What Have I Been Doing Lately?

Not writing, as you can tell. I've had projects lining 2 crafting tables. I've had a friend to help with editing. And cleaning up the clutter around the house. But I don't regret not blogging so much. These projects have been filling my time meaningfully. I feel accomplished when I get another one done. Take this one for instance....

My daughters wanted to have characters from the older Batman movies. The two with Michael Keaton. Then those two from the 90's. They learned about Cat Woman and Poison Ivy. So it didn't take long for the request to make a Poison Ivy dress came about. I have to say that for my first time making something like this with the sewing machine, it came out pretty nice. Now I want to attempt to make another for my own doll...

I've learned to make doll capes too. They wanted their own OOAK Attack on Titan dolls to be dressed like the Scouts. 

Not everything was doll related, however. I did finally create this marble art that hangs under our back porch. The kids had gotten a ton of marbles from a friend. They used the ones that would work with a marble run and the rest ended up in my room somehow. So I got to thinking... How could I use them?? Ta-da! This is what came from such a question. I used a round wooden charcuterie board, painted black. Wire for crafting, I suggest 16-18 gauge if you are making something for outdoors that has to withstand winds. I used old necklace chains from broken necklaces to hang them down.

It came out so well, that one of my sons even asked me to make him a pendant to wear as a necklace in the same style of the wrapped marbles for this project! Then he wanted to give some to friends and wanted some for the upcoming fundraiser. So, I made more. It was fun and has given me the know-how on making other projects! 

I promise more blogging will happen. Just not so frequently while projects are getting done! But I will share some of the better ones with you. 

From a Long Haired Beauty to a Video Game Villian!

My girls fell in love with their Rochelle doll that I made them. They had created their own Ellis. But you know what other character they love from the Left 4 Dead 2 video game?  Not one of the heroes. Nope, they love the Witch. In the game, the witch sits alone, crying her heart out. There are a lot of fan-made theories about why, but I'm not even going there. 

She is a pretty simple design. Looks like she used to be a blond before she became a zombie. Hair to her shoulders. Yellow or red eyes. And the only clothes she has is the cropped tank top and... panties? This latest project was mostly being done by my oldest girl though. She found an older doll from their collection that they didn't mind modifying. Here is how we made this beauty into the Witch! 

Meet the original doll

Despite the years of love, her hair was still long and relatively in excellent condition. This makes cutting it into the right shape a lot easier. Her legs were stained red from clothes she had worn.

My daughter thought this was perfect - looks like bruising! Then the earrings had to be removed. She had the studs that were not meant to come out, so I helped pull them out with pliers.

Now she was ready for a haircut and to get the makeover started! 

Let the transformation begin!

The hair cut was super easy. But then her hair didn't want to stay flat. So we attempted to tame it by putting a rubber band around it overnight.  

My daughter studied the rest of the Witch carefully, though getting good game shots is hard to come by. Based on what she was seeing, she started repainting the dolls face. I think creepy is a fitting description, don't you? She even stripped off the original paint. All mom needed to do next was spray it with a clear coat to seal it. 

The Witch also has long claws. Or would you call them talons? Anyhow, my daughter decided to try sculpting them with some molding clay I had on hand. Since they had to dry overnight, this doll stood on my desk. While I worked on my own doll project. It was pretty weird, to say the least. 

Sadly, the claws kept coming off when they played with her. They weren't strong enough to really be used. So my daughter decided to strip off the modeling clay claws and just paint her hands the way it should be.

While the clothes you see in the photo are close enough, I suppose, to what she would wear in the game, my daughters like their undies for their other dolls. And my daughter wanted to try her hand at making some that looked a little closer to the real deal. By this, I mean she would wait for Mom to make some new ones...

I was able to complete the top before sickness took over the house. By that point, I was kinda thinking she needed to stay in those undies or I would have to order some... My daughter did add some black paint to the tip of her hair to give it shadows.

Here is how the Witch as she will remain! Being startled and staying creepy.

Pretty scary looking, am I right? Poor Ellis got knocked down. So Rochelle had to come to his rescue.

