Victoria Leigh

Wednesday, December 29, 2010


Photo courtesy of eBay ID: mmoodles

I need a petite brown bear to use as a prop for an upcoming photo shoot, so of course I hit good ole eBay to find one. :-) After combing through hundreds of ugly...well, to be kind, let's just call them "less than attractive" bears (hehe), I found this little sweetie! Her name is Victoria Leigh and she is 6.5 inches tall....the perfect size for a 19" reborn. I love the flower on her left ear. I am planning to use a white background for this shoot, and I always use bears with brown fur to help achieve the proper exposure.

I have never explored the Boyds collectible bears line because I tend to focus on Russ [and Ty Beanie Attic Treasures], so I am excited to see Victoria Leigh in person. I will have to hide Vickie from my bear-a-holic 4 year-old daughter so she won't get bear-napped before the photo shoot. :-) My daughter is already wanted for bear-napping four Russ bears. What a criminal, lol!

Anne Geddes Mini Haul

Tuesday, December 28, 2010



I am always on the lookout for newborn sized clothing. Most of the cute outfits start at size 0-3 months which is way too big for the dolls in my collection. I only have one boy that can fit 0-3 months. A friend told me Anne Geddes recently added the newborn size to her clothing line, so of course I had to be nosey and visit Miss Anne. :-) I ended up checking out with two coveralls and coordinating blankets.



I should be thrilled, so why am I not? Because when I went back to the website today I noticed everything listed for 50% off! OMG! I paid regular price on Sunday. I feel really stupid for not waiting longer, lol, but how could I have known? Oh well, I can look on the bright side: at least two of my babies will look cute in their new coveralls. :-)

Just Checking In!

Wednesday, December 22, 2010



Hi everyone! I hope you all are having an amazing holiday! Mine is proving to be busy...but busy is good this time of year! :-) My Olympus arrived today...well, not the Olympus PEN camera I talked about before. I could not get the PEN (long story), so I settled for a refurbished Olympus E-520 DSLR instead. I got a good deal on the E-520, but I am still aching to try a PEN. I ordered a new flash and umbrellas and they should arrive soon. At that point, I will post more WIP pics of Luke who found a new home last week! I completely repainted his lips and removed his brows. I like him much better now. Stay tuned for pics!

December Private Order Slot Filled

Thursday, December 16, 2010



Hola, amigos! My December private order slot has been filled-- as if you couldn't tell by the title, lol! Sorry for the redundancy. I do have an available slot for February 1, 2011, so please contact me if you are interested. Prices are subject to increase for 2011. The new pricing schedule will be posted January 2, 2011.

In the past, I have not worked on kits sent by collectors, however, due to the recent influx of popular, hard-to-find limited edition kits (like Jayden, Buggy, Poppy, etc.), I will accept private orders for these kits in 2011. I will only give a $100 credit towards the adoption fees regardless of the kit. The 2011 pricing schedule will everything explain further, but if you have any questions in the meantime, please feel free to contact me.

Gymboree is the new Baby Gap?

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Brand New Baby Elephant by Gymboree - $10.73 - $11.33

It is almost like Baby Gap and Gymboree have traded places! Baby Gap's winter designs are like totally horrid, but Gymboree has the most darling pieces I have ever seen this season! What gives? Last year around this time, the Baby Gap orders were flying into my mailbox, but this year, it's all about Gymboree? I am shocked, lol, mostly because I have never been a big Gymboree fan. Anyway, you guessed the rest, I had to have this green set in size "up to 7 lbs". When I went back to Gymboree to check the status of my order, I noticed the blue dinosaur set pictured below. Yup, I clicked the order button again. Can you blame me? :-) Go order both outfits like I did... you know you want to... *wink*


Brand New Baby Dinosaur by Gymboree - $10.73 - $11.33

December Private Order Slot Pending

Monday, December 13, 2010


Photo courtesy of The Bonnie Brown Collection

My December private order slot is pending (for the little cutie Buggy Brown, yay!!). If it is definitely filled, Luke will be sent to Staci so she can finish him up. I know some of you wanted to know what I was going to do with him, but if I do get an order, I am going to send him to Staci who will most likely list him on eBay? I dunno, we'll see. I will post an update soon.

