Some Origami Fun!!

I just learned how to make this fun origami lotus flower! My daughter's crush loves lotus flowers, so we decided to find out how we could get one for him or make one!! Of course the cheapest way is always better!

I actually saw some examples via online... and below was my first attempt!

 It turned out lovely! I just need a bit more practice... I must say it was easy and fun if you have the patience! Then, I decided to use some of the cut-outs I printed out of the cute retro anime Prince and Princess...

 Above, I  printed them in two sets. One facing right and one left facing, glued them with the wire at the center and they are reversible! I recycled some trash wire ties to use as a stand, and anchor for them!

 The neat part is I can place a note inside the flower and use them as gifts for Birthdays, Graduations, Valentines, etc.! What fun!

 I made one with Odette and Sigfried, characters from 'Swan Lake' too! They kind of remind me of Thumbelina or those tiny fairies that live in flowers!

 I then tried, a cute Ballerina!

 ... And also what I call a 'Lotus Money Flower' Awesome for graduations and birthdays!! Similar to a money lei!! This one above is made of a total of $20, using $5s and $1s!!

 All the Lotus origami flowers I made so far!!

I must admit it does take time to perfect and sometimes these old fingers, don't wanna listen... But we had a blast! I hope her crush like his!?
Thanks for reading! - ggsdolls

Royalty Visiting...

I took more photos of the cute cake topper coach, but this time the silver one!  I decided to print out vintage Miyako Maki Prince and Princess paper dolls I had, and they made perfect dolls to pose by the coach.

The sun was out for just a bit in the above shot... But then, the clouds rolled in fast and it became overcast below...

 The Prince and Princess of fantasy land getting ready to leave for a ball...

 Above and below saying good bye as they leave for their long journey...

Thanks for reading! - ggsdolls

Vintage Doll Advertisements in my Shop!

I updated my etsy shop as well and added many rare advertisements from my High Fashion Lina doll collection. I used them when I wrote my reference book here! So, be sure to check out my shop, I have many that I am letting go and they are truly rare and amazing for any doll collection!

 Above and below, some of my rare Takara 1968 High Fashion Lina ads. I got them from vintage Manga comic books like Margaret, etc. It was hard to search for, but I definitely needed them for my reference book. Now, that I've sold most of my Lina collection items, I am still finding others stored away in books, binders etc. like these rare ads! The ad above I've only found once, and they showcased Lina like a Christmas tree, so this one was featured in a Holiday manga!

Above, one of my fave ads for the mod dresses that Lina wore! The 3 mod dresses in the smaller photo of the ad, I've have yet to see, up for auction or otherwise!!?
Thanks for reading! - ggsdolls

Updated For Sale Page, etc.!!

Okay, so I've decided to let go a few more dollies!! Please check out my For Sale page here! I'll be updating it monthly around the 1st or 2nd week of the month with new goodies added!! So check back often!

On to other things...

I was able to repair the gold coach, while waiting for the new one to arrive... I just had to share these outdoor pics I took early this morning!

 Beautiful early morning light, and while the lawn was nicely trimmed, I wanted to capture this! Just perfect!

 Looks as though a carriage is awaiting a princess or lady of the house for travel to the castle...

I also took some shots of Charlotte as she rests amongst the seaweed grass...

Thanks for reading! - ggsdolls

Dreamy Cake Toppers!

I found these dreamy cake toppers for future photo scenes I plan to use them in!! They arrived quickly from a sweet etsy seller here! This is the first small packet thru my post office box, since the service window has closed. Sadly, one of the toppers got damaged, when they obviously, tried to force the envelope into the mail box-_-; Still, I wanted to share their gorgeous-ness!! LOL

 These dreamy coaches will be amazing for a Princess fairytale shoot or scene! The shop had them in gold or silver! Then, I also got this bridge as well. I figured, I could definitely use it in my Japanese plastic Dollhouse garden area, or create a zen type of garden next to a traditional style Japanese home scene... hmm!

 The damaged coach above. I told the seller and she was so sweet and is sending me another! I have to admit, I think I like the gold one more than the silver!

 Still, very dreamy and they would look amazing in a scene... The tops can open to place a tiny princess inside!

Then, I finally worked on the obitsu head I got from Junky Spot! She is a side part long blonde haired head! So cute! She reminds me of Marina a bit!

 I gave her nice big blue anime eyes...

 Still need to work on her lips!

She's sweet and hopefully you will see more of her soon!?
Thanks for reading! - ggsdolls

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

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

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