doll placemats...

So- if you haven't figured it out ... these cute doll placemats are coasters!!! 

You can find them almost anywhere from Target to the Thrift shop!

HOW CUTE!

The BEAUTY SALON for our AG dolls!

 My Girls got the Salon Chair and the caddy and extras for Valentine's Day! They were OVERJOYED!

We bought the chair of CL and the caddy and accessories ( sold together) of Ebay. We scored big time and saved a bundle. 

 The girls don't care if things are OLD or used before- everything was in excellent condition too!

If you don't feel like buying one but want to MAKE one- click here!

 I labored the night before and made tiny red skirts for the girls and put cute felt and foam stickers on their plain 3/4 sleeve tees! They ALL had a great Valentine's Day!

my current projects

I'm Re-habing 2 Samantha Dolls and one is from late 80-early nineties and one is from mid 1990 but both are pre- mattel and  i have learned so much about getting skin conditioned, hair straightened or curly, re-stringing and stuffing and KEEPING AS MUCH INTACT as possible. In my opinion- the value is lost once EXTRA parts from the AG hospital, are added to PC dolls. My big dilemma was putting in AG eyelashes which would essentially just give my PM PC doll AG doll eyes and lashes- which are NOT soft and brown and instead , black, plastic and stiff. It would be fine if i wanted to just give her to one of the kids but, I'm not doing that- she will later be sold in a set later this year! My 2nd doll needed her leg put back on ( yep, i did it too), skin care and hair care- that's about it!
Here's Sam #1. she is older and has better pigmentation- in my opinion. In the next few posts i will show you the color differentials in the YEARS and plastic DYES and such. It's very interesting indeed- well, if you like this kind of stuff!

EASTER is around the Corner...

I found this tiny basket in a bag of odds and ends at our local thrift shop-  there were 5! And they are PERFECTLY sized for our dolls and the Easter Eggs  are fabulously glittery and found at Dollar tree.

I used scrap ribbon( martha stewart craft) and tiny flowers ( also from dollar tree ) to decorate the baskets!

 Just look AROUND and see what is at your local TS and can be used for your dolls! You will save buckets of cash and have some one of a kind pieces! 

Valentine's FINDS and crafts!

Happy Valentine's Everyone!  Share the LOVE! the Table was from a craigslist seller selling AG stuff. She was so sweet!

 I Made the cake and simply got sweethearts for the cookies( not pictured)! The Girls are ready to PARTY and share the LOVE!

and check out this cute mini globe- perfect for a centerpiece on a doll table for Valentine's day!

And our CUTE polymer Lollipops- we used a shiny varnish to give them a REAL look! My son keeps trying to sneak them and i know he will figure it out that the "candy " mom leaves out is all fake- one day!

Duct Tape and DIY doll purse crafts

this pinterest post by Anna @ Doll diaries inspired me to try it for myself!
 Here's what mine turned out like

I made a coordinating headband as well! I added metallic trim in aqua for more a real purse feel/look.

The mini flowers are from MS and are available at most craft stores like Michaels/Joanns.

I added ribbon to the back of the sequins strap BUT I HATE IT- so don't add ribbon to the back!

I used sparkling polkadot tulle from Hobby Lobby and did the headband in a gorgeous green crinkle taffeta fabric! and lined the inside with simple grosgrain.

I added velcro to both side BUT- the hot glue comes right off the tape so- back the tape with a thin piece of fabric that will help bond it- or use a better glue like gorilla glue, super glue etc.

There is a learning curve here and i really think this project is appropriate for girls over 8. It was rough for the 2 six yr olds who got frustrated with tape issues! And of course- the adults projects will always look better but the kids really are proud of what they made! It was super fun and we made 6 purses in about an hour!

Dollie n me headbands and hair flair!

SO, this is what we made and how the headbands and bows turned out!

 We used LOTS of fabric, flowers, rosettes and hot GLUE!
There is a large learning curve when it comes to headband and bow making! Luckily i had enough ready made items on hand! The girls did their very best and had some unique creations!

 SO man cuties and my littlest girl is the POUTY one!

I will later feature some matching headband sets on my stores! LOOK for it!

The professional CLEAN for all Vinyl / Plastic Dolls

I stopped in at a Local doll Hospital ( which i will feature very soon) and asked all about getting the doll skin to look its best and get clean and shiny. YEP- this is actually hand cleaner for mechanics!

It's a very light pumice and cream cleaner that leaves the plastic soft, clean and smelling GREAT!

Use a wet cloth, some water and a magic eraser when needed. Be careful not to get anything in the dolls eyes!

I only used water, a doll brush and some patience to clean up the dolls hair!

*Thanks to my Madame Alexander Dolls for being good volunteers and finding NEW girls to LOVE after i did this makeover! Hopefully, your new owners are treating you right!

BEST deals on unfinished furniture for dolls

If you are a DIY person but not a woodworker ( or married to one) you will LOVE finding UNFINISHED DOLL FURNITURE and making it your own. I have searched far and wide from EBAY to ETSY and everything else. ALL the websites you can think of with unfinished doll furniture.

IT's Overwhelming at times. I'm trying to SAVE but it seems some sellers just don't care! I have found ebay sellers selling a basic farm table with 2 chairs for WAYYY too much!

I dont need to buy AMISH made items. that look the same as the ones on Millstores.com

Seriously- a set for 140 versus a full set for less than 65. ( minus shipping and stain)

I've looked over some of the mom and pop shops and boutiques online and by far for SOLID WOOD Millstores.com is the LEAST expensive in this style. ( above)

This ebay seller is selling this unfinished set for 75. and really is quite a deal compared to other shops online i have seen. IF you aren't able to make your own - there are some good deals out there- you just have to look.

here's the chair from Millstores.com- the back is different but not that big of a deal compared to the AMISH made ones. search under DOLL in the search box and see all the LOW priced solid wood doll furniture and such that they have- the wardrobe prices can't be beat. If you don't want to paint it- they have the option for finishing it for you for a fee!

People on EBAY are selling this bed for around 45. and on Millstores its 19.99!

 If you want to make your own and think you have the GUTS to make it look awesome search here  and find out how! So many different ways to make a table and chairs.

I found a thick wood candle sticks and some round wooden plaques and i think i will challenge myself and make a BISTRO style table for our dolls. Also- always look on CL in your area for gently used doll furniture- you can often save HEEPS! Good luck and comment f you've succeeded at making or designing or refinishing your own doll furniture! 

Ruthie goes to GYMNASTICS!

 YOU can take your dollie anywhere and i' finding most people think taking random pics with your doll is pretty fun ( or funny). Aria went in the foam pit with Ruthie...

 She played a parachute game and stretched...

 And practiced beam and headstands too! They are headed for the Olympics!

make a doll balance beam here! Or an Leotard here!