More Frugal Finds!

Hey Gang,

So here are some other things that I have found while out and about!  Some work well
for dioramas and others are just a little off.  It really helps if you can bring one of your
dolly friends with you for scale!

So here are my finds from Target!  

This cute little bear for the near by woods of my dolly town! You can ditch the
scarf!

More woodland creatures!  I think I have one of these already.  I will have to look
in my woodland creature box!

I did purchase some deer last year but I think I might need a few more.

Cute spots too!

I think they might work well as art pieces! 

On a shelf or desk!

The other side!

Wall hangings for the lodge.

More art.  This will work well for the lodge too!

#1

and # 2

There are two together it this set.

Now who can't use a map!

I am picturing these painted white or gray!

Very classic!

Items for the woods!

Paint over the Merry Christmas and it can be used for dolls!

I found these two!  The small one could be a toy and the 

big one could be decoration for a kids room!

Now for the Dollar Store.

OK, if you have a park or a woods like I do or you just need some greens!  These at the
dollar store work well!

 They are a little shinier than I like and not as full as I would like but for $1.00
you can't beat them! As an outside tree or a dolly Christmas tree!

 Just remove the glitter and add them to your band!

Meanwhile back at Walmart!
They have added a few more things! Need a rocking horse or a child's chair?

 Remove the extra doodads and there you go!

 Cute little bird house!

Now some of these items I've shown you will still be there after Christmas and some won't!
You will need to go to your local store and see how much they have.  I say "buy now only
what you think won't be there after the holidays!"   Get as many sales as you can!

OK, Thanks for Looking!

Fashionista Ken #3 Styling Stripes! Hispanic Ken?

Hey Gang,

When I first saw Fashionista Ken #3, Stylin Stripes, I wasn't
very impressed. I saw the stock photo and wondered why
Would anyone purchase him?

The close didn't seem like much and I have seen better versions
of the Ryan headsculpt. In case you were not aware, Ryan was the beginning of the Fashionista Ken dolls not being fully
articulated. He had articulated arms but not legs!

Close up!

It was down hill for Fashionistas from there!
I have purchased two Ryan's. That one and this one.

The first one I sold. This one kept. There is something sad in the look of Ryan..... oh I'm getting off topic!

I saw Fashionista #3 on Facebook. They are calling him Derek?
And he doesn't look like the stock photo!!

Besides calling him Derek, they are calling him hipster and they are calling him Hispanic!
Comparison photos I was sent by Donald Michael Marshall.
Thanks Donald!

Mattel never said anything about a Hispanic Ken! Does this make him the first Hispanic Ken and will Hispanic Ken be call Derek from here on?

Now guess what I saw when I went to Walmart for some potting s.... you guessed it! Fashionista Ken #3! He was the only #3 they had too!

Close up!

I was surprised to find out that he is darker than the new AA Fashionista Ken!

I was able to rebodying the AA Fashionista Ken on to
a White Fashionista body. It won't work for this guy!

 I will need to find something special for him!

So now that I got him, should we have a fashion show?

Next time!

OK, Thanks For Looking!

Fugal Finds

Hey Gang!

It is that time of year again! The time when you can find Christmas ornaments 

and other items you can use for your dolls. Here is what I have found thus far. 

At Walmart --

I mention to you guys before that Walmart has these snow backgrounds that they

use for their Christmas displays.  At close to the end of the season, when they 

consolidate their shelves, they will trash them in making more space for the 

new seasons items.

If you make friends with the floor manager and as them to save them for you,

you can have them to use for your dolls like me!

It makes a great scene for doll photos.

 Loraine in the snow!

Christmas ornaments!
The lamp is out again!  This time it is in gold!  Please pardon my pictures taken
with my table.  The camera is not as good as my digital but it is more convenient!
The gold glare the image!

This deer head may not look like a diorama item to you but I can see myself
using it in a rustic scene--repainted of course!

In silver...

and in gold

This drum is a nice size!

This window is small but I think it still can be used!

I found this at Dunkin Donuts!

Now this was a surprise! Doll size Christmas sweaters. 

 There were only two in this store. None of the other
stores in the area had them. They both had the same
design. They are closer to Skipper/Stacie size than Barbie.
The sweater is 5.99! So, not so frugal but it probably will
go on sale after Christmas!

OK, Thanks For Looking!

Busy And Colorful Weekend.

Hey Gang!

So I had a busy and colorful weekend!  In noticing the leaves, I knew I
wanted leave to use for future  diorama posts but could find what I wanted!
I notice a post on facebook with great leaves.  I asked where she go them and
she told me she made them from silk ivy leaves she found.  She painted them!
So now I was on the hunt for ivy or other leaves that I could paint.

Let me tell you, there are a lot of huge leave out there but finding Barbie
size leaves is hard!  After searching high and low ( mostly low because
I'm cheap!) I found these at a craft store for $2.50 that were the right size
but they were orange! (Halloween decorations)  I knew I would have to
paint them to get what I wanted.  It is a little over three feet of stringed leaves.

I cut them off the string! The were maple shaped.
Which is what I think of when I think of fall in the northeast!

Some were flat but some had bends in them!  I thought the bends would work
too! It gave them interest!

I started off paint some brown!  It took two coats on both sides!

In between coats, I painted this fashionista to be my college age Ryan!  I got the 

idea for him from a post I saw on My Froggy Stuff!

 You can't have enough redheads!

This head wasn't selling so, I might as well keep it and paint it!

Dressed, he looks kinda good!

 I gave him highlights!

Ryan: Has anyone seen a cell phone lying around here?

 Not  my best paint job but not too bad for a first attempt! The paint needs to
be sealed.

OK, back to the leaves!

So I need other colors than brown and orange! Brown and oranges were not 

enough!  I needed colors like yellow, green and red!

More leaves!

I added some details to the leaves to make them seem more natural! Adding bits

of orange to my brown leaves and ...

lighter green to my dark green leaves.  As I added them then I notice my green
leaves were kinda dark!  They might not show up as much on a green grass
background or a brown dirt background!

I needed some light green leaves also!  And maybe some peach color leave for 

contrast.

I added detail to them too.  I might not show up in a diorama photo but I will
know it is there!

While they dried I got this guy ready to go!

I have just sold him.  He is an extra Li Shang I got with a lot I purchased
a few years back.

I bought a newer version that has sculpted hair so he really need to find a
new home!
Li Shang:  I'm here now and I take over!

Side by side! Note the difference in complexion!
Both are Disney Store dolls!
Li Shang: OK, good bye!

Leaving the scene!

A have a few horse with those large doll like eyes! I thought if I painted them right.
they would not be so annoying!
I started that while waiting.

Horse: I can't see, I can't see!

Ms. Leo: I have to let that coat dry before you can see!

Horse with annoying eyes! and maybe mouth too....

Back to the leaves!

The finished product!

I'm happy with how they turned out.  I will store

them in layers with tissue in between so that they don't 

stick together.  That might happen is stored in a clump.

I will make more but this is enough for now!

Ryan: WOW! It is fall already!

OK, Thanks for Looking!