Going to Paris in the Fall!

I'm so excited, this will be my first trip to Europe and I have dreamed about it for some time. I'm staying a whole week and plan to visit all the sights. I'm even planning a day trip to Bruge which may be even more exciting then Paris.

I'd love to hear your suggestions for things to do or even some tips for keeping occupied on long flights. I constructed this vintage paper Eiffel Tower to keep my focus on the prize this Fall. This paper toy is available for free and can be downloaded here.

DC Universe Classics Wave 17 carded

The next DC Universe Classics wave is almost upon us and mattel has released some pictures carded pictures of the wave 17 line up.  Green Lantern and Blackest Night fans will surely be excited for this set.  You can expect to find DCUC 17 available for sale towards summer 2011.  Now, lets take a look:

First up, Indigo Lantern - The Atom



 








Sinestro Corps - Scarecrow who has a very cool looking head sculp.  I really, REALLY hope that Mattel releases a classic version of Scarecrow soon!



And finally Star Sapphire Wonder Woman



Im not entirely sure how this wave will end up doing.  It is filled with A list character but the bad part, they are in one time costumes.

If you're looking for DC Universe Classics action figures, check out eBay.  Definitely the best online option with the most variety.  To find Mattel's DC Universe Classics on eBay, click here


Action Toy Review brings you the latest news, previews and reviews on Mattel's DC Universe Classics action figures so be sure to check back for more info.


Fawns are back in stock!

Its been a awhile but I have some new fawns in a variety of colors including two new ones, chocolate and tan! Get them in my Etsy shop while they last.

Fabric magnets now available!

New to the Etsy shop! Two sizes of fabric magnets with all your favorite characters. Available in 1 1/8" and 1.5" in packs of two and three.

Amy Powers Latest Happy Birthday Issue


I just love the way Amy puts together the pages of her online craft magazine. Its so fun and creative! I was lucky to be included in the last issue and now I'm in the current Happy Birthday issue. My popular cupcake softie tutorial is featured with a bunch of other Birthday ideas. To purchase the online 244 page issue of Inspired Ideas craft magazine click here.

SHOWS!!!! and stuff


Greetings Ladys and Gentlemen! Now for some more stuff - YAY!

As I've had in the side bar for ages now, but was far to slow at adding to the main text body of this little blog, I have my very first SOLO show opening very soon - here in Seattle! The show will be up at the most excellent CAKESPY SHOP in Seattle's Capitol Hill Neighborhood - opening reception (where I will be in attendance of course!) on May 12th from 5-8 PM durring the Cap Hill Artwalk. Be there or be square! Well, actually, the show will be up for about a whole month, so you won't be too square if you get in there sometime in that month ;-)

You can announce your attendance (RSVP not required though!) on the Facebook Event thingy HERE

And here's a bit of 'promo' info:
'Monsters, Cupcakes and Monster Cupcakes' will showcase paintings and toys from Seattle based character designer Jon Malmstedt - RAMPAGE TOYS! Jon's work focuses on fun and colorful creatures that just so happen to be monsters. Expect scenes of urban destruction a' la the classic films 'Godzilla' and 'Mothra', but with a bent in the direction of silly - instead of Godzilla think 'giant cupcake that has no arms.' The show will include paintings, custom vinyl toys, handcast resin figures and a couple collaborative pieces done with the Cakespy herself - something for anyone who loves monsters, cupcakes, monster cupcakes or all of the above! Oh, and need we mention that actual, real, edible and delicious CUPCAKES will be in attendance? YUMMY!!!'


Also, this coming weekend, on May 7th, I'll have a booth at the ever fun "Crafty Wonderland Springtime Shindig," and would love to see some of you guys there! I'll have toys, prints, jewelery, and other various and fun items for your purchasing pleasure ;-) Stop and by - if you mention the blog I'll give you a little discount! If you happen to be in the Portland area, you really should also be at GRASS HUT on May 5th for the show they have opening - it's sure to be AMAZING.





