Inside My World

Time flies, like the whooshing sound of a bullet train as it passes. Now that I am feeling well enough to return to doing school drop-offs and after school activities - life has been busy. However that doesn't mean I haven't had time to dip into my hobbies. 

Let's start with the photoshoots. I recently joined a Barbie Collector's group that has a new theme each week and I've been finding it quite inspiring. For this week, it was 'Weddings'. Not owning any wedding dolls or gowns, I found a pattern and tutorial at Galaxia Dolls and decided to make a Maxi dress and give my doll wedding a boho vibe. 

This is not the one

As I get older each year, I find myself walking down the halls of memory - flicking through the photo albums of dolls, past and present. I started thinking of the dolls that took the top spot on my wishlist - finally acquiring said doll only to move them on a few years later. What was it about those dolls that made me want them so much only to finally have them and decide, "This is not the one."

Sometimes, as doll collectors, I feel we can be swayed by a photo of said doll done so well by other owners, it makes us fall in love and it's not until we get the doll we realize, it's not the doll sculpt we liked but the way that particular owner styled that doll. It's an expensive lesson to learn but one I have now thankfully learned after many trials. I am happy to admire the dolls of other owners and be content with that, no longer feeling the urge to "have that doll".

So the dolls in question? Let's look back through the sands of time ...

We start with some of the wishlist grails. Some people only have one grail. I have a few - dolls that I doubt I will ever be able to own because of their price point being beyond my budget.

From top left to right: Iplehouse JID Asa | Fairyland Minifee Shushu | Withdoll Fenrir | Limwha Mono | Lumedoll Saiph | Fairyland Minifee Rheia

The World of Deirdre Quinn

I had my big surgery on Tuesday, was in hospital for 3 days and got home Friday afternoon. I am in a bit of pain but taking it easy. Resting a lot but still able to walk around a little bit. It will take a while before I am back to normal. The doctors say 3 months at least. I can't really sit at my computer for long so I am working on my laptop as I sit in my lounge chair. I won't be able to post as much for a little bit but when I am well enough, I will be able to continue with the stories.

Today's quick post is about Deirdre, one of my longest residents here. She is an AOD Qian with a custom face up by Xhanthi. This doll is dear to my heart. As most of you already know, AOD and DOD are companies that initiated my love for these dolls. 

Deirdre has had her name for a while now. She probably had other names before but this one has stuck around for several years, the same goes for her red hair. Her eyes have had several changes until I decided on the ones she wears now (picture below).

Her brief bio says that she is the owner of the Wayward Inn Cafe where she makes very tasty treats that tend to cheer up the consumer even with just a single bite.  

[Story] Hunting Game

 Author's Note: I wanted to get one more part up while I am able to. We change location and take a peek in Caizar where we are introduced to a new character. Astrid. A well known tracker for hire.

[Story] A Warning in the Skies

 Author Notes: Part 04 of the story {The Shadow of the Dark} is finally here. This part of the story introduces the next companion who will meet up with Mareth, Jamal and Ydros.

I have also updated The Stories page to keep track of what is coming and what is still a work in progress. The photos are the hardest things to convey. The story I already know but matching the photos to them can be tough. Especially when you are working with limited props on hand.

Soundtrack: Twilight from The Witcher

The Wild Woods - half a day's travel from Farnworth

 "A storm's coming." Arianna gazed up at the clear sky from where she crouched, gathering herbs for the night's meal. She studied the shapes of the clouds drifting by and listened intently to the whispering of the wind. 

"From the East." she frowned. That way lay the Kingdom of Caizar. She had heard of the rumours that swirled like striking snakes around the new Empress. Blood magic, they said. Unexplained deaths of slaves, drained of their blood. Soldiers raised up, serving only the word of the Empress, needing no rest or food. Unholy, dark forbidden arts. The words spread like the plague across the land, an impending wave of dread and fear. Even here, in the lonely woods, far from civilisation, she had heard their whispers.

Snap and Smile

I've been taking a lot of photos over the past few days. Of different subjects. It's been interesting, challenging and frustrating. But it's also been a lot of fun. I haven't had time until recently to really enjoy taking photos for a while so it was nice to have the time to be able to do this.

