Something New For Summer From Your Karen Mom of Three's Craft Blog Team!

Today we have some fun summer news to share, this summer Jenny, Madelon, Jessica, Brandy and I have some very fun activities, crafts, books, news and ideas to share with you. We thought we might mix things up a bit and share some fun summer suggestions daily here on our blog and we are hoping you will join us, participate and share. We have Bitmoji'ed ourselves just for fun and a bit of summer whimsy, so here is some of what you can expect....

Mondays we will have our Mommy Monday Moment with Jenny!

Tuesdays Karen (Me) will be Hitting The Books, sharing some wonderful reads with you and keeping you updated on all the doll themed books and series.

Wednesdays we will get our Craft on with Brandy!

Thursday's will be our Adorable Dolly Finds Etsy Spotlight Day...

Fridays will be Madelon's Fabulous Finds days! More of what we love from Madelon, no sew doll clothing, fun everyday items you can use in doll play, dollar store and big box deals and steals and so much more.

Saturdays we have Saturday Sewing Suggestions by Jessica T, sharing tips, tricks and pattern deals for all who love to sew for their dolls!

Sunday's we will have yarn crafts. patterns, suggestions we hope you will love.

So please join us starting tomorrow for a summer filled with fun!
We would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

A bigger table, not a bigger fence...

I moved about 6 months ago and it has been a huge struggle for me personally. The move while not very far away seems like thousands of miles when I think about how much I miss my old neighborhood. I know that with time I will begin to make new friends in the area we moved too but right now the Up -rooting of the family still feels painful and raw. I am reminded of that old saying you don't need a higher fence you need a longer table, and with that the inspiration for today's post. Our friends over at Lemon Bay Doll Company have created a wonderful and exceptionally well priced doll play item that fits with my feelings today and accommodates more dolls at the picnic table.

I love the idea of and the action of taking doll play outdoors when the weather is as nice as it is today. One of the problems we have had in the past is that only two dolls could sit at our table and this causes lots of frustration for my nieces and their dolls, but this new table from Lemon Bay Doll Co. can fit 6 dolls very comfortably and with great legroom!

Handmade and in your choice of finishes, check out this competitively priced picnic table from Lemon Bay Doll Company by clicking here. 

Thank you for joining us here today, we would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com 

Let's Fill The Cooler! A look back at my camping inspired craft from Doll Diaries 2015

I can hardly believe that today's craft is one I did more than two years ago! Last weekend my niece PB went camping with her sisters and it got me thinking back to my camping inspired crafts that I created for Doll Diaries. This is one of my all time favorites and it is an easy and fun way to create for your dolls or the doll lover in your life, without too much mess or investment.

I invite you to pop over to my tutorial on Doll Diaries to see for yourself just how easy and fun this craft is. It is the perfect rainy summer day activity or even sleep over craft!
Click here for the tutorial from Doll Diaries May 22, 2015 

Thank you for joining us here, we would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

Sail Away With Tea Time Fabric Panels!

Growing up, I had a sailor's hat, I remember using my own money and buying it at what was then known as Woolworths. I wore it everywhere and I have always loved the nautical look. Tea Time Fabric Panels has a sewing printed pattern kit that I love and wanted to share with you today. This one is called Sail Away!

The hat is what caught my eye but I also love the colors of this set and the blazer is sweet as can be!

Just check out the back of this outfit!

One of the things I am most proud of with my own sewing journey is the ability to sew doll pants. I have to tell you I did cry the first time I tried a regular pattern from the store for doll pants, I felt so stupid, as I could not imagine how the pattern and cut fabric could be sewn together to make pants, it was so many pieces and in my mind I could not make it work. It took me 4 tries and I finally did make a pair of doll pants but not without out a ton of stress and anxiety, fast forward 7 years and Tea Time Fabric Panels takes that stress away, no boring brown or white paper patterns to gut out and piece together, just a simple straightforward and easy way to create not only a pair of pants but a stunning outfit for your doll you can be proud of!

