Trying for Halloween

Hello again!  If you're just joining us, WELCOME~!  Come!  Read!  Sit down for a spell~!

It's that time of year again!  Halloween!!  Samhain!!  All Hallows Eve!!

Last year's dress, modeled by Chiyo.

Last year, as previous readers may remember, I attempted to have a Halloween dress (or was it dresses?) up for sale in my shop.

If you followed along, it fell through, however, sewing by hand bringing me to a resounding halt as things got busier.  So, this year, I've hoped to try again.

If anyone is interested in last year's dress, however, I am debating on putting it up for sale.  If you agree with this, let me know because up it will go!  It will come as is with little black socks.  It fits perfectly on VOLKS Yo-SD-sized dolls and similar, but it's a bit big on my Fairyland LittleFee.

As I said previously, I do plan on making things OOAK in my shop, so if you would like this one or this year's dress, be sure to jump right on that, as there will only be ONE of each posted!!

This year's dress, in the works earlier this month.

This time round, we have pumpkins!

Adorable, petite pumpkins with a silvery-black ribbon lining the bottom.

Now, this is just a sneak peek, there is more to be seen of this dress as the next few days go by, so please, if you are interested in seeing it's progress or seeing it listed, keep an eye out on the Facebook page or the shop!

It will have sleeves and other embellishments, as well as snap closures in the back.  I'm still debating on putting a collar on it, though, it being an autumn-timed outfit and all.

Well, we have time for one last sneak peek of things coming to the shop in the near future.

16mm green acrylic eyes.

Acrylic eyes, anyone?

As of right now, I have access to 16mm eyes, so that's what will debut at the shop as soon as I finish the testing phase.

I am still debating on the Custom Order or if I will just do certain colors and keep it at that, but they do seem like I can make them digitally quick enough to work on a few at a time.

As you can see, the pupils in both eyes came out a tad big, and the left one ended up off-center, but this is the test pair, so please bear with me.

Hopefully, within the next few days, I will have the 16mm down pat, and find where I can procure some other sizes to add to the shop.

In the meantime, keep your eye out for more updates!

As always, thank you for joining me!

Have a wonderful evening!

♥ The BJDA

SD Sizes + Updates

Hello again!  As always, sorry for the pause, but here we are, once again, joining together for another edition of the Ball-Jointed Baby~!

As you could probably tell from the title, if you read the titles of blog posts, this entry is going to be about SD sizes.  Why, you may ask, because I am taking advantage of Leeke's offering of Arien (57.5cm), and getting my first and only SD sized doll.

After realizing that this I probably my one and only chance at getting her, I've decided to go for it!  I have wanted her since I laid eyes on Kaine, cats10's LeekeWorld Arien on an AriaDoll 14yr.  body.  Just look at those freckles!!  Isn't she darling?!

So! As of October 5th, I will have paid 3/4's of her bill, and she already has a wardrobe waiting for her when she gets home.

Man, a lot has happened since my last entry...  I even had a draft left over from April...  That totally will not get finished... XD

Well, let's start from the beginning, as all story's do, and just go from there, shall we? :)

Selling on eBay:
I've begun selling my doll things I no longer need on eBay.  It's taking me a while to get everything uploaded, but I've already sold 3 of 9, so I guess that's a good start.  Lol.  It's all BJD stuff right now, including my DZ Nono, so, if you're interested, go check it out!  ;)  I already sold my Dollfie Dream 04 head, a limited Leeke wig, and the school uniform I got a while back FOR the DD girl.  Lol.    Hopefully, I will have more eyes and such up soon.  :)

New Dolls in the Household:
So...  In total... I have 9 dolls... NINE! 

WHAT THE HELL?!?!  When did that happen?!?! 

By the end of 2013, I will have Eliana (LeekeWorld L-Type Arien, 57.8cm), C.C. (Parabox 40cm Alice), Lettie (LeekeWorld A-Type Ariana, 40cm), Fallen (Doll in Mind Happy Flowne, 41cm), Harumi (LUTS Kid Delf Coco, 41cm), Addie (LeekeWorld A-Type/M-Type Mikhaila, 37.8cm), Rolly (FairyLand LittleFee Rolly, 25cm), Chiyo (VOLKS Yo-SDG Chika, 27cm), and Arturia (FairyLand LittleFee Nanuri, 25cm).  Nine girls...  Wow...  I'm definitely a happy doll mama.  Lol. 

