Happy Birthday Felicity!

Happy Birthday to Felicity! (Thank you to Madelon for the photo and the reminder!) Check out Doll Diaries for more Birthday Fun later today!

Did you know you can still order her Birthday Book by clicking here from The Book Depository!
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

Take A Look At Dresses Like A Doll Facebook Shop, A New Way To Shop For Doll Clothes!

I found out recently about the wonderful new shop only on Facebook making light and fun outfits for 18 inch dolls. Dresses Like A Doll offers some really sweet outfits in their Facebook Shop.

 

Priced under $25 including shipping in the USA these are simply fun and whimsical outfits for all 18 inch dolls.

 

I asked designer Jane about how she came to make her outfits for 18 inch dolls and she kindly shares with us a bit of her story:

"About two years ago, I was looking for some gifts for my new granddaughter.  I came across some really cute items (hair bows, wraparound/barefoot sandals, tutus, etc.) on the internet, but the more I looked the more I realized that I could probably make some of them myself.  While surfing the net for more ideas, I came across the American Girl site."

 "I've always loved dolls, but was astounded at the prices for even the smallest items which I instinctively knew many little girls' families could never afford.  So, I decided to try my hand at making some affordable outfits for dolls.  I looked at some instructional videos on You Tube, fell in love with tutus, and my passion was born!  After much trial and error (my first ones were awful,) I mastered the tutu making, then decided that because "accessories" can make or break an outfit, I began adding matching headbands and sandals.  Then, one day, it just hit me...why not make long dresses too?  So, I did, then added the hats, then the purses and, within just the past few days...a princess wand and a bridal bouquet so a little girl could pretend to be either with her doll...whatever her heart desired! "

"I guess I'd have to say my favorite thing to make is the long dress...when it starts coming together and I see the flowing skirt, the garden hat to match, etc., I can actually imagine the face of a little girl seeing it for the first time, or even having a beautiful dress for her doll for the first time, and it truly fills my heart.  Wow...didn't mean to go on this long, but there's absolutely nothing about making these clothes that I don't love.  I've donated my outfits to many charities for fund-raising auctions, and I would never do that if I wasn't proud of, and love, every item I make."

Check out Dresses Like A Doll on Facebook by clicking here and be sure to tell them I sent you! I love these outfits and can see hours of doll play fun in each creation. Thursday's at my house my niece Thea comes to tea, Tutu's are a dress code! I think I know what I need to order her for her birthday! Thanks to Dresses Like A Doll for sharing with us their photos and designs.
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
As with all my post

Easter Photos From Our Readers

Linda sent me the most fantastic version she made of her own dolly Easter treat set! I am in awe of her creativity!

Easter is such a fun time of year and I love the pastel colors! Great Job Linda!

I love that she used birthday candles as crayons!

Sophie sent in her version of the set made from the tutorial I posted on Doll Diaries  she also found the egg carton with Brandy's tip of the ones that candy comes in! Love it!

Sophie I love the butterfly in the center of your egg stand!

One of our readers Rebecca sent in this photo of her Granddaughter and one of her favorite dolls!

I love that she is requesting patterns for these lovely dolls and I found a few on PIXIEFAIRE you can see them by clicking here.
I promise to source out some more wonderful patterns soon for these dolls! I love that you are writing and sharing your love of dolls with me!
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 Easter!

 

For those of you celebrating Easter this holiday weekend the team here wishes you a very Happy Easter Sunday!

Madelon has had so many wonderful ideas that I have run out of days to share them before Easter! Here are some more of Madelon's Wonderful Easter Ideas and fun finds that you can add to your Doll Play Collections for year round fun. The Best Part these items will all likely be deeply discounted tomorrow!

At Five Below Madelon found a Jelly Bean Bingo Game! Just add your own Dolly Jelly Beans and you are all set! It is the perfect dolly sized Easter fun game!

 Decorate your own small doll sized Easter basket with ribbon that is peel and stick! Meant for scrap-booking, this ribbon is a perfect scale for a doll sized Easter basket and easy to use!

