Posses Doll Part II (picture heavy)

Here is Part II to the creation of the Possess Faceless Fancy inspired by Gretchen McNeil's book Possess. If this is your first look at the doll be sure to check out Part I first so you can see how it's all started.

So, Part I left off with painting the basic design of the dress and still working on getting the colors juuuust right. Once I was satisfied with the basics of the dress I moved on to the branches.

   The branches... Oh, the branches. I was so afraid to start these for fear of ruining the dress, but they actually turned out pretty good. I'm still a little worried they may look more like roots than branches, but I've come to accept that.
   The branches all stem from the strap over the shoulder which is just a small piece of ribbon painted to match and then glued into place. They stretch from the ribbon all the down and peek into the light blue of the skirt. You can kind of see it started in the picture to the right.
   Also, speaking of the bottom light blue portion, you see those slightly curved indents? Those were a completely spur of the moment idea while painting. They're created by using a toothpick while the paint is still slightly wet. I think they add a nice texture and flow to it.

   While I assumed the branches would be the hardest part to do, it was actually the hair. The hair took the longest amount of time and that's not even including the time it spent scouring the internet for ideas. I attempted several styles before I finally settled on this messy up do...

 

 that I found on a beauty blog.

 There's even a video tutorial! which can be found HERE.

The hair is actually just styled embroidery floss, nothing too fancy. 

Packaged doll hair is too heavy.

   So, I started by cutting the floss into lengths and then gluing them onto the head, starting on one side and working around to the other and layering up. I also added a slightly lighter shade of brown under the top layer to give it a more natural color. It is then brushed out so I can work with each individual thread.
   The style I picked calls for curled hair, normally I curl the hair before I glue it onto the doll, it's easier that way, but since it was already attached, well this is what happened ...

Toothpicks and hair gel! I'm thinking it could be a new style, right? Right? No? Ok...

   After curling the hair it was twisted and pinned into place like it shows in the video except I used sewing pins and Elmer's glue instead of bobby pins. I know you're all just lining up for me to style your hair!

 Once the hair was finished it was time for putting her in her pose and adding the finishing touches.

  In order to put her in a pose I had to run wire through her arms. You'll notice in the picture on the left she no longer has the strap. I had to remove it because the wire didn't want to thread through the arms easily. Stupid wire. Once the arms were positioned how I wanted them the wire was snipped, bent and wrapped in hemp cord to look like fists.
   I don't have a picture of the process, but the finished doll is actually holding a cross necklace, sort of like a rosary I suppose. It's sewing thread, beads, and a cross from a bracelet that fell apart years ago, (I'm a pack-rat, but it comes in handy in the craft department). I draped the necklace over her hands so it looks like she's clutching it to her chest.
  And every doll gets a bow around their waste. I decided hers should be a striking white to match the title on the cover of the book. It's the same ribbon used for the shoulder strap, this time painted white. I really suck at tying bows, so it's actually assembled out of three separate pieces, hence the sewing pins.

 And here is the finished product! Beautiful, no?

TaDaa!

What do you think?

Also I have a bell or two left, what character(s),

 book or random idea do you think should be next?

Nick reviews Robopocalypse

Robopocalypse
By Daniel H. Wilson
Publisher: Doubleday
Release Date: June 7th 2011
Edition: Paperback 338 Pages

What Goodreads has to say...

In the near future, at a moment no one will notice, all the dazzling technology that runs our world will unite and turn against us. Taking on the persona of a shy human boy, a childlike but massively powerful artificial intelligence known as Archos comes online and assumes control over the global network of machines that regulate everything from transportation to utilities, defense and communication. In the months leading up to this, sporadic glitches are noticed by a handful of unconnected humans – a single mother disconcerted by her daughter’s menacing “smart” toys, a lonely Japanese bachelor who is victimized by his domestic robot companion, an isolated U.S. soldier who witnesses a ‘pacification unit’ go haywire – but most are unaware of the growing rebellion until it is too late.

