Thursday, May 31, 2012

June Blythe Calendar from Oh Strumpets!

Free Oh Strumpets June Blythe Calendar
Just click here to download!
We hope your June is fantastic! :)

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Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Hair bows

How about this cute wool hair bow?  
I think it's super adorable and I'm going to show you how to make them.  This is a super quickie because I'm getting ready to go to bed but as always, if you have a question or need clarification let me know.
Cut out a strip of felt.  I am using wool felt here, I prefer it to the acrylic stuff you get at craft stores.  It's much thicker and has a nicer look and feel.  You can make your strip any size, mine is about 1" 1/4" wide. I just sewed the edges to give it a little more pizzaz.
Nothing fancy but a nice little detail.
The I cut a piece about 7" made a ring and sewed down the middle.
Then take a skinnier piece of whatever material you are using.  Mine was about 3/4" and I sewed the edges on it too.  Then wrap it around the middle and sew it so it is secure.
Flip around and this is the view from the front.
Poke a couple holes and stick a bobby pin through the back.  
Super easy, super quick
Go ahead and make your own.  We do have some available in in the ohstrumpetsblythe shop if you prefer to just purchase some.

We had a quick RAOK (random act of kindness) giveaway on my Instagram feed for a couple bows.  

You can follow (becky) becksorange and (olivia) oliveoh
for some more random giveaways in the short future.
For those who don't know Instagram is an app available on android/iphones and the iPad and it's free

We make these tutorials in hopes they help people.  They are free to use for whatever you want, you can link back to them but don't steal them and pass them off as your own...that's just not nice.  
If you'd like to make a $1 donation please use the button below...that's very sweet of you thanks xo.









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Monday, May 28, 2012

New goodies

We received some new glasses this weekend and it looks like Ed has claimed them for herself.  I think they look perfect on her.  I bought them on ETSY @monstrodesigns.  They took a while to get here but I really like them and I the shipping times are clearly explained in the shop so I wasn't expecting them over night.  The actual frames seem to be laser cut acrylic and the.... the part that goes behind the ears... for the life of me I can't remember what they are called, talk about brain fart.  Anyhow they are some sort of flexible metal which I like because they can be adjusted.
I made a few tops this weekend as well so Ed and her new glasses modeled them for me so I could get some photos and list them in our ohstrumpetsblythe easy shop.
I'm really loving making these tops lately.  The neckline is completely elastic so no need for snaps or velcro.  You just stick your gal in feet first.

How was your weekend?  Did you do anything fun?  Or maybe be creative and make something?

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Friday, May 25, 2012

Feature Friday


Name: Felicity Gray
Which stock doll is she? Rachel's Ribbon (RBL)
Is she customized? If so, what work has she had done and by whom. If not, do you want to customize her or do you prefer her stock? She has some new eye chips. I may spray matt her in the future and give her new eyelashes, but that would be all.
How long have you had her? Since March 2012
Does she have a personal style? Yes, she loves retro chique and warm vibrant colours.
Favorite thing about her? Once I took her out of her stock clothing she became a totally different doll, the name I thought up originally suddenly didn't suit her! She looks strong yet soft at the same time, her colour hair is gorgeous.
Anything else you would like to say about her? I have a list of random names I love and a list of women that I found to be of importance to me wether fictional or non-fictional. The name I had picked out for her was that of a favourite Victorian author, but she would have none of it. Instead she insisted on this name made out of two random names on my list. I googled the name and came to find out this was the name of a woman very much into ballet, since then my doll has been the Prima Ballerina of the group. And it suits her!

Your Name: Manon Antoinette
How long have you been enjoying the blythe life? December 2011
What do you like most about blythe?I love how each doll can become a different personality depending on who they are loved by. And I love all the creativity that surrounds Blythe.
Where can people find you? Blog? Online shop? Flickr? Twitter? Instagram? Facebook? Etc 
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/people/manonantoinette/

Do you have any favorite Blythe related sites you like to visit? I hang around the Blythe Kingdom forum on a daily basis.
Anything else you would like to add about yourself? I am 35 years of age and I have two teenage sons. Originally, I studied Graphic Design & Management, but life has it's own plans!
I have been making (human sized) costumes, corsets and hats for quite a number of years, have had my own business until that was no longer feasable with the economic down turn. Blythe came into my life when I had been on sick leave from my job, and found out it was at least going to be 3 more months of treatment. It was just going to be one Blythe doll....well, we all know they secretly multiply don't they! I have 11 girls at the moment, and just pre-ordered number 12.