Harumi came from a friend on FaceBook, and you all know Saber (Arturia) has been a year in the making.  Lol.  Her poor eyebrow is already scratched, though, so I'll have to remove her eyes and redo that spot...  I loathe the idea... -_-  I am working on a pair of jeans for Haru' though...  So hopefully they're done soon.  Lol.  I doubt it.  XD  At this rate, I'm flopping.  Time to dust off the pants and try again, right?  :)

New Job Updates!!:
If you didn't know from last time, I finally have an official, go to everyday, job, and everything is going smoothly!  I really love working there, and I can't wait to go back each day!  I never thought I'd enjoy talking to people face-to-face every day, but I truly do.  It's awesome!

New Ball-Joint Dollies:

I discovered Cu-Poche a while ago...  Still don't know how to pronounce it, but hey...  Lol.  And I have 2 of the 5 currently out, Madoka (my most recent and an anniversary gift from Justin) and Dark Magician Girl/Black Magic Girl (my birthday present, pre-order from back in March/April).  Both just got here within a week of each other, and they're just darling!  14+ points of articulation, so not an ART ball-jointed doll, but a ball-jointed doll nonetheless.  Lol.  I love ALL the dolls!!  :D  Truly, I do.  Lol.


Okay...  That's all for now...  I feel like if I don't publish soon, I won't publish ever...  Esp. since the fist half of this entry was written back in July... >.>

As always, thanks for joining me!

Hope to see you all again soon! ♥

-The BJD Addict

New Month, New Doll, New Post

Hello again! :) Sorry for being away for so long, as I said in the last update, school has been eating me alive... Even now, I have exams and homework due, and this is my Spring Break week!! XD It's swamping me!!... And we (our whole house, grandparents' houses, and extended family's houses) have all been sick for the past two weeks, completely stopping normal work and productions.  :(  I hope no one has to go through this terrible cold!!

Well, since last month as busier than usual, I didn't have time to finish the shirts. So! I plan on uploading both the shirts and the pants by the end if this month/beginning of April.  Hopefully I will finish in time, I'm finding that the Art Doll clothing is causing me more trouble than I allotted time.

Remember when I said I knew what my Valentine's day present was? Well, meet Chiyo, my VOLKS Yo-SDG Chika! She has her original face-up, wig, and eyes, and we managed to get her for her original price!! It was fate!! XD  She's really just the sweetest little thing, and she and Rolly have become rather attached at the hip.  Lol.  I can't seem to separate them!

I do not have much time to update, so this entry will be short, but thank you for those of you who have stuck with me through this dry period.  It truly means so much that people will stay even when things are taking a long time to progress.  ♥

I hope everyone is doing well in their lives, both home and away.  Thank you for joining me once again!

The next update will be much more informative, I'm sure of it. ;)

Thanks for reading!
- The BJD Addict

Reopened Shop

Hello again! :) Welcome back! Or, if you just found us, welcome! Thanks for joining us! Pleasure to have you! :D

As you can see, the shop has been reopened!  :)  Newly listed are Art Doll stockings, MSD Stockings, and Yo-SD socks.   I'm currently in the process of making shirts for all three sizes and those will be uploaded by March 1st.  :)  Art Doll clothing is coming along swimmingly, really.  I made adjustments to my test projects (the clothes Lettie has on currently are hand-me-downs and a bodice in-progress). 

So far, homework has been eating me alive, so if I happen to be late with responding to anything, please forgive me. :(  My professor informed me that my class workload is currently the equivalent of a full-time job paired with a part-time job... And I have a toddler on top of it.  Lol.  I've already been told I'm nuts, but most people are encouraging me, so I'm very grateful to them for their support.  Now if only I could finish homework faster, I'd be happier with everything.

