Madelon's Barbie Fun Finds Halloween Party Barbie and A Look At Three of The 2017 Holiday Barbies...

Madelon just sent me the Halloween Party Barbie image she found in store and I am now on the hunt to bring Halloween Party Barbie home to my place, no I don't have daughters but I have nieces and I can justify this purchase as a doll lover right! Sorry it would not stay in the package though, I think this one is too cute for words! 

More of the 2017 Holiday Barbies are arriving in store too!  I love the color of this Barbies hair!

The style of Barbies hair in this years Holiday Barbie is think is spectacular. 

I think though that the most beautiful thus far is this one that Madelon sent me a little while ago, this look is perfect for a holiday Barbie Gala and is stunning.

Thank you Madelon for sharing these beautiful Barbies with all of 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 Begining To Look A Lot Like Christmas! 4 months to Go Get Your Crafting On!

Many of you are cursing me right now I bet but this is a reminder that with only 4 months left until Christmas Day it's time to start crafting!

 CLICK HERE TO DOWN LOAD THE PATTERN
I am a huge fan of handmade, commercial free Holiday's that is if you can do it. Today I am sharing some of my favorite patterns and ideas from around the Dolly World that I hope get you excited and motivated to join the handmade movement. The above pattern is a Free pattern from Lilac Lane and Melissa Stramel. It is a lovely holiday dress and would look great in any color.

Click here for pattern tutorial

For those of you talented enough to crochet there are some lovely tutorials out there and this one would make a great stocking stuffer for the doll lover in your life! From DomisticBlissSquared Blog check out this tutorial for a Bow Scarf for Dolly and Me!

If you knit or crochet do yourself a favor and sign up for Ravelry! Honestly so many wonderful free patterns! I wish I could make these! Check out Hazel Rose Spencer's Pattern for doll Mittens by clicking here

You will need a hat and scarf to go with! Check out Janet Longaphie's Pattern by clicking here

Attempting Aloha has a wonderful set of plans for an 18 inch upholstered doll bed! Come take a look by clicking here!

I hope that you have been more motivated then irritated by my upcoming  holiday reminder! 
As with all my posts I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenomwen@gmail.com  

My New Tea Mug Has Arrived From Shutter Fly

Well it is the first day back at school for my boys and now my holiday is complete. My mug from Shutterfly I ordered just arrived! A few days before Christmas I took my boys to see Santa, with my annual photo came a coupon for $10 off at Shutterfly. I had never used Shutterfly services before and thought I would give it a try. I found that they did photo mugs. Well  if you know me a little bit you know that I love tea and always have a cup near by especially this time of year! So I thought it would be fun to make a mug using holiday photos from my blog. I am thrilled with how it turned out.

This mug will get used year round and I am thrilled with how big it is. It is a very large mug! Holds 15 oz!
It arrived at my door in this Styrofoam ball and really made my day. I think I will use Shutterfly for more of my holiday gifts next year and maybe even a holiday mug give away! Check out Shutterfly 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

Friday December 13th...Let's Review My 2013 Resloutions...

Back on December 30th of last year I posted 13 New Years Resolutions and as today is the 13th of December I thought it would be fun to reflect on the past year and see how I did...

Number #1 was- "I would really like to finally get this beautiful doll!!! Ivy has been on my list for more then two years. I am saving for her now"

Well my sister Pumpy treated me to Ivy last year on our trip to the AG store in Seattle!

Number #2 was- "I really need a logo for my blog, So I am putting this on my list, I am hoping one of you out there can come up with a Karen Mom of Three Craft Blog spot logo for me....more on that to come in the next few weeks..."

Well I get a fail on number #2. I think I will have to add this to my 2014 Resolutions with your help.

Number #3 was- "I would love to build a Doll House for my American Girl Dolls. I am so inspired by all the doll houses I have seen and reviewed I really would like to build one of my own."
I get a fail on this, but I understand that the My Girl's Doll house is still on it's way to me. Stay Tuned!

Number #4 was- "Complete an Ana White design from her amazing free wood working patterns"

Well I did not build one but my brother in law built me one!! So a slight pass on this one!

Number #5 was -"Learn to make a doll quilt, quilting is something I have not done yet."
A fail on this one as well, I am adding it back on this years list!
 

 
Number #6 was - "I would love to knit another doll sweater or at least a hat...wish me luck this scares me still!"

 Well I did knit a sweater or two this year but none of them were perfect and I have yet to try a hat, I will add Hat to my list again this year! I am getting better!

 
Number #7 was - "Add more items to my Etsy shop, finding time to do so to sew and craft then list, lofty goal I know!"
 Well I get a fail on this one, I spent so much time writing about others Shops and Doll items and crafts that I did not list anything. I will hope to add something this year.

Number #8 was- "Get together regularly with more Doll People in my area. I had such a wonderful time at the BC DOLL lovers Meet Up, I hope to do it again soon!"
We are trying to get together next week and have met a few times this year ! I get a pass on this one!

Number 9 was#- "Visit the Seattle AG store and have a meet and greet....anyone interested in meeting up there? Message me or leave a comment here and we will make a plan!"
I did make it to the store only once this year and while I was there I did meet up with one reader and FB friend which was wonderful, I hope to do this more!

Number #10 was - "Make time to sew at least once a week! Sometimes I go months with out sewing then sew for 30 days straight...I must do it weekly!"
I started out great but it quickly fell apart. I did sew but not as often as I would have liked to and will add this again to my list for 2014.

Number #11was - "I would love to do more You tube videos and add to my channel. I know it was on last years list but I need some help with this....."
Well I did  a few but I was not diligent, I will add more in 2014 I hope!

 Number #12 was- " I am putting Crochet back on my list...I will give it another go. Wish me luck here on year two..."

