Dear readers...

Dear Readers,
It is with much thought and deliberation that at this time I have decided I will not be publishing here daily anymore. I have written this daily blog for almost 8 years and while my love of dolls and belief in the importance of doll play has not waivered, at this time I am being pulled and find I am needing to focus my attention elsewhere.

The past 7 years have been amazing, all of you who have visited this blog gave me a huge amount of unbelievable feedback, support and loyalty. My crew of writers Madelon, Brandy, Jessica T, Jenny, Nikki are some of the most creative and amazing doll lovers and crafter I have had the pleasure of meeting. 
Working at Doll Diaries for 5 years was a dream come true and I gained so much knowledge and appreciation for what it takes to run a successful website. What I learned and gained from my team at Doll Diaries, I will take with me always.
Char, Brandy, Madelon, Laura, Diane, and Anna thank you for always inspiring me.

To my sponsors and those who have advertised with me over the years I wish to thank you as well for that relationship.

Personally I am still busy writing, playing and reading and sipping tea. Thinking of you all often and grateful for everyone of you who has stopped by to read, learn and contribute.

I may from time to time pop on and publish something here I think you fellow doll lovers may be interested in but for now I will sign off and wish you all well.
Thank you all for everything and remember to Keep Calm and Play With Dolls.

All my love and thanks,
Karen

Happy Hooking Wednesday! American Girl Doll Seashell Summer Skirt

Hooks at the ready!
Elaine Phillips has a Skirt pattern in a Seashell pattern that more advanced Hookers will love! This lovely lacy looking skirt is perfect for the warm summer days ahead and would look lovely over this summer's dolly bathing suit and with a dolly tank or t-shirt! I found this pattern on Ravelry but our wonderful friends at abc-knitting-patterns shares it there too. Click here for the pattern and get started today!
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

Sew This Sunday Doll Sleeping Bag Tutorial 2 Fleece Fun.Com

Today we are sharing the tutorial from FleeceFun.com for a doll Sleeping bag for your 18 inch dolls. I love the feel of fleece and I think this is a great tutorial as it shows you how to sew a zipper in and make easy rounded corners. You have to check out this tutorial and pattern by clicking here. Happy Sewing this Sunday!
Thank you for joining us today we would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

Baby Mine Pattern I love! The Dolly Diaper Bag

I am a huge believer in the power of doll play and I love sewing. I was so excited to see this pattern by Baby Mine on the Pixiefair Etsy Shop for a Dolly Diaper Bag. This is a brilliant idea and I am thrilled with the idea that you could make this as a gift and pair it with a new or much loved dolly for a boy or a girl. Making it yourself means that you control the materials and patterns and any child or daycare would benefit from this amazing gift of time and love. Pack it with your favorite homemade diapers, items you have on hand or find at the dollar store an you have the perfect gift for a young doll lover.
This pattern can be found in the PixieFaire Etsy shop by clicking here. 
A perfect pattern and craft to start for the upcoming holiday season.
Thank you for joining us here today we would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here.

Happy Hooking Wednesday Easy Sweater Pattern!

Hooks at the ready! Brenda Johnson has an Easy Sweater Pattern for Crochet that I think you would love to make. This easy and light sweater is perfect over your dolls summer and spring dresses, paired with a tank top or even buttoned up on its own with a skirt. You can find this crochet pattern on Ravelry 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

Get Moving Monday with My Girl Clothing Co!

This Monday is all about getting moving, with these two sets from My Girl Clothing Co.  I love this set from My Girl Clothing Co! Not only do you get the adorable Flamingo themed Outfit but the Scooter too! This Scoot Over for American Girl set can be found in the My Girl Clothing Co Etsy shop by clicking here. 

Get your dolls out for a little time at the beach with this wonderful set called Let's Boogie For American Boy Doll, I love the colors in this set, boy or girl dolls will love it, click here to learn more.

 Thank you so much for joining us here today.
We would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment below.

Sew This Sunday - Doll Sleeping Bag Tutorial 1

This week I found a great doll sleeping bag tutorial that you can use for the doll lovers in your life, big doll or baby doll I think this tutorial from See Kate Sew. Com is brilliant. I would love to make the time to learn to quilt but always get overwhelmed at the idea, but this tutorial and size is actually not as intimidating when I look at it and it is very inspiring. I hope you enjoy this weeks Sew This Sunday tutorial. Click here to see the original on the wonderful website SeeKateSew.  
Thank you for joining us this week we would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

