tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74558582572042410512024-03-07T22:10:12.005-05:00Bean Stalk's BlogBeanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511851383195973913noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7455858257204241051.post-31082998342430091792012-11-16T06:00:00.000-05:002012-11-16T06:00:11.901-05:00Doll ScenesI set up some scenes with my dolls:
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=C5C06734-2FE3-4EF4-A0CC-A3FB30DC7DB2-207-0000000D7C09D055.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/C5C06734-2FE3-4EF4-A0CC-A3FB30DC7DB2-207-0000000D7C09D055.jpg" border="0" alt="C5C06734-2FE3-4EF4-A0CC-A3FB30DC7DB2-207-0000000D7C09D055, Uploaded from the Photobucket iPhone App"></a>
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Here's Sara, still dressed from Halloween, in a replica of my own little hidey hole. I have my computer desk set up so I can turn around and sew, it's awesome. You can see some shelves in the back.
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=91263338-F23F-4EC6-B89B-3F4EBD8B578E-207-0000000D819B7BD2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/91263338-F23F-4EC6-B89B-3F4EBD8B578E-207-0000000D819B7BD2.jpg" border="0" alt="91263338-F23F-4EC6-B89B-3F4EBD8B578E-207-0000000D819B7BD2, Uploaded from the Photobucket iPhone App"></a>
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This is Sonali with all of my doll instruments. You guys are totally jealous of that maraca.
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=29ECEA0A-1BAC-4339-8BE1-D2608D4FBA02-207-0000000D87CB5F4D.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/29ECEA0A-1BAC-4339-8BE1-D2608D4FBA02-207-0000000D87CB5F4D.jpg" border="0" alt="29ECEA0A-1BAC-4339-8BE1-D2608D4FBA02-207-0000000D87CB5F4D, Uploaded from the Photobucket iPhone App"></a>
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Here's Kirsten's table and chairs with some table stuff I got from Playthings. (I like keeping this stuff out because it's nice, and also much less breakable.)
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=713E0FCF-19DA-4047-894F-433C9F108219-207-0000000D8D4D4E3C.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/713E0FCF-19DA-4047-894F-433C9F108219-207-0000000D8D4D4E3C.jpg" border="0" alt="713E0FCF-19DA-4047-894F-433C9F108219-207-0000000D8D4D4E3C, Uploaded from the Photobucket iPhone App"></a>
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Here's the bedroom style area. Jess is cleaning it up, it's kind of messy. I hope Kirsten doesn't melt her boots off.Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511851383195973913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7455858257204241051.post-11952379222541518932012-10-26T06:00:00.000-04:002012-10-26T06:00:13.264-04:00RobeccaI'm so proud of this photo shoot, I'm not gonna lie.
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_1374.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_1374.jpg" border="0" alt="IMG_1374"></a>
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_1370.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_1370.jpg" border="0" alt="IMG_1370"></a>
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_1376.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_1376.jpg" border="0" alt="IMG_1376"></a>
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_1377.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_1377.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511851383195973913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7455858257204241051.post-14250314275619143322012-10-19T06:00:00.000-04:002012-10-19T06:00:00.947-04:00VenusI like Venus. I'm one of the few, that's okay.
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_1362.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_1362.jpg" border="0" alt="IMG_1362"></a>
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But she takes neat pictures.
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_1364.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_1364.jpg" border="0" alt="IMG_1364"></a>
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I hate this rose bush. I'm glad she's cool with it.
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_1366.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_1366.jpg" border="0" alt="IMG_1366"></a>
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_1368.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_1368.jpg" border="0" alt="IMG_1368"></a>
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I fight a constant battle with the polk plants in my yard. The colors are more or less right, though.Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511851383195973913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7455858257204241051.post-71392212576445201452012-10-12T06:00:00.000-04:002012-10-12T06:00:08.601-04:00Costume Swap<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=68ABC2F2-237E-4586-9163-7CB4516784DA-289-0000001468F5CBA0.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/68ABC2F2-237E-4586-9163-7CB4516784DA-289-0000001468F5CBA0.jpg" border="0" alt="68ABC2F2-237E-4586-9163-7CB4516784DA-289-0000001468F5CBA0, Uploaded from the Photobucket iPhone App"></a>
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My <a href="http://www.livejournal.com/ag-over-18">ag over 18</A> costume swap came! Here's Ivy wearing a new princess costume that chubbybunnie got her. Thank you, it's awesome!
