Adorable Etsy Finds Great Looks for Halloween

Karen here and today is BUY A FRIEND A BOOK DAY! One of my most favorite days of the year, so after reading today's post consider going to the store or shop online and surprise a friend today with a book!  Another of my favorite holidays is just around the corner, Halloween! Today's post is some great looks for your dolls this holiday season!

Our friends over at Teatime Fabric Panels have one of the best kits for making your dolls a fun and kid friendly witch costume! Click here to learn more. The kit comes with everything you need to make this for your dolls (except scissors, thread and the machine to sew it on!) It doesn't get much better than that! Click here for shop and listing. 

How about this fun Mermaid costume from TeddisTreasures196, Mermaids are so popular and I love the skirts on this one. Click here for shop and listing. 

How cute is this listing for a dolly Unicorn costume from Freeky Chick Boutique ? I loved this one, as I am partial to purple! Click here to learn more about this wonderful costume! 

Thank you for joining us here today! We would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

Get Your Craft On With Brandy! Unicorn Cupcakes!

Brandy has been so busy putting the perfect touches on some doll sized unicorn cupcakes!

This tutorial she shows you how and what supplies you need to make these lovely little treats for your dolls! The entire series is fantastic and you need to check out the cupcakes! I am so impressed!

Get your craft on with Brandy with these sweet cupcakes by clicking here.

Thank you for joining us here today we would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

Hitting the books with Karen- The Doll Shop Downstairs...

If you happen to follow my other daily publishing blog at A Cup of Tea and a Cozy Mystery.com you may already know how much I love reading, and that I would love a tea/book/doll shop of my own. I came across this book called The Doll Shop Downstairs and knew I wanted to share it with all of you on this our last Hitting The Books with Karen post of the Summer. Just take a look and see if this is a book you may also wish to read....

Nine year old Anna and her sisters like helping out in their parents' doll repair shop, because once their chores are done, the fun can begin. The girls are allowed to play carefully with the dolls until they're fixed and ready to be returned to their owners. But when World War I begins, and an embargo on German-made goods threatens to put the shop out of business, it's up to Anna to come up with an idea to save the day.

Doesn't this sound like a wonderful book? Click here to order your own from The Book Depository....
Personally I hope you have enjoyed this segment of our summer series and I would love to hear from you so please, I invite you to leave me a comment or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com 

Mommy Monday Moment with Jenny

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I am a huge American Girl Doll buy-sell-trade Facebook follower.  I love to post my furniture on the different sites for people to view.  It certainly has made me some business, for that I am grateful.  So, just yesterday, as I was posting some pictures, I came across the coolest AG inspired outfit!  #inlove.  I had to purchase this set for Kaitlyn for Christmas.  The most adorable NorthFace zipper fleece, headband ear warmer, and ripped jeans.  I've said it before, I'll say it again, I WISH I could sew like that!  And if you are a weekly reader, I did end up buying that hoodie for myself, when I took the kids school shopping ?? Which brings me to my next topic.

Man, how many binders does one child need for back to school?  A ton is the answer here!  The kids are pretty set to go back to school after Labor Day.  They get the day after Labor Day off.  In our town that is a tradition.  The community has a HUGE Labor Day event with fireworks at night.  So, it was determined, way back when, that the children would have a day of rest and start school the following day.  Natalie will be starting a preschool group this fall.  It is nice, you can literally see the building from our front windows.  She is supposed to attend Monday and Friday, but I decided, at 2 1/2 , that Friday 8:30 - 11:30 is perfect.  She is very excited. I picked her up a cute panda backpack from Target last night.  #ilovetarget.  And the most precious mouse petticoat too!  Oh, she thinks Mondays are tough, "Ahhhhh Mondays, I can't do Mondays, I neeeeeddddd my coffee," that's what she says!

We have yet to move the chicken to their official coop outside.  Well the one I bought for my husband for Father's day typically hold 4-6 birds.  Yup and we have 7 - so....... What do you do - of course, you spend the weekend building an addition!  Pictures next week, it is insane!  Him and Nathan were roofing it yesterday evening.  The crazy thing is, while all this was happening, I get an ETSY message to create a chicken coop for a little girls birthday in November!  I had to laugh.

See what Jenny has been upto in her Rita Pita Boutique by clicking here.

Thank you Jenny for this Mommy Monday Moment! We would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com 

Sunday Yarn Craft Spectacular Suggested Dolly Fun!

Today our suggested pattern is a FREE ONE FROM RED HEART YARNS!