When the Robot War ignites -- at a moment known later as Zero Hour -- humankind will be both decimated and, possibly, for the first time in history, united. Robopocalypse is a brilliantly conceived action-filled epic, a terrifying story with heart-stopping implications for the real technology all around us…and an entertaining and engaging thriller unlike anything else written in years.

 Likes:
         We have all heard or read about how the world will be taken from us by the machines that we create. Movies like Terminator and I,Robot (Mmm, Asimov) all easily show how messed up we could all be if the machines or in this case, Robots, were to become self-aware and take us over. Though none of them quite do it the way Daniel H. Wilson's Robopocalypse does it. My favorite part and the key reason why I wanted to read this book was the way this story is told. Instead of one solid story, the story is told through individual "recordings" by a single entity as recorded by security cameras or other means that kept records of the events as they transpired. So, instead of just following one person or a group of people, you get to watch, or in the case, read about the events that lead up to and take place after the robots "open up" on humanity. You get to read about a lot of characters and, at first, you think you could get lost amongst the stories being told about different people. That is where the author does a wonderful job of tying in all the stories together and having them relate to each other in some way. You also get to go back to characters you meet time and time again to see how they are progressing with their lives and how important their actions are in the war against the robots.
        There are some very likeable characters. It made reading about the characters feel very personable and it helped you feel exactly what these people were going through. In these stories, you feel everything from sadness to compassion. Triumph to sacrifice. Oh and the sense of creepiness from the main robot, Archos, is crazy. This book does a wonderful job of making feel the emotions of the people in this dystopian world ruled by robots.

Dislikes:
      Despite from the obvious harsh reality of the book having to end, there was only one small little issue I had with the book. There was a character that I really enjoyed reading about named Nine Oh Two. I loved hearing the story from his perspective. It was fun to read but I wish he was in the book a bit longer. He is introduced and doesn't last too long in the story due to what he does. He was such a joy to read about that I wish he was in the book just a bit longer.

Who would I recommend this to:
      If anyone has a love for science fiction, I would forcefully and passionately thrust this book into your hands. If you are looking for an unique read, I would do the same actions mentioned above into your hands as well. This is a wonderful book that just should not be passed up. I honestly hope that when this comes to the big screen, that it retains some of the joys that made this book so awesome to read.

*gives Steven Spielburg the evil eyes*

P.S. I know, one of these days I'm going to review a book that I did not absolutely love. I wouldn't go about holding your breath until then though. I don't like to read/finish bad books. :)

Jenny Gets Creative with Posses

I've been working on a new Faceless Fancy! I'm pretty excited about her and thought it might be fun to take you all through the creation process so you can see how I turn this...

into something like this...

   So my new design came to me while I was plotting planning Army of Ten entry stuffs. (B-T-Dub if you have not joined the Army of Ten wtfkghjergh are you waiting for?!?! Do Eeet! Do Eeet Naoh! Well, ok not right now, maybe finish this post first?)
   Anyways, I grabbed my beloved copy of Possess by Gretchen McNeil off the bookshelf and like always started admiring the gorgeous cover when it hit me, that cover would make a stunning doll. I immediately started sketching out ideas and going through my craft drawers for parts and paint. 

I can't believe I'm showing you this, but... here is the plan so far. Excuse the horrible drawings, my brother inherited the artist gene, I can just glue stuff together lol. 

