The Search for Dentist Barbie, rescued by Amazon.ca

My niece PB has spent some time at the dentist in the last few weeks having landed on her face at Easter Dinner and knocking lose her front tooth. At almost 4 she is one of the biggest Barbie fans I know and she made it very clear that she wants Dentist Barbie. Once we looked on line I could not believe how cute the Barbie Dentist Sets of today are! I went to walmart but could not find one so my search locally was on but I could not find it anywhere. I only have a few weeks before I need to get this for her birthday so I was thrilled to find that as I am truly stuck I can get it on Amazon.ca fairly easily! If you are like me and want to bring this set home click here. (I am not an amazon affiliate) 
So looks like Aunty will be able to fulfill her promise after all!
Thank you for joining me here today I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

Sew This Sunday Dolly Swimsuit!

Today we are sharing a free pattern for an 18 inch doll swimsuit. I found this pattern to share this week on the Peekaboo Pages Site. Every doll lover needs a few swimsuits in their collection and this is a very basic one that can also double as a ballet or leotard for gymnastics. Click here for the pattern and tutorial. 
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

The Toys We Used To Love Wrinkle Dogs

Maybe you are old enough to remember these soft lovely dogs, maybe you are not but they were a fun and well loved toy at my house growing up.
We had these Wrinkle Dogs that were also puppets and I came across this one in the Etsy Shop called Nina's Treasures. I knew I wanted to share the Wrinkle Dogs with you today. Click here for this lovely boy!

I said boy for the last one because they were boy and girl Wrinkles and the one I had was much like this one. I remember here ear bows and the pocket for her bone. I found this lovely in the aptly named Karen's Vintage Store (Not affiliated) click here for shop and listing. 

Nina's Treasures also has these lovelies that I remember so well. My sisters and I found them in our Easter Basket one year and I remember taking them with us to my dads hockey game on Easter Sunday, He always had a hockey tournament on Easter Weekend. I had the Tennis one and I cannot remember which ones my sisters had. Such a fun trip down memory lane. Click here for the shop and listing.  
Thank you for joining us here today for a look back at the toys we used to love. I would love to hear what you think so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

#Fridayreads and Crafts!

Today's Friday reads is a recommendation from Madelon, she saw this at her local Barnes and Noble store. I have not yet seen it but I love the idea of reading and acquiring a new skill. These book and kit sets make excellent gifts and great sized doll play items!

I am working up the courage to do something like these! Click here to see these listings on Amazon.  Star Wars
Zootopia

Thank you Madelon for sharing this excellent recommendation with us today! We would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

It's My Birthday!

Today is my Birthday and I am sharing three Birthday Inspired Etsy Listings to consider for your own birthday or the birthday of a doll lover in your life. The gift of time and skill is always a great idea for a gift and I love this kit from Tea Time Fabric Panels. Order one and make for or with the doll lover in your life. Click here for shop and listing. 

I absolutely love this listing! Offered by Christinamcdaniel Etsy Shop you can order a Birthday Girl and Doll Shirt! I think this is super cute especially if you are making it into the store on your birthday or if you are having an American Girl Themed Birthday! Click here for shop and listing

Throwback Collectible caught my eye with this listing. I remember seeing this years ago and thinking it was the coolest thing. Click here for shop and listing. 

Happy Hooking Wednesdays, Slippers!

Hooks at the ready! This week's Happy Hooking pattern for crochet comes to us from beanbunny.com and this is a great pattern to have. Even though the days are getting warmer I still wear my slippers regularly. I think making these in lots of colors for all the dolls and doll lovers in your life would be fun. Tuck them into a greeting card, Advent Calendar, Top of a Christmas gift, Christmas Cracker, Easter Egg, or even as part of a doll party or doll themed craft week. These are sweet and come together quickly for those who are great with a hook and an impatient crafter like myself. Click here for beanbunny.com's pattern.
Happy Hooking! Thank you for joining us here we would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

News about American Girl

Maybe you have heard already the sad news for more than 100 people working for American Girl in Wisconsin. Madelon sent me a link to an article that you can read by clicking here. They will be closing the distribution facility and that is not a great sign not just for the workers but doll lovers as well.