Dolls Day At School Pattern includes easy instructions on how to make a backpack and these sweet leggings! Click here for the RED HEART YARN PATTERN PAGE

Thank you for joining us for the last Sunday Yarn Craft Spectacular! We hope you have had so much fun.
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

Jessica T's Saturday Sewing Suggestions! Week 10- Christmas Stocking

This week Jessica T finishes her Saturday Sewing Suggestions with the Christmas Stocking from Lee & Pearl! 

It is not all that long before we will all be in full Christmas holiday mode and this free pattern from 2014 is a favorite of mine for sure!

Jessica T says "Lee and Pearl are amazingly talented pattern designers and crafters.  They have lots of wonderful tutorials on their website and their newsletter subscribers can get sent a free pattern every year!  This stocking pattern is very beginner friendly and can be assembled so quickly you'll have enough for everyone in the family in no time!  I punched small holes along the seam allowance in the pattern so I could mark them on the fabric and do a "dot-to-dot" sewing mechanism which makes is so very simple!"

Click here for the pattern tutorial. 
Thank you Lee & Pearl and Thank you Jessica T for a wonderful summer of sewing suggestions!
We would love to hear from all of you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

Madelon's Fantastic Friday Finds! More My Life As Deal! A $2 baking set for your dolls!

Today Madelon shares some wonderful thrifty fun finds from My Life As at Walmart!

This baking set was only $2 at Walmart and this is one Madelon snapped up right away!

Dolls can even hold the tools!

This was a set that was a steal!

Even fun recipe cards! You can follow and make!
Run down and check out the deals and steals in your My Life As Section at your Walmart!
Thank you Madelon for this amazing fun find!
We would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

Adorable Etsy Finds For The Musically Inclined Doll!

Today's Adorable Etsy Finds are inspired by Music! Fall means back to things like music lessons and choir recitals so here are some great doll items that are musically inclined .

First off is this lovely  musical piano inspired kit you sew yourself for your doll from Tea Time Fabric Panel! Perfect for the Piano Recitals! Click here to learn more about this kit and listing. 

They also have musical tights you can sew! Click here to learn more. 

Growing up a huge part of my life was signing in the church choir and my outfit looked just like Mrs. C's pattern shown above, you can sew some for all your dolls with this pattern click here for shop and listing. 

Thank you so much for joining us here today we would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

Get Your Craft On With Brandy- Dolly Unicorn Cakes!

This week Brandy has out done herself with this Unicorn themed dolly cake you will love!

Inspired by this cake, Brandy has got a tutorial for a doll sized stunner you won't want to miss!

Click here to visit Brandys Happy Home and see just what wonderful things you can make your dolls with her tutorials like this one! 

Thank you Brandy for such an inspiring tutorial!
Thank you all for joining us here today we would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

Hitting the books with Karen The Adventures of Two Dutch Dolls and a "Golliwogg"

Today I have a book for our older readers ages 12-17 (or 100+), actually there is just something so wonderful in a doll book that is more than 100 years old.

This is The Adventures of Two Dutch Dolls and a Golliwogg....

Florence Kate Upton (1873-1922) was an American-born English cartoonist and author most famous for her Golliwogg series of children's books. At the age of 16 she obtained work as a professional illustrator. Numerous publications existed at this time, mainly as vehicles for advertising and light fiction of varying merit. Some of the same authors whose stories appeared in the magazines went on to employ Florence to illustrate their novels or books of short stories. In 1893 she began to sketch out ideas for a children's book, using 'penny wooden' dolls as her models. The first Golliwogg story was produced in 1894. The Adventures of Two Dutch Dolls and a 'Golliwogg' was published for Christmas 1895. Through the years Florence and Bertha, her mother, collaborated on a total of thirteen Golliwogg adventures, the series ending as, over the years, cultural drift caused interest in the series to wane and Florence sought a career as a professional artist. The last of the Golliwogg books was published in 1909.

Thank you so much for joining us today! We would love to hear what you think! You can find this book on The Book Depository by clicking here! 
Please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

Mommy Monday Moment with Jenny

In our house, we have the line crosser of all line crossers.  Natalie is beyond our family clown, she is always looking to make her brother or sisters laugh at her. 

  Including me and her dad, I can't help but laugh at her.  We have wonderful kids, they are kind, gentle, and respectful with everyone.  They always help, they do what they are told, and they encourage each other.  From 1-years old to 14-years old, they are best of friends.