Oh, and thanks to everyone on the BSD forum for the compliments on Karsyn. I painted her about a year ago, so her paint job is slightly outdated. I will paint another Arianna using my current techniques someday, but I am giving Karsyn to my aunt as a Christmas pressie... she will not be offered for sale. ♥ I will post a finished pic of her here though when my Olympus arrives! :-)

New Baby - Olympus PEN E-P1!

Monday, December 13, 2010



Okay, so as you all know, I have been hunting for a new camera to play with. I was all set to buy the expensive $1,450 Nikon D300s body until somehow I landed on a review page for an Olympus PEN E-P camera. Curiosity took over! :-) From what I understand, the PEN series cameras are not DSLR's, but also not point and shoots. They are compact like point and shoots, but use interchangeable lenses like DSLR's. Hmmm...that would be really great for me because I need something small enough fit in my purse, but I also need the option to swap back and forth between zooms and primes.

I took a peruse through Flickr last night to view some sample photos taken with the PEN's. To say I was impressed would be an understatement. Beautiful images all up in my face, all over the place, everywhere, lol! I was completely sold when I read the PEN's are able to capture HD videos like the Nikon D300s I wanted so badly.

Anywhoo, I adopted a used silver Olympus PEN E-P1, which is the very first design, released in June 2009. I ordered it with the 14-42mm kit lens for around $400 from KEH.com (I love them-- always the best service!). I just can't wait for it to arrive! I am pretty sure I can get some great results. Getting a new camera is more fun than getting a new doll. Well-- maybe not. *wink*

Rooting and More

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Sorry I have not been posting this week! I am rooting my Arianna kit and I just don't blog much when I have a head to root. :-) I will be back with pictures of my WIP's soon. Happy Holidays to everyone!

Pre-Ordered Porsha & Wanting Aisha

Friday, December 3, 2010

Pre-ordering is not my favorite thing to do but I could not resist pre-ordering miss Porsha by Romie Strydom. Her face is so sweet! I was just so afraid she'd sell out like Romie's other LE kits. I am still sad about missing out on Bronwyn and Poppy.



Speaking of missing out on kits, if anyone has a pink Aisha head (from Bountiful Baby) they want to sell, send me an email! I can pay with Paypal. I decided I want another after all and they are temporarily sold out.

Gymboree Surprises!

Thursday, December 2, 2010


Peek A Boo Pretty by Gymboree - $7.00 - $29.75

Every now and again Gymboree will surprise me with something cute. :-) My heart belongs to Baby Gap for the most part. I caved and ordered several of these items. Some were not in stock, so I have to hunt them down on eBay, which should not be too difficult (I hope).


Daddy's Little Buddy by Gymboree - $8.75 - $29.75


Penguin Sweater Hat by Gymboree - $14.75

This set is so cute! I have a soft spot for penguins. I want to make a reborn boy for myself and this outfit, but I can't seem to think of any new larger kits at the moment. Total brain freeze! I am normally a walking reborn kit library, lol! It must be time for bed. :-) Goodnight.

Back from California!

Monday, November 29, 2010

Bonjour, mes amis. I am sooooooo depressed! I spent last week in California (the OC) visiting friends for the Thanksgiving holiday. I did not realize how much I miss living in California until I had to leave! *cries* I am seriously considering moving back west...but, all good things come to an end. *sigh*

I am back home now and catching up on some dolly projects I started. I am making tons of progress with my Arianna toddler. I started her hairline and I hope to show her off soon! I just love Reva's sculpts!

Nikon Hunt

Saturday, November 20, 2010


I shipped the Canon off this morning, so I am now hunting for a bargain on a Nikon D300s. I doubt I will find a used one for a good (significantly lower than full retail...lol) price, but I am willing to wait until Christmas...okay, maybe not that long! :) I was not totally WOW'ed by the Nikon D90, so I hope I love the D300s. I am just not as into photography as I used to be. Hopefully, a new cam and a couple of indoor photo sessions with my daughter will bring back the love.

*SOLD* Canon Japanese Rebel XT on eBay!

