Sorry!!

It's been quite a while since I last posted. I've just been very busy so I haven't really made time for my blog. I still haven't forgotten about toys though. In fact, I still have lots of photos to upload and share, but there's only so little time. Sigh.

I'll be back very soon! I promise! I've actually fixed this doll I thrifted, and painting this other doll I thrifted. I'm not being specific right now because I want to post actual photos when I start talking about them.

See you.

Bootlegs, bootlegs, bootlegs! [Part 2]

This is going to be short.

I went on a short trip to Divisoria. My trip that time was very rushed, I only had time to look around the things I passed by at the market. I didn't find the toys I wanted to check out. :(

But I found a Monster High bootleg, and she is a good bootleg priced at P250. It's Abbey Bominable!

I couldn't even tell the difference from an authentic Monster High Abbey doll by just looking at this one. I know her face is hidden, but when I picked up the box and gave it a nice shake, I saw her face and the face paint is good. Her skin has glitter and her hair has shiny/glittery streaks. I'm not sure if this bootleg has the big sister body sculpt. I just can't tell without other Monster High dolls next to her.

I didn't buy her even if I don't have an Abbey Bominable because I thought of the many nude dolls I still have to dress up and style. Also I am more interested in getting stuff like doll stands and shoes.

I hope I can go back to Divisoria and go toy-hunting again.

New Monster High dolls at Toy Kingdom!!!

To add to my initial post about the new Monster High dolls hitting the shelves of Toys 'R Us, I also found the new dolls at Toy Kingdom!

From top shelf to bottom:

Boo York Boo York - Elle Eedee, Luna Mothews, Cleo de Nile and Deuce Gorgon two-pack, Nefera de Nile, Clawdeen Wolf, Draculaura (partly visible)

Mouscedes King and Operetta are somewhere over there.

Wheel Love two pack of Lagoona Blue and Gil Webber, Freak Du Chic Toralei, Freak du Chic Frankie Stein, signature Frankie Stein, Ghoul Fair Heath Burns, Ghoul Fair Howleen Wolf, VINYLS!!

Elissabat in there somewhere.

Some oldies. No need to discuss them.

Freak Du Chic Gooliope Jellington, Boo York Boo York Astranova with floatation device, Freak Du Chic Circus Scaregrounds playset with Rochelle Goyle

Collecticon 2015

I thought I read it wrong. Why would an event be called COLLECTION 2015? But I re-read it and now it really says COLLECTICON 2015. It's happening soon at SM Megamall and I might go because it seems like fun.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Collecticon/939755526085708

New Monster High dolls at TRU!!!

I went to Toys 'R Us today and found new Monster High dolls! It took a while for the dolls to get here, but at least now I can see them in person!

The dolls I've seen:

• Wheel Love two-pack of Lagoona Blue and Gil Webber
• Ghoul Fair Elissabat, Heath Burns, Howleen Wolf
• I'm pretty sure I've seen Geek Shriek Frankie Stein. I don't remember if I saw other Geek Shriek dolls too.
• Vinyl figures!! Whoa. I don't remember all that I've seen but they're really pretty.
• Boo York Boo York dolls! Two-pack of Cleo de Nile and Deuce Gorgon, Draculaura, Clawdeen Wolf, Operetta, Catty Noir, Astranova and her floatation station playset but geez, no Luna Mothews, Elle Eedee and Mouscedes King?
• Freak du Chic dolls! Frankie Stein, Honey Swamp, Toralei Stripe, Jinafire Long, Rochelle Goyle with the circus scaregrounds playset, and... dun dun dun! GOOLIOPE JELLINGTON!!!

Gooliope is so huge!! I didn't expect her to be THAT BIG! The length of her legs, from her knees down to her feet is as long as my whole hand! I can't even imagine how she'd be like outside the box because she was packaged to be crouching in a weird position, trying to burst through the plastic. She is priced at P2,499.75. If I'm not mistaken, the online seller of Monster High dolls whom I found at Toy Con  is selling her at a much lower price of P2,200. However, you'll need to pay for shipping (P200 within Metro Manila, and P300 for provincial delivery). 

Anyway, I was so overwhelmed when I saw her. I couldn't even help but comment out loud at the store about how big she is. She's expensive for me though so I won't be getting her, but I think she'd be a great addition to anyone's collection because of her great articulation.

