Dolls and Crafts: Inspiration

Just a couple days ago, I extended my work area in our bedroom...  It's a small space with just a table and 2 shelves, but I'm decorating it with memories and trinkets that inspire and make me happy.

It is a work in progress, as I love updating it according to my needs.

No matter how big or small it is, I find it good to have one...  Keeps me busy and productive.

This past week I made doll clothes inspired by stock dresses of two Petite Blythes, Kitchen Queen and Itsy Bitsy Ladybug.

 

Darla (Simply Chocolate), Ingrid (Rachael's Ribbon) and Laila (French Trench)

in Petite Blythe Kitchen Queen inspired dresses

The aprons are removable and each have handmade patches and simple embroideries that coordinate with the prints of the fabrics.

 Kitchen Queen - Apple

Kitchen Queen - Flower 

Kitchen Queen - Strawberry

Blanche (Kiss Me True)

Next, I call it The Crafty Ladybug's Souvenir Costume inspired by Petite Blythe Itsy Bitsy Ladybug

The outfit consists of a shirt and a skirt. I crocheted a ladybug hat and made a matching backpack.

Thank you for reading and stay inspired!

Dolls: Meet my Lottie Dolls

I really admire dolls and my selection is a mix of almost everything.  Last year I came across Lottie dolls by Arklu in one of the toy shops here and started mine just earlier of this year.  I was only able to take photos of them today because of so many reasons but I'm glad to share their photos now ;p ...  At first glace, Lottie dolls reminded me of my Licca-chan dolls by Takara because of their hairstyle, fashion, eye gaze and child-like rounded face.  But as you go over the details of the doll you will notice the differences.

I find both pretty and they look cute together!

Notice that Licca-chan is taller than Lottie, which for me, makes them more like sisters or cousins when they stand beside each other.

Meet my Lottie dolls...

"Autumn Leaves" Lottie Doll (credit: Lottie for doll's description)

Lottie loves Autumn and especially the changing colours of the leaves on the trees. Wrapped up warm in her coat, hat, scarf and boots, Lottie explores Harley Wood with her dog, Biscuit the Beagle, kicking her way through all the crisp, colourful leaves. Getting muddy, kicking leaves and building dens is just so much fun!

(Note:  Biscuit the Beagle is sold separately)

"Branksea Festival" Lottie Doll (credit: Lottie for doll's description)

Summer has arrived at last! The sun is shining and the sky is blue as Branksea prepares for its annual Festival. Lottie is excited and is looking forward to live music, face painting, storytelling, and arts and crafts. Will the good weather continue or will the celebrations be spoiled by rain?

"Pandora's Box" Lottie Doll (credit: Lottie for doll's description)

Lottie is volunteering at Branksea Animal Shelter, helping to look after the homeless cats and dogs. One day a cardboard box mysteriously left outside the front door with a hungry and frightened Persian cat inside. They decide to name her Pandora. Unlike the Greek myth, where a box brought unhappiness, here the arrival of Pandora is a cause for joy and fresh hope. Lottie helps to nurse Pandora back to health and make sure that her furry coat is kept clean and fluffy.

(Note: Pandora the Persian cat is sold separately)

I love that these dolls have good balance and can stand without the aide of doll stands.  The clothes and accessories are beautiful and of good quality.  The face is naturally pretty without make-up.  The price is reasonable.  I plan to add more in time but it's good to take things slow and wait for future releases...

More about this dolls on their official site.

Dolls and Sewing: Collecte des Amulettes 2

Hello every one, here is another batch of doll clothes following the same concept as I did from my first.  I like it to be a mixture of modern and vintage.  To make it modern, I chose separates of shirt and skirt.  Then I combined laces, plain fabric with dainty-printed fabric and flowers for a touch of vintage... I also crocheted hats to complete the look.

Emily (Prairie Posie), Jade (Punk P) and Faye (Very Vicky)

in Collecte des Amulettes

Collecte des Amulettes - Post Stamp

Collecte des Amulettes - Cameo

Collecte des Amulettes - Form

Thank you very much and enjoy the rest of the week!

