here we are in our pirate/wench finery.

The menu for the Swashbucklers Luncheon... Looks good! I'm at table 72, and we have some amazing attendees here. Lots of great table gifts--just wonderful! And a great host!

Here's a photo of our swag from last night's reception! Isn't it cute?
Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler! Reception swag included a printed hankie and beads with a resin (I think) silhouette logo "A Doll's Life For Me!" printed on the front.

We got to see amazing silent auction donations of all types--photos will come later on Flickr, since I brought my real camera--as well as previewing the wonderful live auction dolls and meet the artists.

I wasn't sure if I should post this, but I decided I'd better. Apparently, I'm enough of a nobody to not be aware of the tradition that if you're a Somebody, you aren't required to wait in line with the rest of us lowly registrants. Unfortunately, I'm unaware of this tradition enough not even to recognize the Somebodies! Not that I was offended or anything, of course. Thank goodness I was wearing flats and had an adult beverage.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Les Tres Amis, Welcome Home Furniture's, Paint Box Designs, and Bellissima Couture, sponsored a wonderful event in room 2748 this afternoon from 2-5pm, featuring limited edition pieces and outfits.

Guests were treated to sneak peaks of auction items, as well as products for sale. In addition, while waiting outside, we were offered Blue Butterflies and cupcakes as refreshments. As always, it's a delight to meet designers in person, and put faces to names.

Couture in London, also "one of the prettier dolls in the collection, from The Colours collection presented by Magia 2000 last night.

This was my first time in attendance at a Magia fashion show, and it was such a treat! We were shown 50 amazing hand beaded and embroidered works of art, runway style, complete with music and narration. I took photos with the real camera which I'll upload when I get home.

Special guests included Ibrahim Ismail and Richard Simmons. It was gorgeous, fun, and simply breathtaking! If you a chance to meet the artist in person, it's a treat! I'm now officially a fan girl!

Couture in Greece by Magia 2000.

It pays to be a Barbie Fan Club Member! This year's BFC loot includes the Dolls of the World from France, a mug hug, ear buds, Barbie sunglasses and pouch, and a really nice reusable plastic cup.

Help Out Your Fellow Dolly Friend & Vote

In honor of a photo contest put on by Peak's Woods on Facebook, I decided to make a special outfit for my FOF Hucky.  The contest requires a person to take a picture with their doll, so I made sure Hucky's OOAK outfit matched mine.  We are both sporting pink dresses with white dots.  Can you also tell I did some bokeh work with my camera?

Now, I need your help!  If you are on Facebook, please "like" my photo on the Peak's Woods page.  Your help will be greatly appreciated and will actually help contribute to further MegannArt dolly clothing on new doll bodies.

Remember, go to this photo on Facebook to vote, and you have to "like" the photo itself, not a comment, feed, etc.

Support an artist!  Visit my website (MegannArt) for an Etsy shop, Twitter, Facebook (with occasional discounts), Pinterest page, and much more.  Plus, there is even a new pattern book out now that has some BJD patterns, called Dolly Bureau!

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

We just got in from a new OOAK doll artist, Tommy Barzilla. He has the most amazing dolls at really affordable prices. He's in room 937, so stop by to check out his creations.

He uses an incredibly creative technique of mixed media designs to make fantastic couture dolls, ranging from $275 to $425. Metallics, feathers, beading, silk--all kinds of texture go into his work--each piece fitting the title perfectly.

If you are visiting New Orleans this week, stop by tonight or tomorrow for this amazing debut trunk show. You'll want to meet the artist and pick up one of these amazing pieces. Also, visit his website, Art Dolls by Tommy, for items for items for sale, descriptions, and shopping--even if you're not in town.

The lovely Walk Lively Steffie tries out a new fashion by Nise's--so delicate!

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