We'll start with one of my most neglected dolls. She's an Obitsu 48cm doll with the Mafuyu head. It's been such a long time since I posted her on this blog. I'm going to call her Anya. 

The New Kid On The Block [DOD YU]

 If you've been in the hobby since the early 2000s, you'll remember a company called Dream of Doll. They were among one of the first doll companies I came across back in 2004. I stumbled onto them by chance when I was heavily into The Sims 2 game. A custom content creator had made a "BJD Skintone" for the sims and credited the reference to "Dream of Doll". Naturally curious, I followed the link and found a website devoted to BJDs. Thus began my love affair with these dolls. (Angel of Dream, Dollzone and Luts were the next companies I discovered.) 

On a side note, I actually created a Sim later that was inspired by one of the Dream of Doll sculpts.

Back in those days, I didn't earn enough on a waitress wage to even consider owning one of these dolls but they were always there in the back of my mind... "One day, I would buy one." I thought to myself. It took until 2009 before that dream became a reality (however my first doll ended up being from none of the companies I first discovered - it was a Doll Family Lyre. He was all I could afford at the time and he was on sale.) Ah but I do still remember the feeling of pressing the "Buy" button on my first. You always remember your first even if they have moved on. 

Dream of Doll have that old school aesthetics that I fell in love with and still prefer to this day. Don't get me wrong, I love all my dolls but the old school aesthetics has a particularly special place in my heart.

Now that we have that super long nostalgic trip out of the way, let's move on to the subject of this post. The New Doll. It is Dream of Doll Yu.  Back when I first found their website, there were many sculpts that I wanted but realistically could not afford. However, I started to save and Yu was one of the sculpts I had been saving for when Dream of Doll closed its doors. It came out of the blue and frankly I had to give up on ever acquiring this sculpt. Yu became yet another sculpt in a list of "Never to achieve grail dolls." Until now...

Feeling Out The Vibe

Decided it was time to address the wigs for some of my dolls and to take photos of one of my neglected minifee girls. For the first time in a while, the sun was actually out so I had some good natural light to work with for a change.

 Let's start today's post with Arianna, my red-headed forest dweller and one of the infamous Elyder Wytches  - a group that aligned themselves with the First Prince of Shadows and almost destroyed the world. Arianna is a descendant of these same Wytches but she doesn't go around advertising that fact. She presents herself as a simple healer who works her cures with the use of herbs. If anyone were to find out the truth, she would be bound for the hangman's noose or a fiery death at the stake. You can't blame her for living alone and far from other people. After all, it's not her fault her ancestors wanted to end the world. 

"Do not blame the child for the parent's mistakes..."

All Arianna wants is to live a quiet life far from politics and monarchs. She doesn't want to get involved in anything that might bring attention and has become an expert at laying low and appearing harmless. It's a lonely life but the wild animals of the forest keep her company. For she has the ability to communicate with them. And they in turn find it a novelty that a human can understand them.

Photo Day

 It's always a good day when your dolls don't mind being photographed. Just a small collection of character photos.

One of my favourite faces. Inara, my Bandorai witch and possibly a very great ancestor of Deirdre Quinn. She is one of the very few people left in the world who is able to connect to and use the Old Powers of the great Ancestors.  

Part 03 - Runaways

 After a rather long hiatus, I am finally back with Part 3 of Mareth's story. I have included links to Part 01 and Part 02 for a refresher of the story.

Part 01 -  Part 02

Jamal had been against descending into the dark unknown hole in the ground but Ydros had insisted they rest within its hidden depths. It was a good place to hide, abandoned and forgotten, reclaimed by the wild forest. If they were lucky, they could elude the Red Cabal, at least for a short time. Jamal had begrudgingly agreed and they had prepared to settle in for the night when the intruder alerted them to her presence.

Startled by the unexpected visitor, Ydros had been caught off guard, using his ability by instinct and unable to control its force as it slammed into the young girl that appeared as if by magic at the bottom of the steps.