Dolls and Sewing: Collecte des Amulettes

I'm thinking of having a small sewing space inside of our bedroom so I can still work on my projects while watching our son when he sleeps...  But before that let me share what I've sewn, I made doll clothes combining hand-stamp images with fabric paint, laces and fabrics.  My friend showed me a photo of a dress and she would love to have a similar one for her doll.  I got hooked with the idea so I decided to make more with the same concept.

Kayla (Royal Soliloquy), Genevieve (Alexis Emerald) and Abbey (ABE custom) in Collecte des Amulettes dresses

This is the one my friend liked, the concept is similar with one in the photo she showed me but I have to tweak it with the materials I have.

Then, the following are inspired by the idea...

 

I'm going to make more...  Thanks a lot and have good weekend ahead!

Crafts and Dolls: Water Mill Bakery - A Weekend Project

It's another long weekend since today is Victoria Day.  I love having long weekends because it gives me enough time to work on my hobby...  

It's been a year and months since we moved in another country, I've been missing my miniatures so I decided to put up, again, the only one set I was able to bring...  The Water Mill Bakery.   The Water Mill Bakery is a play set from the cute critters Sylvanian Families.  It is one of my favorites because of its nice details and I also love displaying miniatures about food especially the ones that were gifted by friends and those I made.  Each piece reminds me of a good memory.

On the first day, I cleaned the structure and added wallpapers and lined the counters with patterned papers.  I like adding personal touch to my sets because for me it looks nicer.

Then, I made an undercounter rack out of fuse beads for additional storage.  It's a good way to save me from buying a ready made one.

Here is the finished setup with my Petite Blythes' Emma Jane and Jasmine...

I hope everyone a great week and thanks again for reading!

Dolls and Sewing: Simply Retro

Hello every one!  I hope we all had a Happy Mother's Day!

I had a good one even if I miss my family from home...  But I'm thankful with technology, we were able to have a nice chat.

Since last weekend was about Mother's Day, I decided to sew doll clothes inspired by how my mom dresses when she was young.  I made two styles, first, the blouse and skirt.  Second, the blouse and pants.  The lines were simple and very chic, colors were so vibrant...  simply retro!

Next, I will make doll clothes mixing fabric and stamps.

Thanks again for reading, I hope every one to have a good week!

Dolls and Sewing: Snow White for a Blythe doll

This weekend I made another doll outfit inspired by one of the famous fairy tale princess, Snow White.

I chose Heather (Rosie Red Encore) to be Snow White because of her rich red lips.

The details on her dress top is hand embroidered with beads and ribbons.  There are heart sequins on her chest and sleeves (symbol of Snow White's pure heart in the fairy tale which the Evil Queen wanted as proof that she's gone forever).

I crocheted a headband with oversize ribbon that shaped to appear like a top of an apple and decorated it with leaves and fabric flower (to represent the famous poison apple for Snow White).

I also crocheted a cape which can be removed from her dress.

A closer look of the dress.

Thank you for reading and I hope every one a great weekend!

Dolls and Sewing: Vintage Style Dress for a Blythe Doll

This weekend, I made a vintage style dress for a Blythe doll combining different laces.  I'll be gifting this to my very good dolly friend.

Ingrid (Rachael's Ribbon Blythe) is wearing a vintage style dress in all white

I crocheted a hat to match the dress

I also made a bolero to complete the look

This is one of my favorites, pure and simple... reminds me of Summer!  Thanks again and have a great week ahead!

Dolls and Sewing: Red Riding Hood for Blythe doll

I love fairy tales...  I grew up reading and sharing fairy tale stories with my siblings and friends...  I never get tired of it...

With this I thought of making doll clothes inspired by characters from different fairy tales.

My first sewing project is about one of the classics, Little Red Riding Hood.

I thought of Faye (Very Vicky Blythe) to be my model because I find her face innocent just like the character of the story.

Her outfit consists of a crochet hooded cape with fabric flower accent, a dress, an apron and a crochet basket

I crocheted a cape with a pixie hood

I also crocheted a basket and lined it with a gingham fabric...  The food accessories were from my Sylvanian Families, I borrowed for the photo :)

The dress without the apron and hooded cape...  I love mixing patterns, textures and colors.

A closer look at the top of her dress with hand embroidery and beads

Thank you for reading and Happy Easter!

