Happy Halloween! Once A Witch Always A Witch!

Wishing you a truly wonderful Halloween. ...

This year as always I have my Witches Hat on and  Cup and Pot of Tea for my trick or treat-ors!

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This is 7 year old me..... Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

Ivy is a Witch and ready ready too!
As with all our posts we would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

*Special Thank you to my friend Karolina Wójciak for taking this years Witch photos of me!

8 Weeks To Christmas! A Great Holiday EASY Sewing Pattern From Eden Ava Couture! Bring the Wow Factor!

One of the best sewing patterns I found last year was the Peppermint Snow Outfit by Eden Ava Couture. I purchased and sewed several of these outfits  last year and this pattern remains one of my most favorites.

This pattern includes the dress, tights, beret and fur wrap pattern pieces and is offered on pixiefaire for $7.99

I loved making the beret and wrap as well!

 

The step by step pattern is so easy to follow and even though this was one of my first knit fabric sewing experiences I really think it turned out well! 

So if you are looking to sew something for your dolls or the doll lover in your life this season that really has a WOW Factor check out Eden Ava's Peppermint Snow Outfit offered on Pixiefaire. You can view the pattern by clicking here. 

As with all my posts I would love to hear from you. Please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com 

Karito Kids Patterns From Doll Tag Clothing And Your Chance To Win A Doll Tag Clothing Pattern Of Your Choice

I have not been lucky enough to find one of these beautiful Karito Kids dolls (pictured in the photo above on the right) but I know many people who have these dolls and are lucky enough to find them second hand. A few of my friends who find these wonderful dolls lovingly restore them and donate them to holiday toy drives and wonderful causes like The Broken Doll .
I am thrilled to see patterns for these dolls now on the commercial market so that these dolls will continue to be relevant in doll play.

Despite wining toy awards these dolls have been discontinued but if you are lucky enough to come across one Doll Tag Clothing Patterns sold on Pixiefaire will keep your dolls fashion forward!

 Doll Tag Clothing has a just put out a Easy Pattern for making a Top and Pants for Karito Dolls Called Strawberry Patch.

This pattern is a wonderful compliment to the Summer Skirt pattern Doll tag Clothing previously released and I know that many of you can already see fun outfits you can create with fabric already in your stash.
Doll Tag Clothing Pattern's are easy to follow and even if you are new to sewing you will love them!

I can not wait to see what you make for these dolls. I want to see what you make with this new pattern so email me a photo of your completed outfit from either Doll Tag Pattern shown here today for your chance to win a Free Doll Tag Clothing Pattern! You have until November 29th to email me your completed outfit photo at karenmowen@gmail.com for your chance to win!

Thank you To Doll Tag Clothing For Sponsoring This Pattern Give Away.
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

My Custom Order From Jessie Raye's Etsy Shop Has Arrived!

Humor me today as I share part of my obsession for Dr. Who and Dolls. One of the best parts of being a Doll lover and blogger is the really talented people that I get to meet through my readers, my writing and following Etsy Shop owners who create for dolls.

I wrote to Jessie and asked her if this was even possible for her to create and she was outstanding to work with as always. These little fish fingers make me smile!

They even feel like fish fingers! I love that one of them looks like it has been dipped in the custard!
So if you are looking to have a custom doll food item created for your dolls or if you are looking to add some wonderful dolly food treats to your dolls collection be sure to contact Jessie Raye by clicking here. Let her know I sent you!
 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
** for those wondering. The Wonderful Dacia of Mini Me Dolly Diva's Created my Dr. Who Dolly Shirt! as a gift.

Bizzy Crochet Blog...If You Can Crochet, This Is The Blog You Need To Follow!

Okay there is still a few days left to create items for Halloween for your dolls and I was so excited to find this wonderful blog that has an amazing amount of FREE Crochet Patterns for 18 inch dolls.
Bizzy Crochet is a fantastic place to find everything you need to create a fantastic wardrobe of items for your 18 inch dolls as well as Halloween Costumes like this one above!

 

This is such a darling pattern and outfit! I know many of you have a stack of yarn just waiting to be used and this site will give you the perfect excuse to use up your stash!

Visit Bizzy Crochet Blog and See What you can make for the doll lovers in your life! Click here for Bizzy Crochet Blog and Free Patterns. Then stop by and help me figure out how to crochet! One of these days I am going to figure it out!

