Spring Time

Spring Time, a photo by alington on Flickr.

Another new arrival - Spring Time. She's a newly released Tonner Ballet doll, and the second Daphne sculpt offered this year. She is available from dealers now.

She's brunette with brown eyes with a rather frou-frou outfit that is surprisingly well done with tulle, sequins, and silk flowers. I'm rather delighted with her overall quality.

She includes high heel feet as well, and I'm kind of interested in trying her out in formal wear. You can check out lots of additional photos, including of her braided up-do, on Flickr.

Divinely Daphne

Divinely Daphne, a photo by alington on Flickr.

An oldie, but a goodie--it's Effanbee's Divinely Daphne, the first basic Daphne Dimples released as part of the Brenda Starr line in 2004.

She was an open edition, so there were many produced. She can still be found on the market today for a pretty reasonable price. You'll want to be sure her bangs are in good shape.

I'm embarrassed to say I've had mine in the box for a while, and I'm quite pleased with her: I find her face paint rather pleasing in a vintage/pin-up way. You can see a few more photos on Flickr.

Touch of Teal

Touch of Teal, a photo by alington on Flickr.

My next project is well underway--a work about Daphne Dimples by Effanbee/Tonner Doll. She's currently my favorite Tonner sculpt. (Well, it's a toss-up between Daphne and the Duchess.)

Touch of Teal was surprisingly hard to find. She was limited to 300 when she was produced in 2007. I think she's one of the prettier Daphne dolls available, and many collectors like keep her in their collection. I can totally understand.

You can see a few additional photos on Flickr.

Smoldering Seduction

Smoldering Seduction, a photo by alington on Flickr.

She's always been a grail of mine. Smoldering Seduction Daphne is from the 2006 Effanbee collection and was limited to 250 dolls. Her original retail was $229.99, which was fairly expensive. I believe her higher price point is probably due to her outfit. It's made of silk chiffon fabric, plus an embroidered gold and purple embroidered micro-sequined overlay. She also has a rhinestone trim at the bust, rhinestone jewelry, and gold bow-trimmed sandals.

She uses the a pale bending wrist body body (instead of her usual tan skin tone) and has platinum curls. She has blue forward-glancing eyes, not her usual green. I think she is even prettier than her promotional photos.

You can see additional photos of her on Flickr.

Surprisingly, I was able to find this doll NRFB from Just Imagine Dolls, a Tonner/Effanbee dealer.

Smoldering Seduction

Smoldering Seduction, a photo by alington on Flickr.

My next project is coming along very smoothly! I'm working on Daphne: Out of the Box.

With my latest purchases and trades, I found a few dolls on my list that had been proving to be a bit elusive. The one you see above is Smoldering Seduction, who has been grail of mine. I think she's lovely. She came from Just Imagine Dolls, who have just started a page on Facebook. (Their customer service is great--and they have a great selection of older Tonner and Effanbee dolls. Go check them out!)

You can check out my latest arrivals on Flickr. Just before dusk yesterday, I took a bunch of yucky (well, not very sharp) iPhone photos, and I've uploaded the set for your criticism--er, enjoyment.

The remaining dolls I'm looking to beg, borrow or steal for photo sessions are:

• 2004 Effanbee's Midnight Enchantment 
• 2004 Black & White Ball
• 2004 Creme de la Creme
• 2004 Divinely Daphne
• 2004 Platinum Panache outfit
• 2005 Crystal Celebration outfit
• 2005 Resort Daphne
• 2006 Moonlight Mystery
• 2006 Mirror Mirror
• 2007 Noel Angel 
• 2009 Madame a la Menthe
• 2010 Garden Party Iris Raven
• 2011 Wilhelmina Wonka

I have a number of dolls I can trade, or I'd be more than happy to simply "borrow" your doll. I can do that by buying it from you, and then selling it back to you at the same price after the photo session. We would arrange in advance how long the doll will be in my possession, as well--I usually only require a day or two, depending on when the doll is received. (My home is non-smoking, though I do have several cats. I would take very, very good care of your doll.)

If you can help me, let me know. Contact me via the Flickr messaging system, or at the email I've listed on my DollPage account. Thanks!

