Brandy's Amazing Doll Crock Pot!!!

Brandy comes up with so many wonderful ideas and I am so thankful she lets me share them with all of you. Brandy's Crock Pot has to be my most favorite to date. THANK YOU BRANDY FOR THIS CRAFT TODAY!!!

"As a busy mother trying to jungle kids, work, and house, I often rely on my
crock-pot for our family dinners.  My oldest daughter said, "Mom, I would
love it if you could make me a crock-pot for my dolls."  Hmmm...I had to
think on that one for a bit.  My idea worked and my daughter loves her
little surprise.  With a few simple craft items this is how I did it."

"For the main "crock-pot" I used a 3 inch paper-mache oval craft box.  I
spray painted the lid inside and out with silver spray paint.  The bottom
outside box was also spray painted silver.  I painted the inside of the
bottom box a glossy black.  I then took black foam paper and glued trim to
the underside of the bottom box as well as to the upper lid edge (this was
to make it appear somewhat like the black insert.)  I then painted two
oblong beads black and attached them to the sides as handles.  Next, I took
black pony beads and hot glued one to the front for the dial and one to the
very top for the base of the lid handle.  I then painted a wood cap black
and glued that on top of the pony bead to finish off the lid handle.  White
pony beads were hot glued in place for the feet.  I used my label maker to
make tiny Rival and Crock-Pot decals.  Then I used a black sharpie and added
little dots to resemble the temperature settings."

"For accessories I made a little beef roast out of a painter's sponge.  I
painted it in various colors of browns and reds."

 "Then took little strips of orange foam paper and rolled them up to make mini carrots.for extra accents
I used an orange sharpie and drew little lines across each."

  "I used white pom-poms for potatoes.  I cut irregular foam pieces to resemble slices of
roast."

"I also made a tiny Lipton Onion Soup Mix Packet..my seasoning on my
real roasts!   I printed off a picture onto white card stock paper.  Then I
folded in the paper on each side of the picture. Next, glue the bottom edge,
fill with tissue, and glue the top closed.  Finally pinch in the sides for
depth."

"Enjoy!" ~Brandy

I hope you enjoyed Brandy's craft today, I know I did!
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

I love the new Springfield Collection line!

I love the new Springfield Collection line of 18 inch Doll Clothes.  I follow Springfield Doll's on Facebook and they recently shared the 2012 Collection on their Facebook Fan Page. I was so excited to see the new styles which maybe available in your local stores or in their on line shop!

Until Monday Springfield On line Store is offering free shipping on all orders over $40. (now through September 24th)

 

With their already affordable prices this is a great time to stock up for the holidays!

As some of you know I work on a 24 pocket advent calendar swap in my on line swap group and I shop all year long to find the best deals on accessories to help add to my pockets and I am thrilled with the quality and selection of the accessories that the Springfield Doll Collection offers. 

From headbands to shoes and handbags there is something for everyone's taste and budget with Springfield Collection.

Every year for the last 3 Christmas's my niece Laura has asked me for Dolly Shoes for Christmas,  I am thrilled to see the latest pair offered and can not wait to give them to her this Christmas!

The new ballet shoes are so much fun! Dancing Doll Lovers everywhere would love a few pairs of these!

The new styles and colors in the outfits are very fashion forward and my niece Trinity loved this set! I can not wait to pick it up when I am next in the USA.

Springfield Dolls and clothing make wonderful gifts. I love my dolls Madison and Olivia. They are two of the most played with dolls in my collection. I know you will love them too. Check out Springfield Collection on line , in store and their Facebook Fan Page 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 

Madelon's Fun Finds - Buttons in to Doll Food

Recently Madelon found these fun treat themed buttons at her local sewing shop and thought they would make great doll treats!

These buttons are perfectly to scale for our dolls and very affordable.

 

You can carefully snip the button hole off the back or leave it on. *These buttons are small enough to be considered a chocking hazard so please keep this in mind when playing with them around little ones.