 I am, however, doing well with making patterns for the Art Dolls.  Now, please don't misunderstand, this is a learning process, I'm not going to have a full shop of Art Doll clothing in less than a week, but I can still make the patterns and alter them as I test them each when I have a moment or two.  So far, I have patterns for shirts, skirts, stockings, sleeves, cuffs, and dresses all done up to be tested.  Her bodice pattern had to be taken in, so I'm sure her shirt patterns will as well.  Please bear with me as I make this happen.  It is all trial and error until things fit Lettie perfectly.  (No one wants a baggy dress or pair of pants for their doll.  XD)

I DID do Lettie's face-up finally.  Two weekends ago, actually.  My new can of ZM Powder came in two Fridays ago...  And then Justin found my missing two cans in another room's closet just yesterday...  And HE put them there...  -_-  Ah well, at least I am stocked for whenever I get a new doll that needs a face-up or body blush job.  Lol.

I actually had to do some research for Lettie's face-up.  She's a character from my story that is set in 1891, so I had to see what types of make-up they wore back then.  Thank goodness I chose a snow skin doll because fair skin was the goal in the 1890s.  I applied a light bit of "rouge" to her lips and cheeks, and even gave her a pale powder blue rim of "eyeshadow".  It's barely noticeable, but that's how they wanted it back then.  Lips and cheeks only, IF they could get away with it.  Lol.  Now I just have to learn how to make a bustle for an Art Doll... My greatest idea ever...  x_x  Putting Lettie into the 1800s...  -_-

Well, happy February everyone.  :)  Justin worked with me to already get my Valentine's Day present... But shhh!  I'm not supposed to know!!  ;)  Lol.  I'll give you a hint, it's one of my "Grail Dolls".  :D

That's all for now!  This entry has gone on long enough!  (I started it on the 1st!  x_x)  I hope you're all well!!  As always, thanks for reading!

Until next time! ;)

-The BJD Addict

Shop Under Construction

Hallo again!  Welcome back to another rousing entry to the Ball-Jointed Baby!  >w<  Lol.

First things first, LETTIE HAS ARRIVED!!  She's here, and she's gorgeous!!  Unfortunately, I went to spray her with sealant, and found out my bottle was empty.  x_x  What made me keep the empty bottle and NOT throw it away is a mystery to me, but now I'm waiting on my new can to arrive.  It should be here by Friday, so I can make her perfectly lovely then.  ;)  Lol. (Sorry for the shabby photo, iPhone pic + the last of the quickies I took as I removed her from her box.  Quick eye, wig, and Rolly's apron placement.  Lol.)

I hope everyone is staying well, it's freezing here today, both inside and out, but I'm trying my best at keeping my fingers warm so I can finish working. ;)

If you haven't noticed, the shop is close for "vacation" time.  Lol.  I shut it down for now, so I can re-list and update my listings.  Hopefully, it will look like a brand new store once I finish.  Come February 1st, I shall have new stockings listed in Yo-SD, MSD, and Art Doll sizes.  I wanted to do SD, and it is still on my To-Do List, but I do not have an SD to try things on yet, so those will need to wait until a later time, unfortunately.  :\  Perhaps sometime soon.  ;)

So, this month is stockings and next month is shirts.  I should be able to start early on the shirts, though, since stockings can be made easily in less than an hour for a single pair. (I still sew them by hand, but I've been debating on the sewing machine, not that you can tell the difference. Lol.)

School has begun again as of today, so I'm back to juggling classes and the Etsy store, since Kole has become a cinch.  XD  Lol.  Hopefully I can stay on track as school work picks up.  I'm officially in my required classes for my degree (instead of the basic required classes), so I now have to go to a school and "shadow" a teacher for 35 class hours by the end of my 16 week semester... Well, 15-14 because I wont be able to go to a school until I am placed and properly notified, so hopefully I can get this done well without too many panic attacks.  >.<  I am in Chinese, Education, Algebra II, and Psychology this semester.  Let's hope I can have fun again!  >w<  Learning is always better when one is having fun, and I want to be that classy, fun teacher! >w<

Well, better get back to work!  Thanks for reading~! ♥

See you again soon!
-The BJD Addict

The Things My Mind is Stuck On

Oh goodness, hello again! :) It seems I will have time to get more than one entry this month.