Friday, November 19, 2010



What a steal! My loss, your gain. I listed a Canon EOS Kiss Digital N (Japanese Rebel XT) on eBay this afternoon. I have had a lot of fun with this cam, but I am switching back to Nikon for a while. Click the picture to visit the listing!

*SOLD* Canon 50mm f/1.8 II on eBay!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010



Calling all Canon SLR users who are looking for an awesome prime lens. I listed a Canon 50mm 1.8 II on eBay this afternoon! Click the picture to visit the listing!

New Niclas Kit by Gudrun Legler

Tuesday, November 16, 2010


Stock photo courtesy of http://www.nicky-creation.de

Niclas has such a sweet face! I saw an AA version on eBay and she just melted my heart! This face has such a familiar, ethnic look. Even the Caucasian versions look biracial (or 1/4 ethnic) to me. My mom agreed. Anyway, I really want this kit. Gudrun is such a talented sculptor and will always remain at the top of my list. Her limb sculpts are always so realistic. I am definitely going to add this little cutie to my Christmas wish list. I'd better hurry-- he is a limited edition of 250!

So Pretty

Sunday, November 14, 2010


Infant 3-Pack Sock Gift Set by Mud Pie - $19.00

I just could not resist ordering these baby socks by Mud Pie. I have many other sock styles by Mud Pie, so these will make a great addition to my collection. I usually leave all of my Mud Pie socks packaged because I just love the packaging they come in, but I may have to unwrap these when they arrive. The pair on the right are especially cute... and one of my resin babes is dying to wear them, lol.

Pretty in Pink by Ashton Drake

Friday, November 12, 2010



Pretty in Pink by Ashton Drake is such a sweetie! I have not been able to get this baby out of my head since I saw a reborned version listed on eBay. That smile is contagious! Waltraud Hanl is one of my absolute favorite sculptors. Most of her sculpts have perfectly cute ethnic baby features...well, her babies look ethnic to me. I have been ethnic for a very long time and seen millions of ethnic babies up close and personal....and her babies look ethnic to me, lol! Sorry if that offends anyone. There is nothing wrong with looking ethnic, so no one should take offense, heheeee! I'm being silly. Hey, it is Friday, I am allowed to be goofy today. :)

Bottom line-- I just can't get enough of Waltraud's babes. I wish she would make kits for reborners. I would be the first reborner in the pre-order line! I may take the plunge and order Pretty in Pink. I have not worked with silicone vinyl in a long time and I would really like to. I love the way it looks and feels when it is painted. I am hesitant to order as I have so many half finished babies lying around. This sweetie may have to join my lineup though...she is just too cute to resist! Imagine how real she would look painted brown... :)

Fuzzy Bunny Slippers

Wednesday, November 10, 2010


"Cuddle Toe Slippers" by Bunnies by the Bay - $20.00

Cute, huh? I took a trip to the Bunnies by the Bay website this morning and found these slippers. I really don't need more baby clothes in my collection, but these are calling my name! I really like the box more than the actual slippers, I think, lol. If I am still thinking about them next week, I will order them. Soooo cute!

The Perfect Eyes Just Got Perfecter

Saturday, November 6, 2010


I know "perfecter" is not a word. But, guess what? It is now, LOL! :)

In my post about the onyx brown glass eyes, I promised to post a picture of a doll wearing the eyes and little Shyann agreed to model for me. I wanted to see if the irises were the smaller variety. I have been looking for almost black eyes with a smaller iris for over a year now, and it looks like I have found them. Thank you so much, Axel! If anyone is interested in a pair: purchase them here.

No More Workshops or Classes

Wednesday, November 3, 2010


Hello everyone! I have been receiving a lot of questions about classes and workshops, so I thought I'd post this here for everyone who inquired. Anastacia of Web Way Art Studio has mentioned to a few artists that she learned to reborn from workshops and classes given by me. That is true, but I don’t know whether to post this blog entry or kill Staci first, lol! :) I want to kill Staci because the workshops were just -- ok, let me explain:

In 2006, I began working with a group of ladies I met at a local craft fair. They all fell in love with a reborn I’d brought with me to the show and offered to pay for lessons. Four years later, Staci is the only one who continued past 2008, and decided to take the Ebay route to sell her babies. I have not considered Staci my "student" for years. She is an extremely talented jewelry designer, so I knew she'd catch on to reborning quickly. She is a valuable addition to the reborning community.