Wild Inspiration

Wild Inspiration, a photo by alington on Flickr.

One doll I've had in my collection for some time, Wilde Inspiration Daphne, has just received her original outfit. I think I like her even more in the outfit, actually.

She was an exclusive to Far East, and limited to just 100, and manufactured in 2008 by Tonner Doll. You can see addition photos of her on Flickr.

Evening with Simon

Evening with Simon, a photo by alington on Flickr.

Another addition to my Daphne project and acquisition via trade, this is Evening with Simon from 2009. She was a mainline Tonner release.

Here, she's modeling Decadent Dalliance, an Angelina Ruiz fashion, since I haven't yet added her fashion to my collection yet.

I think she's just wonderful.

You can see additional photos of this beautiful doll on Flickr.

Iris as The Toucan

Iris as The Toucan, a photo by alington on Flickr.

I'm trying to take farewell photos of my dolls just before they travel. This is Garden Party Iris, who has just found a new home.

She's dressed in The Toucan's outfit, a centerpiece doll from the 2012 Flights of Fancy convention. I think she wears the outfit quite well.

You can see additional photos on Flickr.

Morning Mist

Untitled, a photo by alington on Flickr.

One of the new ballet dolls from Tonner Doll's latest release, Morning Mist has arrived. Limited to 400, she retails for $199.99, though many Tonner details are offering a discount. She uses the Daphne head sculpt, who hasn't been seen in Tonner's regular line since Ultra Basic Daphne (a TonnerDirect exclusive) in 2010, and before that, 2009's Evening with Simon.

She's true to herself with light blonde hair and green eyes. Her outfit is surprising detailed--sparking purple tulle with lavender tulle underlayers, micro sequins, and lots of gold detailing. Her sleeves are detached.

She includes sparkling hose, gold stud earrings and purple ballet shoes, plus an extra set of high heeled feet for fashion play.

You can see additional photos on Flickr.

Kandy Kane

Kandy Kane, a photo by alington on Flickr.

A new arrival from Tonner's latest Age of Innocence convention, this is Kandy Kane.

She uses the Daphne sculpt, now usually only found at conventions, one of my favorites from Tonner. She uses a cameo Tyler body with rooted bright red and platinum hair in an elaborate braided up-do, trimmed with ribbon and candy, and painted green eyes with gold eye shadow.

I'm actually quiet impressed with the details of her outfit. Her dress is white satin with red sequins, ribbon, and beaded trim. The straps are made from starlight candies and beads. She's got a gorgeous red sparkling net petticoat in a large polka dot pattern.

Her Christmas green lace leggings are patterned in hearts, and are layered with red and white striped, lace-trimmed leg warmers. She's wearing matching arm warmers, and red sparkling canvas pumps.

She includes an extra pair of "gripping" pose hands, so she can hold her resin candy cane. The base of her stand is painted like a starlight candy.

I've added the crystal beaded earrings.

You can see additional photos of this lovely girl--so much prettier in person than her promotional photo, I think--on Flickr. She's still available from TonnerDoll.com.

She's a centerpiece doll, and a limited edition of 150. She'd be a lovely Christmas decoration, and if I can bring myself to redress her, a Valentine's sweetheart, too.

Iris in Party Girl

Iris in Party Girl, a photo by alington on Flickr.

Here's a quick shot of Garden Party Iris--a redhead Daphne on an Antoinette body. I believe she was a limited edition basic doll from a recent Metrodolls event.

She's been redressed in Party Girl, a Precarious fashion.

You can see a few more photos on Flickr as well.

Chantilly Charmant

Chantilly Charmant, a photo by alington on Flickr.

Daphne of the Day - It's Chantilly Charmant, from the 2005 Paris Fashion Doll Festival of 2005.

It's true--I may be imbibing a bit in past grails. I find dolls to be soothing in that regard. Plus, it gives me something wonderful for photography subjects.

You can see a few more photos on Flickr.

Cannes Opening

Cannes Opening, a photo by alington on Flickr.

