Mrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrowwwwwwwww!!!!

The very first Catwoman appeared as Selina Kyle in a Batman #1 comic in 1940 where she was known as "The Cat."
She thrived for many years but due to the violations of female characters code of comics (yet another censorship group in the "free" USA) she took a hiatus until 1966 when the Batman TV series began.

There were three Catwomen to arise from the series;

Julie Newmar

Lee Meriwether

Eartha Kitt

Eartha, of course, was my favorite with her Purrrrrrrfectly  gravely 
voice and tough demeanor.
There was so much controversy ( shock! ) over the casting of a black actress to play the part that she became an overnight sensation.
Unfortunately, she made the mistake of hissing at Lyndon B. Johnson's running of the Vietnam war and her career dried up like kitty litter.

In the movies, there were also three;

Michelle Pfeiffer in Batman Returns

Halle Berry in Catwoman

Anne Hathaway in The Dark Knight Rises

If you have not seen  "Batman; the Dark Knight Rises" you are missing out on a great movie.
Catwoman in Dark Knight is played by Anne Hathaway, who was the main character in one of my favorite movies "The Devil Wears Prada" where she plays a young woman looking for her big ticket in the fashion industry.

Anne is fantastic in Dark Knight. She is sleek, cunning, sexy and plays a bad girl/good girl role to the "T"

Now for the Dolls!!

Hot Toys of Hong Kong  has finally revealed and set their release date for the 1/6th scale poseable figure Catwoman from the movie.

To my utter delight ( OK, I jumped up and down for 15 minutes! )
Sideshow Toys and Collectibles released Catwoman for pre-order this past Friday, and here she is!
Hot Toys really outdid themselves.

I snagged her up so fast my keyboard was scorched!
She is due for a  March 2013 delivery. Of course this is my birthday month and thus my birthday present.
You can pick her up ( not literally...well...yah literally at some point I guess ) at www.sideshowtoy.com

There have been a myriad of Catwoman dolls over the years. Some good, some blah and some right down creepy!

One of my favorites is the Cy Girl Catwoman Comics version;

Her headsculpt, while not even close to the Dark Knight sculpt, is pretty amazing for an action figure/doll.
Her outfit and boots are killer!

There are also the Tonner and Barbie lines;

Hope you enjoyed this Cat-tastic mini history of the Catwoman!

I am off to start my own  OOAK Catwoman, hopefully it won't be a CAT-tastrophe!

Breaking Bad Habits

The new "Barbie" doll 2013 collection is slowly leaking in as we near September.

The new collection, or from what I have seen digging around online, is mundane at the most.

There is really nothing that jumps out and says; "HEY, BUY ME!"

I won't linger on the few that are coming out, quite frankly because it's a bit boring and you can find the dolls on any other blog you frequent.

I will however tip a nod to the new Twilight Breaking Dawn dolls on the horizon.

I'm a moderate fan of the movies (and books) but stopped watching them after the pregnancy/wedding thing.

It just started getting too odd for me, plus there are already way too many vampire-esque movies and dolls out there.

Call me wrong. (You're wrong!!!)

There will be several "new" dolls in the series;

Jasper 

Emmett

Esme

Carlisle

Rosalie

Right now, the only photo of the "new line" out is Jasper.

I used "new" in quotations above for a reason...this isn't new, it's an almost exact replica of the Edward Cullen doll from a few years ago but with a new hairstyle.

**BREAKING YAWN**

Here is Edward, then the "new" Jasper;

 Maybe this should be "Edward Gets A Lucy Perm" doll?

He looks  jointed, but looks can be deceiving, as I have found out the hard way, having bought other Mattel dolls only to find they have the "Five Dollar Foot Long" arms.

The dolls retail for about $30 each.

I will post pictures of the others as the photos become available.

I will say, a good repaint artist could turn this Jasper into a true Jasper.

Hopefully someone like Noel Cruz will do him justice as he has done in the past with his Twilight enhanced series, i.e. Tonner doll series.

Noel is by far my favorite repaint artist who usually sells his magnificent creations on Ebay. 

Here are a few select favorites;

Noel Cruz takes beautiful photos as well, which adds even more realism and depth to the dolls.

Next blog I will hope to dive into a bit of photography and touch on some repainting tips and tricks.

Until then, I leave you with "Creepy Doll" of the month;

                                                                     How I look after four cups of coffee(with amaretto)

The Jem Doll Craze

Jem was the #1 Nielsen rated cartoon show in 1986 and had more than 2.5 million viewers worldwide.
There is no doubt that this show some 25 plus years later would still have a cult following.
On June 27th of this year, Integrity Toys along with Hasbro (the creator of the series was Christy Marx who still holds rights to Jem) announced their plans to release a series of dolls based on the show starting with Hollywood Jem doll.
This special edition was released in limited edition of 500 at Comic-con in San Diego this past July and sold out on the second day.

You can find one on Ebay for a mere $504.99 with OOOOH...FREE SHIPPING!
Pinch me, I'm dreaming.
It is being sold by "Mercedesmom" which pretty much tells you what she does with your money.

