Check Out Doll Tag Clothing's Pattern For A Mesh Book, Carry Bag For Your Dolls!

Today Jessica T shares with us a photo of the Mesh Book Carry Bag that she created with Doll Tag Clothing's Easy pattern! 

 "I think it's a great pattern, very versatile pattern that can be used for a variety of uses. It's a great scrap buster and it'd be a great beginner sewing pattern."

This is a fun pattern to add to your summer sewing to do list! Thank you Jessica T for sharing your finished bag with us today.  Click here to see the pattern on Pixiefaire's pattern website

The Book Depository Has Doll Tees, Stamps & Stencils On Sale Now!

I was so excited to see this book on sale at The Book Depository. The Book Depository if you do not know offers FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ITS ITEMS ALL THE TIME. For Canadians like myself, this is a huge relief. With our current Canadian Dollar being worth less then the US dollar shopping on line may make you think twice when you factor the shipping costs but you don't have to worry with The Book Depository.
Fashion design takes a super-fun direction with this clever kit, filled with unique ideas for creating adorable tees and tanks for your doll! Discover really neat techniques for making fun patterns and shapes using only paint and stencils. And follow step-by-step instructions for making stamps from household items, too. Then, use your newly created stamps to make even more designs! Kit includes: 1 short-sleeved doll-sized T-shirt, 1 doll-sized tank top, 5 stencil sheets, design templates, and a 32-page how-to book.
Doll Tees Stamps & Stencils is the perfect party gift to give a doll lover. This craft set comes with a tank top and t-shirt for your dolls to create a fun look for their dolls. Currently this book is priced at $26.21 Canadian, $20.93 US.  (Currently on line at Indigo this book is more then $30 on sale!!!!!)
Click here to learn more about The Book Depository and this Book!
Thank you for joining us today 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

Jessica T's Tips For Great Patterns For Your Mini Dolls From Wren Feathers

MINI DOLL LOVERS TAKE NOTE!

Wren Feathers has a wonderful free felt dress pattern for you that will fit all of the dolls shown above. Jessica T sent me this link for your all to see how you can make a mini doll dress and there is even a great hat tutorial. Check out Wren Feathers, (we are huge fans) by clicking here. 
For the dress pattern please click here.
Thank you Jessica T for sending us this wonderful tip!

A Trip To The Vancouver American Girl Boutique

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting my friend Loretta at the Vancouver American Girl Boutique. My niece PB joined us as well. I had asked Loretta to make a dress for my mothers Chatty Cathy doll and I love how the dress turned out!

My mother would have loved this little dress and I am so thankful to Loretta for creating this special dress for me.

Such a treat to visit with Miss Nikki and she kindly showed us the newest PWP a lovely spring outfit with a lined hoodie!

My niece PB was overwhelmed with all the dollies and the balls they had in the set quickly caught her eye!

I was so excited to see all the Mystery books!

The displays are always my favorite, I love the bathing suit! Purple flip flops too!

I could not resist taking Samantha's tea set photo!

This was the first time I had seen Maryellen's sets up close and I was thrilled with the scale of the tv and the couch. I was surprised at how small the Seaside diner was.

Of all the dolls that were in store I think this one was my most favorite. I love her hair and she was so cute I wanted to take her home!

I had a wonderful visit at the Vancouver store and I am so thankful to Loretta and Miss Nikki for making it such a fun visit.
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

Madelon's Review of Lea's Actual Picnic Set!

Madelon was in store last week and got this great Truly Me event Tank Top for her doll! While she was there she also picked up Lea Picnic Set!

Such a sweet set for sure! Mini cupcakes, a small basket to fit all the fruit and treats inside as well!

Thank you Madelon for sharing your photo review of your new play set with us today!

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

Make Madelon's Version of Lea's Picnic Set!

Today I am excited to share what Madelon has been up too! While I have been busy with the birthday week Madelon has been immersing herself in all things AG! Coming up with this fun and easy way to make your own Lea's Picnic Set.

