Thanks!
Yeah, the underside looks very furry, but it's really just a very soft velour right side out.
Thanks!
Yeah, the underside looks very furry, but it's really just a very soft velour right side out.
I have been following with keen interest and getting some good tips and ideas if I ever do a Holly makeover or do over.Mr Franz wrote: ↑Fri May 03, 2024 5:22 pm Don't need another doll, let alone anymore projects right now, but... :whistle:
Just took delivery not long ago of yet another Valentina GIrl. What can I say? Saw the new Emily's Butt option and felt inspired. This time it's a Catalina Travel Model with both the Round and Emily's Butt options as well as a zipper down the back.
Cat001.JPG
Cat002.JPG
No time frame yet. At the moment I'm still gathering my thoughts and materials for the project. The eyes and head core I know will work. The silicone mouth... ain't got a clue. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Cat003.JPG
Stay tuned.... :drinking:
Same here. When I got my first Valentina, Dhila, There were a few things about the body I didn't really care for, so I made a few changes. Nothing major, just a few strategically placed stitches to help better define the boobs and booty. Well, the effect was dramatic. From that moment on, I was hooked and it wasn't long before I got another Valentina, Priya. This time with the sole intent of modding the hell out of it.Pexter wrote: ↑Tue May 14, 2024 10:48 amI have been following with keen interest and getting some good tips and ideas if I ever do a Holly makeover or do over.Mr Franz wrote: ↑Fri May 03, 2024 5:22 pm Don't need another doll, let alone anymore projects right now, but...
Just took delivery not long ago of yet another Valentina GIrl. What can I say? Saw the new Emily's Butt option and felt inspired. This time it's a Catalina Travel Model with both the Round and Emily's Butt options as well as a zipper down the back.
Cat001.JPG
Cat002.JPG
No time frame yet. At the moment I'm still gathering my thoughts and materials for the project. The eyes and head core I know will work. The silicone mouth... ain't got a clue. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Cat003.JPG
Stay tuned....
Holly was my first doll modification so I kept it as simple as possible. It turned out to be easier and much better results that I thought.
The one thing I really really don't like about Holly's VG body is her calves and feet. They are so bad that I am considering "semi-permanent stuffed socks" if you know what I mean.
So right now, I am torn between modding Holly's calves and feet or keeping Holly as is and buying a new travel model with some VG mods to save me work and then doing some more extensive mods than I did on Holly.
Something tells me to keep Holly as-is since she was my first doll mod and it kind of like store owners frame their first dollar made and hang it on the wall behind the cash register.
Decisions decisions
This body from behind comes pretty close to ideal - https://www.valentinagirls.com/Florina/ ... n/c102.JPG but I still don't like the shape of ankles and feet. I ran into the same problem as you did with keeping shoes on. I solved that somewhat. Velcro on the bottom of here feet and on the inside bottom of her shoes. (not that anyone really wants to see the bottom of her feet and certainly no worse in appearance than standing feet on a silicone or TPE doll)Mr Franz wrote: ↑Tue May 14, 2024 4:02 pmSame here. When I got my first Valentina, Dhila, There were a few things about the body I didn't really care for, so I made a few changes. Nothing major, just a few strategically placed stitches to help better define the boobs and booty. Well, the effect was dramatic. From that moment on, I was hooked and it wasn't long before I got another Valentina, Priya. This time with the sole intent of modding the hell out of it. :mrgreen:Pexter wrote: ↑Tue May 14, 2024 10:48 amI have been following with keen interest and getting some good tips and ideas if I ever do a Holly makeover or do over.Mr Franz wrote: ↑Fri May 03, 2024 5:22 pm Don't need another doll, let alone anymore projects right now, but... :whistle:
Just took delivery not long ago of yet another Valentina GIrl. What can I say? Saw the new Emily's Butt option and felt inspired. This time it's a Catalina Travel Model with both the Round and Emily's Butt options as well as a zipper down the back.
Cat001.JPG
Cat002.JPG
No time frame yet. At the moment I'm still gathering my thoughts and materials for the project. The eyes and head core I know will work. The silicone mouth... ain't got a clue. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Cat003.JPG
Stay tuned.... :drinking:
Holly was my first doll modification so I kept it as simple as possible. It turned out to be easier and much better results that I thought.
The one thing I really really don't like about Holly's VG body is her calves and feet. They are so bad that I am considering "semi-permanent stuffed socks" if you know what I mean.
So right now, I am torn between modding Holly's calves and feet or keeping Holly as is and buying a new travel model with some VG mods to save me work and then doing some more extensive mods than I did on Holly.
Something tells me to keep Holly as-is since she was my first doll mod and it kind of like store owners frame their first dollar made and hang it on the wall behind the cash register.
