The Munsters

This set had been on my wish list for years. It’s been so long that the ink I used to write down the Munsters set idea on was completely faded! Someone had proposed the idea and I quickly agreed. There were several challenges to meet for this set and I’ve met all but one, unfortunately.

First off was Herman Munster’s head. Keeping a round dome wouldn’t do. I decided to go ahead and paint all of him and come up with an idea at a later time. When that time was up, quite on a whim, I popped this little round platform I use to stand the shorter dolls on to paint on his head and problem solved! The Hubs designed and 3D printed the flat top head for Herman and I finished the rest. Done and done!

Woof Woof was not in the original brief, but I remembered wanting that doll as a kid so in he goes.

There was also a request to paint Spot the Munsters’ pet. I vaguely recall just seeing his eyes and mouth emerging from the stairs but don’t know what sort of beast he is. After some intensive research I managed to find some photos. At the time I was also working on some Beastie Boys sets and had neon green paint handy for his eyes! The nose was sculpted on because, like Herman’s head, it wasn’t working out initially.

Lastly, the request was “somehow work 1313 Mockingbird Lane into the set.” I had initially thought about turning the biggest doll into the house but architecturally it would not work. Then I thought about turning it sideways and make it into a box of sorts with roofs and domes sticking up. It’s going to run into a lot of money and time and effort in terms of supplies so I think I’ll have to nix the idea altogether. It’ll be made at another time, I suppose. But it might not be a bad idea to just paint the house on the back of Herman for now.

I did a mock up of the house. This had taken 2 hours to make and it’s not even finished…so I can’t imagine how much more time I’ll need to make the actual house. Perhaps if there are an extra 8 hours in a day…or if I don’t require sleep…!

 

We’re Moving!

It seems like all I’ve been doing for the past 5 years is putting my life in boxes and trash bins and wrangling with packing tape. Was I hoping this year I wouldn’t have to move? Of course! But I’m thrilled about this, though. We’re still at the same address, but we’re movin’ on up to the top level of the house! After two years of bantering and arguing with the Hubs in our shared sweatshop, I will have my very own little room to paint! There’s a window in my new sweatshop that looks into the Hubs’ home office, but luckily it closes.

In the meanwhile, everything is on hiatus while I pack and attempt to rid my current unit of any evidence of me having carelessly dripped paint and left imprints of insects I’ve killed. There’s a very nice lady moving in here and I don’t want her to have to confront the aftermath of an ant invasion!

I could’ve sworn I got rid of all this stuff at my parents’ last year…how on earth did it end up here?

New Headquarters!

It’s been an interesting fortnight. To think, this time two weeks ago I was still making repairs to my wedding dress. Now I am happily settled into the new Bobo Babushka headquarters with a heck of a lot more room to spare and a garden view to boot!

Even the insects here are prettier!

It’s true that I’ll have to share my work space with Anthony, who’s got, along with a bunch of man-toys, an industrial sewing machine. But as long as he doesn’t cross the tape marker I’ve put down, I think we’ll work well together!

A Handmade Wedding

Boy, what a whirlwind week it’s been! Not only did I get married over the weekend, but we are also going to move all the way to the other side of the Gold Coast by next week! It was a good thing that we had a very very small affair, or else all these new changes would’ve done me in for sure!

The best thing about having a small wedding is that you have more time to personalize everything because you’re not too busy figuring out the seating arrangements and yelling at florists. Thank goodness for that because I had time to make Anthony and Irene wedding dolls, both of our outfits were modeled after our real ones!

If you think it’s easier to make the mini version of my wedding garb than the real one…you’re absolutely right. I take papier-mâché-ing over sewing ANY day!

This was my second try at the hem. Gluing it the first time around didn’t work out too well.

Anthony refused to be painted without his pacifier—a stubbie. His shirt can be found at Shakatime.

Anthony, that’s right, Anthony, had his eyes on a pair of Louboutins for me to wear on my most special day, but we compromised on this lovely pair of knock-off for a very sensible price of $30. For someone whose feet are accustomed to flip flops and Keds, Louboutins are out of the question.

I’m not a fan of floral bouquets, largely because I hate to see flowers being torn from their roots, so I made myself an artificial butterfly bouquet. Of course, mini Irene had to have the same one!

Ditto with the hair piece (not a fan of veils either, but I have nothing against tiaras!)

The wedding dolls were originally going to be cake toppers, but it turned out to be unnecessary as our friend Kristy gave us one of the best wedding cakes I’ve ever seen in my life. I’m sorry the photograph didn’t do it justice, but take my word for it, it’s pretty darn special!

…as were our rings, made by the amazingly talented Alix Bluh.

In one week’s time, I will be comfortably settled in my brand new studio at Paradise Point. See you soon!