Paris Inspired

Looking back through the blog I realized I've not posted pics of Jamie and Claire together in their Paris finery before. Claire's famous red dress from where they go to Versailles, and Jamie wearing an outfit based on the outfit he wore to the Versailles party as well. 

Jamie's outfit was made by Chewin. Claire's by Robyn at Period Threads. 

I like them in these outfits so much, they rarely change out of them, and as I've noted before I ordered a second version of both Jamie and Claire, so I would have one for "play" and one to stay displayed in their Paris finery.

Jamie and Claire

The Harace sculpt (who I use for SID Claire) is so contemplative, she tends to look deep in thought and somewhat melancholy most of the time. Very different really from my smaller version of Claire who looks more determined. I think of this Claire as my younger Claire and the smaller version an older Claire.

I do however love both versions for different reasons, and I love this one especially with Jamie.

Since the sun was actually shining for a brief period this morning I decided to take advantage and get some new pics of probably my favorite couple out of all the dolls I own.

I do love the big dolls for the ability to see all the details in their gorgeous faces better.

JAMMF

What is it about James Alexander Malcolm Mackenzie Fraser that has been captivating women since Outlander's publication in 1991? I have to admit I was a little late to the party, having FINALLY read the book for the first time in 2013 when I heard they were finally going to make a TV series based on the books. I had friends that had recommended the books prior to this date, but for whatever reason I didn't pick the first one up until I heard the TV show was in production. I wanted to have a bit of background before watching the show, so picked up the first book, and that as they say was history...…………………………..I quickly went out and purchased the rest of the series available at the time and as many people before me, was quickly captivated by Jamie and Claire's story.  As I've stated before on the blog, In addition to being an avid reader, I'm a lover of Asian ball jointed dolls. I had already shelled some of my favorite characters from another of my favorite book series in resin form (The Black Dagger Brotherhood by JR Ward, they have their own blog linked on the side of the page), and realized after reading Outlander that I'd really love to have Jamie and Claire in resin form as well.  My first resin Jamie arrived in the fall of 2014...……….and I've been lucky (as documented on other posts in the blog) to have acquired quite a nice wardrobe for him. I had my friend Lyn paint Jamie v. 1 with a little scruff. From 2014-2017, he was the only resin Jamie that lived with me...……….and I was perfectly happy with that.

While I love my big dolls, they can be cumbersome to carry around for photos and require more space to shoot. When Iplehouse introduced the FID line, and Leonard (the sculpt I use for my Jamie) was one of the sculpts made available in the smaller size, I contemplated shelling mini versions of the characters, as for couple shots I thought they would be much easier to manipulate. In 2017 I committed to the mini project, and ordered a mini Jamie. I again asked my friend Lyn Raftis to paint him, only without the scruff for his smaller version. I also got him in "glow peach gold" resin instead of the "regular peach gold resin" his larger counterpart is made of. The "glow" resin just gives a little more luminescence. I also asked Chewin to create a mini version of the curly wig his larger counterpart wears. (Sidenote, next on my list is a queued wig version from Chewin for mini Jamie as well)

Two versions of Jamie? She must be crazy, eh? Well, maybe a bit...…….obsessed...……..and surely to goodness 2 versions are more than enough, right? Ummm……...I liked the mini version of clean shaven Jamie so much that once again the wheels started turning and I started contemplating another larger version to have Lyn paint clean shaven this time, and he could wear his Paris clothing, with Claire in her red dress...……………..that way I wouldn't have to redress, and I could just basically keep Paris Claire and Jamie on display. SO, during Iplehouse's Christmas sale in 2017, I ended up ordered yet a third JAMMF. As planned, I had him painted clean shaven by Lyn, and donned him in his Paris finery, and he pretty much stays dressed and on display. Versions 1 and 2 get the bulk of the "play" time.

As I was watching the new episode of the show this morning, I thought it might be fun to get all 3 versions of resin JAMMF together for a photo. The result is below. Kind of fun to see them side by side. Mini Jamie in the middle is standing on a chair. And yes...………..they do each have their own "Sassenach", but that's a post for another time.

The Mini Frasers

I hadn't done a photo shoot with all three of my mini Frasers together as of yet, so thought it was about time. I don't have a lot of clothing for my mini group of Frasers, I guess that's probably why I don't photograph them more. It is certainly much easier to pose the smaller dolls than their bigger counterparts, which is the main reason I shelled mini versions. One of my next items on the wishlist is an additional wig for Jamie, pulled back as he wears it in later years. In due time.......

My dilemma continues as to whether or not I want to shell Roger. I keep going back and forth about it. Roger has never been one of my favorite characters, as I've stated before. I may just get a character for my Glade world that could suit as a stand in for Roger when/if I "need" him for a photo shoot with the mini Fraser group. More dolls means more clothing as well though, so another consideration.

I am however glad I got Brianna in this size. I'm really pleased with Grace as my Brianna and think Iple did an exceptional job on her makeup.

One more shot of all 3 of them.

And Jamie and Claire...……….just because I love them.

The Murray's

Last night I was looking through my Flickr albums and many of the "romantic" couples shots I've taken over the years. I realized that I don't think I've posted Jenny and IanSr here on the Outlander blog at all, so thought I would get them both out for some new shots. 

I need to dress Jamie and Claire and get some new pics of them as well. After spending most of my time with the smaller FID/Raccoon Doll sizes recently, the bigger dolls seemed very cumbersome to pose. I have so many wonderful bigger dolls though that I really do need to make an effort to get them out to play more often. I love how Ian Sr turned out, and he doesn't get near enough picture time. I suppose part of that is he shares the Iple SID body with 2 other heads...…….

Wee Goldie

Lord John has become one of my favorite characters in the Outlander world, and as much as I enjoy David Berry's portrayal of him on the show (and I do LOVE how he portrays him on the show), he just doesn't look like I imagine him in my head. I still see him in my head as the "Wee Goldie" described in the books. When Iple decided to retire the Theo sculpt several years ago, I kept looking at him and thinking he would make an awfully good Lord John. I ordered the head with Oscar A default face up, and he has now taken over the SID body from poor Justin.

Of course one of the things that was a "must have" for John was a proper uniform. As I have posted on previous installments of the blog, my friend Robyn at Period Threads agreed to give the uniform a go and she did an AMAZING job of recreating it (see previous installments of the blog for comparison pics of the actual uniform on the show with my version created by Robyn). In fact, I love the uniform so much that Poor John hasn't had a change of clothes in the 2 years or so since the uniform arrived.

Today I thought I would take some more pics of John in his uniform just because it had been a while since I had spent some time with him and I'd missed him a bit.

I do have some other ideas of clothing for him. I actually have a red vest and black pants to change up the uniform a bit...….maybe I need to at least bring myself to put that version on him for something different. In the meantime, some different edits to enjoy him as he presently stands. He has quite a handsome profile, doesn't he?

Recreating the Wedding Night

The weather has not been conducive to picture taking here...……….very dark and dreary, so pulling out a few older pictures I've never shared on the blog that I took as a nod to one of my favorite episodes of the TV show, The Wedding Night.