Haute Doll Magazine for the August 2012 issue, which was given to fans at Comic-Con, has a great picture of Jem on its cover;

The doll is cute, love the hair. The clothes are unimaginative and the head sculpt looks like Hasbro won over Integrity. Too bad. I love Integrity sculpts.

The best part is that Haute Doll Magazine is back! They are no longer sharing an issue with Doll Reader magazine whom they merged with awhile back.
From what I have read there will be 4 issues per year, which is less than their 6 previously.
I elatedly welcome them back and hope they do the fashion doll world and conventions proud!

The last time a Jem series doll was released was 1986 and many can still be found on EBay.
Unfortunately, since the release of this new Jem, the prices have gone up on the old series astronomically. You will be lucky to find one for less than $50 and if you do, it will probably be pretty ratsy and maybe have a few good collector teeth marks on them.
The 1986 series made by Hasbro looked more like action figures than dolls, which is fine if that's what you like.

This deboxed one on Ebay is a mere $500.00 and comes with wrinkled posters and whose head (for picture purposes) is lying on a rug...how sanitary!

After all that, of course I want one.

I think however I will make my own from a Integrity Dynamite Girl, give her some new pink/white hair, tease it up into a coma and make some clothes for her (which I am now learning...thank you Sewing For Dummies!!!!)

To recap, I don't find this Jem too outrageous, I just find the greed on Ebay outrageous....TRULY...... TRULY OUTRAGEOUS!

Back From The IFDC!

Ahh yes, it's fun to travel but it's more fun to be home again!
This year marked the 10th anniversary of Jim Faraone's IFDC held in Las Vegas at the Orleans Hotel and Casino.
It was packed with lots to do and in my offtime I played a lot of slots (which I love!) and drank a lot of hot chocolate from the new Java Coffee at the hotel.
Yah, hot chocolate...I gave up coffee 6 months ago when I started getting too jittery and signed my name like a doctor.

The lunches and dinners at the convention were fun and filled with table gifts of all types.
The first day was the "freebie big bag of goodies." A huge paper bag is placed on each table and when Jim says "GO" you rip into the bag and dump it out on the table and take what you want.
I have never seen so much horde in my life!
You name it, it was on the table; old doll heads, doll pieces, arms, legs, clothes, etc.
It was like an epsiode of CSI filmed in the Matel basement.
Then people are allowed to visit the other tables and pick through what they want.

Here's where it gets ugly and unfortunately, I couldn't get any pictures of the craziness.
I actually had to tightly grasp my camera and table gifts in my lap for fear someone would take them.
I swear if I had false teeth they would have held me down, pried my mouth open with a doll stand and before I could say "Polygrip", they would have been out my mouth and into someones purse.

The costumes at the convention were great. My favorite was Kevin Kilmer as Marilyn;

The picture doesn't do him justice, his makeup was impeccable!

Wednesday was also the competition day.
About 50 or so entries into all the different categories ranging from OOAK's to dioramas.
The theme was music through the ages.
I entered my OOAK Saturday Night Fever and my Dogboy rocker.
Dogboy won first place for his category;

I was going for monochrome of black and white, then after taking the picture, realized I forgot to paint his cue stick white...oh well.

After seeing Dogboy win first place I went over to my SNF and found he not only won first place for his 70's category, but won Judge's Choice!!!
I was absolutely shocked, then started jumping up and down as if I had won the California Lottery.

I was overwhelmed on Friday night when I found out I won People's choice for my doll as well!
Thanks to all of you who voted for me. It makes all the time and effort well spent.

Saturday night was the last night of the convention and three dolls were introduced from the new FR line "Shake Rattle and Roll." Two were "payfer" dolls and one was the convention doll.
I loved the convention doll aptly named "Long Cool Woman" a song from the Hollies;

She was a long cool woman in a black dress
Just a 5'9, beautiful tall
With just one look I was a bad mess
'Cos that long cool woman had it all

And yes she did!

A couple of battleaxes were overheard commenting that she was "showing too much cleavage."
I don't think so at all.
I have admired breasts since I was a baby.
She even had a "boob cake" made for me to celebrate my 18th birthday.
Um...thanks Ma!


A wonderful friend of mine, well known in the doll community as "Ovaz" was at our table.
He helped with the table decor for the Friday and Saturday night banquets.
He makes the most beautiful gowns and repaints I have seen.
Here is a (crooked) shot of the table and a gown he gave me-wow!

I freaked when I saw his girl  version of Saturday Night Fever, just awesome!
Check him out if you haven't already;
www.ovazdesigns.com

I want to thank Winfrey K., John B. and my Mom for being so supportive of my work and helping me get through the competition without having a nervous breakdown.
I would also like to thank my table host Mike and Jimmy for the fun and being such a gracious host.
A big thanks to Jim Faraone for the entire convention and also recognizing my hard work.

I leave you with "Creepy Doll of the Month."

                                                    I think I was bit by this in my sleep once

IFDC 2012

Ahh yes, it's almost time once again for the IFDC (International Fashion Doll Convention) July 25th - July 28th  hosted by the talented Jim Faraone who is best known for his Fashion Doll Makeover books.
The convention is sponsored by Integrity Toys, the creators of the Fashion Royalty Line, Poppy Parker (I call her "Poopy Parker" due to her "oh poo!" lips), Dynamite Girls (and boys!) and the Dracula series (which many don't care for, but I think they're awesome!).