Back to Natalie, she is very much the same, but she must have one of those enlarged silly-crazy-goofy chromosome.  There are not many kids, during dinner, that put their French fry on top of the ranch dressing bottle, or drop a piece of pizza in her sister's glass, or ever so politely place her chewed up steak on her brother's plate because she is done, or even put her food on top of her head.  I can't get enough of her, we are in the middle of potty training this week.  For 2 ½ years old this kid is the best and I can't get enough of her innocent, humorous behavior.  I hope she stays silly, stubborn, and persistent in her life.

So, I finished the Tenney's band equipment.  I made the on-air sign, the amp, and microphone stand with the microphone.  The microphone itself came from a plastic kid tool clamp workbench set.  SHHHHH. Don't tell Nathan.  The mic stand is actually an old lamp base!  I know right - perfect!  The amp is made from a jewelry box drawer and some fabric to mimic Tenney's.  I think it came together nicely.

Lastly, look at these guys playing with the Rita Pita furniture.  I love it!  And yes that is an old school Cabbage Patch Doll "dabbing".  Now, Kaitlyn does have all her own furniture and house, but during this week they have been pulling stuff that I have in the shop to play with their dolls.

Enjoy the week readers, crafters, and friends.  Be kind, smile at strangers, not too long though, because they might think that it is weird.  Do a pay it forward in the Tim Horton's line.  Hug your kids extra tight and buy something you have always wanted - like that really cute NorthFace grey and plum colored hoodie at Dick's Sporting Goods (I so HAVE to go and get it), because you never know.  Be well??

Thank you Jenny! Learn more about what Jenny is creating by clicking here for her shop Rita Pita Boutique 

 We are so happy to have you join us! We would love to hear from all of you. Please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com 

Sunday Yarn Craft Spectacular Suggested Dolly Fun! Bizzy Crochet Backpack for dolls and girls!

Today I found a crochet backpack pattern I hope you will enjoy making!

This is a great pattern for using up your yarn especially for the dolly size! This is a great pattern for those just starting out, or those wanting to make something fun for the young doll lover in their lives!
I found this one  on Bizzy Crochet! Click here for the pattern and website. 
Thank you for joining us here today we would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

Jessica T's Saturday Sewing Suggestions! Week 9- Make My Sleep Mask For Your Dolls!

I was so honored when Jessica T chose my Dolly Sleep Mask tutorial to share with you today.

It is hard for me to believe that I did this tutorial in 2011! Click here for the tutorial.

This is an easy and fun one you can even do for a sleep over craft or lootbag take home craft!
Thank you Jessica T for today's suggestion and choosing one of my own!
We would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

Madelon's Fantastic Friday Finds! My Life As and Get Well Soon!

Madelon has found some great deals for us in the past at walmart and today she is showing me something I have not seen here in Canada.
This mini table and kitchen set is adorable!

These fit the My life As min dolls who are actually larger than the AG mini dolls and the Lori dolls but I think they are super cute! Not quite as big as the Wellies go.
I have seen these just start appearing at my local Walmart. I was there on Wednesday and they were just putting out the new dolls, and the fall items getting ready for the upcoming holiday gift giving season.  These are sweet as can be and if you can grab as much as you can to put away for the holidays and for birthday parties!

Madelon also made my day when she sent me these get well photos! I am still slowly recovering from a really aggressive pneumonia and not at my usual speed! I love this balloon and her newest doll! Anyone else pick her up on the pre sale?

Madelon also has this sweet Wellie Wisher, who I love to pieces!
Thank you all for your well wishes and for all these great finds Madleon!
We would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

Adorable Etsy Finds- Fall Themed Looks

Only a few weeks left of summer and my favorite season fast approaches. Today's adorable etsy finds are inspired by fall.

The leaves are starting to fall here in my yard and before everything turns to pumpkin spice, I am sharing the Autumn Fun Outfit you can sew for your dolls from Tea Time Fabric Panels. Click here for the link to this easy to sew yourself kit! Only $22! 

I love the soft colors and cozy material used in this fall outfit by Jenettes18Dollitems click here for shop and listing. 

One of my favorite parts of fall is getting back into my jeans and sweaters! Check out this pair in MaddiesGirls Etsy Shop! I love the details! 

The color and simplicity of this 18 inch doll sweater is my favorite! Click here to see for yourself! You actually get the entire outfit minus the shoes from Donna Designed. Loved this set! Click here for better images and shop. 

Thank you for joining us here today we would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com