I have been writing about dolls and doll play now for almost 8 years and I have seen the trends come and go, but these dolls have proven that they have had staying power. This turn of events maybe a sign of more downsizing to come though I hope that is not the case.

As a customer, doll enthusiast, mother and aunt these dolls and their company have enhanced our lives tremendously. We will continue to report on the Dolly World News as we here it. Thank you Madelon for forwarding the article to us.

We would love to hear what you think. Please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com 

Memories of Midnight...

Have you ever loved something so much and completely forgotten about it, until reminded by a smell or a photo? My birthday is this week and I remember loving my Midnight Barbie Horse more than just about anything. I played for hours with her and my western Barbie. I still remember how the horses hair felt, the sadel which was really hard to put on and how much I loved the muzzle of my horse.

I was extremely delighted to find these beautiful photos and this listing in an Etsy Shop called Polly Pocket Plus.  The horse is priced just under $40 CND and about $20 for shipping. It is very tempting especially because of how great a condition she appears to be in.

I had such a wonderful trip down memory lane with seeing this listing. While I do love that Barbie's new horse walks on it's own there is just something so magical for me in this Midnight horse. Take a look for yourself at the listing on Etsy by clicking here.
Thank you for joining me today I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

Sew This Sunday! Sew Adollable's One Shoulder Dress

Wow was what I thought when I clicked on the tutorial for Sew Adollable's One Shoulder Dress for 18 inch dolls. I know we shared a tutorial last Sunday from this site but as you can see from the dress shown above this is a must see tutorial and pattern for tween doll lovers and those who sew for them. Click here for this tutorial and start sewing this dress today!
Thank you for joining us for this weeks Sew This Sunday Post.  Thank you to Sew Adollable for such an inspiring tutorial and website.
We would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

The Toys We Used To Love...

Today Madelon and I are sharing two of our favorite toys we used to love, mine has a tiny twist. When I was at Toy Traders Last week I found this tiny Pound Puppy that reminded me of the ones I had and loved years ago. This one would be perfect for doll play and I believe you can find these almost anywhere toys are sold. It was very hard to resist this little lovely. I wish I still had mine.

Madelon was recently doing some antiquing and came across this set that she loved growing up...

"We were doing some antiquing yesterday when we came across this West German mini mouse playground, a toy that I loved years and years ago. I recalled it as being much larger! It gave me many happy hours. This store was selling it for $75. My grandmother bought it at FAO Schwartz (which was later bought by Toys r US)."

Thank you all for joining us today for our lookback at some of the toys we used to love. We would love to her from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com 

Friday Reads...

Friday Reads  This week's Friday read is one I have heard so many great things about for the 9-11 year old set! Doll Bones ....

Discover the Newbery Honor winner Doll Bones, from Holly Black, the cocreator of the Spiderwick Chronicles. A Kirkus Reviews Best Book. A School Library Journal Best Book. A Booklist Editor's Choice Books for Youth. A Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book. A NYPL "100 Titles for Reading and Sharing." A People Magazine "Best New Kids Book." Six starred reviews! Zach, Poppy, and Alice have been friends forever. And for almost as long, they've been playing one continuous, ever-changing game of pirates and thieves, mermaids and warriors. Ruling over all is the Great Queen, a bone-china doll cursing those who displease her. But they are in middle school now. Zach's father pushes him to give up make-believe, and Zach quits the game. Their friendship might be over, until Poppy declares she's been having dreams about the Queen--and the ghost of a girl who will not rest until the bone-china doll is buried in her empty grave. Zach and Alice and Poppy set off on one last adventure to lay the Queen's ghost to rest. But nothing goes according to plan, and as their adventure turns into an epic journey, creepy things begin to happen. Is the doll just a doll or something more sinister? And if there really is a ghost, will it let them go now that it has them in its clutches? Doll Bones is a winner of the Newbery Honor, is the recipient of six starred reviews, was on five Best Book lists, and was called "perfect" by The New York Times.