Friday Reads Harry and Meghan Paper Dolls

This weeks Friday read is the Harry & Meghan Paper Dolls. I love paper dolls and I am so excited about the wedding tomorrow! The Book Depository has this collectors paper doll book of their engagement, I cannot wait for the one in her wedding dress!
"The outfits in this collection include a hunky Harry in the swimming trunks he sported while in Jamaica with Meghan, and his bride-to-be in the jeans and white 'husband' shirt she wore to the Invictus Games in Toronto. As for her wedding dress? Stay tuned." -- USA Today
"Capture the couple's love in advance of royal wedding. These paper dolls can provide much imaginative fun." -- The Chicago Tribune
Commemorate the wedding of the year with paper dolls of the royal couple! The world will be watching when Prince Harry of Wales and Meghan Markle wed in St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle -- and you can relive the events leading up to the big day with this fabulous paper doll collectible. Dress the royal couple in the outfits they wore to their engagement announcement or choose from Harry's Invictus Games T-shirt, Meghan's ensemble for her first official duty, and more. Includes two dolls and 14 costumes.
"Will keep you busy until the royal wedding." -- Popsugar
"Would you like to play dress up with animated versions of Meghan and Harry? Of course you would, and with this paper doll set, you can." -- Bustle

Click here to view this book on the Book Depository, they have free shipping worldwide! 

Happy Hooking Wednesday, Crocheted Beret from thenewlighterlife.com

Hooks at the ready! Today's patten comes to us from thenewlighterlife.com 
I hope these never go out of style. I love beret's and this weeks happy hooking pattern comes to us from thenewlighterlife.com  This slouchy beret will look fantastic on your dolls and with all the fun spring colors out now you can make quite a few for your dolls, to give as gifts or incorporate into your summer planning projects, birthday parties or upcoming events. Click here for the pattern and some wonderful photos too! 
Thank you for joining us today we would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

Make Your Own Doll Fascinators For The Royal Wedding

Years back I shared my tutorial on Doll Diaries for doll sized Fascinators. I created these fun accessories for  my dolls and friends ahead of the last royal wedding and this past weekend I was back at it making some for myself for the Royal Wedding on May 19th!

I am a big fan of the floral ones and made 5 different ones just for fun.
If you are excited about the wedding too and want to try your hand at making these you can check out my tutorial on Doll Diaries by clicking here. 

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

Adventures in Barbie- Bringing home the boat

Friday my niece PB and I were at the Thrift store and she spotted the Barbie Boat, she was insisting that this come home with us. I could not help but say yes and was very thankful that I have a minivan so we could get it home. She held it the entire way, also!

 She was so excited listing off who would drive her boat when we got home and she is very into Pirates right now so this was fun to tie in her love of pirates and Barbie.

Even though this was a great find we realize that pieces are not with it that should be but she doesn't care and for $6.99 she will get a ton of playtime out of it.
Happy to Sail the Seas of my living room with her, we hope you have some fun adventures with Barbie today too!
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

Sew This Sunday -A Knit Shirt

Today we are sharing a free pattern and tutorial we found on Serving Pink Lemonade.Com Doll T-shirts are a great to be able to whip up quickly and in a bunch of different styles and colors. I liked this pattern and tutorial for the sleeves and the collar. I hope you will too. Sewing with a jersey knit is fun once you get a hang of it. You can make some wonderful and inexpensive t-shirts for dolls with clothing that is outgrown or stained in a small area, leaving great material to work with and practice on . Click here for the tutorial and pattern on Serving Pink Lemonade. Com 
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 (and still do) Care Bears

Yesterday my niece tried to get me to give her my Grumpy Bear Care Bear and yet at 43 I could still not part with it. Today I am sharing some love of the Care Bears with you.  Grumpy Bear was always and still is my favorite. I have him in my room still. My mother brought him back from Montreal for me and I have loved him ever since.
I found a great Etsy shop offering you a chance to pick your own vintage Care Bear.  The Pink Room has some amazing vintage finds, click here for shop and listing.

I remember loving this artwork so much and wishing for this cup in the 1980's and I found it and more in the 80's Rainbow Shop, seriously considering ordering one and the my little pony one too... Click here for shop and listing.

I still remember the first commercial I saw and the Tender Heart Bear that was in the commercial. Though I only had Grumpy Bear, and I still have him. I loved the simplicity and comfort of this lovely little bear.
Thank you for joining me here today I would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

#Fridayreads

One of my dear young friends is very into Mermaids and today recommends that we share this one. We hope you enjoy this weeks #fridayreads

Follow the siren call to Emily's magical new adventure! Can the spunky half-mer girl pass Neptune's test--and help humans and merpeople get along? (Ages 8-12) Emily Windsnap is finally enjoying a swimmingly peaceful life on Allpoints Island, hanging out with her mermaid BFF, Shona, and her new friend Aaron (half-merperson like herself ). But their idyll is cut short when Emily learns that the Windsnaps and friends must return to their old home in Brightport, where construction projects are threatening a secret mermaid community under the sea. Neptune's mandate? No less than an interspecies intervention to bring merpeople and humans together, a task the imperious god feels the mixed Windsnap family is well suited for. There are just a few snags for Emily, however, like dealing with old nemeses Mandy and Mr. Beeston, figuring out her feelings toward Aaron, and untangling a high-suspense mystery related to a group of legendary lost sirens. Everyone's favorite half-mermaid is back with a splash in a sparkling new adventure her fans will be eager to get their fins on.