Survivors gonna live another day! I'm quite proud of this newest doll creation. Looking forward to starting my next one soon. Perhaps a lady in green who loves plants??

From Goodwill Frame to a Frozen Shadowbox!

I saw this frame at the Goodwill for $1.99. My first thought was not about inserting a photo. Far from it! I was thinking of making another shadowbox for Disney Doorables. I've created two others before.

This time, would be with the Frozen characters, Ana and Elsa. I also had a tiny snowman that we met in Frozen Fever where Elsa got sick. Remember that? Every time she sneezed, tiny snowmen were formed! I had gotten one from a clearanced Color Reveal figure set that I bought for my daughters. They loved the little dolls that came in those sets. But they are too big for something like this project. So here we go! Let's get crafting! 

The base

This is supposed to be a frame. Had this raised glitter outline of a city skyline on the back and 2 sides.

That wouldn't fit an Ana and Elsa look. So I painted over it. I was going for a dark blue, but.... well, the color came out very dark. Depending on the light hitting it, you might see some blue. Otherwise it kinda looked black. But overall, I think it will work still, so I'm moving on. 

I painted the inside as well. The top to look like a sky with clouds, the bottom to look like snow.

Forgive me for not taking pictures through each stage, but I kinda tackled it quickly. I had the snowflake buttons to glue on the back wall. The rocks on either side are from a string of rock beads from the craft store. After touching up the black on the outsides, I added the phrase, "Love is putting someone else's needs before yours."

Then it was ready for the Doorables! The little lizard (the fire spirit from Frozen 2) was also from the Color Reveal set. It is deformed a bit, so I'm debating on gluing him in place instead of just letting his tail stick in the rocks to keep him in place.

Eventually, I'd like to add hardware to the back that will make it hangable for the wall. Not bad for a quick put together!

New Life For An Old Doll

Time for another doll makeover. I had put the dolls aside during the holidays. Too much stress and anxiety for me to find enjoyment with my creations. But since Christmas is finally done and away, I'm getting back to my normal routines. That includes making new characters from an old doll. 

Who am I making this time? 

So glad you asked! This nerdy girl has been inspired to create her own version of a plague doctor doll. The inspiration came after testing dyes out when I made the Harley Quinn doll. Turns out that blond dolls from Mattel don't soak up dyes as well as I had thought they would. Blond is an actual color on their hair. So in order to get true color changes, you'd have to strip the yellow out. But I wasn't ready to test that. Instead, after trying to make it black, but it turning an almost silver instead, I tried red. That just made the tips a pinkish color. So I had the idea, why not make her a plague doctor? After all, the doctors dealt with a horrible disease, but didn't walk away unscathed.  

Despite their many talismans and beliefs of the time. Like wearing all black robes that were sealed with fat or oil in the hopes that it would repel the disease? How about the pomander around their neck that would be filled with strong-smelling herbs in the hopes of scaring off the plague? Their cane was to give examinations of plague victims with distance afforded. Their beaked mask was to not only scare off the disease, but to be filled with herbs to keep the pungent odors of victims from carrying the disease into their own noses. Even the glass eyes of the mask had the purpose of scaring the plague away and keeping their eyes from taking in the sickness.

Oh yes, I did my research. So here is the progression of making my own Plague Doctor doll. I want some historical accuracy, but with some beauty and style as well. 

First the hair...

I told you how her hair came to be. The idea that she was treating the diseased back in the dark ages of the plague, led to her hair (originally a deep auburn) being drained of color. Thus, she has a silverish tone throughout with only a slim amount of red on her tips (that looks a little more pink in some lights). All that is left of the vibrancy she once knew in life.

Then came the dress!

Clothes can truly define your character. They can be recognized or admired. I chose a simple gown pattern that you can get online for free. I had a plain black material that had a shiny, soft feel to one side. Don't ask me what type - I'm no good at recognizing most fabrics. I will say it was a thicker kind. This allows me to have some stiffness. A soft, shiny side with a more velvety underside.