    Ok, let me explain that mess up there. The idea is for the dress to be a dark metallic-like blue from the bust to about 2/3 down the bell. The bottom portion will be that really light blue of the face on the cover. Normally I don't add straps to the dresses because they end up looking tacky since I'm limited in the materials I can use, but I'm making an exception and adding one strap. This one strap will be awesome! It starts the main branch coming down the front of the dress. Yes, I said branch. If you look at the cover of Possess there are awesome looking branches across the face on the book. On the book they're blue-ish, but I'm taking creative action and changing the color to a VERY dark brown (shiny black + bronze = smexy metallic chocolate). So there will branches reaching out and tangling  all over the dress and it will do the same on the back, then tangle some more on the sides. If I can paint it right, it will be EPIC! If I can't it will just be a little less than epic.
     Around the wast there will be a white ribbon that will tie in a bow at the back. I have a slight obsession with bows like that, (see practically every doll I ever made...lol). And then on one wrist will be a beaded bracelet either white or blue, I haven't decided.
     I'm still working on hair ideas. Right now I'm leaning towards dark hair in a really messy up-do, but down sounds nice too. I also have no idea how to pose her. that i need to have figured out by the time the painting is completed. For some reason I'm thinking dramatic like holding the back of her hand to her forehead, but I think she should have a strong pose too. I don't know yet! Argh! Moving on ...

   After the planning process I glue the bust, waist and bell together and put on a nice coat of white paint to act as a primer. Then I grab a mini doll and practice while the white paint dries.

   Once the white is dry and I've gathered enough courage I start slathering paint until I'm happy with the results, which is what I'm still working on. I'm tweaking colors and smoothing out lines, but I love how she's turning out so far.

 Mo had to sneak into the shot, that chubby little monster.

Here she is with the book. 

The photo doesn't do the book cover nor the doll justice, but you get the idea. 

   The way its painted reminds me of those mermaid style dresses. 

Like this one  --->

 Tight down to the knee then flares out. Does it look that way to you too or is it just me? It's just me isn't it ...

So there she is, what do you think so far? Any suggestions? I'm hoping to get more work done by the end of the week so stay tuned. And go join Gretchen McNeil's Army of Ten!! You know you want to. =)

Co-Op Review of DiSemblance

DiSemblance
By Shanae Branham
Release date: August 20, 2012
Received from author in exchange for honest review

What the back of the book has to say ...

Jason Tanner lives between two worlds.

Problem is, only one of them is real.

   As a computer prodigy, Jason has spent his life with limited social contact due to his father's secretive work on a hologram machine that can create digital immortality. When his father is murdered and framed as the Comfort Killer, Jason is targeted as the killer's new fall guy. Having spent much of his youth living in the virtual world his father created, he must now go on the run if he is going to save himself, his brother, and the beautiful girl next door.

An exciting, action-packed ride to a future happening today, Shanae Branham's modern techno-thriller is the perfect exhilarating adrenaline rush for a a techno-savvy generation. Expertly weaving cutting edge technology with almost unbearable suspense, she crafts wild, white knuckled thriller that pushes the boundaries of science. Full of intensity and extraordinary vision, DiSemblance attacks the senses as it challenges the mind and imagination. 
 

 Note on review: italics are person specific thoughts.

   To say we enjoyed this book would fall short of the truth. We freaking loved it and that's saying something when BOTH of us like it. We can count the number of books we've both read on a three-fingered hand (not including the Harry Potter series, that's just a given). Our reading tastes are just that different. So finding a book that appeals to both of us is a true gem.
   One of the main things we loved so much about DiSemblance is how fast paced it is. It grabs you from the very beginning and doesn't let you go until long after the words have ended on the page. Just when you think you have a moment to rest -
   Nick:  It grabs you by the shirt, throws in the car, and floors it onto the road without even letting up on the gas. It is literally that fast. Forget waiting on a new chapter to get things started. It just starts it in the next paragraph. Almost like watching a movie that is wasting no time to get to the good stuff.

   We also loved the mystery. So much so that it's sparked a new love for mysteries in Nick. We had no idea where this book was going! But, you know, in a good way.
   Jenny: Ugh! I don't know how many times I shouted, "Argh! I have no idea what's going to happen next!!" and I pride myself in being able to guess such things in books I'm reading!


  There is so much more that we loved about this book we could go on, but we don't want to ruin all the wonderful twists and turns. We will say that guys are clueless jerks at times even when they're trying hard not to be, but girls don't always understand either. And your mind is your greatest weapon.