As you can see, this entry shall be dedicated to those things that I just can't stop thinking about. I mean, seriously, they wont leave my head! So please, bear with me while I gush...

Thing 1: Doctor Who
For the last few weeks, I've been watching Doctor Who and all related things when Kole's asleep for the night and I'm finished with homework. I don't normally watch television, so it was a nice little wind-down after a long day, something I wasn't really used to doing. So now, my FaceBook wall has been all things Whovian for the past month or more, driving my mother mad. She hates it when I get stuck on something.

Thing 2: The Twins
Remember from a super old entry, I talked about two BlueFairy dolls I wanted? The boy and girl version of Choice Leila? Well, they stopped production on the size I wanted (though, they allow the option from the new size), and made them closer to Rolly's size. Now, I can't stop thinking about them. I've wanted them for about 7 months now, and they're just creeping into my mind as often as they can. Lol. Hanna and Hazel... My first little family I created doll-wise. At their new size, they are even more precious, which might be why I can't stop thinking about them, but still, they are a VERY big want currently. Someone tell my fiancee, I already wrote my Christmas list! >w< ♥ It's a very expensive Christmas list, but that's to be expected with BJD. >w< At least two smaller dolls are still cheaper than one large doll.

Thing 3: The Winter Holiday Season
Thanks to my younger sister, I am also stuck on that holiday that comes in the wintertime. For my family and some friends: it's Christmas, for some of my friends: it's Kwanzaa or Hanukkah, for me: it's Yule/The Winter Solstice. My sister wanted to put the tree up LAST TUESDAY! So she and her betrothed (he got her a promise ring, but no engagement yet, they want to finish college) put up a tiny, 2 foot tree on the mantel of our fireplace. It's adorable and has white lights, and white and red bulbs. Which made me decide that I want red and white this year, instead of my usual blue and silver, though I DO love blue and silver during winter. >w< I can't help myself!

Thing 4: Sewing a Yo-SD Winter Outfit
Since I am stuck on the holidays, I decided to make Rolly a new outfit. It's a prototype for my Yo-SD clothing line, but the first copy will be my spoiled little girl's. Lol. I don't really play favorites, I just think it's because she's the first doll that is coming out right when I attempt to make her look like I want. Lol. It's an awful photo (she did NOT want her picture taken whatsoever!), but this is her new dress. I made socks (not the ones pictured) and I'm currently working on the shirt that goes with it, but I'm having a lot of trouble with it. The sleeves just refuse to turn out properly. :( It's going to be a turtleneck, a nice white one, but we'll see if it even works. I may need to go buy more of the white fabric and just start over. I was using scraps from all the stockings I made (or practiced with).

Thing 5: Life
Thing five is mostly schoolwork and the house. I'm all nervous about failing school or about making the house World War III. -_- It's just not making for a fun time right now. I'm currently making three As and a B, but it's taking a lot out of me. This is the first time that I'm almost straight As in school, and it's come with online classes, where I can pay attention, but there is TONS more work to do with each class. And tons of housework I have to do by myself because everyone's logic is, "She's home with Kole while we're gone all day, the mess must be hers." So I do my best each day, and then the logic is, "She does nothing while we're gone all day!" -_- Yeah... Okay... Great... Thanks guys. Love you too! ♥

But anywho, thanks for reading. :) I hope to have more info on the Dolpa with my next post, but no promises. I can only give what is out and available.

Until next time~!
♥ The BJD Addict

New Everything~!

New month, new clothes, new happenings, new dolls, new face-ups, new everything~! ♥

Fallen's body arrived! :) I put her head on and tossed some extra clothes (reject sundress and some stockings) for now. (Though, she's currently in pieces because she needs to be restrung. Her arms would not pose properly.) She's very lovely, and a whole inch taller than Shii-Tsuu.

Fallen and Rolly both got new face-ups, and Shii-Tsuu is cleaned and awaiting her own. I want to make her look like herself, but goodness only knows if she will turn out properly or not.

Rolly got her Halloween dress finished as well. I didn't make a hairpiece, but she still has an outfit. Perhaps I can finish it next year... Add to it and make it look better.