By the way, I finally saw Disney Descendants' Mal and Evie in their coronation gowns as well. They're OK, but I don't feel the need to get them at all.

Quick Sew: Dawn's dress

I made this dress today. Hand sewn, of course.

It's not the best, but I didn't even think of making a sketch beforehand. I just wanted to sew what I could finish so I could clothe Dawn. It looks unfinished, but OK, maybe next time I can make a better dress.

Edeng Toys Center

I was at Market Market and passed by the Gift Market section (1st floor) and found Edeng Toys Center. It's a huge place that has all kinds of stuff you normally see in Divisoria. The store is packed with party supplies, toys, hair accessories, stationery, magnets, keychains and other small knick-knacks. Did I mention toys? So many plastic toys from China, haha. And I even found so many clone dolls.

I couldn't take photos because first, my phone battery was dead at the time, and second, I don't know if the store allows it, but about the clone dolls, the most fascinating would have to be the bagged dolls hanging from the ceiling. I don't know if they're really authentic or just clone dolls, but some of them could pass off as vintage. Maybe they're second hand, who knows?

There were also two bags of anime looking dolls, and one of the bags contains more doll clothes and accessories than the other, but I didn't get it because it was priced at P450 which is too expensive. I was thinking of Cure Black when I saw the extra stuff because I thought that maybe it might fit her, but I can live without it so nah.

Another interesting clone I found is this very tiny doll that has a small Moxie Girlz head. It was priced at P65, pretty tempting to get one especially since I just thrifted a Dawn doll and the clone's dress might fit, but you know how clone dresses are made; of cheap fabric and too many shiny stuff and ruffles, so it might just not fit the aesthetic meant for a Dawn doll.

If only they had stock of clone Monster High or Ever After High dolls that have articulation, I would probably come back and buy some, but sigh, it seems I could only get those cheap in Divisoria. I haven't even done my research yet on where to find MH or EAH dolls or doll stuff in Divi.

I'm posting some links I found. The pics don't give the place justice.

https://www.facebook.com/Edengtoycenter

http://twinpopsis.blogspot.com/2008/08/edengs.html

http://en.yelp.com.ph/biz/edengs-toys-center-taguig

It's pretty overwhelming once you're inside, and definitely more spacious than your average Divisoria store stall.

+ + + + + + +

Speaking of Divisoria, if ever I find MH and EAH stuff I see online on Aliexpress or Taobao over there, I might pick up the following:

• MH body parts. I have a lot of limbless MH dolls that need special attention.
• MH/EAH shoes. I mean, I could make my own, but nothing beats sculpted plastic doll shoes, in my opinion.
• Doll stands. Even if I could make my own using balloon sticks with cups and jar lids, I think it's still nice to have factory-made ones. My three new dolls, Kitty, Honey, and Sloane all have doll stands so I have better appreciation of ready-made ones.
• Probably a clone Wydowna Spider and/or clone Sirena von Boo because a six-armed doll is rare, and Sirena's mermaid sculpt is pretty interesting. Sirena can stand on her own using her mermaid tail, so if clones can also do it, then it's very cool.
• Other dolls I might find interesting.

So many cool stuff to see and purchase, but not enough money to spend.

Vintage Dawn doll by Topper Corp

So I finally caved in and decided to get the Dawn doll I saw last time I was at the thrift store. I wasn't that hopeful to find Dawn though because it's been a few days since I had been there. But there she was, still in the jacket I made her wear in the store last time before I decided to leave her behind. (OH I didn't realise that the jacket is from Monster High's Gilda Goldstag! Woo!)

Sorry for the lack of better photos. My phone is dead, that's why. LOL

I cleaned her up as best as I could and dressed her in a Monster High shirt I found on the same day. Surprisingly, she can wear short Monster High and La Dee Da tops and dresses considering she is just 6 inches tall. She can also wear the cheongsam of my Takara Compact Doll.

Her joints are really loose. I find it difficult to retain her pose.

Her feet are very small. I couldn't find shoes in my collection that would fit her. I even tried on the shoes of Cure Black of Pretty Cure, but nope, it's still too big!

Her left thumb has been cut off. Aww.