A long-time grail of mine has made it home. It's Cannes Opening, a raven-haired Daphne sculpt from Tonner Doll Company. She was a limited edition of just 100 dolls at the 2007 Paris Fashion Doll Festival.

I think she looks a little like Liz Taylor.

You can see more photos on Flickr.

Crystal Celebration

Crystal Celebration, a photo by alington on Flickr.

The lovely Daphne Dimples is redressed in an older Tyler Wentworth fashion. She's an Effanbee doll from the Brenda Starr collection, and she's just gorgeous.

See a few more photos on Flickr.

Ta Da! Daphne

Ta Da! Daphne, a photo by alington on Flickr.

From 2005, this Effanbee doll is from the Modern Doll Collectors Convention in Anaheim, CA. She was limited to 175 dolls, and she has been a grail of mine for some time.

I think she's just fantastic. Her gown reminds me of one of my very first 16" fashion dolls, Brenda Starr's Sizzling Sensation, also a MDCC exclusive from 2004. It feels like silk, and it's lined in white fabric. Her shoes are red pumps with ankle straps and red and white bows.

Her jewelry is really nice, too--she has two rhinestone bracelets and drop earrings, which match the rhinestone accent on her gown. She includes white gloves, which I actually didn't put on for the photo shoot.

She has wonderfully 1940s era facial screening. My friend Carolyn probably could fix her hair to make it perfect. It's styled in an updo with loose curls at the top. Additionally, she's one of the few raven-haired Daphne Dimples dolls, which I love.

See more photos on Flickr.

Silver Sensation

Silver Sensation, a photo by alington on Flickr.

At our last 16" doll meet, one of the group members shared "vintage Tonner." I had to smile.

This lovely lady is Silver Sensation Daphne, from the 2005 Effanbee Brenda Starr line. She was a basic open edition doll, dressed in a silver swimsuit. (Thanks, Carolyn--I love her!) Here, she is dressed in DeeAnna Denton's New Look fashion from 2012 (Tonner).

While Daphne tends to be a coveted sculpt, you can often find this particular bendy-arm articulated doll for reasonable prices--close to her original $59.99 retail. If you don't have Daphne in your big-girl collection, I think you need one.

You can see a few more photos on Flickr.

Daphne in Wild Bird

Daphne in Wild Bird, a photo by alington on Flickr.

Above, it's The Toucan (Daphne) in the wonderful Precarious outfit Wild Bird, both by Tonner Doll. Getting that body suit on was not exactly my idea of a good time, but it sure is a great outfit!

See a few more photos on Flickr.

Farewell, oh green wall.

On Monday, we will be renewing the paint in much of our house, and as much as I adore the green in our living and dining area, we will be changing to a new color. That famous green background will now be something new and different--and something that will go with the furniture switch we have planned. (We'll be swapping out living room and family room spaces, and also the computer area and dining room as well.)

We will also be planning new paint for the kids' bedrooms and carpet as well over the next several weeks. I'll be sure to keep you posted on the progress--but I hope my doll photos don't suffer too much from the no-green background I've relied on so much for the past few years.

One more quick shot of Wild Bird's shoes. They are really nice and heavy.

Daphne at Court

Daphne at Court, a photo by alington on Flickr.

This is the Queen of Diamonds - the lovely Daphne - by Tonner Doll, dressed in a OOAK outfit by Carol Peters.

More photos can be seen on Flickr.

The Toucan

The Toucan, a photo by alington on Flickr.

A centerpiece doll from the 2012 Flights of Fancy closing banquet at the Tonner Doll convention, the gorgeous Toucan uses the Daphne headsculpt on an Antoinette body.

She is a wigged raven doll with blue eyes. I thought I'd post a close-up of her facial screening with hand painted details. She's got some bright lime, orange and gold accented eyeshadow, which works, I think, with her soft blush.

See more photos on Flickr.

Daphne in Carol Peters

Daphne in Carol Peters, a photo by alington on Flickr.

Another Carol Peters OOAK outfit--this time, the lovely Daphne Dimples (Effanbee) from the Brenda Starr collection is our model.

I think she's simply sizzling!

More photos can be viewed on Flickr.