Saturday, August 30, 2014

Last Boxed Mail from My PO -_-;

Sadly, today is the last day my Post Office in Inarajan will deliver my parcel mail to me-_-; We just found out Friday that this PO will close down their service counter! The contractor for our village Postal is retiring and even though there were some requests for others to take over, the Post Master in Honolulu, decided to shut it down anyways. Now, I have to drive 45mins. to the Main facility in Hagatna to pick up my signed and large parcel boxes!! I did write usps.com in an email about it. Luckily, this will not be a prolem for my shop business, because the village close by, about 20mins., will still be open for me to send my 'click to ship' mail, whew!

Oh well, I guess we are going backwards on this one and now, it will feel like the 1970s all over again, when we picked up our mail uptown anyways. Letter and small envelopes are still coming into my village Post Office...

On to the goodies!
 I purchased this cute "Cup no Namie Amura", like "Cup No Fuchiko", this cute girl is made to look like the Japanese Pop star Namie Amura, as a kick off to her Live Tour, you can order this tiny Namie on her tour website! More info. here!
 Above, instructions on how to set her on a cup, and below out of box, she's just too cute!!

Then, through Amiami, I received my cute Beach Queens: Alice Cartelet below!
 I fell in love with her cute sweet face!!
 a postcard from Amiami above, and below, Alice on a small MMS bod!! Who can resist that face! LOL!

Then, I completed the second shadow box art below. This time I used character, Chiruru the mermaid from Cutey Honey! She's meant to be sleeping peacefully in a deep cavern...

 Now, completed I put both shadow boxes on my wall to admire!

Lastly, I received this cute Milky candy vinyl case for my future Iphone 5c, from ebay! Can't wait to try it out!! Just couldn't resist a phone case with Japanese candy packaging!!
Thanks for reading! - ggsdolls

Thursday, August 28, 2014

A New Project!!

I was recently inspired to make something using vintage anime pics of my favorite mermaid characters!! So, I decided to try my hand at making a sort of 3D art in a picture frame. You won't need any paints or amazing art skills to create this, but just a good hand at cutting and scaling things to fit, and an imagination!

I found an 8x10 shadow box photo frame, and photo project paper at Kmart. I also got some materials at my local craft store, like scrapbook stickers, and a foam board. The materials I already had was a printer, some anime art photos I saved from online, and wallpapers of underwater scenery.

Materials:
- a shadow box photo frame (Size can vary depending on how elaborate you want yours to be.)
- a white foam board
- photo paper or project paper matte finish
- scrapbook stickers, cabochons, etc. (things to add details, like bubbles, fish, or seashells.)
- a printer, scissors, craft blade, paint brush, and Mod Podge glue.
- photos of your fave anime characters and scenery.
- depending on the scenery, I used plastic sea grass for aquariums.

 Above, just some of the things I already owned and the print outs of the background scene, using wallpapers found thru google... First, I chose several underwater backgrounds to use. I cut them down to fit the size of the frame, and and because of my draft outline I drew before hand, I had an idea of how I wanted to put the pieces together... Almost like a puzzle if you will.
Second, cut out the pieces you would like to use in the frame, glue them with the mod podge onto the foam board, and brush glue over the cutouts to seal them. Depending on the depth you want, will decide on which layer you are working on... from background, middle, and front or part closest to the glass of the frame. As you complete each layer, you place them on top of each other, but don't glue them down until you are sure that the layer is ready and you like what you see.
 Above, I had to print out two Marina's because the first version has some Japanese characters on her tail and so, I improvised, and cut out from the second Marina photo I found a tail with no characters. In order to replace hair sections and her tail. I tried my best to make the colors match. That part can be hard to do unless you have a program to do that with. I cut her out and placed the sections to cover over and brushed on the mod podge to seal. The background layer was just the blue underwater scene, and I was able to find and cut out Marina's Castle, and placed that in the foreground, no foam board used for this part.

 Third, in layers I placed the next part of the scene, the coral sections, Marina, and I placed them strategically so that it looked as though she was floating between them. I did have to put an extra small piece of foam board behind her to lift her up over the coral beside her.

Lastly, the coral with colorful sea anemone, coral fans, etc. in the front, closest to the glass of the frame. I added the aquarium sea weed grass, and some scrapbook pearl beads to look like bubbles! If I want to add more details I still can. I then, placed the frame over the art and closed the frame. Here's my end results below!!
 Sorry, I didn't take photos in between the works to show each step, but you get the idea! LOL.
It turned out lovely, I've always wanted a scene where a mermaid was swimming thru the corals, towards you as if she was exploring! This will go on my wall, for me to admire. I must admit it can be hard trying to cut with a craft knife the foam for each section. So be sure to have a really sharp blade on hand. This helps reduce the rough look of the foam board.
 I truly enjoyed creating this and I have an extra frame, so I will be working on another to share with you soon! Hope you enjoyed this tutorial! Have fun!
Thanks for reading! - ggsdolls

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

What's in Today!