The wiring for her knee made the vinyl green. I also can't bent her knees very well. The wire might poke out if I bend it too much, which is the same problem I have with my Takara Compact Doll and vintage Jenny doll.

Her face colour was a little off, but I made it worse. I tried to make her wear a new accessory and didn't realise that the paint transferred to her face. I accidentally smudged the paint on her face and now when I try to scrub it off, it just won't come off. Sigh. But it's OK, I don't mind anymore. Her face paint needs a touchup too, but I don't repaint dolls so I'll leave it as it is.

Her hair is rooted really well.  I just want to keep her hair down so at the moment, she has a loom band tied around her head.

I really need to make clothes for her now. I think she looks good in billowy dresses, so I'll come up with one in time.

Monster High / Ever After High crossover

I read on Tumblr that there's a crossover between Monster High and Ever After High which is pretty cool. It all started when someone stumbled upon the new Monster High Boo York Boo York junior novel.

In the last few pages of the book, Astranova from Monster High is talking on her iCoffin with Apple White and Raven Queen from Ever After High:

Source:

http://rockmafia93.tumblr.com/post/128136860502/better-pic-of-my-previous-one-larger-and-in

http://rockmafia93.tumblr.com/post/128135518462/for-those-of-you-who-asked-for-a-pic-here-it-is

It would definitely be awesome to see Monster High and Ever After High characters crossing paths in a good story.

Like, how would Cleo de Nile and Apple White react when they meet?
Will Toralei Stripe and Kitty Chesire make good friends?
How about Clawdeen Wolf and Cerise Hood? et cetera.

Hope Mattel comes up with a special on this. I'd really watch it.

La Dee Da Sweet Party Sloane as Lollipop Swirl doll

I was at Kids Depot at Market Market when I spotted the La Dee Da dolls on sale. The most expensive ones are priced at P500, I think, while the cheapest is sold at P300 (Juicy Crush line). I was much drawn to the cheapest because I think spending P300 on a good doll is much better than spending the same amount on a clone. Also I've never had a La Dee Da doll before.

The cheapest and the lone doll from the Juicy Crush line on the shelf was Dee as Watermelon Mist:

Dee as Watermelon Mist, La Dee Da Juicy Crush

This version of Dee is a little different from what was sold. Her hair piece and skirt didn't have tulle and the skirt has an entirely different design. I was thinking of getting her but I was also thinking against it, so I just stepped outside the store without buying anything, LOL. The whole week afterwards, I was reading up reviews about her and thought, hmm OK I might get her after all.

/I found this photo in my laptop and don't remember that I took a photo of Dee a long time ago.

I read a lot about La Dee Da dolls beforehand. Here's what I found out:

1. They've already been discontinued, so getting them might be a good idea after all because they're somewhat rare in the Philippines.
2. They can share their dresses with Monster High dolls. Pants are a different story.
3. Their shoes are difficult to share with other dolls because of the length and arch (or lack thereof) of their feet.
4. Their head is quite heavy so it's better to have a La Dee Da stand that clips at the thighs instead.

So I went back to Kids Depot the next week and found out that Dee as Watermelon Mist is already gone, haha. There was Sloane as Tropical Twist but I didn't want her; she's too yellow for my taste. I saw other dolls, like that Pop Art doll and some dolls with one of their arms bent intentionally, but I didn't want them either because they came with no stand at all. But there is one doll that was priced P400 and had a stand; it was Sloane as Lollipop Swirl from Sweet Party line, so I grabbed her even if I was feeling a little disappointed that I didn't get the Watermelon doll.

It turned out that I made the right choice because the stand is very important. There is no way for the La Dee Da doll to stand on its own because of its weird body proportion (big head, slim body, small feet). 

She now is standing between Kitty Chesire and Honey Swamp and it pleases me, haha.

I felt that my room is starting to get crowded because of my desk clutter and even the clutter on my shelf, so I decided to just put most of my dolls in a filing box then display a select number of dolls. These three are displayed on my desk because they all have stands, while Hunter is sitting on my shelf together with Maddie right-legs and Maddie the Monster High hybrid, haha. I definitely need a better storing or displaying solution for my dolls.

While on the subject of La Dee Da dolls, here are images of other dolls that I think look great.

Cyanne as Sunflower Burst, Garden Party

Tylie as Snow Queen, Fairy Tale Dance

Cyanne at Art Show