Sewing this by hand took a LONG time. And was painful. But it helped me pass cold nights and think of how I wanted her to look in the end. I have also come to learn that darting a gown is harder than I thought! And one last thought, you might want to get a fabric pencil to make out the parts. I did this without one. And kept wishing I had bought one for this kind of thing. Just a tip. Then I decided to start embellishing it. I gave her a silver belt from a decoration my mother had sent a long while back.

Now for her talisman pieces...

I had this silver button in my sewing collection. It looks so much like a pomander ball! The under side even has holes. She would put her herbs inside it and wear it around her neck. 

A cross. During the plague, the Catholic cult was a huge religion. Wearing gaudy crosses were like a sign on them screaming that they were holy.   My doll is a Christian. So it isn't because of a religious tradition, but a true hope in God that she carries this one. 

A time piece. Or for your modern language, a pocket watch. This was a charm that I had amongst my remaining steampunk pieces. I added some paint to make it more realistic. 

Then came the cane...

Her cane is actually longer. I chose to go with more of a staff. So I took a skewer stick, cut it to my desired length, and painted it black. Now to add decorations. I was finding various styles to go with for the head, but replicating those in miniature was going to be tricky. So I started digging through the crafting bin. I feel like a hoarder when I pull it out, but then I always find something that will work for the project in hand.  

But she still seems so bare. I'd make sleeves, but my skills in that regard are severely lacking. So instead, I opted to sew a long cape.

I didn't quite get it right, so this cape doesn't have a functional hood. At first, she looked like a bride of Dracula. (My daughters like this photo, looks like she spooked the Witch behind her.)

I pinned down the edges to make it look like it is laying open. Then the clasp comes from an old earring. Or would have been, but it kept popping loose. So I put in a snap and then snipped the post off the earring before sewing it over the top part of the snap. 

Every doctor needs a case! 

I had this tiny tin that was sent to me. After a fresh coat of black paint, it became her valise. A doctor of her time had more than just the tools that are worn. They needed the ones far more utilized that are carried about. So I put together her travel case. Inside, we have her syringe that I 3D printed. A mortar and pestle set that was also 3D printed. I had previously printed these beakers. I am still hoping that one day I can put together better tools, but these will do for now. 

But let us not forget the main piece of equipment that identifies her - her mask. I found a 3D printer file to resize that made the perfect mask for her.

My daughter also told me to throw in some of the green bits that came with a miniature kit she built to be the 'herbs' the doctor would use in her mortar and pestle! A fantastic suggestion. 

But when the mask comes off...

I started thinking about her pink lips. That part bothered me. I have no skill for a facial repaint. But her pink lips looked too healthy. So I consulted my husband on a color. He thought light blue. A sorta-lean into someone cold and sick. I tried to mix an acceptable blue. My backup was going to be black lips, but that seemed a little too dark for me. Like I said though, my painting skills aren't the greatest, so she may wear her mask often in the hopes of hiding her lips....

When I thought I was finished, my husband reminded me that she needed the hat. So in comes the cardboard spool from a used ribbon roll, cardboard cut into a wide brim circle, and felt to cover the whole thing.

NOW I can say she is complete. And I absolutely love her. AND I can finish helping with my daughters' doll creation now. So keep watching, and you will see another one soon.

From Amazing Hair to Video Game Character - Barbie Doll Transformation!

My youngest has been learning to play Left 4 Dead 2 (L4D2). She plays with her siblings and with her Dad as often as she can. This is the kid who fell in love with the Jurassic World, and then Jurassic Park movies. Who thought Disney princess movies were scary. Yep, she loves zombie movies and games. This is my kid! But don't worry, she has her girly side too. She still plays with Barbies with her older sister. What I've started noticing, however, is that her Barbie dolls are pretty much all characters from a movie or game she is currently in love with.

So... Rochelle and Ellis from L4D2 are her absolute favorite characters! She loves how Ellis talks, usually rambling in that southern hick accent about some memory he has of pre-zombie life. And Rochelle is the sweetheart healer that looks after the team. She found clothes among her doll collection and turned one of the guys into Ellis. I was so proud of her! But! She didn't have a doll that could be Rochelle. That is where Mama comes to the rescue. I started to look for a doll that could have potential in being her Rochelle. Since it is an intense zombie game, the characters are pretty simple. Rochelle wears a pink tee shirt and jeans, clunky boots and hair is up tight to be outta the way from the reaching dead hands. But I did have one specification that had to be met. She had to have at least one hand bent at the elbow if she couldn't be fully articulated. Rochelle needs this bent arm to better carry her weapons that she uses to fight the hordes. Personally, I prefer the Made to Move dolls. They are just hard to find and SO expensive.