My latest box from Yahoo Japan! This shipment has some interesting, cheap finds to share...
Continuing with my obsession with mermaids, I found these two "One Piece" Princess Shirahoshi anime figures, a set of "The Wild Swan" Toei Animation photos - 1977, and a Glico/ Lotte lamp with drawer, and gate from Chiko chan gum, チコちゃんガム おまけ.
The Chiko chan gate above, was interesting and I really wanted the box, because it reminded me of the gum I used to buy from the 70s that had a paper doll and decals to rub and stick fashions onto them. The Glico lamp, I've always seen in Lots, but never got a chance to win one, because of how highly priced the lots would get! -_-; So finally, I was able to get this one by itself and at a cheap price too, Whew!
The other side of the box, a cute retro anime girl wearing a Kimono, nice!

The Lot of "The Wild Swan" photos had a few scenes from the movie! You can read more about the story, here! Another of my favorite Anime movies from Toei Animation!
Just a few of my favorite of the cards above and below!

This rather large Princess Shirahoshi from 'One Piece', was sold cheap! I love the way sleeping mermaids look, while sleeping, so peacefully! Taby claimed her as soon as she saw her! Which was fine, because I just did not have the room for her in my cabinet!! LOL
She was mint in box, at least til' I took her out to set her up! Lovely mermaid though!!

Finally, this "Sleeping Princess Shirahoshi", a smaller version, I also found cheap. Is my favorite of the two sleeping mermaids!
She kinda looks a bit uncomfortable in this position, but maybe she isn't?! haha, Sara and I both wanted this one... Ugh, now I have to find one for her, or give her this one!? Sometimes, its hard having daughters who love the same things you do!! But, at the same time, I'm glad they do!
Thanks for reading! - ggsdolls

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Today's Mail...

I received a small packet from Yahoo Japan today! Here's what I got!
 I received a Lot of 4 children's books, and an MMS 1/12 plaid dress!
 This cute plaid dress for a small MMS bod. Can't wait to try it out!! It's very hard to win any of these cute Japan handmade fashions for an MMS bod or 1/12 scale doll! So, I must count my blessings I got this one!!

 Cute lot of books I purchased for the mermaid one, of course! I was hoping I had gotten a series of books from a set, but they aren't.
 The lot came with "The Wizard of Oz" above and below as well. A cute in anime style version.
 And also, a book, I think called, "Boring Takao" and an adventure book of two mice, not exactly sure?! I will add the one's I won't keep into my shop soon!
 This version of "The Little Mermaid" has a subtitle, "Super Anime Fantasy" as shown on the cover!
 Drawn a little more child-like, the art work and mermaids are cute!
 I especially like the front page with all the characters! You can see all her sisters too!
The backside is adorable as well...

Thanks for reading! - ggsdolls

Monday, August 25, 2014

100yen Mini Bird Cage!

I bought this cute mini bird cage from the local 100yen store, a few weeks ago, and I've been waiting to take some pics of it for some time... So, finally, I did!!
 Too cute! Chi above and below imprisoned for my delight!!

Then, I decided to take this cutie Ranko, below, for some similar shots!!

There was a dark bronze color cage as well. Just to cute! Now, I wish I had gotten more!! Probably sold out by now! Oh well...

Thanks for reading! - ggsdolls

Friday, August 22, 2014

Vintage Terrarium Stool Miniature!


 I have this amazing vintage inflatable terrarium stool, and I wanted to see if I could make a similar stool, but in miniature scale!? So, I took all the things I could think to possibly use to create it and here's what happened...

First, I remembered I had this base from a miniature furniture Lot and figured it would make perfect legs for the stool... I just repainted it gold.
Second, I remembered I had these clear containers that used to hold tiny beads! Perfect as a see thru stool!

I then, took some plastic bouquet flowers from a vintage barbie fashion set, a tiny mushroom miniature and plastic leaves and glued them together below... along with a khaki green carpet as the turf!
 The end product below, I decided not to cover the top with any fabric or foam cut out, and used the container cover instead. Mostly because I need to figure out what material if any I could use...? 'Work still in progress!' LOL
 I cut out and placed black foam between the gold tone leg base, and the acrylic container. The legs reminded me of vintage tapered legs you can find to give any old stool a Mid Century Modern look!
















Then, I also received this amazing 1:16 scale Modern chair from an etsy shop called, "Multi For Miniatures" here! I bought it for its nice price, and for the cute retro styling!
Gorgeous handmade chair. I can't wait to use it in my smaller rooms! Below, a quick set up to showcase the chair and the stool!


Thanks for reading! - ggsdolls

Thursday, August 14, 2014

What I've Been Working On!

Taby found an app that helps her create stop motion movies! Over the summer she's been researching stop motion and wants to do them as a career. Since she got the app, she's created three movies! I've also downloaded it and made this movie below using Charlotte! You can also see the movie Taby created! She's a lot more patient then I am, and I know if she decides to do this professionally, I think she'd be amazing at it!!



Here is Taby's Stop Motion Movie below!



 I've also added some pics of Charlotte, with her mermaid tail, in a grassy seaweed scene...


Thanks for Reading! ~ ggsdolls