You can find this one in a store or library near you, or on The Book Depository with worldwide delivery by clicking here.
Thank you for joining us here today we would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

Royal Wedding and Doll Fan? Check out Historywearz Etsy shop!

Historywearz Etsy shop has a delight and a treat for doll lovers. Check out this listing in celebration of the upcoming Royal Wedding.

I love the attention to detail in this set and this etsy shop has some lovely surprises in it for doll lovers and history buffs! Come take a look by clicking here. 
I will be up watching the Royal Wedding, will you?
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

Happy Hooking Wednesday, Sleeping Bag by Suzies Stuff

Hooks at the ready! This week I am sharing a sleeping bag pattern from Suzies Stuff, this crochet sleeping bag reminds me of a pattern my great grandmother used to make! I love the cozy feel of crochet blankets and the colors of this one for sure. This pattern is straightforward, fun and inspiring! Click here for the pattern and get started today. 
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 Panda and Bamboo Cookies For Dolls

Today JEssica T is sharing her dolls sugar cookies she made after being inspired by the tutorial done on our friend Anna's Website called Dollitup.com 

Jessica T and I love doll food and she had a blast creating these for her daughters dolls.

Check out the ones Anna made and her upcoming book on www.dollitup.com 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

Crochet This Bearcrafter.com Dress for your Barbie Dolls!

I was looking for some inspiration to motivate me into learning how to crochet and I loved what I saw on the Bear Crafter . Com website. This Crochet Fashion Doll Tank Dress has me so impressed. This dress is not my grandmother's crochet I remember for sure. I love the skirt and was thrilled to find this free pattern.  If you would like it too click 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

Sew This Sunday Beach Towels

Last week we shared the free pattern for a swimsuit and now we are sharing a great free pattern from Pixiefaire and Matilda's Closet . I love that this is a beginner pattern and what beginners can learn from making these fun towels for their dolls. These would make wonderful gifts and additions to this years dolly advent calendar too!  I also love the idea that doll lovers can make these for their friends or as part of a party craft, sunday school or summer camp activity.
Click here for the currently free pattern collection from Matilda's Closet on the Pixiefaire website. 

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

The Toys We Used To Love, Sea Wee Dolls...

I was thinking back to these little mermaid toys we had when I was growing up, I am actually pretty sure it was my sisters that had these lovely little dolls. I came across them in the Polly Pocket Plus Etsy Shop and was reminded that these were called Baby Sea Wee Dolls! This one is in perfect condition and click here to see it in the shop! 

I was very sure my sisters dolls had hair and I looked a bit more and found the one I know my sister had in the Candy's Toy Box Etsy Shop! I loved these little dolls, though my sisters took them into the bath and I know they are long gone! Click here to see this one listed in shop. 

Crafty Sara has this listing which has the big sisters and babies. I had so much fun checking out the Sea Wee Dolls and I hope you did too. To see this listing click here. 

Did you have these little mermaids too?
We would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

May The Fourth Be With You! 2 Amazon fun finds!

Today is May the 4th and Star Wars Day I wanted to share some Amazon fun finds with you for the dolls today. First one is this listing from Dream House Toys! This Outfit doesn't ship to Canada but if you are in the USA you can find it by clicking here. 

Also on Amazon and this listing will ship to Canada click here for this outfit from Brittinay's 

We hope you have a fun Star Wars Themed Day!
We would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

Liberty Jane Paradise Cove Overalls

I was searching on Etsy for some fun American Girl doll items to share this week and I was struck by just how cute and fashion forward the Paradise Cover Overall pattern is!

Offered in the Pixie Faire Pattern shop on Etsy you can find this pattern 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 

Happy Hooking Wednesdays, Maryann Walsh's Doll's Lacy Shells Poncho...

Hooks at the ready! This week another easy crochet favorite, a poncho for your dolls. This pattern is called Doll's Lacy Shells Poncho, that you can find free on Ravelry !

Created and shared by Maryann Walsh, this simple and elegant poncho can be made in so many wonderful textures and colors for your dolls. Get started today by clicking here for the tutorial on Ravelry. 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

Madelon's Truly Me and Our Generation Mix and Match Fun!

Today Madelon shares her Truly Me and Our Generation Fun Finds for her doll Tenney!

"Truly Me separates run around $10 to $12 a peice. I found these multicolor Our Generation fabric shoes that fit American Girl beautifully on sale. I think the shoes tie the outfit together. Since the shorts are a sparkly coral, I thought of a performance look for Tenney."

I love the colors in this and how they match!

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

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.