Let's Make Lolly Pops! Polymer Clay Tutorial

Last week's cupcake post was so well received I thought I would show you the easy way to make your dolls their own Lolly Pops.

To make a Lolly pop for your doll you will need:
- a tooth pick
- polymer clay in your choice of color
- an oven safe dish
- an oven to bake your creations

Step 1- roll your color into a long thin snake, about 3x the thickness of your toothpick

Step 2- coil up your snake as shown, keeping it flat against the paper and tight.

When you have the desired size push your toothpick carefully into the coil, try to get it in the middle and push it in to at least the middle of your coil to give your lolly pop stablility

Step 3 - Place on an oven safe baking dish and bake according to your directions on the side of your polymer clay package. Bake and then cool.


Step 4- Trim the point off the end of the bottom of the Lolly Pop and let your doll enjoy.


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

Better late then Never, My Oops I forgot Easter is coming (and already went) Swap

This year Easter snuck up on me not unlike Christmas does to others! My swap group did and Easter outfit swap and this is what I made my partner.

My Sister Pumpy, who's Birthday it is today (Happy Birthday Pump!) drove to Washington State for me to get this wonderful fabric! I could not find any Easter patterned fabric in the fabric shop near my house and she was so wonderful to drive down and pick me some up. I love what she found and I made a very simple skirt for my partner. Paired it with a peasant shirt, homemade flip flops necklace, bracelet and hair bow.
I have so much fun creating for my partners.

My wonderful partner SewCrazy, sent me this adorable dress with sheer sleeves that is perfect for springtime and is also a perfect party dress!
Due to the shipping from the USA/Canada, I got my swap the day after Easter Monday so I am actually thrilled that she made me a Spring Dress that I can enjoy all year round!

I love making and sending items through the mail to my partners on Swap-bot, and look forward to my dolly mail.
I hope you do not mind me sharing my fun with all of 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

Ask Jillian Wednesday, week 5

Dear Jillian, 

 "I just broke my arm and do dance, I really need to continue practicing as our recital for dance is coming up, but I don't know what I should do? Will I hurt myself again?"
Your friend,
Jessica


Dear Jessica,
I am so sorry to hear about your broken arm! First things first listen to your Doctor and if the doctor says you can continue to practice  then I would start there. I know I would be worried about re injuring myself if I was in your shoes but as my Grandma used to say if it is important to you then "feel the fear and do it anyway" which means, it is okay to be afraid but it is important to follow through, especially if is for something you love like dance! Once you face your fear and conker it you will truly shine!
But make sure to be careful and still have fun.
I hope your arm heals quickly!
Your Friend,
Jillian

To make the cast for your dolls arm like the one shown check out Char from Doll Diaries tutorial by clicking here


If you have a question for Jillian you can email her at askjillianharper@yahoo.ca  or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com
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

Great Spring Shoes and outfits from My Girl Clothing Co. another Etsy Gem!

 I found this wonderful shop while on Etsy the other day. What drew me in was their shoes!

I love Doll shoes, as you may know, I think they add so much to doll play wardrobes. My Girl Clothing Co. offers their wonderful shoes from $8-$12 and are just beautiful!

These boots caught my eye and I had to share them with all of you!

I love how these fun shoes look on the dolls foot!

 

These shoes are perfect for American girl dolls and Springfield Dolls alike

 This wonderful shop offers more then 230 items not just wonderful shoes but also all kinds of great accessories and outfits.

This beautiful set will work in any doll wardrobe and any outfit from casual jeans to a wonderful Spring Dress.

 

I love the colors in this set and how wonderful Madison looks in this outfit!

I asked Donna a bit about her shop, sewing and experience. I am so thankful she agreed to let me share it with all of you.
I always wonder how people get started with Sewing for 18 inch dolls and Donna shared this with me.
"I got started sewing for American Girl dolls about 27 years ago, when my youngest daughter asked for one for Christmas. She got Samantha, which right now, is the only American girl doll that I have, and that is just in keeping, because she will go to my granddaughter when she is old enough. The other dolls are Springfield, and 2 of the dolls are from LTD Commodities, not expensive, but a different face to play with. After my daughter outgrew her doll, she got put away for about 20 years. Last year I decided to get her out and start sewing again for her. My 2 granddaughters are just babies, but I wanted to get a head start on collecting for the dolls. After getting laid off 3 years ago, after 25 years in the travel industry, my kids finally convinced me to start a business making the doll clothes. They know that I love to do it, and know what I am capable of. I still had the patterns from Pleasant Co. for Samantha, and Molly, and a few others I had bought. Now I have many more, and if I don't, I make one. I can't say I have a favorite thing to make, as everything usually comes out so cute, and I love making the clothes. This is the first time in my life, I can truly say that I really love my job!!!"

I love to know what inspires people...
" What inspires me, are when people see my work, and just go on about how well made they are. I really don't like seeing poor work on doll clothes, that other people are selling. I think, also, that is what made me think I could really do well at this."

 Her tent is a real testament to her sewing abilities! Offered at $65 it sleeps 3 American Girl or 18 inch dolls.

