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Liselle · Guru

RE: Works In Progress. What baby are you working on now?

Noantum · Senior Member

Danielle thanks aww She's coming along, I finished her rooting and now I'm waiting for her weighting beads to come in. I'm kinda excited as I haven't done a little one like her in awhile. The vinyl is harder that what I'm used to but we'll see when she's finally done. Here are some pics of her hair.

Liselle your rooting is looking good, the darker pic is hard to see. I like the lighter pic better smile The way the hair fills the head is very nice, can't wait to see baby finished!!

Liselle · Guru

Thanks, Em!

Love your baby too!! Nice rooting!

Noantum · Senior Member

Thanks! aww

Dee · Guru

Emily your rooting is very nice, what size needle did you use?

knitmomdolls · Veteran Member

Oh Emily she's a little beauty! Her hair is wonderful, I love the look you achieved. That is the look I want too, especially for the little preemie I just ordered.

Liselle, your rooting is so nice. What a lovely job well done. I think your camera seems fine, but you know about that better than I do.....remember that there is nothing wrong with editing your pictures. It is not cheating or anything like that, cameras are picky creatures and capture colors and light funny and different at different angles and times of day. So before you invest in another camera just remember to really give yours a chance by fiddling around with editing the pictures after you take them. Another tip that I find helpful for me when taking pictures is to take them in natural daylight not in direct sun on a sunny day if at all possible. I do this either by a sunny window or outside in the shade in nice weather. If I can't then I have tried a daylight lamp, and I have also built a very cheap lightbox out of cardboard.....but it's too small for taking pics with reborns. Sorry for rattling on about picture taking wink Maybe some of this info could help save you some money on a new camera. I am not fond of my camera either, but we have to make do sometimes right wink

Liselle · Guru

Aw, thanks for the compliment on my rooting!! That is so wonderful to hear, and many of the ladies on here will tell you how terrified I was to root. There's actually a post on here about that. lol

It has taken a LONG time for me to get comfortable enough with rooting, and I owe it all to whatever needle and tool I'm using. I wish BnB was still around so I could look it up to know for sure what I'm using.

The only reason I made the negative comment about my camera is that it really is outdated. It's a Kodak Easyshare C875. It doesn't hold a charge well at all, and I found that it takes better pix in the dark than it does in daylight. LOL Go figure. At any rate, I will definitely have to make due with it until I can get another one....and who knows when that might be. :)

Anyway, thank you again for the compliment!

knitmomdolls · Veteran Member

Hey Liselle we have two things in common.....a) I've been terrified of rooting, and am still working on it since I am a newbie (I know you are not). b) My camera is also a Kodak EasyShare C875 and has the same problem yours does......I call it the battery eater! bleh

I want a new one too. I have even tried using my cell phone to take pictures instead, but still find that the camera takes them a bit better.

p.s. you are welcome for the compliment, I call 'em like I see 'em wink

Dee · Guru

Nice job Kim

Liselle · Guru

Thanks Dee!

Danielle, I *AM* a relative newbie, especially at rooting. I've only been reborning for a little over a year, and that's really been sporadic at best. I made my first post on here March 21, 2010. I have other interests that keep me from reborning.

Like I said, you can ask the other ladies on here about how scared I was of rooting. I've watched some online videos, and used 2 different tools to root, and feel that I've finally gotten the semi-hang of it. I'm not a pro by any means, but I like my progress.

I LIKE my camera, but I'm not sure why it eats batteries like it does. I keep it on the charger all the time, but it won't hold a charge. Maybe I should get a new battery pack, maybe that would help. I bought this one used off Ebay to replace the one I'd bought when the C875s were new. I killed mine 3 years ago in Hawaii, when I got caught in a wave while walking back to my hotel room. Killed my mom's phone and my camera. That was the first day of the trip. LOL I had to use my SD card and my dad's camera for my pix for the remainder of the trip. LOL

I just really don't want to spend the $$ for a new one, or learn the features of a new camera.

Any rate, thanks again ladies!!

-- Edited by Liselle on Wednesday 13th of April 2011 05:31:04 AM

Noantum · Senior Member

knitmomdolls wrote:

"remember that there is nothing wrong with editing your pictures. It is not cheating or anything like that"

Thanks ladies for the comments and compliments. I thought that we're supposed to take the pics as is and not alter them. I try to take my pics well but my monitor makes it almost impossible to see what shape the pics are really in. I mean when I view them in my picture viewer it looks dark, grainy and unclear. I try to post them on photobucket and they look a bit better but not much so I pray each time they look okay in the auction. My last baby went for only $166 and it hurt. I feel if he had better pics it would have helped. Sometimes I want to edit but don't dare for fear the the baby will look different than in the photos when they get them. Hummmm I may try that.....

Dee thanks, the needle I used was a 40g Ultra. It's the best I can do to root with with minimal needle breakage. I go through neeldes like you wouldn't believe. I tried the 46g crown and they were like paper. I went through 5 in an hour!!! The 40g Ultra's are stronger but I still have alot of practicing to do to get where I want to be.