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There was a tag sewn in the back, so I did some eDetective work and found out that this dress came from the etsy shop <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/enchanteddesigner">Enchanted Designer.</a> We all love people who do hand work, so go check her out and see if there's any costume there you might need!
Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511851383195973913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7455858257204241051.post-58618048657315250752012-07-06T06:00:00.000-04:002012-07-06T06:00:02.998-04:00Hat Storage!How do you all store your hats? I used to just stack them, but then they take up shelf space, and some don't even stack!
So. I did this:
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=b36468e6.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/b36468e6.jpg" border="0" alt="b36468e6, Uploaded from the Photobucket iPhone App"></a>
Hang some cork board, and then use push pins to put the hats where you like. Easy!Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511851383195973913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7455858257204241051.post-12614689882001972062012-06-29T06:00:00.000-04:002012-06-29T06:00:00.520-04:00July OutfitsI love putting Kirsten in this every July:
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=1369d62e.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/1369d62e.jpg" border="0" alt="1369d62e, Uploaded from the Photobucket iPhone App"></a>
I can't figure out where the red ribbons went, but still, isn't it lovely? Very patriotic. Fourth of July is my favorite holiday, so I'm biased.
Something I noticed this time around:
Is her hat too small?
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=acb4cbc9.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/acb4cbc9.jpg" border="0" alt="acb4cbc9, Uploaded from the Photobucket iPhone App"></a>
This is another one I love. (Holy over exposure, Batman!) It was part of the AG Olympics release. I was hoping for more sports stuff this time around for the Olympics, but oh well. I guess I get to enjoy this for four more years.
She's shoeless because I can't find her other red sock. Isn't that the most random thing to lose? I'm sure it's somewhere, one does not merely throw out red socks.Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511851383195973913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7455858257204241051.post-7495803141404249612012-06-12T06:00:00.000-04:002012-06-12T06:00:00.810-04:00Photography ScienceHey! We're still amped for Little Miss Playthings, right?
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<img src="http://www.beanbunny.com/littlemiss.jpg">
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So, at the Playthings forums, user k8c asked me about taking pictures of dolls with bangs. How do you get rid of the shadow over their eyes?
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And my reaction was, "What shadow?" I'd never noticed. I have three different sorts of bangs in my collection: the little tiny bangs, the huge pie bangs, and no bangs. (I'm missing the new bangs, and I love you all, but I wasn't going to buy another doll just for this experiment. I grabbed three test subjects, took them outside, and put them in the sun:
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_1189.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_1189.jpg" border="0" alt="IMG_1189"></a>
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Oh. See Sara, over there on the left? There's a shadow on her eyes. Huh.
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Well, I don't know. Maybe different times of day would help? The picture above was taken around 9 AM.
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_1193.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_1193.jpg" border="0" alt="IMG_1193"></a>
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Here we are at noon. Sara's looking better, but this might just be because of how she's positioned -- look at poor Jess and Ivy!
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_1196.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_1196.jpg" border="0" alt="IMG_1196"></a>
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This one was in the late evening ... 8, I think? Actually, everyone's doing pretty well. That might be the trick, waiting until there's less light?
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Actually, the best photo I took, I took around the tool shed in my yard.
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_1191.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_1191.jpg" border="0" alt="IMG_1191"></a>
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Aside from the crappy posing, there's no real problem with the facial shadows. Nice! I took it in the shade, not the sun, which is the key.
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This has to do with light diffusion -- the way the light is hitting your photography subject. There's plenty of science you can google if you want to read up on it, but mostly, light directly on your doll? Shadows. Light rays shuffled around? Less shadows.
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That's probably why Sara doesn't look so bad in the noon photo -- my tomato plant is diffusing light for her. :-P!
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If you've ever heard someone say that they like to shoot when the clouds are out? They're using clouds as a diffuser. Which may or may not work fine, depending on your clouds. If you've got a photographer's light, it probably has some sort of diffuser, like an umbrella or a screen. Even if you don't have one of those, as with all things, <A HREF="https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1TSND_enUS411US411&aq=0&oq=diy+light+di&sugexp=chrome,mod=8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=diy+light+diffuser">Google has your hook up.</a>
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Actually, the fill flash on your camera is supposed to act something like a light diffuser, but ...