If you'd like to be on a Feature Friday please 

If you click on the feature friday label you can view past guests.
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Monday, May 21, 2012

A garden bench

I'm always amazed by the props used in Blythe photography and always wonder where people get there stuff.  Becky and I have gone to some flea markets and picked up a few things here and there.  What I wouldn't do for a local Blythe shop.... well I'd be broke so maybe that's not such a good idea.
I got this park bench a few days ago and decided to take it out back and grab a photo or two before the sun went down.  It was from BigLots and the best part, only $6.

Another option is to make your own furniture.  I put this bookshelf together with a minimal amount of supplies and it didn't take much time at all.  I am thinking about giving it a coat of paint and it will be done. Stay tuned and I will post a tutorial soon.  I have a some other furniture plans in the works as well.

So here's a question... Where do you find all your blythe goodies?  Any great local spots?  Favorite Etsy or Ebay sellers you would like to recommend?  


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Saturday, May 19, 2012

I think it's time for another doll meet

This was taken a back in April which was the last time Becky and I got our gals together.  I'm pretty sure there are quite a few more new girls since then and we need a new group shot
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Friday, May 18, 2012

Feature Friday

Name: Cassady Autumn
Which stock doll is she? EBL Hollywood
Is she customized? If so, what work has she had done and by whom. If not, do you want to customize her or do you prefer her stock? She has been customized by me. She has had a saran reroot, eye makeup redone, new lashes, new eye chips, lips repaint, new pull ring (by Professor PaulKaiju), and a body swap (from BL to EBL).
How long have you had her? I've had her since Summer 2004.
Does she have a personal style? She sure does. Cassady always seems more grownup than my other Blythe girls, so her style is less "cute little girl" and more "cool older girl," which is why I changed her original BL body to an EBL body. She wore an earthy-color striped smock, orange stockings, and engineer boots the first five years I had her, I kid you not! She just didn't look right in anything else. Of course she's finally gotten out of her smock, but so far she seems to prefer dresses and loves wearing them with boots. I have never seen her wear pants!
Favorite thing about her? I would have to say her customization. When I worked on her in 2004, it wasn't as easy as it is now. It was hard to find custom eye chips/rings, and there was only one source to get saran hair! I was lucky to get some eyechips and pull rings custom-made by Paulkaiju. The colors are so vibrant and look amazing on her. I also loved working on her coloring. I had decided on an Autumn palette, so I wanted shades of deep orange and reds like the color of leaves in autumn. It took a while to find the right hair color for her - I had purchased three saran colors and mixed them to get a custom blend. I rerooted her myself and had such a hard time, it took months and months. I have so much respect for people who do saran reroots. I thought I'd never finish her! I don't think I'd do saran reroot ever again. As for her eyes & lips - I had settled on a Burnt Sienna shade for her eye shadow, but I probably painted her lips over 20 times before I was happy with the color and shape. Needless to say I really bonded with her after working on her for so long. I was so happy when I finally put her back together!
Anything else you would like to say about her? Cassady is named after Neal Cassady, who inspired Jack Kerouac's novel On the Road. It's one of my favorite books.

 Your Name: Linda / xoxoBlythe
How long have you been enjoying the blythe life? Since Summer 2003, so it will be 10 years next year! I can't believe it's been so long. It has been such an amazing experience to be a part of the Blythe community and seeing it grow and evolve.
What do you like most about blythe?Blythe is a muse. She inspires anyone to explore and discover their creative side, and she creates a sense of community in everyone who loves her. Because of Blythe, I became more interested in photography, sewing, knitting, and met the most amazing people.
Where can people find you? Blog? Online shop? Flickr? Twitter? Instagram? Facebook? Etc Website/blog - http://www.xoxoBlythe.com


If you'd like to be on a Feature Friday please 

If you click on the feature friday label you can view past guests.


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Thursday, May 17, 2012

Dresses, dresses, everywhere, even ETSY

Hey guess what?  We're giving ETSY a shot!
We thought we would give people more options when it came to purchasing our handmade Blythe items so...

It's a work in progress at the moment but we will be listing items in the meantime.