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

Fun Etsy Halloween Food and Tablewear For Your Dolls

I know it is cutting it close but I had to share these last minute awesome Halloween Inspired Etsy Food Items and Treats for your dolls.

 The above is a Tomato Soup and Cheese Toast for 18 inch dolls made by FauxRealFood Etsy Shop. This truly made me smile and I love this listing! So much so that I may make this for myself for lunch today! Click here for shop and adorable listing!

 

If you are new to my blog you may not know this but I love Jessie Raye's Etsy shop for Doll Food.  Her work is wonderful and I use her often for gifts and special requests. (*Dr. Who Fans, I can not wait to share with you the latest order she made for me, in a few days.) Her work is fantastic and Doll lovers would be thrilled to have her creations in their collection. Her cupcakes are priced under $5 and fit perfectly in a stocking, advent calender! Click here for her shop and this listing.

4UCherrishedTreasures Etsy Shop has made a very eye catching Halloween Table Set, Place-mats, Napkins and Napkin Rings. What makes this set special? I love that it is reversible! Click here for shop and listing.

Last but not least is this Chocolate Roll Cake made by The13BlackCats Etsy Shop. I am in awe of anyone who can make these roll cakes for humans and am equally impressed by this one for dolls! This listing has me craving a roll cake and think I have to call my sister to get her to make me one to eat. Click here for the Doll Version of Chocolate Roll Cake and The Etsy shop of The13BlackCats.
We are getting excited for Halloween!
As with all my posts I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmaiml.com

Something For The Horses. Four Fun Etsy Items To Make or Buy For The Doll Lover In Your Life!

One of the most favorite pets that 18 inch dolls and girls alike share are horses. Today I am sharing with you some great Etsy Finds for Doll Horses. The above photo is a Horse Blanket  pattern from my friend Skippy's Mom. I loved making this for my dolls horse and my nieces! Click here for pattern listing.

Girls and their dolls can share their love of horses with this beautiful t-shirt set for doll and daughter offered at $22 from Wish On A Stitch Etsy shop. I know my niece Trinity would love this!

Hardwoodfurniture Etsy shop has a great set! This stable features two stalls that easily open and latch close. Our Horse Stable is made of sassafras wood with wood roofing shingles. Included is a horse jump, 2 fence and a hay trough complete with real hay. The roof has been stained a golden oak and the stable and accessories are left in their natural state for a nice contrast. This set would make an amazing gift and is offered at $80 Click here for shop and listing.

Okay Knitters get ready to be excited with this Ebook pattern collection from Debonairsdesigns Etsy Shop offered at $7.50 this PDF pattern will get you knitting for the Doll, the horse and the puppy or cat! I am thrilled to see patterns like this and wish I was talented enough to pull this one off!  Please send me a photo of your completed projects so I can "ooh and ahh" at your talent!

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

1 Week To Halloween Are Your Dolls Ready?

Well with one week left to go until Halloween are you and your dolls ready? Here is an easy way to go about setting up A Dolly Halloween Party and display are very easy.  You can make orange and black paper chains, paper spiders and more to decorate your dolls party area!

 

You an easily make 4 napkins for your doll out of one small Halloween print napkins, simply open the napkin and cut it into  four separate squares. For a napkin rings I used dollar store bat rings as napkin rings! 

If you are stuck for costumes remember you can always visit Doll Diaries for my tutorial on how to make your own Angry Birds costumes out of fun foam or construction paper ! Click here for The Tutorial.
I am looking forward to Halloween Night I hope you are too!
As with all my posts I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment her or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

9 Weeks To Christmas! Time To Get Sewing!

Well It is 10 weeks to Christmas Eve and if you have not started now is a great time to get sewing for your dolls and the doll lover in your life. For the next few weeks I am going to do my best to share with you links to patterns and tutorials for sewing great items for your dolls for the holidays! The above photo is a photo from my easy to sew vests  tutorial I created last Christmas for my dolls and this is the perfect starter sewing project. Click here for my step by step tutorial and free pattern to get you started!

 

A great website I follow is called All things with purposed.com I was thrilled to see this free tutorial and pattern for a great holiday dress. Click here for All Things With Purpose and the free pattern.

