I was writing all that up, and bemoaning the fact that I'd spend a good chunk of my armchair crafting time tonight with a seam ripper in hand, when my husband walked by and commented on how much he liked the new dolls. Dolls plural. He liked the one I like (you'll see him tomorrow) and also the one I have issues with. Here's how the conversation went. . .
Alan: Hey, I like the Halloween guys! They look great!
Me: Really? Both of them?
Alan: Yeah. Why not? Is something wrong with one of them?
Me: Well - I started calling the vampire Sad Vlad halfway through stuffing him. I don't like the hairline.
Alan: Really? What's wrong with it?
Me: I feel like it should be a lot lower. Closer to his eyes and about halfway down to his ears.
Alan: No! He's got a great Munster look going on. I think you should leave him.
Me: Yeah. I like the Munster thing. I only realized about half an hour ago that Grandpa Munster wore a red vest with white collar and sleeves showing. But I still think the hair should be lower. I should have tested it in felt first - pinned it to one of the Karl dolls I already have made up. Stupid.
So I cut out some new hair and pinned it in place and asked him what he thought.
Tune in tomorrow for the reveal of the doll we BOTH like. And a free PDF to help you convert your Karl pattern for Halloween!
PS - There's been a bit of feedback over on the Shiny Happy Facebook page, including the idea of adding sideburns instead of just lowering the hairline. I thought that might work so I just cut out a test piece - and I think I like it! So I'm updating this post to share the added pic with you all too. What do you think?
Best,
Wendi
I like the first one better. Too Much hair on the second one. A lower widow's peak would be okay, I think, but not with so much more hair, too (if that makes sense)--sort of a more pronounced dip without adding that (yes, Elvisy) effect.
ReplyDeleteOf course, without seeing them right next to each other like that, I'd probably like them both equally well!
Thanks Amy! I just posted a new pic with the higher hairline but added sideburns, based on a suggestion on Facebook - and I think I really like it.
ReplyDeleteYou know what's funny--he actually looks like two dolls--so when your husband said he liked both dolls, I thought that's what he meant! The way the widow's peak turns into the nose line looks like the line between two faces. Especially with the higher hairline. :) Pretty innovative!
ReplyDeleteOh I really like the second one with the lower hairline! To me he looks "more Halloween" - the first one (higher hairline) is cute, but to me looks like "Karl in a halloween costume" doll!
ReplyDeleteI like the 3rd one with the addition of the sideburns. The 1st one the hairline seems too high, but with the sideburns I think everything is more evened out.
ReplyDeleteI really do like the third one with the side burns the best - I think the hairline could be slightly lower but I wouldn't change it too much.
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute idea!
Definitely sideburns. The lower hairline is more scary-not a plus for me. I like higher hairline with sideburns. Looks a little bald without the sideburns!
ReplyDeleteJannell
Thanks everyone! All your comments have been really helpful. We got a load of firewood delivered today and I repaired him in front of the first crackling fire of the season. A delightful evening! I'm really happy with how he looks now. I'll take photos tomorrow and show him to you then - along with his best buddy.
ReplyDeleteI loved the first one more until I got to the third one. I couldn't figure out what was different but I thought he looked better (observation score - zero).
ReplyDeleteLove the sideburns and the high hair - do not make it longer, it doesn't look spooky enough.
Love the dolls though - will you have a giveaway after halloween - if you still don't like high hair Vlad. I would gladly give him a home. :)
I like the sideburns version.
ReplyDeleteReceding is best!
ReplyDelete