The 2023 Group

I can't remember the last time that I took a group photo of my BJD crew - it must have been so long ago that I have forgotten. Today, I decided that I wanted to see what the crew looked like now that we are in 2023 and despite the fact I haven't been able to really do anything with them since we brought our daughter home (She will be 6 in a few months. How time flies!!)

I was surprised that I had so many even though I haven't been doing much in the doll  hobby for the past 2 years. During the "hiatus", I somehow managed to bring home 2 new dolls so far (how did that happen??) with another possibly on the way (more on that if it goes through!).

Nera Makes Her Debut

Over the weekend, I was lucky enough to find one of the dolls I had planned to get eventually up for sale from a seller in Australia. The doll is only a year old but is in really great condition. She is Resinsoul Wei - YoSD scale in the light tan/coffee resin. She arrived yesterday - so fast! Her first owner actually requested her with human ears instead of the fantasy ears she originally comes with but that's okay as I actually would have done the same! I also got her cat ears and tail as well.

Welcome Nera to The Wayward Inn!

She is going to be my little half human, half feline girl who can communicate with cats. I still have to put in her eyelashes and she needs a bit of work as her knees are super kicky but that's normal for Resinsoul. I call it a quirk of these dolls. It's an easy fix with thicker string and sueding. 

Blue vs Red

Yesterday's photoshoot features Nikolas from ENVY (the Punk, Rock and Grunge Group) and Naoise, a fashion designer and also the stylist for the boys. After two and a half months of waiting, Nikolas got some new threads and Naoise got a new striped business shirt. The boys are finally looking the way I want.

Sunday Makeovers

When I discovered my poor Saint's ball joint on one of his hands was completely split, I decided to change out his hands for the ones I bought ages ago from Universedoll. It's a gorgeous pair of jointed hands. The only problem being the actual ball that is attached to the hand is slightly too big for his wrist socket. Another reason I never ended up  using it because not having the common sense at the time to order an extra pair of hands (given that the Rythmos body has been discontinued for ages now) - however, desperate times and all ... maybe I could get lucky and see if I can get hands on the second hand market for this body but I won't hold my breath. I will try to fix the split with superglue or something and hope it holds as PVA glue won't cut it.

While I had him out, I decided to style him up a bit and I love how he turned out. Nikolas is a member of ENVY - the punk/grunge/rock band. He's kind of their PR guy and lead guitarist. There's no story, I just really wanted to make a boy band (I've been listening to a lot of BTS lately.) So far, ENVY only has three total members. Can you have a boy band with just three members?

The Desert Dancer

Before she became the Empress of the Caizar Empire, Mahalia lived a difficult life under the stern guidance of her father, a hard man who sought power enough to raise his clan above all others. Encumbered by the strange powers passed on from her mother, she was outcast by many in the Nine clans. Until Emperor Mafar sought rest among their clan's shelter after a long campaign in the south. It was this single event that changed Mahalia's life forever.

Track: Princess of Persia ~ Faolan Music

Photo Manipulation by me. Used Texture from Sirius-sdz.

Wine flowed freely among the Emperor's men. Their journey had been a success despite the losses. Chieftain Bakir sat with the Emperor ensuring the best dishes were presented to him. He waved for a servant to refill the Emperor's empty wine glass.

"It is an honour to serve you after your campaign My Emperor."
"I thank you Chieftain Bakir for your hospitality. My men have been on the road for many moons and they will be glad of the fine food and drink you have given them."
"I have prepared something special for your entertainment My Emperor." at the Chieftain's signal, music filled the spacious tent. Seven dancers entered and fell into position. As their bodies began to move and sway to the notes of the song, six of them formed a circle around the dancer in the middle. Unlike the other dancers, this one's face was covered with a thin black veil highlighting the sparkling green eyes that gazed out at the audience.

The Emperor's eyes followed the lone dancer silently.
"Ah I see you have an eye for dance My Emperor. That one is my daughter, Mahalia. She is the pride of the clan. An accomplished dancer and our water seer."
"Your daughter has the eyes of a Queen in the making." The Emperor continued to watch her, his fingers tracing the curves of the wine glass in his hands.
"I am doubly honoured by your words My Emperor. If it pleases you, I will have her join us after the dance."
"It would please me greatly."