 As far as what we didn't like, well, that's a pretty short list. It would have been nice to get to know a few of the characters a little more. Maybe more about Boston and her camera or more about Jason's brother Isaac.

    One thing's for sure, few characters walked out of that story without a concussion. No better way to knock a man out than with the butt of a gun!

We recommend this book to anyone who likes a fast paced mystery.
Jenny:  And the holodeck from Star Trek.


   Be sure to check out our first My Indie Monday post where we've invited Shanae to share a little bit more about DiSemblance with us. There just might be a giveaway. Oh, who are we kidding? Of course there's a giveaway! Because we love you and we love this book and we'd love for You to read This Book!

Nick reviews Ready Player One

Ready Player One

By Ernest Cline

Publisher: Random House NY

Release date: August 16 2011

Edition: Hardcover 372 pages

What the inside flap says...

It's the year 2044, and the real world is an ugly place.

Like most of humanity, Wade Watts escapes his grim surroundings by spending his waking hours jacked into the OASIS, a sprawling virtual utopia that lets you be anything you want to be, a place where you can live and play and fall in love on any of ten thousand planets.

And like most of humanity, Wade dreams of being the one to discover the ultimate lottery ticket that lies concealed within this virtual world. For somewhere inside this giant networked playground, OASIS creator James Halliday has hidden a series of fiendish puzzles that will yield massive fortune--and remarkable power--to whoever can unlock them.

For years, millions have struggled fruitlessly to attain this prize, knowing only that Halliday's riddles are based in the pop culture he loved--that of the late twentieth century. And for years, millions have found in this quest another means of escape, retreating into happy, obsessive study of Halliday's icons. Like many of his contemporaries, Wade is as comfortable debating the finer points of John Hughes's oeuvre, playing Pac-Man, or reciting Devo lyrics as he is scrounging power to run his OASIS rig.

And then Wade stumbles upon the first puzzle.

Suddenly the whole world is watching, and thousands of competitors join the hunt--among them certain powerful players who are willing to commit very real murder to beat Wade to this prize. Now the only way for Wade to survive and preserve everything he knows is to win. But to do so, he may have to leave behind his oh-so-perfect virtual existence and face up to life--and love--in the real world he's always been so desperate to escape.

Likes:
     Saying I "liked" this book is a huge understatement. Seriously, I loved this book so much that this review is going to be so darn one-sided. I can't help it though. I just can't find anything bad about it.

                                                        Even if I did this...

                                                I still wouldn't be able to find $#!t.

      This book is full of so much nerd love. It would be so hard to point out every bit of it on one blog. It is literally a swan song to 80s pop culture. Music, movies, and video games all skillfully wrapped up into a very fun story. Reading this book really made me wish the virtual world of OASIS existed. That is even without the contest that was put inside it to win the riches of the creator after he passed away. Speaking of the creator of the game itself, James Halliday, I could not help but imagine him as Steve Jobs. Halliday was just as much of a visionary in the story as Steve Jobs was in real life.
      The conversations that take place amongst the characters in the story reminded me of growing up so much. Constantly quizzing each other facts from certain movies or games just to make the other feel superior felt right at home. There were even moments that literally made laugh out loud. I'm sure Jenny looked at me a few times while I read this book to further confirm that I was still weird.
     The author does a great job in the writing and truly has you feel for his characters. He does an amazing job with the villain of the story. Holy crap, I so hated this guy. Heck, the company he owns and uses to try to take over OASIS received even more hate. They were just so well written. I would have to say I couldn't have hated a corporation as much as I hated the one in this book. NERD RAGE!


Dislikes:
Nope, still haven't found $#!t. LOL


Who would I recommend this to:
    First and foremost, the nerds. This book was personally written and gift-wrapped for you. Literally, if this book doesn't relate to you in some nerdy way, get the heck out of my stereotype! As for the non-nerds, if you are willing to give video game/sci-fi space opera a try, I'm sure you will be very pleased with the story that is here even without understanding the nerdy references.