If you have always wanted to try your hand at sewing or if you have been wanting to teach the doll lover in your life to sew now is the perfect time to start. Over the next few weeks I hope to share my own tutorials,  links to some great free tutorials and links to some wonderful patterns that you can sew and create for your dolls I hope you will join me and I hope you will sew along as well. 

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

More Of Madelon's Halloween Tips And Finds.

Madelon always has a great eye for fun finds and she is really good at re using and re purposing items for her dolls and for the holidays!

Check out this fun costume which is actually a Cabbage Patch Kid Costume but works beautifully on 18 inch dolls like Josephina!

So cute right down to the little boots!

But what about mini dolls? They love holiday's too! Madelon found this amazing wire tree center piece and it works beautifully with her mini Kelley Dolls.

 

Think about how cute this would be on your own table and a fun thing for young doll lovers to wake up to on Halloween morning!

 

A great time to buy Halloween and Holiday Items for Dolls is of course  right after the holidays.

 So keep your eyes open for items you can add to your own Holiday collections that would also nicely compliment your doll play collection!

Thank you Madelon for sharing your wonderful fun finds and for reminding us to use what we have in our collections already to promote more fun play!

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

 

A Behind The Scenes Look At Donna Designed Etsy Shop

 Today I have a behind the scenes look at an Eclectic Etsy Shop that carries some wonderful 18 inch doll items for both girl and boy dolls! Donna Designed Etsy Shop caught my eye earlier this month when I was looking at items for Halloween for doll play collections. I contacted Donna and have asked her to share a bit about her self with all of us today.

"My Mom taught me to sew when I was 12 years old. I began by making a gathered skirt with a waistband. Soon I was making most of my dresses and skirts. I made my wedding dress when the time came and then when my kids were little I made clothes for them, Barbie doll clothes for my daughter and clothes for her baby dolls and stuffed animals for my son."

"When my granddaughter got her first American Girl doll, I made a wardrobe for her doll. Then came another doll and more clothes. And then sadly she outgrew them but they came to live with me until she reclaims them. One of her dolls is my Sophie, my model. I love making the 18 inch doll clothes because it's like making mini girl clothes. "

"Probably my favorite fabric is cotton or a cotton blend because it's the easiest to work with. But I also use lots of other fabrics. The coats work well made with corduroy and I love making hats and mittens from wool sweaters that I find at the thrift shop and felt. I also upcycle little t-shirts that I find at the thrift shop into shirts for the dolls. I think they are very realistic looking and cute."

"Last Christmas a lady from Australia asked me to make some boy doll clothes. She had specific items in mind that she wanted and I made them for her. That began my line of boy doll clothes. I didn't have a boy doll so I bought an 18 inch doll, cut the hair (he still needs a stylist), and followed a tutorial to make the doll look like a boy."

"I have a coupon code available for anyone from this blog. It is NEWFRIENDS, for 10% off anything in my shop. It will be active until Oct. 31, 2014."

A huge thank you to  Donna for sharing this behind the scenes look at her Etsy shop. Donna offers more then just 18 inch doll clothing and her shop is a fun one to have a look around at! She has the most beautiful holiday ornaments as well! Visit her shop by clicking here.
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

Madelon Says Use These Fun Finds and Combine What You Have For Last Minute Doll Costumes

Madelon reminds us today that often for last minute Halloween Costumes you can look in your doll play collection and often come up with some fun ideas.

 

Madelon thought about using some dolly dance costumes as a Halloween costume idea.

 Pair your costume with a dolly sized treat bag or pumpkin and you have a ready made Halloween Costume!

Madelon found some other great dolly sized Halloween wears at her local Target, 6 of these little pots for $1 is a really great find and these can be used year round!

"Walmart made this My Life As outfit just right for a Halloween costume! The shiny material reminds me of traditional flame retardant fabric." Says Madelon! I love the color!

 

Madelon bought this baby sized Pumpkin Ballerina Ball Gown and found it is a wonderful dolly costume! Target often has great sales on baby items that you can re-purpose for your dolls! 

Use hair items as accessories for your dolls!

The ruff of the clown costume works great on this horse!
Keep your eyes out for fun outfit you can use as Halloween Costumes just like Madelon has! Thank you Madelon for all these fun photos and ideas .
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