I love this idea and think these buttons do make a really sweet treat for dolls.

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

A fun Summer outfit I received, isn't it time you learned how to sew with a machine?

I received this adorable yellow burst of Sun Shine dress in one of my mail swaps. My partner created this easy to get on dress and fun summer hat for a Summer Send anything swap. My partner for this swap is new to sewing doll clothes, though she is an expert knitter!  This swap made me think of items I started to make when I was new to sewing just two years ago...

If you are new to sewing or interested in learning how to sew clothes for your own 18 inch dolls I recommend watching video's and using free patterns for making doll clothes from sites like Liberty Jane Pattern's. Click here for pattern site. This is how I  learned to sew doll clothes. I started sewing doll clothes 2 years ago and these patterns and how to You tube videos got me where I am today and they can help you too.

These patterns all come with step by step photos and with the aid of these video's you can see exactly how to make your own.

Now is a great time to start sewing, using items you may have on hand, perhaps a t-shirt you or your child have grown out of. I purchased Velcro at my local Wal-mart for under $2 so my first investment was $2 and I made many shirts out of material I had on hand from out grown or stained t-shirts from my kids and the Velcro I got at Wal-mart.

There are many other how to sew video's on You tube the one above is part 1 of a series of videos that will teach you how to make everything from a simple skirt to pants for your doll.
These video's changed my life. How so you may ask? It was because of my learning to sew doll clothes for my nieces for Christmas 2010 that this blog came to be and I look at the staggering number of visitors I have had since starting this blog Christmas Eve 2010 and I know that if I could learn to sew this way you could too.
I hope you are inspired to try to make your own doll clothes for yourself, your child or grandchild (or like in my case my nieces.

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

A great quote I found that inspires me.

I recently saw this quote on Facebook and I do not know it's original origin but I wanted to share it with you.
As we head into the holiday shopping season, I think this quote is a great one to keep in mind.

When I look at the cost of the new AG items and Caroline's collection coupled with the increased cost in the items in the new American Girl Catalog I am reminded of how many families will have to say "no" this holiday season. I think it is important to keep the above quote in mind and share it with others.In the coming weeks I hope to provide you with alternative ideas and ways you can make your child's holiday season a wonderful one. If you are thinking of making some of your doll play gifts please check out the sections at the top of this blog or click on these highlighted words  Karen's Doll Crafts, Brandy's Creations, and Madelon's Fun finds to help get you creating! While I love every item that American Girl Makes and sells, I am happy to share with you all ways you can add to your American Girl Store bought items with items you can make, purchase from other 18 inch doll play companies or that are handmade and sold in the Etsy Market. Helping you to build a doll play collection that is something you can be very proud of.

I would like to think I can speak for Brandy and Madelon, when I say that we are very dedicated to sharing with our readers ways to expand your doll play collections with out going over your already stretched budgets and giving you ideas and options that will inspire and expand your doll play collection.

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

Tuesday addition of Madelon's Fun Finds For Halloween!

Today I bring you a special addition of Madelon's Fun Finds, perfect for Halloween! While I know that Halloween is a few weeks away many of you will want to snap up these fun finds and re-purpose them for your own doll play or as party favors for your up coming events.

Madelon has found some wonderful Halloween themed mini kaleidoscopes that double as perfect Doll Holiday Glass Wear! "They even look as though they have ice in them!" says Madelon.

These mini hand clappers are perfect for our dolls to hold! Simply use a small elastic and your doll can hold the clapper! You can also just place it in her hand as Madelon did in the first photo.

This package had three designs. Found at her local dollar store. Can't find these at your dollar store? You may find these at your local craft store, party store or big box store.

Madelon also found these small flashlights which are perfect for that evening walk or trick or treating!

Madelon's fun finds are the perfect example of how to reuse everyday items for Doll Play.
Keep your eyes out for items you can use in your own doll play or add to your collection for very little money! The best part is  holiday packages like these packages usually have more then one item in them perfect for sharing doll play items with all your dolls, between your sisters and with your doll loving friends.
I am so thankful to Madelon for her continued submissions and for her creativity! 
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

A converstation with Cyndy of Sparkle Pig Designs.