This is my fifth year at IFDC and probably my last since I have a hankering to go to Comic-con in San Diego next year. I really really really (did I say really?) wanted to meet and greet with the cast of  The Walking Dead of which I am a huge fan.

Anyhow, Jim Faraone puts on a great show with lots of good food, people and things to do at the Orleans Hotel in Las Vegas.
The theme this year is "Shock Rattle and Roll" a tribute to rock and roll through the ages.
We have already heard there will be a souvenir doll  AND companion which I will post immediately after opening.
No, I'm not going to put them on EBay for $300. I'm no that greedy.

When the Cabbage Patch Kids came out my roommate got ahold of 3 and tried selling them over the radio around the holidays.
We got a few calls saying they hoped we would have to eat them for our Christmas dinner.
My roommate took that to heart and gave the dolls away. He's a great guy, just got caught up in the hair pulling in the middle of  the aisle of  Zayre's (it's a NE dept. store).


Not many blogger sites or doll sites talk much about IFDC anymore.
The first several years there was always a write up in the major doll magazines with tons of pictures and info. Not so much anymore. It's too bad.
Not reaaaaaaly sure why, but I can take a few guesses;

1) Maybe they find IFDC boring since FR has their own convention

2) Maybe it's more a Barbie world these days

3) Maybe someone who was booted from IFDC for trashing it is feeling a bit disgruntled

Hmmm...my pick is #2 (not).

The Dolly Lama says: Never Bite The Hand That Feeds You Dolls

Either way, I find IFDC very entertaining. The hotel has a 15 screen theater(!), a bowling alley (!!), live shows and an attached civic center.
Mr. Faraone holds a Slot Tournament for the attendees with great prizes, a bowling tournament (usually in PJ's or costume) and a treasure hunt through the casino where you are given a list of about 50 items to find in the hotel.

It is a very laid back convention, attire optional...oops I mean formal attire optional.
Attire optional is for the cocktail waitresses.

I always enter the competitions and this year is no exception.
The themes are rock and roll through the ages and I will enter my "Saturday Night Fever" ooak out of  a Dynamite Boy "Hot Stuff Cruz".
He didn't turn out much like Travolta, but you'll get the drift when I post here after the convention.
Ahh, what the heck, here is a sneak peek!

I will leave you with creepy doll of the month;

                                                              Before my morning coffee


I apologize if someone who reads my blog made this doll...please seek help.

Doppelganger

In my last post, I stated I "didn't get" the Romain Perrin/Bull Terrier comparison.
After a little research I have changed my opinion on this matter.
In accidentally finding the appropriate comparison, I managed to spray my morning beverage all over myself.

 I have to say though, that's one cute dog!

On an even lighter side, one of my creations managed to escape from me and was last seen with a Cy Girl Catwoman robbing a 7-11.
Police reported they managed to get away with a can of Carnation, a box of Milk Duds and a half gallon of heavy cream.

Approach with extreme caution...or with a ball of yarn.

The New Boys On The Block

The new Fashion Royalty W Club Romaine Perrin "Rock Steady" started selling on EBay today.
Of course the ever so NON GREEDY sellers at this time are auctioning him off for $270 plus dollars, or triple plus the price they paid.
Hopefully these sellers will use the money to buy a conscience, also selling on EBay with free shipping.
Grab one while you can.

I am not nor ever have been a W Club member, but I can't say it hasn't intrigued me.
From what I gather, there are different steps or ladders you purchase to "buy into" the club. The higher the fee, the more dolls you get.
Good concept if you enjoy not knowing what dolls will be sold or what they will look like.
Don't get me wrong, I am a huge fan of Fashion Royalty, but I...um...like to see what I'm spending my money on, I'm not in Vegas.

This eclectic group of three dolls known as "Rock Fashion Wedding" are pretty cool, for the most part.
Romain is wild looking and has a Jimmy Morrison vibe to him.
I'm thrilled the F.R. people are thinking outside the usual box of look-alike dolls.

I have lurked on some of the boards and blogs and some doll people have said the previous Romain looked like a "Bull Terrier."
Ummm...first, the head sculpts are IDENTICAL, therefore A=B.
Secondly, I just don't see it in the sculpt.
Albeit he warrants a little acrylic paint and light shading to take away that "I need a unit of A+ kind of look, but a Bulldog? Really?
If you want to see some Bulldogs, go to Ebay and type in "barbie dolls."
Hahaa...just kidding! (not)

Next is Erin, who has a great "WOW" factor when you first lay eyes on her.

The gown is great, the hair is very cool and the overall look minus needing some AB- blood is flawless.

Now Lillith, very beautiful but...sigh...another wedding dress??
I will say no more.
Well, maybe just a little.
Wedding dresses on dolls are old and tiresome.

There, I said it.

Lastly, I would like to close with "Creepy Doll Of The Week."

How I feel after the dentist