DIY "play pretend" lamp for American Girl doll

There are definately flows in this process, but my little one likes it just the same.

I used:

2 tuille tubes
half of a ribbon spool, the cardboard part
paper- for base and for shade
modge podge
paper crimper
hot glue
string and beads for the lamp pull
marble rocks for helping the lamp stay upright
paper circles to stop holes, and keep the marble in.

(in hind sight, I needed another ring of paper to cover up the top of the lamp so the price tag doesn't show :D)

I used a paper towel tube to add some height to them

Glue

Hot glue paper circle to cover bottom hole, drop marbles in through hole, and cover with another paper circle, then glue the cardboard from the ribbon on (you can also use a cereal box to cut out a circle)

Punch a hole for the lamp pull. Attach cord and beads after you've modge podged the pole.

Modge podge pole, crimp paper (I used to 12" x 6"[Ithink] strips of paper)  hot glue to card board circle, and attach cord.  This is where I would have added paper to cover the top.  I've considered making it look like a lamp from the top... but, I haven't gotten that far yet. :D

DIY Arm chair for American Girl doll.

I asked my daughter what she needed for her American Girl doll Jessica, and she said that she needed a chair.  hmm.  Sounds like that that could be fun... so I went for it.  Cause if it didn't work out, there's always the American Girl store, right?

This is what I came up with.  I do recommend using a "doll needle" it's monsterous.  Like four inches monsterous.  But the doll needle was perfect for upholstering the chair base.

I used

A ruler
A pen
box cutter
Fabric (scraps, I don't actually know how much I used, less than two yards I would think)
a box (we used the box she came in)
ziplock bags- awesome for holding the stuffing in place
strong thread- for sewing fabric on
tape-for the box part and for telling the stuffing bags were they belong
hot glue, for attaching the final panels
poly fil
thimble, you'll need it, your fingertips will thank you.

This is very "eye balled" and I did have to make some adjustments in the end, I hadn't accounted for cushion size when I measured height.

Step one.  Remove girl from box.

Measure and cut box, save middle piece to cover front gap in chair

stack and tape two halves

I added poly fill to bags to desired fullness.

Cover bags starting with the arms, moving to the back.

I used household staples to hold fabric in place but they fell out.  A lot.  So I left the ones in place sewed on the back and side at AN ANGLE so that the bottom cushion would cover the stitches.  Then I removed the staples.

Trimmed off the fabric in the back. I sewed on the front of the arms of the chair, adding additional stuffing as I went.  I did use my sew machine to make the bottom cushion but this can definately be hand sewn.

Then I was ready to gule the final touches. The front was first.  I covered the front lip where the cushion meets the chair, sewed the back edge of the cushion to the chair.  Next I hot glued the side panels on wrapping them around the back a bit, then covered those bits with the final back panel.

Add a throw pillow

Maybe a lamp...

And a beautiful throw blanket... and viola!  Beautiful sitting area.

Doll clothes for my girls

My girls both got a doll from American Girl for Christmas this year.  My Emma got a new full sized girl, and gave her baby to her little sister Victoria.  They both got gift cards too so they could pick something out at the store themselves.  Me, I got a sewing machine.  I just couldn't see letting the girls waste their money (gift cards from their grandmom) on things that I could make.  Here's what I came up with for them.  I used three different patterns by Simplicity that I purchased at Walmart for $1.97 each.  I love how different you can make something cut with the same pattern by using different materials, trims, and patterns.

Here's what I came up with.

Meet Jessica.  She is Emma's new American Girl and is loving living with Emma so far. 

This is the unfinished purple dress.  I had considered stopping right here and pinning a little to make it a shirt.  However, Emma was a little disappointed with the lack of fullness that the white dress had to offer.Therefore, I pressed on.  

This is one of the pattens that I used; I found it at Wal Mart.

Quite full, and rufflie I think.

Emma really wanted to buy the "Special Occasion Dress" from American Girl, but I just couldn't see letting her spend so much money on something that I could make.  It's not exactly the same, but I tried to capture the details for her.  Purple waste line, white bow to one side.. slightly gathered shoulder band.

I added a few inches to the hem of the dress and omitted the ruffle, adding lace for length and girly detail. 

I pleated the collar line of this shirt a little to give a more flattering shape to it.

I cut leaves out of felt, and added a button to add interest to this simple blouse.

Victoria is always excited when I give her something new for her sweet Sarah.

So that's it for now, Victoria would really like more things for Sarah, her baby.
All of the dresses are made using the same pattern, just a little tweeking here and there to get a different look.  The shirts for both dolls are made from the same pattern.  I did not make the shoes, jeans or actual hat.  The headband I made to fit on just Jessica's head, or as a hat band over the hat. 

Here;s the inspiration dress... It's more different than I realized...

I think that I will try to make a dress like this next... I think that it is Sarah's turn.

Garden Party Baby Shower

For the baby showers that I throw I try to make decorations for the shower that could be moved straight to the nursery.  Here are a few pictures of the last shower that I threw, I even borrowed pictures from the mommy to be of her nursery with the baby shower elements incorporated into its decor.

Butterfly mobile made with fabric ruffle, embroidery hoops, fishing line and punched paper butterflies. 

The baby's initials are on the hedgehog water bottle labels

Deviled eggs, just a few dyed pink, for a fun girly touch

Fruit tray arranged to feel flower like, fruit dip tinted yellow to feel like the center of a flower.

Potato bites

Open face cucumber sandwiches

Vase and candle holder used as a cupcake stand

Paper butterflies fluttering around the personalized water bottles.

book mark party favors

Enrty hall ceiling was covered in balloons

hanging butterfly mobile reused

topiary and birdies used again

I forgot to take a picture of the banner at the shower, but here it is reused in the nursery.