Friday, January 31, 2014

Happy Lunar New Year (Chinese New Year) 2014


Did you know today is Lunar New Year? Growing up it was called Chinese New Year for me but I am told the preferred title is Lunar New Year , I love the sound of that! Both Madelon and Jessica T have been kind enough to send in some wonderful doll play ideas! First Madelon:
This year is the year of the Horse and Madelon shares some wonderful mini Ivy photos with us today!
Madelon shares her Mini Ivy Scene

"Ivy serves a whole chicken (for good luck) with a rice pudding dessert"

Madelon used items from her doll play collection for her smaller dolls and Barbie as well as a saucer from her 18 inch dolls tea set for her scene.

  Jessica T has found these wonderful make it your self Fortune Cookie Craft that can be easily adapted for 18 inch doll play. Click here for free pattern and directions. 

In September of 2011 I created the "Pink Panda" Restaurant for Doll Diaries which is a tutorial for felt food. You can view that Tutorial on Doll Diaries by clicking here

 

  From all of us here at Karen Mom of Three's Craft blog we wish you and your families a very happy Lunar New Year and look forward to sharing more doll play ideas with you soon!

As with all our posts we would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com 

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Jessica T's Tips- A Tutorial and Free Pattern To Make Snow Shoes and Vest from Wren Feathers!


Wren Feathers has a wonderful site that both Jessica T and I love. Today Jessica shared her tip of this tutorial with us today. Wren Feathers has created a Snow Shoe Tutorial and we know you are going to love it!
As an amazing added bonus a pattern for an adorable Dolly and Me Vest!
In addition to a wonderful web site Wren Feathers has a fantastic Etsy shop you can view by clicking here.
Patterns and photos that will make you fall in love with this Etsy shop! I just love this pattern the Edwardian Heirloom Sewing Pattern is stunning. Click here to visit her Etsy Shop.

Thank you Jessica T for sharing your tip with us today about Wren Feathers Site and Etsy Shop
As with all our posts we would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

What I Have Been Up Too This Month


  Today I wanted to let you know that I am right on track to complete my goal of sewing every day in January. I have been sewing and completing at least one doll item every day this month.

 In December I stared at my to be sewn pile of fabric, my boxes and binders of patterns and set to work in planning to sew every day in January just to see if I could.
I sewed more then 15 pairs of dolly fleece gloves this month and modified the Craft along with me pattern. 
 
I sewed and dyed dolly and me tea gloves....
Used an entire meter of heart patterned stretch knit fabric to create dresses and t-shirts...
Several Ties and bow ties ....
Doll Aprons...
 Party Hats...
As well as Cloche Hats....
On days where I was pressed for time I sewed doll socks and even a dolly purse or two.
I have really enjoyed getting this far with my person challenge this month. I am sharing my post today with you to hopefully inspire you to make time to sew, take time to craft and be creative every day. The Doll Socks take less then two minutes to make and that feeling of accomplishment at the end of each dolly sewing project is pretty hard to beat! 
So don't just look for the time, finding time is hard. Making time is part of the commitment and the fun. 
I have heard it said that if you do something 21 times it becomes a routine. I have to agree, I feel like I get antsy if I have not sewn something by 1 in the afternoon! I know I can not do this every day all year but I have sure enjoyed doing this every day this month and hope to at least sew something once a week from February on. 
Thank you for taking time to read my blog, for visiting my tutorials, sponsors and taking the time to comment or write me. It is for all of you that I continue to write and publish daily.
As with all my posts I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com



Tuesday, January 28, 2014

American Girl Football Inspired Etsy Fashions!

I know that the Superbowl is just a few days away but there are some truly fun fashions on Etsy for Football loving Doll Fans! Check out this Bronco's inspired t-shirt offered in DollsnFunStuff's Etsy Shop, offered at $15, click here for shop and listing.

It is hard not to be impressed by this stunning outfit from Jan's Craft Room Etsy Shop. This outfit is offered in her shop at  $32 Click here for shop and listing.


If you are a Football fan there is so much more on Etsy for 18 inch dolls then I could even imagine! All teams represented and some really enthusiastic doll loving shop owners ready to create something your football loving dolly would be proud to wear.
As with all my posts I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

Monday, January 27, 2014

Madelon's Marvelous Mini Monday Finds



Marvelous Monday Finds today! Madelon found a wonderful shop called DarlingDollys offering some pretty fun mini doll items!

