Doll Carnival 2011 - vendors' booths

More photos from Doll Carnival 2011!  Apart from the custom dolls and prototypes/future release displays, another highlight of the doll carnival is the vendors' booths. Their store displays were beautiful, with dolls dressed in the clothes and accessories they were selling.

Photos are from my wife's flickr. But I took most of the photos as she was busy buying their stuff LOL

Doll Carnival 2011 - custom dolls by collectors

More photos from Doll Carnival 2011!  These are customs sent in by doll collectors and displayed during the carnival.

Photos are from my wife's flickr. 

Doll Carnival 2011 - custom dolls for auction

More photos from Doll Carnival 2011!  These are customs by renowned doll customizers, and are available for purchase via auction.

Photos are from my wife's flickr.
 

Doll Carnival 2011 - new releases

Wife and I just attended the Groove Doll Carnival 2011 in Tokyo today. Here are some future releases that were on display.

Predaking with CrazyDevy upgrade

I'd always wanted to get the CrazyDevy The King's Power Parts for my G1 Predaking. But everytime I see the total cost of all the parts, I back out.

Recently I happen to chance upon someone selling his used CrazyDevy parts on local eBay at good price. So I jumped at the chance to finally get them.

Here he is - PREDAKING upgraded with CrazyDevy The King's Power Parts

CDMW-10 Custom Head
CDMW-11 Custom Wings (with the PLUS+ wings)
CDMW-14 Custom Giant Sonic Sword
CDMW-18 Custom Cannons

Review: Pullip Miku Hatsune

My review from Open The Toy

I was excited when I saw vocaloids on display at Doll Carnival 2010 as an upcoming Pullip series. Finally the first, and probably most popular character, has been released - Hatsune Miku!

Pullip and the Great Outdoors

My article from Open The Toy blog  Photos and dolls credit to my wife Akane*

We enjoy bringing our dolls outdoors for photoshoots. Initially we felt awkward and were conscious of people looking/staring. But now we are used to it!

At Sentosa Flowers 2009


Punggol Beach


Heart of Singapore's rat race. Can you guess where? ;)

Pullip Clothes and Accessories

My article from Open The Toy blog  Photos and dolls credit to my wife Akane* 

It is a given that Pullips, like all fashion dolls, can change clothes. Most clothes for Barbie and other 12-inch figures can fit.

Barbie Fashion Fever


Sugarmag dress


Jenny top, Azone skirt (lolita look)

Pullip Vocaloid Meiko preview!

So I guess 5th November is Vocaloid Meiko's birthday. Groove has choosen this day to tease us with sneak peak of Pullip Meiko! OK, just mosaic pics for now.

I guess she'll come with a retro mic & stand. Cool!


She has short hair, so should be easily manageable. Especially when bringing her outdoors for photoshoots! 


Meiko will be a Spring 2012 release, and her prototype will be on display at Doll Carnival 2011  Can't wait to see her there!

Source and photo credits: http://groove.ws/news.groove.ws/?m=20111105

Pullip and Photography

My article from Open The Toy blog  Photos and dolls credit to my wife Akane*



Pullips and photography go hand-in-hand (although it's hell on the wallet!) They make good models for portrait shots.





Then again, there are some not-so-cooperative models... "Pfffftt!"


They get along well with our 'tiger' at home...


... but some love to tease him! >__<

Pullips also love to celebrate holidays, like us!

Our 'lil Santarina


Celebrating the year of the Tiger!

Pullip Dolls - Introduction

My article from Open The Toy blog  Photos and dolls credit to my wife Akane*

Pullip is an Asian fashion doll series that has been gaining popularity locally in recent years. The main characters in the Pullip line are Pullip (the main doll), Taeyang (male doll and Pullip's boyfriend), Dal (Taeyang's little sister) and Byul (latest doll, Dal's best friend).
Update: A new doll, Isul (Pullip's little brother), was added to the family early 2011.

Pullips in their boxes.  The smaller ones are Little Dals.
 

Pullip Lan Ai in stock clothes.


Pullip Papin. Her stock wig has been changed to this.
 

A stock Pullip doll already has many playable features like eyes that can glance left/right and eyelids that can close, giving the appearance of sleeping or winking. (Dals and Byuls do not have closing eyes though.)

A Pullip 'sleeping'.
 

Pullip owners will go one step further and change the stock body to one that has more articulation and can pose better. The most popular bodies are Obitsu. They have good articulation and, more importantly (at least to me!) changeable hands.

Without these grabby hands, Pullips wouldn't be able to eat! =P


More hand uses.


Dangerous use of these hands!  =O


Most owners will also change the wigs (hairstyle and colour), eyechips (eye colour and details) and makeup to make their doll uniquely their own and OOAK (one of a kind).

Stock Pullip Suiseiseki
 

Same doll with different wig, giving her a whole different look and personality!

Review: LEGO 10152 / 10155 Maersk Container Ship

My review from S0937FG forum

My first LEGO review! And I choose this set which is a birthday gift from my wife.
(All photos are clickable and link to bigger version on my Flickr)

LEGO Set No. / Name
10152 / 10155 Maersk Container Ship
(Brief history: 10152 set came with MAERSK SEALAND stickers. In 2005 the company changed name, and the new 10155 set came with the new name MAERSK LINE stickers.)

Strangely, the box states my set is 10152, but the box photo and stickers inside are MAERSK LINE.

Welcome!

Welcome to my first post! I decided to start this as a place to pen down my thoughts and reviews on my hobby(s!)

Yes, ‘hobby’ in plural. Sometimes I find I have too many interests. One challenge is finding the money and time (and my wife will also say, the space!) to pursue them all!

I have written toy reviews for some forums and blogs. I will also consolidate them here.