What a doll!!
I have always loved dolls and hope to instill this love of dolls within all my daughters' hearts. I think taking care of a doll and really loving it is the first nurturing skill you teach your child. I had a favorite doll that I took everywhere and bathed with it until all the hair fell out. My dolls were always named Kelly. {:)}
I decided I would give simple doll making a try. I started writing a children's story and thought it would be nice to have an accompanying doll, a muse of sorts, in which to write. It will take many attempts before it is just right, but my little one sure does love this first little doll, and it really has inspired story telling.
I put "wings" on it, to make it a fairy, which is truly what it needed.
She likes to make it fly. Looks like I might have to make HER some wings too!!
She's so cheesey!
I had to write a little message on the back for her....
forever and always....
I hope she will keep this doll and remember these days.
Then, because I don't buy birthday gifts....and needed to make one....
I searched for inspiration. This was to be a gift that Gigi and I could do together for her BFF's birthday, even if she has many they are all BFF's!!!
We talked about her friends' qualities and what her friend likes, and what she likes best about her friend....
and then we thought of the last time they spent together...
walking through fields...
amongst the horses....
Her friend thought she was growing up, and too old to play London Bridges, Ring Around the Rosies and such, so for one last time, all the BFF's gathered together and did just that.
The thought that childhood was over was not something I could imagine.
I guess the responsibility of the world at hand, made her think as if she was done being a child.
Her Mommer said she would be in middle school now, and is going to miss all of those little girl things, like tutus and sing alongs, and not caring what your wearing....so she had this photo shoot to hold and keep memories.
My Gigi, is not growing up, NOT yet!! Thank heavens!!!
Gigi's not in middle school until the 7th grade and she is only in 5th grade now....
her sweet friend is one year older and for her, middle school starts in 6th grade.
Oh, why do they have to grow up?
I say never grow up....and maybe....just maybe we should play London Bridges more often, especially if these sweet young ladies think they have to grow up already and that growing up is no fun!!
I say play London Bridges MORE!! Laugh more!!! Let your Littles see the little girl in you {!!} so they will have something to look forward to when their world gets all too serious!!!
So here's to playing and making dolls....
I decided to make a doll for this sweet BFF who is going to turn 11!!
YOUR NEVER TOO OLD FOR A DOLL!!!
PLEASE SLOW DOWN, PUT ON A CROWN AND TUTU AND BE A PRINCESS, PLEASE!
I wanted and desired for this sweet little young lady to see this little golden flax hair, as reminder of her own youth, and think of the days and ways to make life lovely...sweet...and as much fun as possible!
THE FRINGE..... I know, right!?!?!! {clap if you love this!!}
Muslim cloth, medium
Drew a dolly FREE HAND, with lots of love in mind.
[I SHOULD HAVE MADE MY BODY LONGER.]
AND
I should have taken pictures every step of the way....
I'll try my hardest to describe.
Pin the hair inside, so that when you turn it inisde out the hair is on the outside, probably the trickiest part. This dolls head is like a half circle...the top is straight a cross. I pinned the fringe across the straight line and then put the other side of cloth over and pinned again, then I ran the sewing machine straight across.
I think this will make sense if you know how to sew. {:)}
Then I made sure the "hair" was pushed in-between the two pieces of cloth, so I could sew around the edge without catching it.
The trick is to put a rubber band around it to keep them together.
This makes it easier to sew all the way around without getting the hair stuck.
Leave about 2 inches from the top where the head and hair start.
This gap is for pulling the material right side out and then stuffing it.
Once it is turned right side out, you can draw a little face on it with fabric marker or permanent marker.
{oh, my heart, just had a great idea to let little em paint on this fabric and make a doll out of it!!!}
After it is stuffed, simply hand sew the opening until it is closed.
Tuck in the loose edges and use the same color thread.
Now, here is a little doll in need of dressing....
Then add ribbon not only to hide any imperfections, {wink wink} where it came together, on the side, but to be creative adn add whimsy.
Gigi chose the colors, ribbon, material and placement.
Now to dress her....
Gigi chose light pink and a thin ribbon.
I took strips of tulle and just folded in half, and then half again, and then cut the loops after I pinned the ribbon in the middle.
Then I just sewed along the ribbon and then tacked it in the back with a bow.
Little Em sat on the other side of the table while I did this.
Then I decided to include her creations too.
Can you see the paper napkins hanging in the window with her art work?
I used a few of those to wrap the dolly, kinda like tissue paper.
I tied a bow and...
WHAT A DOLL...
... it turned out to be.
I love homemade gifts, it saves money and it comes from the heart, there is much more thought and time involved too.
By now everyone knows "I don't buy gifts".
I like to think they look forward to finding out what tI might make them.
This is Gigi taking the doll to the party at the craft store.
She wants one of her own, we will work on that soon and have more detailed pictures next time.
I think her friend liked the dolly. {;)} MU AH!
They made duct tape wallets and purses. {tooo cute, right?}
If you try and make one of these little dolls, will you take a picture and share with me?
I'd love to see what you create.
Have fun...please do something silly with your Littles and laugh...just laugh.
from me to you w love, M
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