There are also 18 inch doll items listed in this shop and you can find something with in your mini doll budget that will not break the bank in this store! Items starting at $3!
Click here for Darling Dolly's Etsy Shop!
Thank you Madelon for finding such fun Mini Monday Finds!
As with all our posts we would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com


Sunday, January 26, 2014

Let's Skate Sunday! Madelon's Fun Photos and Finds!

Madelon has sent me so many wonderful dolly skating photos over email that I thought it would be fun to show you them and show you where you can find some fun skating accessories for your dolls!
 
But where to begin, we already know that Madelon picked up the wonderful winter back ground in store at AG and some of her doll outfits are Ebay finds, Older American Girl outfits and custom designed one of a kind fun finds. But where do you look for items for your dolls for skating items for your dolls?

Here are some of our favorite finds in the dolly world.



Springfield dolls is a great place to start for skates for your dolls, especially with the Olympics in Russia about to start! Stock up now for your dolls to wear while you catch all the Olympic Highlights!
Instore and on line these Springfield Skates sell for about  $6.99 click here to shop on line.

On Etsy in a shop called Unique Doll Clothing has this listing for "White Furry Ice Skates" offered at $7.00
I found a Canadian Etsy Shop carrying these black skates! BookBinEtc is offering these at $5.93! Click here for shop and listing.
Moving on to some skating outfits I stumbled on this stunning costume from Designs For Ice Etsy Shop, you will not believe the skating outfits for 18 inch dolls listed in this shop! Click here for shop and listing.
Etsy shop Wee Wimzy Wardrobe has some fun outfits that even come with trophies and doll sized medals! Check out their shop by clicking here
Looking to Knit a skating outfit for your dolls? Check out this pattern from Kitting for Dolls Etsy Shop by clicking here.
Here is a wonderful deal a $2 crochet pattern for a skating costume from Barb's Dolls! Click here for shop and listing.

Thank you Madelon for sharing all your fun skating photos with us today, be sure to shop big box stores, thrift stores, dollar stores as well as the web and report back to us your fun finds so we may share with others.
As with all our posts we would love to hear from you, please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Madelon's American Girl Winter Scene! The Perfect Skating Background!

 

 Madelon shares with us to day her incredibly detailed Winter Scene she purchased instore at American Girl

"This cardboard display was $12 when I purchased it in the store. It is fairly large, so I don't know what shipping will be."

 "Julie's costume is really a top that came with a tunic. Look for short tops that can also work as ice skating costumes!"

This makes such a wonderful photo and display piece!

"Doesn't she look like Dorothy Hamill?"

It really looks like she is skating! 
 

"The pink hued sky matches her dress"

I believe that  this $12 back ground is a wonderful doll play investment and thank Madelon for sharing her background with us today and her wonderful skating inspired photos! I have more to show you soon!

As with all our posts we would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com


Friday, January 24, 2014

Have You Heard About Serendipity, The Serendipity Doll Company?

I just received my first Serendipity Doll Company Outfit and I could not be more pleased! The Serendipity Doll Company is offering beautiful outfits that are well made and fashion forward for 18 inch dolls.
 The outfit I was sent is the Jogging Pants and Jacket and it is one of my favorite outfits now, it is versatile, looking amazing on my American Girl Dolls as well as My London Guy doll Oliver.
The coat features three working zippers and the pants have an elastic waistband. Who do you think wore it better? Ruthie or Oliver?

On my Serendipity Wish list I have this Floral Rose Doll Dress, it is the perfect tea dress and would look stunning on all my 18 inch Girl Dolls. Priced at $14.99 You can view this dress and ordering details by clicking here

Ballet inspired fashions are all the rage this year as you may know, check out this Pink Princess Doll Dress and Slippers by clicking here

I am a huge fan of Doll Two Piece Pj's this set looks like a pair I would like to have in my own size! Click here to learn more about this listing. 

Saving another favorite for last has to be this Yellow Doll Floral top, Pink Skirt and hairband set. It screams Spring to me and we could all use a little Spring right now.
I hope you have enjoyed today's post and that you will check out The Serendipity Doll Company and add a few outfits to your doll play collection. 
As with all my posts I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com