I finally got down to photographing the collector cards that Angie passed me centuries ago (Sorry for hogging them dear!) and posting to the flickr group. I started the flickr group last year as a database for these adorable collector cards. Unlike other lists that I had done for the Blythe Resource, there was no way I could do a list of the collector cards on my own. I guess only someone who has collected and deboxed all the Blythes ever released could. (And I really wish I could be that person! Haha! ^^)

I've given a little shout about the group in the Blythe forums and hopefully, there'll be more contributions to the group pool. I do hope it could be a wonderful resource and reference for all Blythe collectors. It'd be awesome if pics of all the collector cards are in the group pool one day! ^____^

I've finally got round to updating the lists on the Blythe Resource after yonks! My last update was in July last year...? o_O My bad. I was too caught up in too many other things. What matters though, is that they're all UPDATED! Whoopee! But I'm really happy to have accomplished one of the tasks that I've set for myself in 2010 already. One down, and oh, just another gazillion more to go. ^^

Next up: photographing the stock collector cards.

http://www.freewebs.com/axxessorii

I got my first BL, a SB! WEE!!! More gushing later when I finally take my first pic of her. What came between me and her first photoshoot was a curious observation that hmmm, her side glancing eyes were not much further glancing than my RN's. Aren't BLs supposed to have very far side glancing eyes?

After pouring over numerous photos on flickr, I've finally got my answer. Those cute far glancing eyes stopped at Kozy. Aztec and later BLs (probably including the later versions of Mondy & Hollywood released after Aztec), all had the EBL eye mechanism, where the side glancing eyes were just moderately tilted.


(Robots For Magnolia's pic)


(Rockymountainroz's pic)

I like customising my dolls, it's fun! But sometimes, like right now, I just wish they were all completely madeover already, so that I can just relax, dress them up, photograph them and just enjoy them. Here's why I've never taken a family pic so far - there's always a WIP going on at any one time! A few of them are lying in pieces too, and my to-do list doesn't seem to be getting shorter *SIGH!*



The good news is, I *think* I finally have a girl that I planning to keep in all her stock glory! (No, her ^) Yep, including that oily shine. But I bet she'd look great with boogled eyes, upward gaze, pinkier blush and a facial demabrasion. Oh stop. Goodness, did I just come up with a customisation list for a girl I'm planning to keep stock?

I had a particularly STUBBORN ADG eye chip that just refused to budge no matter how many times I applied the glue stick. Yes I even tried the hot water method out of desperation, despite knowing full well that ADGs use non water soluble glues. Then I read about how WD40 could help soften glues (esp non water soluble ones) on TIB and decided to give it a shot. Actually, it was more than a shot, cos the first time, it didn't work. Neither did the second, nor third nor... I can't quite remember how many times I tried. But here's how WD40 did not work for my eye chip.

- The first time, I sprayed the eye chip with WD40, left it for a couple of hours then applied the gluestick. Zilch effect.

- I sprayed again and hoped this time it would work. Ditto.

- Just how many times did I spray? I can't quite remember but I had a feeling the WD40 wasn't seeping through and softening the glue. So I finally tried SOAKING it in WD40. I put the eyeball in a small plastic canister with a cover, drowned it in WD40, screwed the cover, and left it for a couple of hours. Applied the gluestick, twisted and pulled. Zilch.

- So I told myself to give it one last shot. I only soaked the eye chip in WD40 for a couple of hours. Maybe I should have given it 24 hours? Then I got caught up with the affairs of Life and finally returned to my project more than 24 hours later, possibly even more than 48 hours later. I rinsed the eyeball with soap and water to wash off the WD40 (so that it wouldn't cause the gluestick to have a weaker hold on the eye chip) and tried again. Voila! Out came the nightmarish eye chip! There was chipped off bits of the eyechip left on the eyeball, hinting that I was indeed battling with really stubborn glue all this while. And thank goodness! I was almost going to resort to my good 'o drill...

WD40 works. Just make sure it really has the chance to seep it and give it sufficient time to work its magic.

Someone's question on TIB piqued the curiosity in me as well. So I took the opportunity to explore the t-bars. Looks like ADG's is quite interchangeable with EBL's, and RBL's is pretty interchangeable with SBL's. But when I took the pic and noticed the ADG's extra length, I wondered if my ADG had a downward gaze, but I couldn't quite remember...

ADGs are not quite my cup of tea (I'm a CWC fan!), but I've no regrets getting my one and only ADG. She has taught me a lot.

I finally got my butt down to upload some of the lists I've compiled to a website. Of course, this was waaaaay before Justin came along and I had oodles of time to spare. Actually come to think of it, I think I compiled these lists WITH HIM (in my tummy of course)! So yeah, my 'lil darling should definitely share some of the credit! =P

http://www.freewebs.com/axxessorii/.

With Blythe having such a big following in Taiwan, I thought Taipei would be another Blythe retail haven, like Hongkong. However, I soon found out that Blythe-related buying and selling are more active online, and there are only a few physical retail stores carrying Blythe and related items. (Coolcat and Sugarmag Taiwan don't even have their own retail outlets!) Here are the few that I came across.

( Retail stores in Taipei )

Ichigo Heaven vs Dainty Biscuit


DaBi has blushier cheeks, and special eye chip sets. But IH has a special pull ring and less of a downward glance. Seems that it's the RBL releases from Tailor Gibson onwards that have a more severe downward glance. And maybe it's because this DaBi has just been deboxed and her bangs have not been tamed, but she seems to have more mullet-ish bangs.