I loved her shoes and I had to know more about them...
 "The shoes are a surprise to me. I thought I would try making a pair this fall, and have just kept on going. A girl has to have good shoes for her outfits. Sometimes I just see a pair of shoes somewhere, and then I try to make them. I really want to be different in my creations, to give all the doll lovers out there more choices. Ag is great, but is limited to what you can buy, and then they discontinue, too bad."

"I am also inspired by the children, I like to think I am inspiring imagination in a child when she plays with her doll. When Etsy lets me add more sections, I want to do a green(recycled) section, it's important, and sends a good message. Also, very soon I will sell complete seasonal wardrobes. Great for beginning a doll collection, or maybe a grandmother who needs a gift"

I could not agree more!
To visit Donna's Shop please click 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

Mixed up Meets fun!

Here are some of the wonderful entries we received!

Priya's Entry

An Entry by Barb

Madelon's entry 1

Entry 2

Entry 3

 

Entry 4 

 Entry 5

Entry 6

Entry 7 

Entry 8 

Entry 9

Entry 10

Entry 11

Entry 12

Chloe's Entry

 Shauna's entry

Thank you to all who entered this fun photo contest!

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

The most wonderful gift you could give a family who is missing a loved one...

Thanks to Pinterest I have found some amazing things, recipes, ideas and doll related items. None have moved me to tears the way Daddy Dolls has.

Daddy Dolls Inc creates a Doll in a loved one's likeness for your child to hug and love in their absence.
" Recommended by Child Psychologists, Our Original Daddy Dolls™ and Hug-A-Hero™ dolls, which feature our Brave Mommies or Distant Loved Ones have helped thousands of children cope with the stresses of separation. Whether you are deployed with the military, traveling for business, or a grandparent living across the country, our Daddy Dolls™ and Hug-A-Hero™ dolls will keep you close to their hearts and just a cuddle away."

"Simply upload or email your head-to-toe photo. We'll edit out the background and create a custom doll with your image that is soft and hugable. By using an advanced printing technology, combined with our soft micro-fiber fabric, we are able to produce a "no-feel" image that is dyed into the fabric, so it won't peel or crack and is completely machine washable."

"All Daddy Dolls™ and Hug-A-Hero™ dolls feature our exclusive Keepsake Pocket™. We also offer FREE text printed below each photo, and voice recorders can be added to further personalize your doll." 

Jennifer of Daddy Dolls Inc.   tells me  "The cost is:   $23.95 + shipping for a Small (12") doll,   $27.95 + shipping for a Large (17") doll.  We do ship internationally and to APO/FPO's."

I was so touched not only by the idea of these dolls but moved to tears by the wonderful customer appreciation photos posted on their website.

In addition to doing Daddy Dolls, this wonderful company will create dolls or any loved one you like, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, etc.

I know first hand the healing power of doll play  and I can not think of a more wonderful doll to give a child, parent, loved one.

This wonderful company also offers a way non military families can help give back to those who give so much to us. Operation Hug A Hero  will send families in need a special Daddy doll. To meet the criteria they consider the following

1. Families of fallen heroes
2. A family with a community services referral (e.g. Chaplain, Family Services Coordinator, School Counselor, etc.)
3. Children with special needs registered with the EFM program
4. Household income
5. Number and age of children in household
6. Date of deployment
7. Length of deployment

If you wish to donate to this amazing program you can do so by visiting  Operation hug a hero by clicking here

Both Operation Hug a Hero and Daddy Dolls offer some wonderful information on seperation tips
and News and Resources for military families. I highly recommend these websites and these dolls.

I hope you will forgive me for not offering American Girl Doll info today but I can see so many Daddy Dolls attending Tea Parties and every day doll play with our 18 inch beloved dolls, I hope you can see it too.

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

Make your own American Girl bank with a DECOBLOC for crafting!

I was sent a DECOBLOC Glass for crafting to review and what fun this blank canvas is!!!
I had so much fun making myself a bank to save for my next dolly purchase using American Girl Stickers from the craft store, a postcard from my Dolly Mail collection (you can use a photograph or images of what you would like from the American Girl Catalog!)

To create my Dolly Fund and Wish List bank I used the easy  coin bank insert included in the Decobloc kit

 

I loved how it turned out and I had to make a few more!

I love Garden Gnomes and I thought Decobloc made a great Gnome home 

My boys all loved Thomas the Tank Engine and as they get older I love the idea of making and keeping this Decobloc shadow box as a memento.

My boys each want one to create their own blocks.

 Nicholas wanted to make  Lego DECOBLOC display

  Oliver wanted to do a Mario and Sonic themed DECOBLOC 

and Alex wanted to make an Angry Bird Display.

A huge thank you to Quality Glass Block for the opportunity to review this fantastic product.

Decobloc Glass Blocks for Crafting  would make a great party craft or rainy day activity. There are three attachments for the top that can allow you to even make a light or a fish tank out of the Decobloc in addition to the "bank" option!

You can find Decobloc on line at The Home Depot.com 

and on line from Quality Glass Block 

Click here for their website

I really enjoyed reviewing this product and think you will will also have a great time designing your own Decobloc, I would love to see what you come up with!

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