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_1194.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_1194.jpg" border="0" alt="IMG_1194"></a>
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... the flash on your camera sucks.Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511851383195973913noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7455858257204241051.post-88212791276503184412012-06-11T13:45:00.001-04:002012-06-11T13:45:38.577-04:00Happy Birthday, Kirsten!All right! To amp you up for Little Miss Playthings:
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<img src="http://www.beanbunny.com/littlemiss.jpg">
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I'm going to (try really hard to) do a ~WEEK OF POSTS!~ here on Le Blog du Stalk. But today, we have some unfinished buisness! Namely, Kirsten's Birthday.
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I always bake a cake for Kirsten every year, because I'm really 11 years old. (Oh, fie, you of all people understand.) But, you have to know: I hate cake. That is, unless I make it myself.
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Bakery cake is gross. Cake out of a box is slightly less gross, but also still gross. Look into your heart, you know it to be true. Quit eating that stuff! Why eat bad cake when you could eat good cake? Let's make cake from scratch.
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Kirsten's cake that comes with her little table and chairs is a yellow cake ... I guess? I don't honestly know enough history to know what it was. We can do better, though. Lemon cake is yellow, and also tastes good. (It's tres summer, too.)
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<A HREF="http://www.marthastewart.com/632498/lemon-cake?center=276954&gallery=275613&slide=284345">I used this recipe.</A> It's pretty easy, but then, cake isn't actually hard to make. I left out the syrup, though, because ... enh, you'll see in a second.
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Kirsten's real cake has little fake fresh strawberries. In real life, though, they bounce right off. We can do better.
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Take a pint of strawberries, wash them, quarter them, throw them in a pot. Cover them about 3/4 of the way with water. Put a ... teaspoonesque of sugar in the pot, more or less depending on how sweet the berries you got were. Simmer for around 20 minutes. Oh, look, strawberry syrup! And it's not that weird gelatinous red goo the grocery store sells! Seriously, that stuff is just chemicals. Don't eat that.
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To know me is to know that I hate frosting. All of it. Bakery frosting is gross, frosting out of a can is gross. I scrape it off. I make my own frosting that I kind of like, but today, let's just top with syrup.
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Like so.
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_1198.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_1198.jpg" border="0" alt="IMG_1198"></a>
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Happy birthday, buddy.Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511851383195973913noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7455858257204241051.post-11106495372270649122012-06-02T14:27:00.001-04:002012-06-02T14:27:29.234-04:00LITTLE. MISS. PLAY. THINGS.<img src="http://www.beanbunny.com/littlemiss.jpg">
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LET'S DO THIS.
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Okay, I was totally keeping this secret from you yesterday.
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<a href="http://www.beanbunny.com/lmp2012.html">Let's do this!</a>
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The plan is to have an LMPT Blog Series to go with LMPT this year. I have some ideas, but if you have requests, holla at.Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511851383195973913noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7455858257204241051.post-87438471609486866912012-06-01T10:55:00.003-04:002012-06-01T11:17:25.777-04:00General Mraaaaa~~I'm trying to get stuff done, but I'm far too scattered to do any of it. Does that make sense? My rule is that as soon as I close this blog post, I <i>must</i> open up my HTML editor. Which is Notepad. I'm from the old school. Anyway.
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I want doll pictures to share, but I am <i>tres</i> lacking in inspiration. It's summer! I want summer photos! But what is there to do besides run through the weeds? Right now, there is, of course, a rain storm, so we can't even do that. My dolls will have to continue to lay in a pile next to my sewing machine, I guess. Their hair's a mess, I shant take a picture.
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EDIT: Oh, never mind! <A HREF="http://agplaythings.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=tipstricks&action=display&thread=73081">I just saw the new Playthings challenge!</a> This is my weekend, don't even laugh at me. Who's in?
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Oh, hey, though, Kirsten's birthday is next week! Right on Friday! Hmm, maybe now I have some picture ideas~Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511851383195973913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7455858257204241051.post-80338509032409814102012-05-30T23:48:00.002-04:002012-05-30T23:48:54.874-04:00I Got Linked To!Oh, I'm so thrilled! <A HREF="http://springfielddolls.blogspot.com">Springfield Dolls</A> included me in their list of 18" inch free doll patterns!