( More comparisons )

I've finally gone pro! On flickr that is. Today, I finished up the organisation of my photos into proper sets and collections.

Now that my blythe stock items pics have a proper set, I finally overcame my inertia and photographed some of the older stock items, like LL's, MRB's and WMN's. Just 3 sets, but it was a rather painful photoshoot. My stock items are split into clothes, accessories, shoes and toys, and the photoshoot meant I had to comb through my drawers to gather the proper sets together. And for ALL 3, I had taken some initial photos, then realised I forgot to include blah blah item. *ARGH!* I had redo the phototaking all over again. With some stock items given away or sold, I was left with incomplete sets of FT's and VCB's. Which meant there wasn't much point photographing them anyway.

The main purpose of the blythe stock items pics is to upload to the Blythe Stock Resource Flickr Group. I'm not the admin nor am I affliated to it in any way, other than being a member of the group, but I thought it was a great idea! Personally, I am curious about each Blythe's stock items, especially their earrings and collector's cards. Pity that there aren't too many members, nor fellow contributors. I do hope more would join in and contribute to this group! It would be a useful pictionary of sorts.

As mentioned on TIB, CWC came up with a Blythe customisation book. natsuko has graciously posted sneak peeks of it. View at http://www.flickr.com/photos/91248181@N00/, and search for "Blythe Custom Basic Note" if neccessary. I think it's great for new collectors, but strangely, all it's descalping techniques recommend cutting away the flange. On TIB however, we are strongly advocated to retain the flange as much as possible, for a better fit during scalp reattachment.

I've just discovered Dolly Hex's wonderful images of Blythe glasses & goggles. It's a great resource showing the official Takara eye wear. ^^

It seems hard to be sitting on the fence regarding UT. Either you love her or you hate her. Her naysayers seem to have very averse disregards towards her, which I would think bodes rather well. Kozy's bright hair and pale makeup didn't hit off well with collectors at first. Goldie's makeup was too strong. Hollywood was so "grandma". Night Flower's hair was leftover from Rosie Red Encore's. Now look at how well they're doing. =)

I'm, however, still clinging onto my seat on the fence, which is why I'm compiling a list of visual aids that might help towards my ultimate decision making.

Disclaimer: None of the pics behind the cut are mine. Credit given to pics' owners.

( Other Flickr members' Ultimate Tour pics )

The jury is still out on TG's hair, but her accessories are just fab! That, coupled with her special eye chip colours (yay! no need for change of eye chips!), drew out my wallet for the purchase.





\

Thankfully though, Angie highlighted the wonky eyes bit during purchase, so I chose one with the least degree of wonkiness. BUT there still is wonkiness. At least StarD didn't have the downward glance. I can't bear to photograph her until I have fixed that at least ...

A dolly friend sparked off my curiousity about the bodies, and how they measure up to each other. Well, curiousity must be satifised, so here's my height comparison of the bodies - Licca, Obitsu, Excellent (stock body used by EBLs, SBLs & RBLs), and Bratz Boyz.



So are they all of the same height?

( Let's find out! )

x-post here

Yikes! I don't know how I could have missed her glaringly asymetrical eye holes, but apparently Estrella didn't quite knew that about herself too. When she found that out, she hung her head in shame at the thought of being a misfit.

Me: "Estrella dear, you are special, not a misfit!"
Estrella: (Sobs louder)

It finally took my x-acto knife and a little carving to pacify her.



( Possible scandal ahead )

Darn it, I really just meant to have ONE look. But sometimes, one look is all it takes for a Blythe to work her charms. *resigned sigh!*

So here she is, the latest addition to the family.



( More fabulous pics )

Yes, I know that this is bordering on obsession. But more and more gorgeous pics of her keep popping up!



Name: Last Kiss (same as the petite)
Limited (3.000 pieces)
Based on Romeo and Juliet

Bad translation:
"Sad love of "Romeo and Juliet" that burns beautifully ..short... The story of two people that could do nothing but be connected is too famous dying at the end.

Having been designed with the wedding dress as the theme dedicated to such gentle, transient Juliet is this "Last kiss".
The dress that images the wedding held in the forest is embroidered lily of the valley and bird's couples to the dress and is very romantic. Moreover, the head dress is sprinkled the motif that images the marguerite, and supports the expression of a young, lovely flower bride.

Small articles with a romantic mask etc. of the cat that imaged the mask dance party that the eye change charm that imaged the wedding ring and Juliet met Romeo for the first time are attached. "

Hair: Reddish brown
Make up: Green eye shadow, pink lips and blush
Eye chips: purple, green, blue and moss green
Mold: RBL
Items: Wedding dress, petticoat, veil, shorts, mask, necklace, earrings, head dress, pumps, stand, and collection card
Price: 16,800 yen

* Info couresty of Rocco, TIB

ARGH! So gorgeous! I am so in love !!!

A comparison of LL's and VCB's hair colour :



VCB has such a thick bunch of hair, that unless she is placed side-by-side with a Goldie or LL, her dark brown hair could almost pass off as black. Under stronger sunlight, the difference would be more obvious. I would love to see a pic of Goldie and LL side by side. Is the blackness of their hair the same?