So, of course there need to be some pictures of toys up in here! Here are some recent favorites that went over well in the good old RAMPAGE BigCartel Shop. First are the ACE Luchadors, which have just today been 're-activated' on a 'choose your own color' basis! I've made 10 more available, so head on over and order up you favorite color if you missed these guys the first time around!


I recently joined the "October Toys' forum, and am happy to find that those guys were quite interested in my little Cupcake Propaganda Glyos heads! They're all gone at the moment, but I'll get some more up soon!



And last, but certainly not least, a little painting. This little guy is a 3x5 ink, acrylic and watercolor piece on archival paper - the 'Ugly Unicorn' is one of my newer little guys, but expect to see A LOT more of this guy in the not so distant future :-) He's fuzzy, ugly and he CRAVES cupcakes (think 'giant booska' that needs cupcakes rather than ramen noodles!).



Thanks for stopping by - I hope some of you can make it out to Crafty Wonderland and/or the BIG EVENT at the CAKESPY SHOP on the 12th!

Election Fever

The toys have been keenly following developments of the Singapore General Elections online. One incumbent MP even visited their house to garner support. However, the loud and incessant blasting of campaign slogans in the neighbourhood every morning have made them pretty disinclined to entertain the politician.


Unfortunately as of the last Stuffed Toy Land population census, most of them are not Singaporean Citizens (mostly illegal PRs), and are not eligible to vote.







DC Universe Classics - Jonah Hex

Lets face it, Jonah Hex was a terrible movie.  Why DC is not focusing on other characters like Wonder Woman, Flash or even the Justice League for the big screen is beyond me.  The Jonah Hex movie experiment, I think, was bound to fail.  Also, why they wait until Wave 16 to release a Jonah Hex DC Universe Classics action figure is puzzling.  You would think it would've came out last year around the movie's release.  But it didn't, oh well.  As you may have guessed today's review will be on Wave 16's Jonah Hex, which is actually a really good addition to the DC Universe Classics collection.  Read on. 


No packaging pictures on this time around, lets focus on the actual action figure itself.  Usually on each DCUC wave, there is one figure that you didn't expect to be that great, then once you get it, you're totally surprised.  Jonah Hex is that figure for wave 16.   



Some really great detail work and extras included with this figure. Great work on everything from his scared up face all the way to the spurs on his boots.   



Close up the first thing i think, Two-Face.  Kinda a similar concept with regards to the face, although its the opposite side of Jonah's face that's mangled.  There are no other similarities other than that.  Jonah Hex is quite unique.  The detail in his skin in really well done.  Everything about the face is really good.  Jonah's hat is not removable by the way.  The paint job is also tip-top.  Mattel has done some fine shading work to make his clothing look like its covered in dust and dirt.  You truly get an "old west" feeling with this action figure.



Jonah Hex comes loaded with a couple of great accessories too.  He comes with a sawed off shot gun which can be holstered on his back as well as a handgun which he also has a holster for on his side.  Both accessories fit very well into each of Hex's hands.  In addition to all this, you of course get the connect and collect piece of Bane


Jonah Hex has articulation is a little less than we're use to.  He has all the standard joints with the exception of the abdominal joint.  So he cannot bend forward or backwards.  All joints on this action figure out of the package were in fine working condition.  Not to tight or lose. 


Overall, Jonah Hex looks great and includes a more than adequate amount of accessories.  The question is, do you want him for your collection.  If you're not a fan of the Jonah Hex comic book, you may have mixed feelings, especially if you don't care about the CNC piece of Bane.  But rest assured if you do decide to pick up your very own, you will not be disappointed.  As I mentioned, I really was surprised how good this action figure turned out.  Good job Mattel. 