Thanks so much ladies for the comments though you made my day. Telula is now finished, I posted her topic in the artist showcase.

knitmomdolls · Veteran Member

I've been taking pictures and posting them online in a different forum for knitting and crochet for almost four years now. I know other people have different methods of photography, and being that I am far from a professional I have learned techniques by trial and error. One of my very favorite tools of the trade became the picture editor very soon after I started taking lots of pictures. They wouldn't have made this feature if it wasn't meant to be used. You want your pictures to look as close to real life colors and textures as they can, and lets face it sometimes our lighting and cameras fail to do that. So that's where the editing comes in. I don't use anything fancy at all, just the editing that is with the program on my computer. It works great, and my pictures come out a lot better with it than without in my opinion. Here is a recent picture of my latest crocheted outfit I just posted on the other forum I belong to. I highly recommend editing. I don't mind if people disagree with me, it's just my favorite way to get a nice picture wink

Liselle · Guru

When I say editing, I mean auto adjusting the lighting, or cropping. I don't blur anything, or fix blemishes or things like that. I'm not THAT talented. I simply use tools on my pre-installed software on my laptop.

knitmomdolls · Veteran Member

Yep Liselle, that's what I mean by editing too. The other stuff that you mentioned is beyond me too. Plus I would consider the other stuff cheating because it is altering the "look" of the doll. I'm just talking about making the pictures look their best and truest to real life as far as lighting and colors smile

honeyloves · Guru

Here is my rdk kit I have started, she has 2earth mint washes and some flesh 08 enjoy :)

Liselle · Guru

Just came in today.

-- Edited by Liselle on Saturday 28th of May 2011 12:24:49 AM

-- Edited by Liselle on Saturday 28th of May 2011 12:26:03 AM

honeyloves · Guru

So when are we going to see him in progress Kim. ? :)

Liselle · Guru

I hope to start him soon. I'll definitely post when I do!!

Susan · Senior Member

This are the babies im working on... Josie is the memorial baby that I have been talking about... I think she is looking good so far... she has a white skin tone because the real baby was exactly like that... Tell me what u think so far....

sara zata · Guru

HI Susan, I think they are looking great so far, is the little red head Rosie from Secrists? I think I have seen the other little one is he a Joey sculpt? I think the person he is intended for eill be very happy. XXXXX June

honeyloves · Guru

Susan I need that hospital blanket in the picture! :) okay I don't need it but I want one :) where did you get it?

Susan · Senior Member

June! Nice to talk to you again... the little red head is Sparrow from Secrist and the other baby is Josie sculpt... Joey sister, lol!

It´s funny because I had never though that Josie were cute, but now im working on her I want to make one for me, I love her little sad puppy face!

Ash! Every reborner need one! hehe, I get it from BB.

honeyloves · Guru

BB HAS JOSIE ON SALE$19

Susan · Senior Member

I know! Grrrrr....

sage brush nursery · Guru

cry ya and i have a cheap ass bf..........grrrrrrr............sage aww

Noantum · Senior Member

Hello ladies, your babies are coming along very well :) Hope everyone is having a great start to summer.

Friki Fimo · Senior Member

Hello there.

Finally, I got my paints, and I finally started. This is my very first reborn, and it's a Peterkin boy. I decided first to give it a go on a random playdoll, so I don't mess up my first "real" kit.

This is still a work in progress, so I would appreciate any feedback you can give me.

Anyways, I am working on this doll for a few days now, baked it about 15 times, had a lot of layers, mostly flesh and mottling. So far, I'm happy how my capilares and veins turned out, but I still feel like something's missing. Any thoughs?

Liselle · Guru

I really like the veining. Looks very good!

Friki Fimo · Senior Member

Thank you, Liselle! I had to put some more layers, and bake him for an extra couple of times. It took a long time for the colors to finally stick to the vinyl :) I don't know is it because of the "non-reborn" doll, or my oily thinner isn't as good as the original from Genesis.

Anyway, I'm almost half way done with rooting, I did the eyebrows, will need to paint the nails and that should be it!
I'll post pictures soon :)

Friki Fimo · Senior Member

Here's my second doll, Kadence by Denise Pratt, and my first "real" reborn kit. Still not finished, need to fix the feet, add more hair, put eyelashes, and paint the nails. Any suggestions what else should I fix? :)

Liselle · Guru

Love his hair and his red lips!! I think maybe the eyebrows are a bit thickish for a baby? Thats just my opinion tho. He looks so sweet though!

Friki Fimo · Senior Member

Thanks so much! *blushing*
Yeah, I know I overdid the lips and eyebrows - I'll try to fix that with another light layer. I'm still getting used to painting with a thin brush :)

sara zata · Guru

Less is best when doing the lips, it is always better to ad a bit more than have to remore, try using a thinner eyebrow brush, if yoy can't get one ctut the outside hairs from it unttill you have abpout 7 to 9 hair in the brush, I use my left thumb nail to wipe off excess paint and then it i there for you to reload, I tnik the hiar is realy lovely, that's my pet hate. XXXXX June. JIMHO.

