Wordless Wednesday: Cats!

 

Read More »

Of Bjd Fashion: Mini Witch Hat Tutorial

This post may contain affiliate links, please see our disclosures page for more info, thanks!

In a previous post (see Of Bjd Fashion: The Fall Fashion Show), I did say I would make a tutorial for the witch hat I made for Hikaru for Halloween this year. Well, it's a few days later then I intended, but it's finally ready. Just don't tell Hikaru it was up so late. 

Mini Witch Hat For Dolls Tutorial

Materials needed:

• Fabric Scraps
• Ribbon
• Tulle Scraps (optional)
• Scissors
• Glue gun
• Need and thread
• Jewelry wire
• Your doll

You will need to use the wire and ribbon to make a plain headband for your doll. Here's my doll headband video tutorial. If you already have a headband handy, then continue on.

Cut your fabric into a circle. It should be about twice the size of your hat brim, whatever size you want it to be. Don't worry if your edge is a little jagged or off.

With your needle and thread, proceed to sew and gather the edge of the fabric into the center to form a rosette (aka a fabric yoyo). Here's a good video tutorial for fabric yoyos if you need a little more help.

Now cut another circle about the same size. This will be the top of the hat.

Fold the circle in half. Add some glue to keep it folded.

Fold the side of the half circle down as pictured.

Fold the other side over the part you just folded, then glue in place to form a triangle.

Open up the bottom for a nice cone shape, and it's ready to attach to the brim.

Glue the cone to the center of the rosette, and now you have your basic mini hat.

To decorate, I wrapped a strip of tulle around the brim, twisting it as I glued it down.

Then I glued on a piece of thin ribbon.

You can add other embellishments too like flowers and bows.

After decorating, just glue the hat to your headband. It helps to try it on your doll before gluing to get it at just the right angle.

And now you have a cute little witch hat for your doll to wear for next Halloween (or whenever you feel like it).


Give it a try:

• 16 Gauge Dead Soft Wire by Bead Landing™
  
• Mini High Temperature Glue Gun by Ashland®
  
• Loops & Threads™ Start-to-Sew Kit
  
• Assorted Bent Scissors By Craft Smart®
  

Read More »

Wordless Wednesday: Doll Hands

Read More »

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 scream "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 »