Check this one out at your local library, book seller or you can find it online at The Book Depository with Free Shipping Worldwide by clicking here. 
Thank you for joining us here today we hope you have fun reading!
We would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

Tenney plays in the N'oreaster snow in her Our Generation outfit that came with everything shown including the saucer!

Many places are still stuck in a winter wonderland and while we know that Spring is coming, the white stuff seems to be sticking around in many places. Madelon took advantage of the late snow and took her doll Tenney out to play in the snow.

"This Our Generation set was bought this last year. I like her in the coral stripes! The zipper is also coral. Five pieces were $17.99, including the boots."

Thank you Madelon for sharing this fun find with us today and for making the best of your snow situation!

We would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmial.com 

Happy Hooking Wednesdays, Crochet A Doll Sun Hat With This Free Pattern

Hooks at the ready, today is the first of our Happy Hooking Wednesday segments. I love crochet and I wish I could just get the hang of it and bang out hats like these for the dolls! Summer is fast approaching and that sun is coming out, which means doll play heads outside. Hats on heads of children and dolls is recommended and how cute is this! If you are experienced you can make matching girl and doll sized hats. This tutorial comes to us from CrochetSpot.Com and is a level two crochet pattern. Click here for the pattern and Happy Hooking! 
Thank you for joining us today we hope you will enjoy this new Wednesday series. We would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

Bella Boos Closet CA

I went looking for one thing on Etsy and found something else but I was thrilled when I saw it. Check out this lovely set from BellaBoosClosetCA, this three piece set is perfect for doll lovers and collectors. The handmade crochet shall makes this outfit spectacular. The white tank top and denim leggings are right on fashion point. Click here for this outfit.  

I love this look as well. The crochet top with attached fabric skirt is pretty as can be. Click here for this listing and you won't believe the price! I expected the prices in this shop to be far higher. 

This shop also has some great listings for the boy dolls. I highly recommend spending some time looking at this shop for sure. Click here for this listing. 

Thank you for joining us today we hope you enjoyed today's Etsy Feature. Please feel free to leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

Toy Traders Barbie Adventure.

Yesterday my family and I headed to one of our most favorite toy stores in a place called Langley BC. The store is Called Toy Traders and they have a huge store that sells both new and used toys, vintage and hard to find items. It is always an adventure back in time and so much fun.

I headed to the Barbie section first, in the second hand part of the store. I quickly found one of my favorites from the 1980's and had a hard time resisting purchasing her. I am not a collector that does boxed toys, I prefer instead to play with them. So it was hard not to want to rescue this one. The ruffles on the skirt and the stand, I can remember how it felt and the hours I played with this particular Barbie. It was fun to see her again.

In the newer section of the story they had some wonderful Barbies! This one is a new release of an old favorite. I still remember the tv adds for her!

I think this is a very stunning Barbie! 

The selection was wide on many of these Barbies but this one caught my eye! I have always wanted to make my hair look like hers! Too much curl in mine.

I love the new Ken's and the Fashionistas line.

I was also thrilled to see these outfits from the Life in the Dream House Show. If my nieces were with me I think we would have left with these. 

Behind glass they have some wonderful vintage finds a Sindy still in package, some collector Elvis Barbies and James dean, as well as the Mcdonalds drive through window and other odds and ends from the 80's and 90's Barbie era. I really had fun looking at these pieces and tried not to bring anything home with me. 

If you ever get a chance to visit Langley BC, check out Toy Traders. It will wow you!

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

Sew This Sunday! Sew Adollable Summer Shorts!