Friki Fimo · Senior Member

Thank you for the tips! I'll try to fix him today, and post pictures soon :)

Liselle · Guru

I like the red lips though. Very baby kissable. LOL

Friki Fimo · Senior Member

Okay. Here he is, a little lighter skintone (and brighter daylight for the photoshooting), thinner eyebrows and thinner and lighter lips (not too much, I like them red, too!).

Also, I've changed his eyes from hazel to "stormy blue" just to see which ones "feel" better. I think I'll still go with hazel. Nothing is fixed yet, still gotta glue his hair, eyelashes and eyes :)

Liselle · Guru

I really like him with the blue eyes!! I think he's beautiful! Very nice coloring and much better eyebrows now. LOVE it!

Friki Fimo · Senior Member

Thank you so much, Liselle! The first thinner I bought turned out to be great for stripping errors :)

With these eyes, Kadence kinda reminds me of that boy from Glee, Kurt :D

Now I'm in a dilemma which eyes to keep haha :)

Liselle · Guru

Yep, I can see Kurt in him. LOL. Very cute reborn!! LOVE him!

sara zata · Guru

The blue eyes and can I say you have done a lovely job on his rebirth painting, skintone and lips look great. XXXXX June

-- Edited by sara zata on Tuesday 27th of September 2011 08:39:36 PM

Friki Fimo · Senior Member

Hello, hello!

I'm here with some new stuff :)

Meet my Berenguer Rosebud! Still need to fill him with glass and poly pellets, and root his hair, but all in all, I'm more than happy with the way he turned :) Also, I've presented him on "Creative flea-market" yesterday and most of the people were delighted with him (as I said somewhere before, in my country no one practically heard of reborns yet). One of the girls with a stand next to mine kept "stealing" him away to pat and cuddle him :) Only a few people said he looked creepy. I thought it would be the other way around :)

Anyway, I presume most of you are already familliar with Berenguer kits and their overly orange colour. I managed to tone it down with a mix of mint green. Many, many layers of flesh, creases, wrinkles and blush, and there you go :)

Also, I hate that body that came with the kit. I've used the 19" doe suede with full legs. Not the best option, too, but still better than the original body.

Opinions? Suggestions? Thanks for looking :)

Friki Fimo · Senior Member

I'm thinking of rooting this doll with light brown premium mohair, but not sure what needles to use since its head is really hard. Any suggestions? I have some 42 needles, some crown ones and the ones that came with BB mushroom rooting tool, which ones do you think are better?

Anyway, where is everyone? It's very quiet around here lately, I miss you guys! :)

Liselle · Guru

Suggestions on rooting: HEAT the head. Whether you use a rice sock (Search that topic for LOTS more info) or a heat gun, heat softens it up enough to root easier and you won't break as many needles.

I don't know that I have a preference for needles or tools, you just use whichever feels best and gives you the look you're going for.

I'm still here. I was wondering too where everyone is. :(

Friki Fimo · Senior Member

Liselle- I'll definitelly heat the head with my heatgun :) It's too hard to do without heating, and it would take forever. But I think I'll do it with my finest needles because I'd love to do this head as realistic as I can.

I started my new doll yesterday, Angel face Berenguer. That doll has inherited hazel eyes from Kadence, they look so good on it :) Had to tone it down like the last one because of the overly orange vinyl. So far, so good!

Anyway, I really miss the chattering here. I hope it's just temporary. Ladies, come back! :)

Liselle · Guru

Connor

My daughter expressed an interest a while back in reborning, and this is what we were working on. After talking to her (she doesn't live with me) she wanted me to finish him for her for Christmas. So here he is, in progress. Pix show our painting progression, and the last couple of days of rooting.

Liselle · Guru

I will have to edit that post later. For some reason, it won't upload one of the files, but I don't have time to fool with it right now. Have to get ready for work. I'll check in later!!

Liselle · Guru

Ok, I apologize for the blurriness of the previous photos, I'd forgotten they were taken when my camera was broken. My daughter used her cell phone....

Let me try this again. I know the hair looks a little pluggy, but I think it will work. I like the fullness of it at any rate.

-- Edited by Liselle on Friday 28th of October 2011 03:42:46 AM

Friki Fimo · Senior Member

Wow, that's a lot of hair! Can't wait to see when it's done!

Liselle · Guru

Thanks!! I can't wait either. Did you see my post about handrooted lashes?? :)

Friki Fimo · Senior Member

Yeah, I've seen it, looks good :) I'm still not sure I'd be able to root my dolls eyelashes - looks tricky to me. I'm still having problems while applying regular eyelashes to open eyed babies. Even the ezLasher doesn't help me there :D