Saturday, August 31, 2013

" Knit Me A Sweater" Said the Yarn ...a Knitting Update

Have you ever heard knitters say that the wool or yarn was talking to them? Well that is what happened to me. With the sucess of the first sweater coat I made a few weeks ago I swear I could hear the yarn calling..."knit me into a sweater" from my bag  of yarn stash.
So I set out with the free pattern I got from Doll Tag Clothing and South African Girl Doll  I made in a few hours this fun hot pink sweater for Ivy (until one of my nieces steals it that is)
I am feeling so excited to have completed two sweater this summer  that I think I am ready to try some of the other Doll Tag Clothing Patterns offered on Pixiefaire.com .This Cable Shrug, caught my eye as I love the color and the detail and can imagine that the yarn would feel fantastic slipping through my fingers.

The Ballet Sweater and booties is also on my project list. I think this is more my speed and I am anxious to see if I can add a new stitch to my abilities. Also offered on Pixiefaire.com by clicking here
I would love to be able to do this cable knit sweater! Click here for the listing on Pixiefaire.com

There are so many more wonderful knit patterns offered by Doll Tag Clothing and some of my favorite sewing patterns too. Check them all out on Pixiefaire.com and share with me your end results!
I would love to she your creations.

As with all my posts I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com


Friday, August 30, 2013

New Realses From AG...Any thoughts?


Well I have not gotten the catalog yet but I have seen enough photos on line to get an idea of the new releases. Mine will be a different catalog then yours as I am in Canada.
I am astounded to see the re branding and huge jump in the cost of the Bitty Baby Line. As a parent I am horrified at the cost increase. I have not heard a justification for the increase and that doesn't sit well with me.
The above is the $180 Deluxe Set offered by American Girl. There are 11 new bitty babies I can see on the website.


As a doll lover and collector I would love to see dolls accessible to every girl and increasing the cost of Bitty Baby doesn't make access to these dolls easy. I am however still a huge fan of bitty baby and thanking my lucky stars that I lucked in to mine for $2.


The 18 inch dolls have realistic hair and a much larger range of products designed to enhance play. I am not seeing that in the Bitty Line. So would I pay $80 for a baby when I could bay $110 and get a doll that she will play with much longer???? My money is on the 18 inch doll. When the Bitty Baby's were priced less we bought both. Now I can not say imagine to many of us would buy both at the same time.


That being said I am excited to see some of the new arrivals for fall. Such as the new doll shown above. I think she is stunning!
I love the new pj's and slippers!
 My favorite has to be the new spa chair! I love this set offered at $110...though would you rather have this or a new doll? The price of this new item will make any doll lover think twice about what she really wants!
I think this is well designed for maximum play potential.



I was pleasantly surprised with this play set from AG. I also think that is is priced fairly. Not only does this set offer great play potential but dolls can wear the hat and the mits! This set gets the Karen Mom of Three Stamp of Aproval. This set is on my realistic wish list!
I would love to know what you all think. As parents how does this affect your purchasing abilities? As doll collectors do you see any value in the new releases? As doll lovers what is on your must have list? As girls what is on your wish list?
As with all my posts I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

Thursday, August 29, 2013

What's New For Fall From 123 Mulberry Street?

With Fall on our door steps I was so excited to see the new cowl neck sweaters and new pattern just released by 123 Mulberry Street's Etsy Shop on Pixiefaire.com


The pattern offered on the Pixiefaire website is offered at  $3.99 and you can create your own cowl neck sweatshirts for all your dolls! Click here for the Pixiefaire listing.

123 Mulberry Street's Etsy Shop is offering the cowl neck sweatshirts ready made for $13. I had a chance to chat with 123 Mulberry Street Designer Sandra who shared that her motivation for her new release "My motivation for this pattern actually came from the fabric. I was looking for something new to make and something unisex, since the BOYS have become very popular. I thought this new fabric would be great for sweatshirts and bright and colorful for Fall!"



 Unisex outfits offered in 123 Mulberry Street's Etsy shop do not last long and looking at her designs you can see  why! Take a look at this outfit my own boys would wear for back to school! Click here for shop listing



Dolly's can keep their heads warm and stylish this fall with these fun Hello Kitty Hats! My nieces are so excited to see these! Click here for shop and listing.
I am so excited for fall and what better way to get your dolls ready then this new pattern cowl neck sweater pattern by 123 Mulberry Street offered on Pixiefaire.com   
 or ready made outifts handmade by the designer her self! Click here to visit 123 Mulberry Street's Etsy Shop today! 
As with all my posts I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com 

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Checking out Aunt Bee's Doll Closet

Today I wanted to share with you one of my favorite Etsy Shops Aunt Bee's Doll Closet.


