Baby Millie Travels in Style

A few weeks back I posted pics of our adorable Melissa and Doug 12" Brianna doll.  She is known to us as Baby Millie and I am bursting with pride to show you her little car seat.  This is just a thrift store find that I brought home and fancied up.
Baby Millie's car seat's humble beginnings:

I cut apart the pieces of her original car seat cover at the seams.  Then I used my embroidery machine to quilt the fabric that I would use to create the new cover.

Then using the contrasting fabric panels I had quilted, I cut out the new pattern pieces for the car seat cover from the old pieces I had cut apart.  I stitched the new seams together and put the cover on.  It was a great fit so I reassembled the seat with all the straps and buckles.  How cute!!

Let me know if you decide to try this on your own fabulous thrift store find.  I'd be glad to help you.  Now go play with your dolls!
-Whimsy!

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Shh! Can You Keep a Secret?

We will be celebrating a special little girl's birthday around here next month.  In preparation for her big day I have been keeping my sewing machine humming as I crank out goodies for her.  I don't want to brag, but isn't this precious?  I found this tiny doll carseat/carrier at a local thrift store and paid almost nothing for it.  Since I know what she is getting for her birthday next month I'm certain this will go along perfectly.  When I brought it home I also realized just how plain it was.  Off to my fabric stash I flew to find the perfect pairings.

Car Seat Lining - I made a paper pattern for the inside lining and marked where the cutouts would need to be for the safety harness.  Then I sewed the two right sides facing, turned it out, used the button-holer for the strap holes, and voila!  Instant liner to keep baby sitting pretty.
Canopy/Cover - this is just a big rectangle.  Again I sewed the two right sides together, turned it out, and top stitched around.  Next I made two tabs from fabric remnants and sewed on ribbons to function as straps that tie.
Diapers - I eyeballed these with a paper towel pattern until I got the size just right.  I then cut the three diapers from craft felt, sewed on some carefully placed hook and  loop tape.  Presto! Chango!
Burp Cloth - Have you seen those contoured burp cloths?  Well me too.  I loved them so much that I bought an in-the-hoop pattern from Digistitches for my embroidery machine so that I can make as many of them as I want and give them away as shower gifts.The stitches are accurate and  clean with no loops or jumps.  Jennilee is one of the better digitizers around and I have enjoyed using several of  her designs.  Stop by her site when you are ready to buy some amazing machine embroidery designs.
Doll Carrier/Sling - another giant rectangle turned out and sewn together to form a big loop.  Gather again at the shoulder with another simple fabric tube.
Covered Wipes Case - this took a little time.  The hot glue gun and plenty of patience is key to success in this project.  I covered a travel-sized soap case with batting and fabric and attached the ribbon trim around the edges.  Felt squares serve as "wipes."  Needless to say, I can't wait to give this away.  Now go play with your dollies!
-Whimsy

A Busy New Site for Doll Goods

I wanted to write a quick post to let you know about a new site for doll enthusiasts.  Where can you find a last-minute swimsuit for your dolls trip to the beach next week?  Where can you find a deal on a mint condition, very hard to find, now retired Felicity?  Well, Dollabee, of course!  Cinnamon from Liberty Jane has created a new site for all things doll.  Dollabee is now up and running and is intended to function"like Craigslist, but for dolls."  I am eager to spread the word in hopes of seeing more and more of you posting and purchasing dolls and doll goodies you find on Dollabee.  I hope to see you there soon!
-Whimsy

We Welcome a Boy to our 18" Collection

I don't know why but it seems that dolls of the male variety are steeper in price than female dolls are.  Perhaps their scarcity leads to their premium price.  I don't know.  We had looked online for an 18" male doll to add to our adventures but were dissatisfied with the sparse offerings.  Providentially, a trip through our local junque store led to a remedy for this situation.  There in a booth, amidst other treasures and trinkets of varied description sat Jack.  Jack is the no-longer-in production Our Generation boy doll.  He is collected far and wide by doll enthusiasts looking to add a little male influence to their cadre.
He is definitely a play doll.  At the risk of giving him an inferiority complex I will have to compare him gently to the others.  The adequate sandy blonde wig is no real disappointment, as boys tend to make fewer trips to the hair salon anyway.  His vinyl limbs and soft-bodied trunk are not nearly the quality of My Twinn or Karito Kids dolls, but it is adequate for our purposes.  He has brought much inspiration and adventure to our play as boys tend to do.  With proper training and discipline I am sure he will fit in quite well here for years to come.  Now go play with your dolls!
-Whimsy

Another Karito Kid Deal

Since my last Karito Kids post I am happy to report that I have been able to track down another $29 Kid.  This time I wanted Zoe, from the USA and I had to visit two different stores to find her.  I was told that some of the more popular dolls are a little more scarce.  The Karito Kids line of dolls is experiencing a resurgence in popularity.  Their site has been relaunched and several of the dolls outfits have been refashioned.  You can view their current line here as well as many of their outfits.  They are also readily available on Amazon as of this posting.  Be prepared to pay a little more than I did for the first-issue dolls that are now on the secondary market.  The Gia doll that we own has been given a new outfit that still reveals just as much of her tremendously long legs as the former outfit.  Additionally, Karito Kids size clothing patterns and fashions are readily available for purchase online.
I would highly encourage you to add one of these unique dolls to your collection.  I believe that Ling from China has become a favorite among doll enthusiasts.  There is not an ugly girl in the entire line.  Each doll and outfit represents their country of origin beautifully.  You may not wish to have all of them but I am certain that when you hold one of these well-made dolls in your hand you will see what I mean.  They feel great, look amazing, and come with a great head of hair for styling.  Collect or play with these Karito Kids dolls, you will not be disappointed.  Now go play with your dolls!
-Whimsy

A Doll for Mama

Isn't she cute?  I play dolls with my girls alot.  Usually I am asked to be the hair-stylist but many times they just want me to play family or act out a favorite story from Little House on the Prairie with them.  Thanks to eBay I now have my own vintage American Girl doll to use when we play together.  Isn't she spunky?  This is a Pleasant Company Lindsey and she is perfect.  In fact, I can't believe how tight her limbs are for her age.  We usually buy from the historical line but Lindsey is not from that genre.  She is special because she is the first American Girl of Today doll they issued and is known as Lindsey Bergman.  I like her just because she is cute and full of spunk.  Just look at that unruly hair and the sprinkling of freckles across her tiny upturned nose.  What a doll!  No more time to post, I've got to go play!!
-Whimsy

Our American Girl Doll Family is Growing

Until today we owned just one American Girl doll.  My 6 year old has been asking for one too so I began looking at what was available.  Because she's six and we love vintage, I will not be buying brand new.  She decided that she would like a Pleasant Company Samantha so that is what we got.  A Craigslist poster had several available so off we went to check them out.  We ended up getting this adorable PC Samantha with this cute bob and her complete meet outfit for a GREAT price.  We also purchased several pairs of shoes and clothes from this seller just for fun.  Since Samantha is in no need of repair or rehabilitation we really have nothing more to say.  Now go play dolls!
-Whimsy