Welcome back to our blog and our Sew This Sunday Series. Today we are sharing the Free Summer Shorts Pattern and Tutorial from Sew Adollable. This is a great post and doll shorts are a must. Easy and fun to make! If you are new to sewing or are wanting to continue to create versatile wardrobes for the doll lover in your life you will want to check this tutorial out.
Click here for Sew Adollable's Tutorial  
Thank you for joining us here again this Sunday and we look forward to sharing more doll crafting inspiring posts with you again soon.
We would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

Vacation Announcement

Dear readers I am writing to let you know that I am going to take a few days writing vacation from the blog and will be back on Sunday with more dolly posts.

Other than a brief time over the Christmas holidays when we moved and had no internet I have published at least once a day and I am in need of a short hiatus as I am working on other projects this week.

So check back on Sunday and I will see you all then. Thank you.
Karen

Barbie patterns Free!

I just discovered this great site called The Spruce and they have some great patterns that are free for Barbie. The above is a photo of the easy skirt pattern then have shared and they have stuff for modern Barbie and vintage Barbie and Sindy! It is a great find! Check it out by Clicking here.

Happy Sewing!
Thanks for joining us here today we would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmial.com

Sew This Sunday Ruffle Pants

This Sunday I found a very fun free pattern and tutorial for Ruffle Pants. I was amazed at the photos of just how easy it is to create pants like this for your dolls using the www.u-createcrafts.com tutorial. These are a great step up from leggings and would be cute on all your dolls. Click here for this weeks Sew This Sunday selection. 
Thank you for joining us here we would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

Toys we used to love Popples!

Okay who had Popples? I loved mine and I will admit that I had forgotten about these wonderful toys from the 1980's Above is one I found in the Polly Pocket's Plus Etsy shop and you can view it by clicking here, this one is in great shape! 

I remember my sister Bre having this Popples lunch box! I found this in the Pink Room Etsy Shop, click here for shop and listing. 

We also had this book! I remember this so well. I found this in the Loot Bug Etsy shop you can click here to see it in shop.
Thank you for joining us here this Saturday for a look back at the toys we used to love. We would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmial.com

Friday Reads

Today's Friday Reads suggestion is the Knowing What to Say book by American Girl. Growing up I wish I had access to resources like this especially during the tween years.
"A friend talks about you behind your back. What do you say? You need a bigger allowance. How do you ask your parents? You ruin your friend's favorite book. How do you apologize? Here are the exact words you'll need in these situations --plus more than 200 others. Look inside for the tools, tips,techniques (and actual words!) to help you untangle your tongue and speak out with confidence and grace."
This book and series gives practical advice and suggestions that can really help out. It has just been updated and republished this past February and you can learn more by clicking the link below.

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

Fuzzy Butt Farm Etsy Shop Great Play Sets for Dolls.

I found a fun Etsy shop with some great play sets. This one is a Pet Store Stand/Station from Fuzzy Butt Farm Etsy shop.

This set comes with  complete with treats and accessories, pet wash, towel, food, rawhide treats, pet toys, shampoo, bathtub. Click here for shop and listing.

This shop has more than 90 sets for doll play including the litter box shown above! If you have a doll and animal lover then check out this shop by clicking here. It has some great sets for hours of doll play fun! Click here for Fuzzy Butt Farm's Etsy site. 
Thank you for joining us here we would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

Baseball Season, Is Your Doll Ready? Check out Koski Kerations Baseball Equipment Pattern!

This weekend our family switches from Hockey season to baseball season. So today's post is inspired by that wonderful time of the year where we spend the weekend at the ball field. I found this pattern for making Baseball Equipment in the Pixiefaire Etsy shop quite by accident and knew I wanted to share it.

 With this set you can make the batting helmet, Catchers Mask, Mit, Shin guards and Chest Protector. This is such an inspiring pattern!

You can find it in the Etsy Shop of Pixie Faire by clicking here.
Thank you for joining us today and happy crafting! We would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com