Sculpt/Design - 9, Paint - 10, Accessories - 10, Articulation - 8, Fun - 8

To find Mattel's DC Universe Classics Jonah Hex on eBay, click here

To find Mattel's DC Universe Classics Wave 16 action figures on eBay, click here



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Craftstravaganza 2011

I'm only doing a handful of shows this year. Don't miss your chance to buy from me in person and visit one of the best indie craft shows of year. Heres the scoop!
Craftstravaganza
Saturday, April 30, 2011
9am-5pm
Free Admission
MN State Fairgrounds Fine Arts Building
Over 70 Amazing Artists
Free Workshops throughout the day
Free Swag Bags for the first 100 shoppers

Day 211: Steve Wozniak







Stephen Gary "Woz" Wozniak is an American computer engineer who co-founded Apple Computer, Inc. (now Apple Inc.) with Steve Jobs and Ronald Wayne. His inventions and machines are credited with contributing significantly to the personal computer revolution of the 1970s. Wozniak created the Apple I and Apple II computers in the mid-1970s.

He is sometimes known as the "Other Steve" of Apple Computer, the better known Steve being co-founder Steve Jobs.

Download the PDF file here and make your own Steve Wozniak!

In case you missed our Steve Jobs paper toy (Day 20), here it is again!

Tell us what toys you like to see next by visiting our Facebook Fan page.

DC Universe Classics - Shark

Im trying to get in some missed reviews from previous DCUC waves which i was unable to get to.  Lets go back a bit to the DC Universe Classics wave 11 again, this time to take a look at "Shark".   



Definitely not an A or B...or even a C list character from the DC Universe, the Shark seems like an odd choice to make an action figure for.  A filler perhalps?  It definitely seems like Mattel does not want to give us too many A list characters in one wave seeing as how Wave 11 already gives us  A listers like John Stewart and Kilowog and even somewhat popular The Question and Cyborg Superman.  The Shark has only had a few appearances and there have been a few different versions of a "Shark" character.  Since wave 11 was a Green Lantern heavy wave, this version of Shark is the 3rd version who had runs with Hal Jordan on a couple occaisions as well as Superman and Aquaman.  Lets take a look.


Packaging is what it is.  Wave 11 was the last that had this original packaging.  In wave 12 things were slightly modified.  On to the action figure:


At first look at Shark, you think, what the....???  a man's body with a shark's head.  As ridiculas as Shark looks, this action figure is almost spot on compared to the comic book character.  See below. 



Told ya.  Its actually a very good likeness which is what you would expect because Mattel and the Four Horsemen have been doing an awesome job with this toy line.  Basically, what we've been given is an action figure of standard DCUC body parts, similar to that of say, Hal Jordan or Flash, and the Horsemen have added fins to his calves, forearms (similar to Aquaman) and one giant shark fin on his back.

The head of course, is unique to the character. For the most part, its a good head sculpt but the mouth and teeth kind of bother me.  I wish the teeth were a bit more defined and sharper looking. 


The paint job on the body is mostly 2 shades of purple, a glossy metallic light purple and a darker shade of purple which i think looks pretty cool.   The paint around the teeth and mouth area unfortunately looks sloppy. 


Articulation is similar to other standard DC Universe Classics action figures.  Other than his Shark head, his body and joints are all the same.  Thankfully all in fine working condition.  Not too tight or too lose. 

If you're looking for any sort of accessories to be included with Shark other than the Connect and Collect piece of Kilowog, which lets face it, is the main reason for me purchasing this action figures, then you will be a tad bit disappointed.  There is nothing else included and since Shark has been sculpted with two closed fisted hands, you cannot substitute another action figures accessories.  


Overall,  Shark is a filler in my opinion and other than the wanting to finish Kilowog, some may see no reason to purchase him.  To his benefit, he is painted with a some cool metalic colours and has a decent head sculpt but at the end of the day, people did not flock out to buy this action figure.  It was actually cheaper for me to buy him brand new than to only buy the Kilowog CNC piece on its own in an eBay action. At the end of the day, you can't have enough villains to fill your collection so I wouldn't classify him as a bad purchase, just not an overly exciting one.   

Sculpt - 6, Paint - 9, Articulation - 9, Accessories - NA, Fun - 5,
Value - 6 (only because of Kilowog)

Well, if you're looking to finish your DC Universe Classics wave 11 set, you can probably find Shark for a pretty good price on eBay these days. 

To purchase Mattel's DC Universe Classics Shark from wave 11 on eBay, click here

To purchase Mattel's DC Universe Classcis Collect N Connect Kilowog on ebay, click here



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