I managed to get new eyes for Talia, and a wig and eyes for Lettie (the Leeke Ariana on layaway). Even some new art supplies and cleaning supplies for the girls. :)

Midterm week and the week after ate me, but I think I did pretty well on my midterms. :) Even finished one class with a B. (Everything else has As, as far as I know. >w< Some grades haven't been full updated yet.) Loads of math homework for today, though, and another English essay to complete. Oi vey, these essays take forever... I hope this one flies by quickly.

Working on designs for Christmas and the holiday season already. Fall Fashions never really got finished from my school workload, so I decided to mush the two together and have it set by December. Let's hope I can do so... x_x Being one person sewing and designing everything is definitely more than I thought I'd be getting into with Kole and school. Hopefully I'll have everything set by or on December 15th. It's my last day of class, so I know things might leak past that, but maybe I can at least get a couple things up. :\ How discouraging. Lol. I have a lot of blue fabric, similar to this snowflake kind, so perhaps I can make some dresses for the holidays. :)

I've been watching Doctor Who (2005) during the night when Kole wont sleep. He hasn't been sleeping A LOT lately, so I've gotten pretty far (I don't want to go to bed with him in the next room up and messing around, I like to know he's sleeping before I finally go to bed). So, I've also been dabbling with the idea of some Doctor Who inspired things for the dolls, like plushies and whatnot, but think I should cover the holidays first... Maybe just some sketches. Lol.

I hope everyone who participated enjoyed VOLKS JP's new base doll sale last month. I would love to see some photos of your girls, if you wanted to send them to me. :) I can add them to the "Fan Gallery" wall. Also, VOLKS Dolpa 28 is coming this December~! I saw a sneak preview with Yo-SDs Kanon and Neon~! If I could, I would LOVE Kanon, but we still do not know if she is available or not. >w< One can hope! I'd love to make her Chika's big sister... Now, to just decide on names... >.> ANYWAYS: The Guide Book is essentially your passport to get into the Dolpa, so you DO NOT need to buy one if you ARE NOT going to the Dolpa (It's in Japan... >.>), but they're always cute to see. The Dolpa is December 16th, 2012, from 10AM to 5PM, Japan Time. I believe you can participate online, but if not, I will update my facts. I wish everyone luck! ♥

Well, this entry is getting waaay too long. Time to go work on some homework. ;) Gotta finish math and add more to that essay I'm dreading. Lol. I also need to work some more on the two outfits my friend ordered. My second order! Wahoo~! She said take my time because she knows I'm busy, but I still want to get them out in a timely manner. It's already been a few weeks. x_x I feel so bad. Between school and family things, nothing is going to plan. I have a wake tomorrow and a funeral on Tuesday. :( Those things are never fun...

Well, thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed the info~!

See you again soon!
♥ The BJD Addict

Pack, Work, Sleep, Repeat!

Everything's moving a little slower now that the moving plans have been set into action. Trying my best to keep up with everything, but sewing usually falls behind, especially when I haven't been getting enough sleep to safely use anything more machine than a coffee pot. Lol.

Rolly's wig and eyes came in finally. The mailman did not knock nor leave a pink slip, I received an email from LUTS saying that it had been sent back to the post office and I needed to hurry and collect it. So I got the fiancee to take us up there, talked to the nice post lady again, and gathered my package. :D Inside were Rolly's eyes and wig, and Bina's wig. Rolly looks really cute, pigtails or no, but it's a big big on her. >w< Now all that's left to do is order Bina, Fallen, and Galenia's eyes (Tdelia, Flowne, and Gela) from Safrin Doll and things will be rolling slowly along. Lol. I even managed to get Flowne's head already. >w<

Working hard on a pair of LittleFee pajamas and the Steampunk Full-Set for Ball-Jointed Boutique. I decided to upload pictures of my process on the pajamas to my Facebook Page, but the Steampunk Set will remain "secret" until it's done. Maybe a snip-it photo here or there, but not a full album like the jammies. Lol.

I'm slowly adding doll-sites to the list on the Doll Sites page of this blog, so if you're interested in learning of more sites or need a bookmarked place with most, feel free to check it out. I even have them separated by country. Lol. So you can guess what your shipping will be before-hand. (EMS is usually $20-$45 per order, depending on what you get.)