 I get a last minute pass on this one! I did learn the first stitch and created this scarf for my dolls!

And for 2013 Number #13 was- Get a Boy Doll, either have some one customize one for me (Brandy) or order one from My London Girl

 

I got a Pass on this one too when Ollie, arrived this past October!

He is a truly awesome doll who I can not wait to share ideas with you about, as a bonus I also got a February delivery of my boy doll from Harmony Club Dolls,  Ethan...

I have been so truly blessed this year, and I achieved 7 out of 13 resolutions,  now I will have to start my list of resolutions for 2014. I hope you enjoyed reading and seeing what I was able to do with my resolutions this year! Check back on Dec 30th where I will share my Resolutions for 2014.

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

Dolly Advent 2013- Day 8

Day 8 Already and I did find the return address label in this pocket! My partner for the next few pockets is Roxie! Today Madison from Springfield Dolls Models the pocket contents a purple sparkle bathing suit and beach ball! I loved opening this and thinking that it could be pool time indoors! I just saw my first snowflake out my window which is very strange we do not usually get snow at sea level but it is in our forecast for the next few days...dreaming of a White Christmas here!
I look forward to sharing more of my Dolly Advent calender tomorrow!
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

Happy 8th Night of Hanukkah!

We hope that your Hanukkah Celebration has been truly blessed. Thank you for joining us for Hanukkah on this 8th and final night this year. 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

Happy 7th Night of Hanukkah!

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

Create A Choir Robe or Angel Costume For Your Dolls This Holiday Season, With Patterns by Donna Cotterman

I love these patterns I found in Mrs. Cotterman's Etsy shop. Mrs. Cotterman is one of the first people I met in the Adult American Doll Collecting Community and one of the best resources I had when I started sewing for my nieces American Girl Dolls and when I started my blog.

 These remind me of the ones I wore when I was a little girl in choir!

 

 This Choir Girl and The Angle Pattern is offered at $5 on DonnaCotterman's Etsy Shop.
If you are looking to set up your dolls doll play wardrobe with some fun outfits you made, that will make your holiday memorable check out Mrs. C's Pattern and Etsy shop by clicking here! Don't forget to email me photos with your dolls wearing the completed project! 
Click here for Mrs. C's Shop and Listing. 
As with all my posts I would love to hear form you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com 

Happy 6th Night of Hanukkah!

 Tonight's Recipe from http://hanukkah.123holiday.net/hanukkah_recipes.html
SWEET-POTATO LATKES
Active time: 30 min Start to finish: 30 min

• 1 lb sweet potatoes, peeled and coarsely grated
• 2 scallions, finely chopped
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil

Stir together potatoes, scallions, flour, eggs, salt, and pepper.

Heat oil in a deep 12-inch nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking. Working in batches of 4, spoon 1/8 cup potato mixture per latke into oil and flatten to 3-inch diameter with a slotted spatula. Reduce heat to moderate and cook until golden, about 1 1/2 minutes on each side. Transfer latkes with spatula to paper towels to drain.

Makes about 26 pancakes.
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 

Happy 5th Night of Hanukkah!

 

Tonight's Poem  is from www.poemsforfree.com

Cheerful lights dance within your window,
Happy to dispel a bit of darkness.
As you display your faith, remember when
No light was light enough to light the wind.
Underneath our joy there must be sorrow
Kindled by a willing act of witness,
A turn to share in love again, again,
Horrors that we would not leave behind.
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

Happy 4th Night of Hanukkah!

 

Hanukkah Poem from 123holiday.net

Nun, gimel, heh, and shin,

See the wooden dreidel spin.
Nes gadol hayah shin,
If I'm lucky I will win!

I play with my new dreidel
upon the shiny floor.
I ask some friends to play with me-
we must have two or more.

I give the players pennies-
the same amount to each.
We sit down in a circle,
the pennies within reach.
Each player puts a penny
in the proper spot.
The middle of the circle
is what we call the pot.

Next I take the dreidel
and spin it round and round.
Which letter does it land on?
What fortune have I found?

I read the letter facing up-
it tells me how to play.
The letters are in Hebrew,
and here is what they say.

Nun means I do nothing-
I neither give nor take.
Heh means I take half the pot-
what a lucky break!

Gimel means I take it all.
It looks as if I'll win!
But I must put a penny back
when it lands on shin.

We go around the circle-
it's lots and lots of fun,
till one has all the pennies.
Then the game is done!

Nun, gimel, heh, and shin,
See the wooden dreidel spin.
Nes gadol hayah sham,
If I'm lucky I will win!
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

Happy 2nd Night of Hanukkah!

Wishing you and your family a very Happy 2nd Night of Hanukkah!

Hanukkah Poem from 123holiday.net
Joyous Hanukkah!
Eva Grant

At last! At last! Hanukkah is here!
The whole house is bursting with holiday cheer.

Pancakes are sizzling as hard as they can,
Browning delectably crisp in the pan.

The dreidels can scarcely wait to be spun;
Presents are hidden for Hanukkah fun;

And there, on the table, polished and bright,
The shining menorah gleams through the night,

Like the oil lamp in ancient history,
That burned on and on miraculously!

And each flaming candle proclaims the great story
Of the Maccabean heroes, their deeds and their glory.

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 

Happy American Thanksgiving!

Today I wish all of you celebrating Thanksgiving a very enjoyable day!

 

Today as you set the table and share time with family and friends I thought it would be fun to share some of our previous Thanksgiving Posts with you.

No one sets a table quite like Brandy! 

Click here to see Brandy's past Thanksgiving Posts.

Brandy's Holiday Dinner 

How about a fun turkey day tiara! Click here for my Doll Diaries Tutorial!

 

However you spend your Thanksgiving day today I am very thankful for all of you!

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