I love these kits and the confidence you gain by sewing for yourself or the doll lover in your life. Check out this pattern kit and more from Tea Time Fabric Panels by clicking here.

Madelon's Flowing Summer Skirt! A No Sew Dolly Clothing Idea!

Today Madelon is sharing a great fun find and idea with us today, her Tenny Doll is modeling this baby skirt, which makes a lovely flowing skirt. We have learned from Madelon that checking out the end of season sales in the baby department often lead to amazing dolly wardrobe additions!

By simply tightening the waist band, Madelon created a fun flowing dress and the colors are perfect on her doll!

You can easily secure the waist band with a safety pin, fabric glue or even a quick hand stitch!
Thank you Madelon for sharing this fun find with us and for the inspiration to think outside of the box!
Thank you for joining us here today we would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com

Tuesday Book News To Share...Nanea's Three Book Box Set

Today Madelon has kindly shared with me the that there is now a three book set ready to add to your summer reading with American Girl's Nanea! You can find this book with free shipping from The Book Depository by clicking here.

Dive into Hawaiian history with Nanea in this three-book boxed set. You'll journey to Honolulu, where peaceful island life is upended with the attack on Pearl Harbor. You'll learn how hula can heal the spirit, and how Nanea wants more than anything to lend a helping hand to the soldiers. Then, travel back in time to meet Nanea in an exciting story that lets you choose what happens next!

Thank you Madelon for this Tip! Look for More Tuesday Book News To Share throughout the summer and add these books to your summer reading, "to be read pile"!

Thank you for joining us here we would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmial.com

Mommy Monday Moment with Jenny of The Rita Pita Boutique...

This week was full of fantastic thrift shop finds and an American Girl Doll emergencies.  I love when I have to shift multiple car seats and collapse the back-row seats to accommodate finds.  The best part is when the entire back of the van smells like an antique shop.  I was all over Buffalo from barn sales to consignments shops.  I have been in search of a cute sewing machine table and an old antique desk.  I found exactly what I was looking for, I will share pictures next week after I refinish them.  Oh, and I found a vintage thread cabinet "in love".  Last week, we sold our dining room furniture, so I could have a place to refinish and repurpose 18" doll furniture and an office space to run my non-profit, called Project Stork Inc. 

 Needless to say, I quit my ten-year teaching career to do what I love.  I haven't regretted my decision at all.  My catch phrase this past week, "sometimes you just have to jump!"  and Jump I did, many would think that quitting a decent career with 5 children is selfish and irresponsible.  However, it is quite the opposite, life is not guaranteed, I want to be with my children, I want to raise them, and if it means doing without a few things here or there then it is very worth it. 

 So, the red alarm emergency you may be wondering about... Kaitlyn rushes up the attic steps where Nathan and I are playing some Star Wars and Green Lantern combo as Lauren crawls, yes crawls! In search of Green Lantern and then right into her mouth.  Lauren was Ms. Captain Poopy Pants and she had Green Lantern right where she wanted him.  Natalie shuffles some blocks around and Kate can barely get her words out. 

 Kate slow down, she was in a panic, Lea was in one hand.  It was clear that two small rows of hair in the back of her head were no longer sewn into the mesh.  Yikes I thought, I was bobby pinning through Lea's hair like a Gorilla does for bugs.  I found the locations where the hair is no longer attached.  Well good, I have a job for tomorrow, because once again I certainly didn't have anything I needed to work on while the babies slept.  I have never tackled a hair wig job before, I will do some you tubing, but it seems pretty easy, just a small space to work on.  Dark thread, small needle, a good light, glasses, and perhaps magnifying glasses too ?? I'll let you know next week how this turns out.

Thank you Jen for a glimpse into your very busy week!

Thank you for joining us here for a Mommy Monday Moment,  to learn more about Jenny and the Rita Pita Boutique please click here. 
We would love to hear from you so please leave us a comment here or email us at karenmowen@gmail.com