Crafts and Dolls: Handmade Learning Accessories for an 18" Doll

Last weekend, I have introduced Kelsey in my makeshift closet and seating room.  This weekend I decided to make learning accessories for her.  I find it good to do so because of the doll's scale which is bigger and easier to work with.

I made her folders, a portfolio envelope, a binder, ruler, pencils, pencil box and a backpack out of recycled phone pouch.

Here was my old phone pouch which I've kept because I really like the print and it might be of good use for something...  good thing it does have a new purpose...

I proportioned it with the doll and showed that its size is perfect for the doll.  I altered it into a backpack with the use of cardstock, decorative duct tape, ribbons and sewing tools.

Next is the portfolio envelope.  I referred to my actual portfolio envelope to make a miniature of it for my doll.  I used cardstocks, fabrics, ribbons, adhesives, printable school papers from the net shared by 18" doll enthusiasts and sewing tools.

Then, I found a tutorial on school binders by My Froggy Stuff to make my own for my doll.  I have to tweak it a little bit with the materials I have in my stash - I used cardstock, fabrics, ribbons, adhesives, sewing tools and printable sheets from My Froggy Stuff for the said project.

The pencil box is made from recycled popsicle box, acrylic paint, decorative duct tape and washi tape.  I made the pencils from barbecue sticks - dipped the pointed end in black acrylic paint, dipped the flat end in a light blue acrylic paint, then I covered the shaft with washi tape and glide glitter glue in between the flat end and the shaft.  The ruler is part of the printable sheets in My Froggy Stuff's school binder tutorial.  The eraser is courtesy of my little boy which he shared from his supplies :)

Finally, I made folders using a tutorial from www.dolldiaries.com.  I just tweaked the flap with a curved edge instead but the idea is the same.

So here is Kelsey with her handmade learning accessories.

Thank you for reading and happy weekend!

Crafts and Dolls: Makeshift Closet and Seating Room for an 18" Doll

It's Spring and it's time to get organizing...  After doing my chores I decided to rearrange my doll shelf to accommodate my new girl, Kelsey.  She is one of the Journey Girls of Toys R Us.  Her size is similar with that of American Girl doll which is around 18".  I shopped around to look for an armoire that will fit her and her accessories but I ended up re-planning my existing shelf instead because it will help me save a lot with the cost.

 I have two shelves with 4-tier each giving me 8 compartments to fill.  I dedicated the first two layers of each shelf for my other favorite dolls followed by the third for the makeshift closet and seating room.  Then the bottom shelves are for my son's soft toys in bins.

 Here is the makeshift seating area with JG Kelsey and Lati Green Coco Erin... I decorated the walls with plastic decor butterflies and a photo of the girls from the packaging mounted on a patterned paper.

 The adorable bed was a gift from a friend, she designed it, crocheted and sew the bedding. The side drawer is a small organizer I found in the dollar store where I placed in JG Kelsey's socks, tights and a few hair accessories.  Then I added a tulle in one corner, re-use a souvenir pail as vase and crocheted a granny square rug to finish the look.  It's a seating room for Kelsey but it's a bedroom for my other dolls as well. :)

 Now, the makeshift closet.  I'm glad that there are lots of good craft stuff in the dollar store.  I bought small wooden crates, dowel rods and a plaque to make my shelf and clothes rack.  After putting together the pieces with wood glue, I painted each with black acrylic paint to match the color of the bed frame in the seating room. Then finished each with a gloss acrylic sealer.  The backdrop is a handkerchief I folded and tack with wall mounted hooks and ribbon which gives me freedom to change it anytime I like.  I also crocheted a granny square rug to finish the look.

 On one side, I decorated the wall with photos from the packaging and added wall mounted hooks for the hats.

 On the opposite side, I attached more wall mounted hooks to hang bags which adds to the decor of the closet.

 I love keeping cute jewelry boxes.  I'm glad I was able to display and re-use each to store more accessories.

A closer look of the shelves out of painted wooden crates.

I may have gone through a lot of work just to put this together but surely, it's fun...  Now, I'm looking forward to make more craft projects for JG Kelsey!  Thank you for reading and have a great week ahead!