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Sunday, May 13, 2012

Dresses

It's been awhile since I sat in front of the sewing machine but a few days ago I crept back into my craft room and began to sew.  I really do love sewing especially these little dresses for Blythe.  For me personally it is my favorite thing about this hobby.
This dress is such a simple pattern but with the right fabric and detailing you can really make something amazing.  
If you haven't tried making any I really urge you to give it a shot.  It's fairly easy and the more you practice the better you'll get.  We have some tutorials PART 1 here and PART 2 here if you need some guidance.  
Oh! And we'd love to see your creations.  I'm serious we love handmade and all the creativity people put into the things they make.  Link up to your flickr photos, your blogs, photo bucket...whatever Leave a comment, send an email, snail mail photographs we'd love to do a post on all the great stuff you gals/guys are making.
These lovelies are available for purchase except for the dark pink one with the hearts.  It has already sold and is going to a special little girl along with some other extra surprise goodies

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Friday, May 11, 2012

Feature Friday



Name: Luna
Which stock doll is she? Star Dancer RBL
Is she customized?  If so, what work has she had done and by whom? 
My friend Pip started her customisation, but she was unhappy with her look and gave her to me. She had a vanilla scalp and already had fangs, so I tweaked the carving a little and repainted her face and lips. I changed over her ships to match her new weregirl theme. I then got hold of her stock scalp on BK and she was complete.
How long have you had her? About a year.
Does she have a personal style?  She likes muerte and reto print fabrics, old fashined shoes and boots, jelly coloured gem jewelry.
Favorite thing about her? She can look coy and sweet in some shots, then she could give you the stare of death in others. Her hair is also the most wonderful shade of blonde.

Your name? 
Fiona (Fifi)
How long have you been enjoying the Blythe life?  
Nearly 2 years
What do you like most about Blythe? 
The community and the fashion!
Where can people find you?
http://www.etsy.com/people/FifiandBlythe
http://www.flickr.com/fifilatrixabel
http://www.twitter.com/fifilatrixabel

Do you have favorite Blythe sites you like to visit?
Blythe Kingdom, Flickr, etsy...I am a terrible shopper!
Anything else you would like to add about yourself?
I am a full time artist specialising in oil painted portraits. I have recently started my etsy shop where I offer tiny paintings of you Blythe, or fave shoes, or whatever, for your dolly displays.

If you'd like to be on a Feature Friday please 

You can also check out past Feature Friday's
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Saturday, May 5, 2012

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Happy cinco de mayo
love, Oh Strumpets ;)Pin It

Friday, May 4, 2012

Feature Friday


Name: Amber
Which stock doll is she? Bohemian Peace
Is she customized?  If so, what work has she had done and by whom? 
Nope, no customizations! I think the farthest I would go is a sand-matte and new eyelashes/chips. I really like her as she is.
How long have you had her? About three months!
Does she have a personal style?  Her style varies about as much as mine does! She really loves 70's/60's fashion but she also likes dressing in more modern stuff. She especially loves her denim jacket!
Favorite thing about her? Her hair, I might have to say. It's soft, thick and long, and it always has this beautiful curl on the bottom.


Your name? Conner (Serena-Hime on BK)
How long have you been enjoying the Blythe life?  
I have been in love with Blythe for several years, but I got my first girl (SSS-Kate) for Xmas in 2011. It's April now and I have a third girl in the mail!
What do you like most about Blythe? 
I don't know. The way they are so striking even with such a simple look. I like that each doll (even of the same model) has a completely different personality. The way I can glance over at mine on the counter and smile at them. I collect many dolls, but I have never felt the way I do about Blythe.
Where can people find you?
I have a Flickr account (Connor-Hime) where you can my photography, and I have a BK account. My FaceBook is active but I don't do much with my dolls on there except the occasional posting of one of my photos.
Do you have favorite Blythe sites you like to visit?
I love hanging out over on the BK! I also just love Googling Blythe and finding a ton of different blogs dedicated to this girl. PuchiCollective is really fun too; I love all the different tutorials!

If you'd like to be on a Feature Friday please 

You can also check out past Feature Friday's
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Tuesday, May 1, 2012

May Blythe Calendar from Oh Strumpets!

May Oh Strumpets Downloadable Blythe Calendar Free Printable
Just click here to download!
We hope your May is wonderful! :)
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