But don't despair! I found this Barbie Amazing Hair doll at our local Walmart on clearance for $9. Quite the deal! I've wanted the accessories for my own dolls for a while. And the fact that she met my requirements to be turned into a Rochelle for the Megabits, made it even better. 

Now for the transformation!

I could show you all the cool things in this set, but I'm sure if you know dolls, you know this set. So let's skip that part and just dive into the doll itself. I hate the hair on this doll! No, seriously. Why did anyone think that tinsel in the hair is cool? It is annoying! So that had to change. Rochelle has these braids (?) that are pulled back into a tight... bun? No... not quite.

I'll let you describe it and just show you what she looks like. This is one tough cookie! I prefer to play her when I play too. Though there is one thing that bothers me about her. Zombie apocalypse and you were those huge hoop earrings?!  Um... Hello?! That would be extremely painful if they get grabbed, don't you think? Besides, the idea is that you don't want more things they can grab onto. But that is just my opinion. I suppose some ladies still wanna hang onto the bling and fabulous even after the world has come to an end as they knew it. 

Enough of my rant on her looks. Let's make this doll look just like her, shall we??

Starting From the Top

I had to cut the dolls hair, pull off the head and the pull out the remainder of hair from the very roots.

Rochelle is not a rainbow-haired kind of gal. So I had to get her down to bald and give her all new hair. From yarn! As you can see in these photos, I also needed to wipe the sparkles from under her eyes. I use 100% acetone nail polish remover on a Q-tip. Then I painted the head where the hair would go, black. This way, even if it shows through, it wouldn't be too noticeable. Something I forgot - you should add a clear coat to seal it. Otherwise you risk the paint rubbing off. Granted, only if you think the hair won't cover it well enough. 

If you can get a re-rooting tool for putting the doll hair in, that would be a great idea. I didn't get one in time. So... I improvised with some floral wire. It was an incredibly difficult task that took long enough to stiffen my neck and give me a headache. But I managed to make a solid line down the middle of her head at least.

Once I had the yarn through the holes, I knotted the end and pulled it taut. From there you trim to the desired length. And, lastly, you have to undo each strand of yarn.

Time consuming, but totally worth the end result and even the reactions of my little one! I then used a clear rubber band from doll packaging to give her hair a pony tail. Afterwards, trim to the right length. Ending up with a look like this!

What to Wear?

Her clothes are a lot simpler. A pink shirt and some dark, maybe black, jeans finished off with some boots. The accessories are something I will have to put a little more effort into, but even with that I'm feeling like it won't be too much trouble. 

I found this top at the local antique shop we frequent. They have a new booth that has baggies of sorted outfits. I knew this was the perfect shirt as soon as I saw it! 

My daughter had some blue jeans to use. I had this Barbie bracelet that just needed a silver paint job to look like her bangles. My youngest told me she didn't like Rochelle's earrings (she hates hoop earrings), so we won't be adding in that detail. 

I noticed that she had a big bruise on her arm. Not like you get into a fight without a single mark, you know? So I gave the doll one too! 

I painted her silver bangles and painted her a shiny pair of boots. I even made her a thin belt!

What will she fight with??

In the game, there are various weapons you can grab to take out the hordes as they come. I decided to give her a couple.

The fire ax is a great melee weapon. And then there is the MP5 which my husband suggested as he thought that was a favorite gun. I found some I could 3D print for her.

Afterwards, I gave them a paint job! I didn't go all out on the paint job. As my husband reminded me, the girls are bit rough on their dolls and accessories. But I did add in some black paint and then a clear coat to make it shiny. It became Ellis' gun. 

What do you think? Leave me a comment below and let me know! I can't wait to get started on the next doll transformation.