*************

This little snippet forms part of a collection of side stories that explores some of the side characters in a bit more depth. In the main story, Mahalia's capacity as a character is simply the mother of Ydros. Not too much time is spent on her or the Queen of Embra as these characters are not the focus of the main story which follows the children of these women and their journey. So I thought it would be neat to have side stories of the characters that don't really get too much time in the spotlight in Daughter of Fate.

Awake

The second installment of Mareth's adventures finds her where we left off in The Old Manor House Secret. She had managed to find the hidden door to the abandoned underground basement. After she entered, she was attacked by an invisible force that knocked her unconscious.

Track:Valhalla ~ BrunuhVille

Mareth floated for a time in a darkness so thick and dense that she feared that she had unexpectedly fallen into the depths of the world between life and death. She had read the texts but to experience this for herself was a marvel had she not been so afraid.

She lost track of how long she had been floating, time was different here. She could feel its flow and yet she could not quite grasp or understand its language. Even her body felt weightless, un-moored, cut from its very foundation. At first, when the darkness began to recede, she fancied she had imagined it, that her eyes, if she had them deceived her. Yet the light grew in size and intensity until she felt her feet land on soft ground. To her sight, it looked like fine sand. She knelt and scooped a handful, letting the grains fall through her fingers. It was then she noticed she had a body once more, the very body she remembered, the one she had cared for all these years. She raised her head and gazed out at the scene before her. Sand for miles and miles as far as the eye could see. An endless swell of it winding into oblivion.

Where am I? The thought formed in her mind and echoed around her, filling the space outside her physical being. And a voice answered.

Who are you? Why are you here?

The Old Manor House Secret

In this little snippet, we follow Mareth as she is sent on a mission from the Head Scholar of The Academy to retrieve a sacred parchment believed to have been hidden in an abandoned basement of an old manor house near Farnworth. It's best to read this with the included music tracks. The first track is ideal for the first part of the snippet. The second track is ideal for the second part of the snippet.

Shardo of the Denry'ii

Character Playlist Inspiration: The Riverlands ~ BrunuhVille

Today's focus is on Shardo, my Denry'ii warrior in training. He ended up bald because I just couldn't find a wig I liked on him and then after some debate, I opted to just not have him wear a wig as I wanted him to have a monk-llike vibe.

He originally had two dark eyes but I decided to change it up a bit today to see how he would look with two different types of eyes. Then I just kind of wrote that into his character background as the Denry'ii are known for the fact they are born with different coloured eyes. This is what makes people afraid of them - those born with different coloured eyes are said to not be fully human and have been possessed by a dead spirit. It's a superstition among the general public - whether it's actually true or not ... well, that remains to be seen.

It's a good day to be Queen

Character Music Score: Song of the North (Celtic Version) by BrunuhVille

Finally, the vision has been made reality. This is how I've always pictured Astrid in all her Queenly glory. A modest Queen not given to displaying her wealth or royalty but proud of her clan heritage and in tune with the earth beneath her feet and the sky above her head. She embodies the protectiveness and nurturing will of the Mother Goddess.

I finished Astrid's outfit yesterday but it was late at night so I didn't want to take photos until today. She is wearing a similar dress to the green vine ones in terms of pattern and design but in a lighter, more neutral colour. She wears a plain surcoat over the dress coupled with a simple silver necklace and a modestly designed bronze crown. Her hair is the colour of fire, her eyes the blue of the sea.

The Lady in Blue

I have this gorgeous medieval dress that I bought years ago, maybe 9 or 10 years ago. Anyway, when I bought it, it wasn't in the best condition but it never got worse, until recently. I thought about trying to fix it, attempted it but it just made things worse. You see, the fabric itself was beginning to tear and come apart. I couldn't bear the thought of taking this dress apart or throwing it away so I decided to keep it as a model of what a medieval dress should look like.

And then I started looking at the parts that made up the dress and thought, "I wonder if I could reconstruct it from scratch." Well I did that but it was you could say very different from the original. I really don't know who the maker of the original dress was as I bought it second-hand. But here goes...