Doll Owner's Corner: Doll Forums, Revisited

First of the month, time for another Doll Owner's Corner. When I, the doll owner, talk about whatever I want.

This month's topic:

Doll Forums, Revisited

I previously discussed the topic of doll forums in this post, but I think it's time to add to it a bit.

Forums for Bjds (and other dolls) are great resources for new information. Because for almost every question you may have about your dolls, odds are someone else has already thought of it and asked on one of these sites. Plus, they are a great place to share fun photos of your beloved doll family and see photos of other people's dolls.

The two forums I shared in my previous post, Den of Angels and Dollieh Sanctuary, are still relatively active. Although, Dollieh Sanctuary isn't as active as it was when I first discovered it. Anyway, I have discovered two more since then.

The first is Doll Dreaming. It is a forum specifically for vinyl, anime style dolls such as Dolfie Dreams (made by Volks, the Grandfather of bjds), Obitsu, and Smart Doll (like my Smart Doll Mirai). Although resin bjds are considered "off topic" for them, they still have a section of the forum for their discussion. Since I have been slowly branching out into "vinyl bjd" territory, Doll Dreaming has been a useful site for me.  

The second is R/Bjd, the Reddit Bjd community. They cover resin ball jointed balls, but also specific vinyl dolls just like Doll Dreaming. Some might argue that a reddit community isn't the same as a forum, but I still think it counts. It is a pretty active community with multiple posts a day, including lot's of photos of other dolls. There's a wide variety of dolls too. This is where I first heard of blind box bjds, but I'm still learning about those. They may come up as a future topic though.

Although all of these forums have a different idea of what type of dolls are considered "on topic" for them (for Dollieh Sanctuary it's almost all of them), they all agree that recasts are strictly prohibited. For those who don't know, recast dolls are illegal copies. Check out this page on Den of Angels for more information about it. That is also a possible future topic.

I feel like having more and more active forums and such means so many more people have come to discover the joy and wonder of the doll hobby.

Well, that all for now. Coming up this month, we have a more sewing tutorials, possibly another fashion show, and maybe a new friend for Mirai? Look forward to it.

Read More »

Of Bjd Fashion: The Fall Fashion Show

Some time ago, Anna got an idea. A wonderful and incredible idea. A fashion show, featuring various pieces that Anna has created.

Of course, everyone was thrilled at the idea. So, it gives me pleasure to present:

Our Ball Jointed Doll Fall Fashion Show

Hosted by Anna

Thank you, Hikaru. Let's get started. 

All the outfits are perfect for Fall weather in a warmish climate (since we live in Arizona), and the colors are pinks and blues mixed with white, black, grey and purple. 

First up is Misako. 

Misako is wearing a school inspired outfit, because Fall still reminds me of the start of the school year. This is despite the fact that most kids around here started school in July.

The white button down shirt (borrowed from Yuki) came from Alice's Collection, and is worn with the sleeves rolled up. This is stylish and prevents overheating ("Fall" days in Arizona can still pass 90 degrees F).

The light blue messenger style bag (borrowed from Usagi) is made from felt with large white bow that is practical and cute (see Of Bjd Fashion: Felt Doll-Sized Purses).

She is wearing a cat eared headband (borrowed from Usagi) for an extra touch of cuteness (check here for the video tutorial).

The blue plaid skirt (borrowed from Usagi, featured here) gives it a perfect school girl flare, and the black tights (tutorial here) and boots from Alice's Collections complete the look.

Misako was understandably nervous about being in the show, so we sent her down with Tohru acting as her "emotional support cat".

And Tohru got her wish. She wanted to try on some of Hikaru's clothes.

This outfit includes a navy blue sweater trimmed with white lace (the tutorial is here).

It pairs well with this full ruffled pink skirt with pintucks (featured here). The pink and navy blue are an fantastic combo for Fall.

The pearl headband (made using the same tutorial as the previous headband) goes well with the sweater and really sets the look.

Thank you Misako and Tohru.

Next up is Yuki, looking cool and casual in a black t-shirt (here's the tutorial),deep blue jeans (here's the tutorial), and sturdy shoes from Alice's Collections (similar to these).

You may be thinking that his outfit doesn't exactly screen "Autumn". It's just that it doesn't really get cool enough around here in Fall for Yuki to wear a sweater. Elbow length t-shirt sleeves are a "Fall" look for him.

Plus, his look pairs nicely with Usagi's Fall Outfit.

A classic and cute sweater and jeans combo.

The navy blue sweater (made with the same tutorial as the previous one) features white ribbon trim that sets off the white t-shirt and her pearl bracelet with the pink bow.

The jeans (made using the same tutorial as Yuki's) and pink sneakers from Alice's Collections give a laid back look that's also cute.

And can't forget the adorable pink bow headband.

Next is Sakura, striking a confident pose.

Sakura is wearing a white sweater with ribbon bows (made using the same tutorial as the navy blue sweaters). Underneath is her raglan sleeve t-shirt trimmed with lace and a ribbon bow (here's the tutorial), plus her pink puffy shorts with removeable suspender straps (here's the tutorial).

Layering tights under the shorts transitions them from Summer to Fall. The pink shoes from Alice's Collections complement the rest of the outfit thanks to the bows on the side.

The pink bow headband completes this adorable ensemble.

Next we have Momoko, also bedecked in pink and white, but with a white bow headband.

She is wearing a pink retro inspired A-line dress with white lace (featured here).

It is paired with a white sweater (borrowed from Yuna) to add warmth, and her signature pearl necklace sets it off beautifully.

Here we have Yuna wearing her favorite blue flowy dress (here's the tutorial) and white Mary Janes from Alice's Collections.