In short, the workshops were a fluke occurence that I enjoyed immensely, but I have no plans to teach other artists in person. I hope this answers the questions about workshops.

How Long Will I Stick Around?

Monday, November 1, 2010



Hello everyone! Since my return, I have been asked the question "How long will you stick around?" by many readers. Before I answer, I would like to explain why I stopped writing the blog and hopefully at the end of my explanation, an answer will form, lol.

Time was not an issue when I decided to stop posting mid July. I ran out of blogging juice during that time because of the two portrait reborn dolls I was hired to create for a celebrity collector. That was a semi-secret project. I was asked not to discuss details about the portrait dolls and not to show pictures of them at any stage of their creation.

Since the main thing (and my favorite thing) I write about are my works in progress, I felt forced to fill the blog with other topics like infant fashion, product reviews, and new kits to compensate for the lack of painting topics. I have never taken a poll, but I am pretty sure readers mostly want to see what dolls I am working on as opposed to Baby Gap's new spring line, lol!

{I could have blogged about other dolls in progress but really I prefer to paint one kit at a time.}

So, that is why I lost my motivation for blogging this past summer. Please don't think I am complaining about the portrait order because I certainly am not. I enjoyed every second of reborning those babies and meeting their mom (my newest Internet bestie), secretly and all. If I ever work on another secret project, I may lose my steam again and mistake it for the end of blogging phase, who knows...

But rest assured that I will always be "around" the dolly community and responsive to email, even if I am not blogging. I am a collector first, an artist second, and above all: a serious dollaholic...so I couldn't disappear even if I tried. I hope this answers the question. Thank you all so much for reading!

Product Review: Winsor & Newton Gloss Varnish

Monday, November 1, 2010

Unfortunately, the air dry gloss varnish made by Genesis stopped working for me. I began using it in 2005 for nails, lips, and eyes. I never had a problem with it until earlier this year when it turned sticky on three or more occasions, prompting me to throw it away. Luckily, I was able to remove the sticky gloss from my vinyl parts with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. I spoke to several other artists who had similar experiences with Genesis' air dry gloss. We suspect Genesis changed the formula at some point.



I decided to try Winsor & Newton's Artisan Water Mixable Oil Gloss Varnish and so far, I love it! It is easy to apply and has a perfect, smooth glossy finish. It is definitely not sticky or gummy at all. It is an air dry formula, but it takes about 24 hours to dry completely, which is a long time compared to Genesis' air dry gloss which dries within minutes. Drying time aside, this is a great alternative to Genesis' air dry gloss varnish for artists looking to switch.

Pro: Smooth, glossy finish. Not gummy or sticky.
Con: Lengthy drying time (24 hours)
Price: $5 - $10 for a 75ml bottle
Where to purchase: Dick Blick
Would I purchase this product again: Yes

Carter's Footed Sleep & Play

Monday, November 1, 2010



Here is one of the Carter's outfits I mentioned in the 'Aisha in Progress' entry. Isn't it cute? I know it looks very simple, but the polka dots and velour will photograph well, especially on an Ofelia blanket from Ikea. *wink* I purchased a newborn sized romper from Bonanza a few hours ago. Now, if only I can find the matching toy...

Happy belated Halloween!

Aisha in Progress - Part 1

Saturday, October 30, 2010



Here is my beautiful Aisha kit by sculptress Marissa May. I have not done much to him yet. I am trying to match up the vinyl pieces because I ended up with a pink head, peach arms, one light pink leg, one extra pink leg, and an extra pink belly plate. I found the arms and belly plate tucked away in my reborning cabinet, so I ordered the legs from Bountiful Baby. When they arrived I noticed they were two different colors, lol! That’s okay; I am up for a challenge.



Wow, this baby looks so real even lying around in pieces barely painted, lol! The second I saw this face in person I saw a baby boy. There is just something that screams BOY about the jaw area. Anyone else see it? Maybe it is just me, lol. I am so excited about a boy because there are two Carter’s newborn outfits that I am dying to use for a reborn. I’ll post them tomorrow.

More of Aisha coming soon!