Using items she already had and a great vinyl mat that she got at Bed Bath and Beyond for $2.99, she added only an edging of tape to create a great picnic blanket for her dolls!

She used the mats natural edge and simply folded the tape over to create a great finished blanket!

She added a fun take away journal she got at the AG event she recently attended (more on that later this week) and some items from her other play sets. The drinks and fruit are from an Our Generation Play Set and all she needs to find next is a little basket and she has created a really great and easy play set for pennies!

Thank you Madelon for sharing this fun and easy craft idea with us today! Still with my birthday brain on I think this would be a great craft to do at a Lea themed party!
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

Broken Dolls Healing Hearts A Canadian Project To Pay Attention To

Today I wanted to share about a wonderful Canadian program that is very close to my heart. Broken Dolls Healing Hearts in Ontario Canada is making a difference in the lives of children in Canada.
Today I have asked them to share with us a bit about their program and how and why it is so important. Growing up in a Foster home myself this is truly a needed and important project. I am currently filling my own box to send to Broken Dolls Healing Hearts. In my own experience and after more then 40 foster children that were in my own life I can tell you first hand that it is true, the trauma and stigma has not changed in years. I invite you to read on and learn more about you can help these children.

"What made me start Broken dolls Healing Hearts ...? My life has been one that has been travelled. There were times the loneliness hurt beyond what a child should ever feel , the pain unbearable that at the age of 10 you pray to God to end it ...Imagine if you can : the unloveable child ..even your own mother did,not love you, abused in every way imaginable,, moving from home to home ..owning nothing ,only really wanting someone ,something to hold or to hug."

"The life of a foster child in Canada ..I do what I do. Many years ago I promised that little 10 year old girl if I lived to be an adult I would try and save just one child, I would make one child smile to make a difference. I grew up and she became a foster parent. Being a foster child had not changed that much from when I was a child. As every child that came to my home a Teddy Bear or a doll was placed on the bed before they arrived...Broken Dolls Healing Hearts was forming. Almost 3 years ago I started growing the program. The first year we did up over 60 packages at Christmas that went to foster Children.

"Around that time I started Trish's Corner which are care packages that we do up for children who have suffered some sort of Trauma whether medical,or death of a family member.Trisha is a 6 year old who has Cerebral Palsy our countless trips to hospitals ,doctors ect opened my eyes to the trauma that children with medical issues go through... This is a huge passion to put smiles on a child,s face if only for a moment , The medical packages are quite large , they are everything a child needs or may need for trips to the hospital all items in these care packages are new due to medical issues, these are done once a month a child is nominated and their nomination stays open for a month ...after a month they are picked up ,or delivered locally , or the package is boxed up and sent through the post office."

"Foster Care packages are done up at Christmas and delivered to Foster Care Agencies...this year over 100 Foster care packages were delivered and 17 medical care packages ..we also nominated a young family, with 3 boys who's dad is going through Cancer. "

"Most of the dolls I work on are soft bodied dolls ( they are more huggable ) journey dolls, our generation , American girl, our life , basically anything with a soft body. We also take build a bears and New teddy Bears. It is an amazing feeling watching a child smile ...making the world a good place even for a minute."

"The first care package I was involved with was a 6 year old girl that had a brain tumour. Her 10 month journey was a painfully one , but when this little girl received her doll in the mail, it brought the biggest smile to her face and for that moment she was just a little girl ! Anyone,anywhere can nominate a child ... We will find a way to get it to them .Right now we have a big shortage of quilts and blankets for children, quilts and Blankets for dolls, pillows and pillow cases for dolls ,dolls clothes for 18 inch dolls.We need all the help we can get, however we do not take money only doll items. If you are moved to join our journey and feel you would like to help in anyway it would be appreciated."

You can find them on Facebook by clicking here.
Donations can be sent to Broken Dolls Healing Hearts 42 Strathcona Ave Thunder Bay, Ontario P7A-1R9

I would like to thank the Broken Dolls Healing Hearts team for joining us today and for the work they do. Thank you for reading today's post. 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