I have been a customer of this shop now for more then two years and as summer comes to a close and the fall weather is upon us I was thinking about the doll sized snuggie that I ordered from Aunt Bee a few years back. My nieces and I love to make the dolls cozy and the snuggie is my favorite cozy outfit for our dolls.

New for fall this is one of my favorite new outfits featured in Aunt Bee's Doll Closet, Mostly because this is exactly what I would wear...I wonder if she will make me one in my size? This 3pc outfit is offered at $14 and is my most favorite color!

My niece Cadence loves butterfly's and this set is her favorite. Click here to see this 4pcs outfit offered at $18

This flaming hot 2 pcs set is stunning offered at $13 click here for shop listing.

With Halloween fast approaching check out some of the fun costumes offered by clicking here for this puppy costume

I love this Cow Costume! Offered at $9.99 so much play potential! Click here for shop and listing.


I would be remiss if I did not mention the wonderful Harry Potter inspired costumes offered by Aunt Bee!

I hope you will Check out Aunt Bee's Doll Closet and check out her fun shop, be sure to pick up some of her socks and underwear for dolls as well they make wonderful stocking stuffer's, loot bag items and gifts!
As with all my posts I would love ot hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Collectible Dolls From Ashtondrake.com, More then just Porcelain Dolls!


As an adult doll collector and doll lover I wanted to share with you the wonderful world o f Collectable Dolls by Ashtondrake.com
I always thought that Ashtondrake.com  only offered porcelain dolls, and I was thrilled to find out they offer some truly beautiful and unique vinyl dolls as well. Here are a few of my most favorite listings on The Ashtondrake Website.
I am a very big fan of the Royal Family, I always have been and I love the stunning Princess Catherine Commemorative Porcelain Doll offered on The Ashtondrake Website at $179.99 Canadian. This doll is as stunning as the new mother herself!
The recent release of the Prince of Cambridge Commemorative Porcelain Doll  is a true collectors delight. I love the details right down to the little fingers, don't you?
I recommend visiting the on line listing to see the incredible details in this beautiful doll.
Did you know that The Bradford Exchange offers vinyl dolls?
Madison pictured above is a pose-able doll, who is hand painted and who's hair is hand applied.You can find out more about this award wining doll on The Ashton Drake website by clicking here.
 Sweet Dreams Life Like Breathing Emily Doll has taken my breath away! This is an incredibly life like doll. She is a full size breathing baby doll, that offers realistic breathing movement. When you touch her tummy you can "feel" her breathing!
She is a vinyl doll with hand-painted features and hand-rooted hair. What a beautiful doll.

Katie Kisses is a vinyl doll that caught my eye as she looks just like my sister did when she was a baby. This doll is touch activated, touch her check and she will tell you she loves you! She also giggles and cries! Don't you just want to pick her up? Click here to view Ashtondrake.com

I know it is early but I could not resist this is the most adorable holiday collectable doll I have ever seen! Move over Holiday Barbie I think this year I want a Tiny Miracles Ringle Deer Doll, A Ring in The Holiday's doll instead! Offered at a surprisingly affordable $69.99 this vinyl doll is on the top of my holiday wish list!
I wish I could find a better photo on line to show you here of this Baby Doll, she is absolutely adorable. This doll named Jada is a baby doll with a musical blanket that plays Amazing Grace. I absolutely love her clothing and the little white sweater, not to mention her angelic face! She reminds me of one of my nieces.
Ashtondrake.com offers doll collectors a chance to collect this beautiful doll as well as contribute to finding a cure for breast cancer. Partial Proceeds of this Crawling for the Cause baby doll support Breast Cancer research.


There are so many amazing dolls both vinyl and porcelain offered by Ashtondrake.com
I loved looking at all the dolls on Ashtondrake.com and making my wish list. I would love to hear which ones made yours! Be sure to leave me a comment or email me your favorites at karenmowen@gmail.com 

As with all my posts I would love to hear from you so please leave me a comment here or email me at karenmowen@gmail.com