Hollywood Dolls

A couple of months back...no, it must have been way, way back (and I deeply apologize for it, I had been feeling sick since January and my hands were trembling too hard; disaster would follow if I indulged in a repaint),  a Prego member mentioned her desire to have a repainted Scarlett.

It was flattering, but since I am no professional I was having second thoughts about it. It is different when you're doing a craft for yourself and when it's being done for someone else. That's something called "pressure".  My brushes were all worn, the last of it was not as effective too. But the joy of a repainted Scarlett was and still is something I felt I needed to share. I wish that repaints were more affordable really.

So this first commission is a "practice" commission. My gracious client was willing to take the risk. She seemed really nice. So arrangements were made. She sent me a Scarlett and Melanie head (only), shipping was much, much cheaper. Here now is my first commissioned Scarlett doll.  She is a "Travelling with Mother to Savannah" doll; my client and I like the hairstyle on this version
I hope Cynthia will enjoy her. I hope I did justice to your doll. And sorry Cynthia, ailments got in the way. I am much better now.  Your doll will come to you on March 18, 2010 via FedEx.

For a doll collector, a new year means new dolls to look forward to -- with great trepidation and excitement. For one, it will mean a chunk of ones' budget going to the new collection. Second, the thrill and ooh's and ahh's upon seeing new ideas, new creativity. For me, it means a new Scarlett. God knows only a few of the GWTW dresses have been done so the journey is still long and hopefully easy on the pocket (dresses and dolls separate, please Mr. Tonner).  There are rumors of a new Basic Scarlett. A new factory paint? New hair color? New hairstyle? Part of the excitement is being in the dark. In a few weeks time, we will all be led out of darkness -- the internet will be ablaze with press releases of these dolls,  forums will be adding pages with the discussion on what collectors like, don't like, and savings will be withdrawn. I don't want to be overwhelmed but I know I will, after all dolls are our escape,  our meditation our little joys that make the everyday headlines bearable. So, Mr. Tonner what's next?

The first few hours of 2010 daytime. I am awake at 7:15 a.m., alone typing this post in the living room. The sky is blurred from the revelry of fireworks as I think of days to come. Life plans are important, I've realized a bit later in the game -- but not too late. If you live, you still have that chance. One plan is to learn something new everyday, a new enriching experience. Go back to exercise -- seriously and create the results, practice new creativity, see old things in a new light and be at peace -- with everyone, everything, most importantly, yourself.

Kissing 2009 goodbye in 2 hours 45 minutes, so I thought of doing portraitures of Scarlett ("Travelling with Mother...") in Tonner's "Kissing Ashley Goodbye".  Among the dresses in which Vivien Leigh's beauty was highly complemented, the Christmas dress in which she desperately tries to hold on to every second with her illusion is in my opinion one of the best. Why? The innocent girlish sweetness of the dress is at variance with the turbulent mature passion of a woman that demands for love. "Demand" being the operative word in Vivien Leigh's crafting of Scarlett -- whereas other aspirants exhibited "begging for love", Vivien Leigh's interpretation was unique and faithful to the characterization of Mitchell. "At variance" for while Scarlett displayed porcelain-like fragility of beauty and decorum as admonished by Ellen 'O Hara and Mammy, inwardly, she was endowed with the Irish-determination and gumption that stood out in the war-torn South.
I have posted pictures of the Franklin Mint version of this dress ("How Could He Resist") which is more faithful in color, length and accessories to the film. The Tonner version fails in the cameo (which was originally all black, and which I repainted to reveal that cute cameo silhouette).
The boots of this doll is red, whereas the Franklin Mint version uses red pumps. The Tonner version has a overly voluminous skirt. One has to iron the pleats (lukewarm) to tame the large skirt. I wonder how those women moved in small houses with such large skirts.
As the new year ends, we kiss it goodbye: holding on to its lessons, and letting go of its sad moments. And while we hold everything in memory - be they sweet or bittersweet, we must remember to persevere...like Scarlett, we will, after the wars in our lives are over -- we will.

While doing this doll, my thoughts went to the doll's name "Return to Tara". Pondering on Scarlett's uncompromising love for land and home. "Land is all that matters, it's the only thing that lasts", Gerald 'O Hara tells his daughter. She would not realize his words until perhaps his demise.
In the Philippines just a few months ago, the land that mattered, on which homes of many stood were devastated by a major flood. Rains for days poured, unrelentingly. No one was spared. People went to their roofs bringing whatever food or clothing and valuables they could. There is no rich or poor in the eyes of  mother nature. Pets who were left tied died. Dogs, cats were seen hanging on trees and electric wires after the flood receded.  A young couple was killed locked behind closed glass doors of a fastfood restaurant, perhaps thinking that the waters would not rise that high. When I think of Scarlett, I am inspired by her spirit and her want to "do anything to bring Tara back to what it was." But what of the inner Tara inside of her, and beyond that inside us. Can we bring back the splendour of what we were back to what it was? Scarlett had her answer and perhaps we should too. Courage or gumption. Nothing should take our inner Tara away from us "while we got breath  left in our bodies". And so, we must conquer the world like Scarlett with her mother's curtains and roosters feathers on our head. This is why Gone with the Wind is immortal to me. Beyond the love story, beyond the beautiful gowns, it is about the iconic and legendary Scarlett O' Hara who will forever be conquer whatever fate brings her way.

This is how we create our own lives. There is no such thing as destiny. Destiny is whatever we make of our own fate.  Tomorrow is another day!

Thank God for Alana Bennett!
It was her who first gave me my Franklin Mint Scarlett dressed in the Barbeque dress. Immediately I was smitten by the doll and this paved the way for more Franklin Mint Scarlett purchases.
It was Alana too who made it possible for me to have the white gown inspired by Bette Davis "Jezebel". Wasn't it a journey of back and forth deciding just how much tulle went into that gown.
It was Alana too who created the Charleston Lace Ballgown inspired by the miniseries "Scarlett". She even gave me a beaded purse, gloves and completed it even more with pantalets, hooped skirt and lace shawl.
And recently, Alana went more than just sewing and did embroidery work on a 2-piece bustle gown.
For all these dreams that have come true, Alana, I thank you.

It is hard being far away from the the source of all doll dreams for me.
It is a struggle just yearning to touch the most expensive dolls and gowns in websites here and there.
It can also cause you many a guilty-days just purchasing one and waiting 3 weeks for a doll and gown to arrive.

But Alana Bennett surely made some of those dreams come true for me. Cheesy this may be, but it comes with the deepest and sincerest gratitude from the bottom of my and my Scarlett dolls' hearts.

Happy birthday Alana!!! I wish you all the best in life! And in the same way you make doll dreams come true, I wish that all of yours come true as well. = )