Decisions decisions
Learned quite a bit from that experience. For one just how easy these dolls are to modify. Even for someone like me with only basic hand sewing skills. It continues to impress how even simple changes can make a huge difference. The foot mod I came up with for instance. It all started because I was having a hell of a time keeping shoes on Dhila. They just kept slipping off. So when I got Priya, I started looking for a way to better define the heel. Like your experience, it turned out to be a lot easier than I thought. Just open a seam, angle the heel down and cut a piece of fabric to fill the gap. What that did was not only define the heel, but reposition and slightly elongate the foot. Funny thing is, though Priya's shoes fit perfectly as a result, her feet are so cute now, I just leave her barefoot. :D
I can't take credit for the calf mod. That was another Valentina owner's idea and an option now offered by VG. That's the great thing about Robert. He listens and will quickly implement good ideas. The Round and Emily's Butt options are yet another example and what prompted this latest Valentina adventure. I mean, why should Robert have all the fun? :rofl:
Here's a little before and after the foot mod I did on Priya (Quintina Travel). Such a simple mod, I really wasn't expecting that big a difference, but it's night and day. That's with a slight calf/ankle enhancement as well. ___________________________________________________________________________________Pexter wrote: ↑Tue May 14, 2024 5:55 pmThis body from behind comes pretty close to ideal - https://www.valentinagirls.com/Florina/ ... n/c102.JPG but I still don't like the shape of ankles and feet. I ran into the same problem as you did with keeping shoes on. I solved that somewhat. Velcro on the bottom of here feet and on the inside bottom of her shoes. (not that anyone really wants to see the bottom of her feet and certainly no worse in appearance than standing feet on a silicone or TPE doll)
At any rate, starting off with a VG close to perfection (with the right options) from the factory sure beats making a 'plushie' totally from scratch any day.
That's what they're made for.carbohvdrates wrote: ↑Thu May 16, 2024 10:38 pm Those VGs sure get their stuffing one way or another
Actually has a pretty strong resemblance to someone I know.Mr Franz wrote: ↑Sun May 26, 2024 8:43 pm Moving right along, much like a turtle with 3 bad legs... :roll:
While I'm waiting on some stuff to complete the body, decided to take care of some of the more gruesome aspects of the project. Namely, carving out the eye sockets, nose ridge and mouth. More tedious than difficult. Just have to take your time and get everything centered.
Couple things I learned though, from working with hard foam wig/hat displays. For one, the nose is quite vulnerable to flattening. To counter that, I carve out the center and add a soft foam ridge. That gives the nose extra shape and support, while making it more soft and springy. A lot like the real thing actually. The other thing I learned is, once you cut into them, they have a tendency to keep crumbling, There's a simple remedy for that, just coat the area with PVA glue like, Elmer's. Stops the process and adds a bit of strength as well.
So until next time, here's a few photos of my progress.
Cat023.JPG
Cat024.JPG
Don't you just hate when they give you that, "Are you sure you know what the hell you're dong?" look? :drinking:
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Cat026.JPG
Yeah, it did when I looked at it too. It's a pretty generic display head though, found everywhere. Got this one from Walmart of all places, $4 shipped!Pexter wrote: ↑Tue May 28, 2024 4:28 pmActually has a pretty strong resemblance to someone I know.Mr Franz wrote: ↑Sun May 26, 2024 8:43 pm Moving right along, much like a turtle with 3 bad legs...
While I'm waiting on some stuff to complete the body, decided to take care of some of the more gruesome aspects of the project. Namely, carving out the eye sockets, nose ridge and mouth. More tedious than difficult. Just have to take your time and get everything centered.
Couple things I learned though, from working with hard foam wig/hat displays. For one, the nose is quite vulnerable to flattening. To counter that, I carve out the center and add a soft foam ridge. That gives the nose extra shape and support, while making it more soft and springy. A lot like the real thing actually. The other thing I learned is, once you cut into them, they have a tendency to keep crumbling, There's a simple remedy for that, just coat the area with PVA glue like, Elmer's. Stops the process and adds a bit of strength as well.
So until next time, here's a few photos of my progress.
Cat023.JPG
Cat024.JPG
Don't you just hate when they give you that, "Are you sure you know what the hell you're dong?" look?
Cat025.JPG
Cat026.JPG
Interesting. Something to ponder for a possible Holly retro-fit. Can't wait to see how it works out.Mr Franz wrote: ↑Tue May 28, 2024 4:23 pm Look what the nice postman brought me... and a whole week early.
Doll Bones! :D
Cat027.JPG
Found a supplier on Ali with oversize ball and socket armature cheap. Should be perfect to articulate a doll the size of a Valentina. Hope so anyway. Got way more than I need, thinking I might have to double it up. Don't think that'll be the case though, this stuff is way strong. 8)
Cat028.JPG