I stumbled across this fun shop while looking for Halloween items and I was so excited to see dolly and me outfits offered for girls and their dolls. Sparkle Pig Designs shop offers fun, comfortable, age appropriate, and inspiring fashions for the whole family.

 What I liked most about these outfits were the designs I have not seen anywhere else, the selection and the price!

I think that anyone my age remembers the fun of tie dying and now you can get the look with out having to do the work for yourself. Sharing a little of your childhood with your little ones.

My sister Pumpy has always loved pigs and once I stumbled in to this shop I saw so many potential gifts for her and her daugthers (my nieces) Laura and Thea. 

I asked Cyndy if she would agree to an interview and I am so happy to share a bit of our email conversation with you now.

Q:How did you come to create items for your shop?

A:"I have been a “crafty” person ever since I was a little girl, and I always feel best when I have creative outlet.  I started experimenting with tie dye about 4 years ago after my sister did a tie dye project with her Girl Scout troop, and at that  time I had no idea that there were so many different ways to dye fabric and shapes. I started trying out everything I could think of, and through a lot of trial and error I came up with some fun, unique designs.   I take a lot of pride in coming up with designs you can’t find anywhere else, and I always love it when a customer comes up with a new challenge for me."  

Q:What items do you create for 18 inch dolls?

A:"I offer tie dyed shirts, skirts, jeans, camisole tops, and tunic/legging sets for dolls, with matching or coordinating outfits for girls.  I do not make my own clothing, but I have a good friend who makes the tunic/legging sets for me and she is working on some short and long sleeve dresses for me this fall.   My products depend on what I can find that is 100% cotton that works for tie dye, and I am always on the lookout for something new. "

Q:What is your motivation for creating doll clothing?

A:"My motivation for creating doll clothing started with my daughter.  She is a doll lover, and LOVES to match her dolls, as do many of her friends.  I always enjoyed  finding unique clothes that were handmade at craft shows and boutiques or on etsy, but as she got older I found that she liked the more “fancy” outfits for her dolls, but did not want to be wearing so many frills or ruffles for herself.  It made me wonder if I could downsize some of my tie dye that she likes to wear to fit on doll clothes so they could match, and I was happy to figure out I could.   I love it when she puts in an “order” for me to make something special for her and her dolls.  I find that my tie dye appeals to doll fans of all ages who want to match their dolls, and it is such fun for me to make.  I have even made sets for moms, girls and their dolls to match!" 

"I also get a lot of enjoyment thinking of my creations being part of special celebrations such as birthday and holiday gifts and trips to the American Girl Store.  At times customers share stories or pictures of where my designs end up, and I love that." 

Q:Do you have any 18 inch dolls and if so which ones?

A:"Right now we have three American Girl dolls in our house, and they are Josephina, Julie and Nikki.  I grew up in Colorado and Nikki was from Colorado so she was our first doll.  My daughters name is McKenna, so I foresee another doll joining our family sometime this year.  I really love the historical period dolls, and my daughter has her eye on Kit and I would love to have Kaya too!"  

 

Q:Also anything else you would like my readers to know about you or your shop.
A:"I have a facebook page where I have contests contests or giveaways and post discounts or ready to ship items.  I also welcome thoughts, ideas and questions as they are often my inspiration for creating something new, so don’t hesitate to contact me if anyone has something specific in mind."

 I have been so impressed with what I found in this shop and with more then 200 items in her shop, more then 1,315 sales this shop is one to keep an eye on! I love that Cyndy will do outfits for Dolls, Daughters, Nieces, Mom's, Aunt's and Grandmas....Something American Girl over looks. You can click here or any of the highlighted words to visit Sparkle Pig Designs.

My loyal readers will receive 10% off with this coupon  code:  KARENMOMOFTHREE

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