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The ongoing saga of CustomDolls swaps

As always, it is great fun to review the recent swaps in the CustomDolls group. And, as always, we are tardy completing our swaps. So to begin this issue of the "S" Files, let's take ourselves back to the summer, and the annual Fourth of July swap.

I was the lucky recipient of a doll from Karen Cooper. Although this was for the Fourth of July swap, I finally finished my doll in November! Bad me. Karen sent me this stunning Steffie faced doll named "Noir," wearing a fabulous ultra-modern black taffeta dress trimmed with mesh and real fur. I wanted to make a glamourous monochrome doll for her, and sent "Merlot," wearing a burgundy silk dress with a chiffon overlay and iridescent burgundy sequins.

The beautiful Steffie swaps continue.....

As the quintessential Steffie ho, Rebecca Chulew was eager to swap Steffies with Kathy Mroczko. Kathy made this doll with lovely long hair in a fabulous aqua brocade evening skirt. Rebecca made this super Mod doll with an amazing dress and an excellent beehive. Isn't she fab???

Mel Parker-Reeves made this sassy African inspired Steffie gal "Farrah" for Michelle James, who in return, gave her her beautiful Asha faced Daywear Contest entry. Mel's doll was made from the DOTW Ghanian doll's outfit.
 
 

Michelle also did a swap with Angel Mitchell. Michelle sent "Kari", a Birthday Party Barbie with the blowhole filled in. Angel made "Janessa," this microbraided beauty in royal purple and black.

Heather Camden and Rebecca Chulew are perpetual swap pals. Heather made this awesome Keith Haring inspired doll, and Rebecca made this fierce dragon lady inspired by the work of one of her favorite artists, Freddy Tan.

As usual, fantasy themed swaps continue to be a favorite among artists, with fairies, animals, and other fanciful creatures. Making her swap debut was Christy Odom, who did a fairy swap with Kim Cantwell. She made this cute pink and green Teresa fairy named "Sarell", and Kim also made her a fairy named "Feyla" in similar colors. Welcome to the addictive world of swaps, Christy!

Christy also did a swap with Deb Markewicz. Christy made her this great fairy, Dagan, the Goddess of Earth and Nature", from one of the new Lea dolls, with that gorgeous face. Deb made this adorable kitty with furry accents and a playful repaint - "Achristakat."

Michelle James' swaps are never a disappointment, and this is certainly true for her fairy swap with Kim Cantwell. Michelle made "Shalithia" from the new Palm Beach Lea. Kim made this lovely Midge fairy "Gwenalyn", clad in gorgeous purple velvet.
 
 

Barb Wood was also a busy swapper, trading Kelly makeovers with Yke Klompmaker. Barb made this little pink cutie named "Jesi," while Yke made one of her signature royal girls named "Red Rhapsody," smothered in star sequins.

Barb also swapped with Sarah Worley, exchanging her glamorous Alex Jae in icy blue tones for this colorful girl by Sarah.

Speaking of glamour.......

Who could make more glamorous swap partners than Karen Cooper and Anita Healy? Karen made this absolute stunner for Anita, with a sheer beaded bodice and an excellent use of square sequins. In return, Anita made this saucy woman in red and black for Karen. Wowza, what a duo!
 
 

Mel Parker-Reeves and Kim Burie traded these colorful chicks. Mel's doll "Peach Dream" not only features this gorgeous sheath with a lace overlay, but is also painted in coppery and peach shades, which play nicely off her red hair. Kim's doll "Sugar Plum" was her very first Asha face repaint. She rooted her with gorgeous purple hair with streaks, and made her a groovy outfit with bellbottoms and a halter top. Foxy!

These two lovelies were a private swap between Lorena Naldi and Kevin Kilmer. Lorena made this super hot diva named "Fall Party" in yellow with a great fur stole, while Kevin made this classy lady aptly named "Shopping on Rodeo Drive."

Kathy Mroczko and I also did a private swap with a quirky 50s theme. I managed to talk her out of her "How to Grill Your Man's Favorites" doll, which was made with vintage fabrics. Kathy was angry with her husband, I think, when she made this one! In return, I sent her "Modess," based on an advertisement in a 1954 Seventeen magazine for a new sanitary napkin that "won't chafe!"
 
 

Lisa Howell made this sultry doll with excellent streaked hair and a slim silhouette for Dot Festeu. Dot made "Cruella DeVille - Texas Style" for Lisa. She's black and white to the max!

Lastly, these two beautiful dancers were the result of a private Fantasy Dancer Swap between Regina Tewes and Jenn Murphy. Jenn made "Dance of the Peacock," a showgirl adorned with these great feathers, and Regina made "Moonbeam Dancer," this ethereal doll that seems to float in her own chiffon cloud.

As always, the swap dolls are just amazing, and everyone has done a fabulous job. To have your swap featured in The "S" Files, send pictures to me at tessb@texas.net. Keep swapping!!!