For a fresh Autumn look, it is paired with a pink sweater (borrowed from Momoko) with a white bow pin.

Yuna's hair has been left unadorned to show off her unique braided headband style (featured here).

Let's give these three adorable girls a round of applause.

Now many fashion shows finish with a wedding dress, but we went with something else as a grand finale.

In honor of Halloween (one of the best Fall holidays), we have Hikaru in an elegant witch costume.

The dress is made from a black satin with a sparkly tulle over skirt.

The skirt is a full circle skirt trimmed with black lace. Extra volume was added via a petticoat from Alice's Collections (here's the review).

The bodice is trimmed with purple ribbon and black lace along the neckline, and the puff sleeves are made of the same tulle as the over skirt.

The mini witch hat with matching ribbon trim completes the look. I will be posting a tutorial for this hat soon because it was so easy and fun to make.

Unfortunately, I am unable to make a tutorial for the dress because the pattern needs a little more adjusting. It means I will just have to make another elegant looking dress for Hikaru in the future.

Now let's give a final round of applause to all our lovely bjd participates.

"Um, wait! What about Makoto? He helped too."

Yes, let's not forget Makoto. He was a big help to me working behind the scenes getting everyone ready.

All the little ones did a fantastic job today.

And with that, our Fall Fashion Show has officially come to an end. Thank you for coming and we invite you to come again when we have our Winter Show.

Hikaru is there anything you wish to say?

Indeed yes, thank you all my dear readers for coming and look forward to the Winter show where we will be revealing my new dress. I do expect Anna to have it ready in time.

Uh, oh. She wasn't suppose to hear that part, I was thinking more of a spring outfit. I guess it's time to get more tulle. Look forward to it.

What is Misako thinking?

"I'm happy that Anna said I could still wear my new boots in the show. I really don't want to take them off, is that strange. I'm also glad my new cat friend could go with me, it was scary. I really like cats, I like wearing Usagi's cat headband. Should I ask Anna to make me one too? What if she says no?"

Read More »

Naming Dolls: Our Aimerai Ling and Some Dress Up

It has been some time since we received our newest doll (see Bjd Unboxing: Aimerai Cat Doll?).

Now let's sit down to a nice cup of tea together and discuss the topic of names.

So as with many of us dolls, Anna had a name in mind for this doll long before purchasing. And I have no doubt that it probably came from some sort of anime series, just like with almost all of us dolls. She of course will explain further.

So without further ado, may I properly introduce our newest doll...

Tohru.

Hikaru is correct. The name, Tohru came from the main character of the series Fruits Basket. It is a manga series that was adapted into 2 different anime series, the first of which is one of my favorite animes.

It was sort of like when I named Sakura (see Naming Our Newest Doll and a Little News). I saw the product photo for the Aimerai Ling, and thought "this looks like Tohru Honda, sort of." She basically reminded me of a cat version of one of my favorite characters, so I thought if I ever bought that doll, then I will definitely name her Tohru.

Fast forward several years later, and she is now sitting in my room, drinking tea with Hikaru.

Or at least staring at the tea in a teacup.

Don't you like your tea? Do you need more cream.

I think she would prefer it with just cream and no tea.

I suppose you're right, our purple kitten always preferred cream over tea too.

Since Tohru arrived, the kitten has been quite attached to her. It is actually quite endearing.

However, it is time for the next topic for today, clothing.

Tohru is in need of more clothing, and it was suggested that we should search through Anna's "miscellanous clothing" bag. It's a bag of clothing and other accessories accumulated over the years. Much of it would have been discarded if Anna wasn't such a packrat (Hikaru can't talk, see Decluttering a Doll’s Wardrobe).

So let us see...

How about this lovely half-bonnet.

Anna made them using some straw hats she acquired (see Of Bjd Fashion: Turning Straw Hats into Doll Half Bonnets). Such an ingenious and elegant design.

It looks lovely on her, most becoming.

Unfortunately, it seems to be interfering with her ears, but surely this is something that can be overlooked?

"Hiss, hiss."

Or maybe not.

Cats normally don't like things touching their ears, and hats that pinch are even worse.

I suppose we should focus on main fashion pieces then.

Here's a selection of skirt and dresses that Anna has sewn for us. Surely, one of these will be suitable.

This is an eyelet skirt that Anna made for me along with several other pieces (see Of Bjd Fashion: Pretty and Pink and Short?).

I've always found it a bit too short for my tastes, but I suppose it is fine for Tohru.

Except that is seems too loose in the waist.  Oh dear, I didn't think our measurements varied that much.

Oh, I remember this dress. It is one of several dresses Anna made for us using her fitted bodice technique (see the video tutorial). Wait, why isn't she trying it on?

She's playing with the lace straps.

Let's move on to the next piece. It's Usagi's old jumper skirt, one of the first pieces Anna made for her.

It really suits Tohru. The style is so sweet, and the color brings out her eyes. She seems quite smitten with it too.

But, what about the white dress? I'm sure she would love it as well.

...If she would stop playing with the straps.

Anna, please stop distracting her!

Just having a little fun, I really should make her some cat toys.

Oh well, at least we found something suitable for Tohru. However, I wonder how Usagi will feel about Tohru wearing her hand-me-downs.

"Wow, she's wearing my old jumper skirt, it looks so cute! :)"

"Mew?!"

"So cute!"

"Meowr, mew!"

I take it they are both in agreement.

"She also wants to wear some of your clothes too, Hikaru! :)"

You can understand her?

"Of course, can't you? :)"

I'm not certain if this make things simpler or more confusing, my dear readers. I'm sure time will tell.

Be at peace.

"Meowr! :)"

Read More »