It warms my blackened heart, you guys. Seriously. <A HREF="http://springfielddolls.blogspot.com/2012/05/free-printable-18-doll-clothes-patterns.html#links">You can check out the post here.</a>
Thank you, Springfield Dolls!Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511851383195973913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7455858257204241051.post-46349501017000899092012-05-25T06:00:00.000-04:002012-05-25T06:00:01.951-04:00Hair Accessories!I made a list! Here are five doll hair accessories that you'll love. With pictures!
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=afff36ad.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/afff36ad.jpg" border="0" alt="afff36ad, Uploaded from the Photobucket iPhone App"></a>
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First off, you need a good dog brush. I didn't make a typo. Dog brushes with metal bristles are always nicer and cheaper than what they sell for dolls.
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=2e78c209.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/2e78c209.jpg" border="0" alt="2e78c209, Uploaded from the Photobucket iPhone App"></a>
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I had no idea they made small hair pins! These are perfect for pulling back hair and doing half up dos for those of us with small heads. I especially like that they come in two colors.
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=246c6cf9.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/246c6cf9.jpg" border="0" alt="246c6cf9, Uploaded from the Photobucket iPhone App"></a>
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Colored mini hair clips are great for keeping hair out of your doll's face, especially if she doesn't have bangs. Bonus points for coordinating with her outfit.
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=8200b953.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/8200b953.jpg" border="0" alt="8200b953, Uploaded from the Photobucket iPhone App"></a>
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I'm not a fan of the tiny hair clips, they don't open well and they tend to like to break on me. The next size up does well, though, and the big ones can hold up pigtails and ponytails.
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=b4f03e0e.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/b4f03e0e.jpg" border="0" alt="b4f03e0e, Uploaded from the Photobucket iPhone App"></a>
<p>
These multipacks are handy. The smaller sizes are for tiny braids, the middle ones do great pony tails and pig tails, and the big ones ... well, those are for you. I like the clear ones. I don't know, something about colored pony tail holders for dolls reads a little goofy to me.Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511851383195973913noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7455858257204241051.post-51472085217056451452012-05-18T09:00:00.000-04:002012-05-18T09:00:08.072-04:00American Girls Photo ProjectHey, did you catch this link?
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<A HREF="http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/11/a-mirror-on-growing-up-in-america/">http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/11/a-mirror-on-growing-up-in-america/</a>
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A lady took pictures of girls and their dolls in New York, as a way to look at young girls in America. Pretty neat, worth checking out.
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<A HREF="http://www.ilonaszwarc.com/american-girls">You can see the actual photo project here.</a>Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511851383195973913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7455858257204241051.post-14453362150452445242012-05-12T09:00:00.000-04:002012-05-12T09:00:02.322-04:00Craft Discussion: The Russian JoinJust as a foot note, for all you yarn folk out there, when you get to the end of your yarn, what do you do? Do you know how to do a Russian join?
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It's pretty easy and it saves yarn. It's prolly my favorite trick. Check it out at this link:
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<a href="http://www.knitpicks.com/tutorials/Russian_Join__D31.html">Russian Join!</a>Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511851383195973913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7455858257204241051.post-65255953129907365782012-05-04T06:00:00.000-04:002012-05-04T06:00:00.630-04:00Doll Size ItemsI found these at Wal Mart, they were too cute not to share:
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=abe2b2f3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/abe2b2f3.jpg" border="0" alt="abe2b2f3, Uploaded from the Photobucket iPhone App"></a>
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Mini Barbies! They look more, err, Barbie than just giving your doll a Skipper. I found them close to the crafts, just a bit off from the cards ... no idea why they weren't with the toys. Maybe because they're pens too?
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what you see above are the only varieties my Wal Mart had, let me know if you see more.
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<A HREF="http://agplaythings.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=mainforum&action=display&thread=83402">The AG Playthings Forum</a> has also been buzzing about doll size Apples to Apples games that Wendy's is apparently giving out. Man, they have good chicken nuggets, too.Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511851383195973913noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7455858257204241051.post-89180924203227566652012-04-27T06:00:00.000-04:002012-04-27T06:00:06.638-04:00I Did It!Last Friday, I told myself that I HAD to take doll pictures. It had been to long. And then! I did it!
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First off, I did the Playthings Earth Day challenge. (Vote for me!)
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_1134.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_1134.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
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It's not the most original picture, but growing food is important to me. It's another way to fight the man. Runs in the family, too.