 

Puffy stickers that double as dolly Easter Eggs! $2 for $26 dolly eggs! Cut the stickers, keeping on their clear baking  for these easy to make doll size treats! Made by Hallmark these should not be too hard to find!

 

Madelon has had another amazing find and idea, these adorable little chocolate Lambs and Chick's if carefully unwrapped and eaten can be re wrapped around a cotton ball and kept for doll play!

I love that idea! Check for Mini Lamb's and Chicks at the after Easter sales and try for your self!

Madelon has done the lions share of the work for me in the last few weeks sending me wonderful ideas and I have been so busy with getting my One Minute Doll Chat's up and running on my Youtube page that I have not had as much time to write more then a day or two in advance! With out Madelon I would surely be scrambling! So a huge Thank you to Madelon for her continued wonderful ideas!

 

Back soon with more fun Dolly News and Doll Play fun soon!
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

My Visit To American Girl LA & A One Minute Doll Chat Review

Today I am sharing with you my Second Youtube One Minute Doll Chat and reviewing the Purchase with Purchase outfit I got on my latest trip to the American Girl Doll Store. This time I went to the LA Store.

I enjoyed my quick trip into the store and loved how it was laid out!

The store is set up with a wonderful display on two floors of Isabelle's collection, which is really a pretty collection. You can have your photos taken up stairs and down stairs with Isabelle.

Upstairs there was an area for all the historical dolls with their own little shops, the window displays were so well done and stocked well. The sad part was seeing Molly's area, which was filled with more Caroline items.  Julie's Area was my favorite!

The Bitty area stole my heart, so many wonderful items for the baby dolls!

Two items I am kicking myself for not picking up is the luggage seat which also makes a great highchair/booster seat/car seat for dolls and the beautiful tea set for Bitty and Girls.
I love seeing all the dolls of the year displayed as well.

The Special Offer Purchase with Purchase was so cute I could not leave it behind. For $14 you get a hat, t-shirt with 2014 on it which is a great keep sake and the bracelet! It was so worth the drive just to see the store and pick up the Special offer.
I had a wonderful time in store and am thankful my husband and children allowed me the time to shop and explore this fantastic store.
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

Patterns from Jacknits for Spring!

Oh who I wish my knitting skills were so much better. Their are some new and wonderful knit patterns for 18 inch dolls from Jackknit's Etsy shop. Take a look at the above "Wedding Dress" offered as an instant download for purchase! I love the details in this beautiful gown. This is not your normal "knit" gown, I think it would look stunning at tea length, and in pink....one patten so many possibilities! Click here to see shop and pattern listing. 

 Doesn't Kit make a beautiful flower girl? She and her friend sport dresses made from the Flower Girl Pattern offered for $3.01 and can be viewed by clicking here. 

For Spring how about a Swingy Skirt and Sweet T' Shirts!  This new knit pattern is offered for $3.01 and can be viewed by clicking here. I LOVE THE colors don't you!

Buttons at the back no over the head! Love it!

 

This is a can not be missed pattern as well this time for the boys!  Set includes instructions for
A Shawl Collar Cardigan, matching Hat, A V-Neck Cardigan and matching Schoolboy Cap, A Scarf, A Satchel and a pair of Full length Trousers! Pattern offered for immediate down load for $3.87 and can be viewed by clicking here. 

 Be sure to check out Jacknits Etsy Shop for more amazing patterns by clicking here

Happy Knitting!

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 Easter Egg Set - An American Girl Easter Must Have!

 

Every now and then even the craftiest among us fall in love with expensive sets from AG! Madelon recently purchased the new Easter Set at AG and has shared her photos with us today. 

I also saw this set in store in LA and it was pretty darn awesome.

 I had only seen it in the catalog when I made my own for Doll Diaries  (click here to see how I made mine)

After seeing this set in person and holding the pieces in my hands it is hard not to fall in love with it. Madelon and I were surprised that the eggs do not come out of the package but that the crayons do!  Its a beautifully made set and if you are lucky enough to add it to your doll play collection it is sure to become a holiday heirloom. Click here to see the American Girl On line Store listing.
Thank you Madelon for sharing this photo of your doll 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