D.I.M. Doll Flowne
Picture from Kumasmash on Flickr.

I think I'll start making more LittleFee clothes now that I have an idea on what works out on Rolly. I'm waiting until Flowne's body gets here to complete the store of MSD female clothes. It occured to me that Shii-Tsuu is A LOT wider than your average MSD, so everything I make would need to be altered to fit a normal MSD girl. :\ I should have compared before making the store and everything official. >.< I'm such a dunce. Lol. Plus, I could always make a LF boy line now, considering their clothing fits both genders. :D So, hopefully I can start making at least shirts and pants/skirts for them soon. :)

Working on getting packed and preparing to move. @_@ I have MANY boxes to go through in my down-time, so I gotta boogie. Lol. I figured it was the last day of the month so this entry need to get finished and posted ASAP, so this is my first bit of downtime work. Lol.

Well, that's all I have for today. :) Thanks for reading~! ♥

See you next month~! :D
- The BJD Addict

Sundress Day

Dress Front

Whoo-hoo~! The sundress is DONE!!! XD The camera cord FOUND!! And the camera CHARGED!!! How did I do? :) My first lined clothing item... :)

I plan on making them all print on the outside, solid color on the inside like this, but I do NOT have anymore of the blue star/moon fabric. It was a scrap from an older bit of fabric my mother bought me when I was younger. The rest of it was made into a pillow and a purse, both long-since finished and stored away. Lol. But I would like to make like a pink print and a purple print... Perhaps a gray one... So I should go up to my favorite fabric store and pick out some remnants. Oooh! Maybe I could make one with that green ladybug fabric! *searches for ladybug fabric in box* I could line that one with red for sure *digs further into box*. Lol. But I definitely need to get another blue print and some more solid colors. >.< Scraps only get you so far. Lol. >w<

I'm debating on getting out the machine and doing the hem or just leaving it alone since its lined and looks ok as it is. If my machine could do a fancy stitch, I'd totally do it, but I don't think it can... I never really looked for anything other than a straight stitch. Lol. A friend of mine has this neat machine that does petals and leaves and vines instead of just plain stitches. She decorated a dress she made with the vines and leaves and it looked amazing!!

Dress Back

I've decided, since I'm getting Rolly soon, to make LittleFee sundresses and sell them too. XD I'm going to make the ladybug dresses next; one MSD, one Yo-SD. I already have them cut and waiting for me to do tomorrow. I've officially decided to use the machine. :) It will go SOOO much faster and look much more professional than this mistake pile. Lol. I had to ask the Master Seamstress (a.k.a.: my mother) to help me fix all the mistakes, and she told me how to line it properly for the next time. XD Lol. It's so awful, but so wonderful in the same sense. At least I'll know how to do it right this time.

Lot's of cleaning and working at Mima's lately. And parties and such too. >w< Kole even told me he is ready for a big boy potty. He's almost 15 months old (this Sunday) and he's asking to use the potty when he's peeing. Lol. It's actually quite adorable. And ridiculously smart... Kole literally learns a new word or phrase each and every day!! It's so wonderful and sad at the same time. He isn't my little boy anymore... He's a mini man now. Lol. My big boy. :)

But any-who, I should have the sundress listing up by tomorrow night, but saying that now might jinx me and make something come up. -.- It seems like every time I post about something or blog about it, it doesn't happen. Lol. So let's just hope it's up by this weekend. And hope I can post pictures of C.C. trying on the sundress before the weekend is out (since Justin didn't bring her to me these past two days @_@). *crosses fingers*

Rolly~ ♥

Oh yeah, one more payment on Rolly and she's mine~! >w< It makes me so happy!! Lol. Now she just needs a wig... >.> Since she already has a wardrobe... Lol. The shoes I want for her are sold out though... And I need to find shoes for C.C. too... I may need to order those from Parabox. @_@ Which means it'll take a month or so for them to get here... Lol. Tho, the wig is from LUTS, so that might take a while too. >w< Ah well... It'll be worth it. :) Everything wonderful is worth waiting for... Always... ♥

Well, that's all for now. :) Thanks for reading everyone~! See you again soon!! :D