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Then, I got a few of Draculaura and Frankie:
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=756a574e.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/756a574e.jpg" border="0" alt="756a574e, Uploaded from the Photobucket iPhone App"></a>
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"Is for girls!" said Chloe, our cat. "Is thing I knows, because car has a dolls, and also has a gray." Cats can't see color. She meant pink.
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_1144.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_1144.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
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It took me for-frickin'-ever to get everybody stuffed in the roaster. I never had a Barbie car.
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_1141.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_1141.jpg" border="0" alt="IMG_1141"></a>
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Hey! HEY. You use your turn signal, little missy! I'm not having my insurance go up because of you!
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_1147.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_1147.jpg" border="0"
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I got a few of Operetta with my bass, too.
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_1149.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_1149.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_1152.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_1152.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_1154.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_1154.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
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Then, Stica and I took our Puddle pictures. (<A HREF="http://www.puddlestyle.com">Check out Puddle! Vote for me!</A>)
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_1136.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_1136.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_1138.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_1138.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_1140.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_1140.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511851383195973913noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7455858257204241051.post-29833723677856306192012-04-20T09:00:00.000-04:002012-04-20T09:00:20.014-04:00Weekend PlansYou guys, I <i>need</i> to take doll photos this weekend.
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For one, I have to get my <A HREF="http://agplaythings.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=2012&action=display&thread=83035">Earth Day photo</A> done for Playthings. You all are entering too, right? I think I know what I'm doing, I just hope it's ... Earth Day-ey enough. I thought about taking a picture around our recycle bin, but eww. Our garbage is pretty gross.
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Although I'm not going, I do want to get a photo in for <A HREF="http://www.puddlestyle.com/contests.html">Puddle</A>. They hold a pullip photo contest every year, and this year, I actually have an idea!
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And, Monster High. Because general. Everybody ought to take more MH photos.
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I'm thinking I'm going to make myself take some special time this afternoon. What are your weekend plans?Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511851383195973913noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7455858257204241051.post-39238337053028432602012-04-14T01:00:00.000-04:002012-04-14T01:00:00.633-04:00General Flickr Doll GroupsHere's some Flickr groups that cater to all dolls, since I know there's lots of you that collect more than one kind:<br /><br /><A HREF="http://www.flickr.com/groups/dollsfm/">Dolls.FM: Pullip, Blythe, Dollfie and Other Dolls</a><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/41279186@N00/">"Plastic People" or Mannequins, Dolls and More</A> -- they allow you to post 50 pictures per month. I try to hit my limit every month, but I haven't done it yet! :O<br /><A HREF="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1435653@N21/">Doll Collections</a><br /><A HREF="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1423726@N24/">Doll Circus</a>Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511851383195973913noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7455858257204241051.post-57229014086641706322012-04-07T00:00:00.000-04:002012-04-07T00:00:02.736-04:00Let's Talk Velcro!Let's talk velcro, shall we?
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Some people are going to only put their doll clothes together with snaps, or buttons, or hooks and eyes, or fairy wishes and moon dust, and that's fine, but for you and me, we velcro our stuff together. Having the right kind is important. Let's discuss what <i>is</i> the right kind.
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_0960.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_0960.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
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Anything labeled "sticky back" is NOT. the right kind. For one, don't get fooled, it won't stick permanently to doll clothes. For two, you can't sew it. The glue on the back makes this stuff thick and impossible to sew. I've tried ... even with pliers, it's way too hard. Don't run it in a machine. The glue will get into your machine cogs and ... no. Just no.
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Watch out, because sticky back velcro hides in the wild!
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_0962.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_0962.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<p>Look really close. This is sticky back velcro.
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_0961.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_0961.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
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First of all, you don't want to be associated with anything "fusion." You're sewing. You sew. Get that fusing web out of your head. Second of all? Sticky back.
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_0959.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_0959.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
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THIS is the correct stuff. It's thinner than normal velcro, very similar to the kind AG uses. It'll run through a machine. Perfect!
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They changed the label on it, though. I know it says it's for cables, but they meant doll clothes. Trust me. This used to be branded as thin velcro for sewing. I guess it sells better this way?Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511851383195973913noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7455858257204241051.post-31627965734568537902012-03-30T20:00:00.000-04:002012-03-30T20:00:01.185-04:00Organizing<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=44f6d5db.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/44f6d5db.jpg" border="0" alt="Uploaded from the Photobucket iPhone App"></a>
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I get bitten every so often to organize ALL THE THINGS. Not a bad thing to do.
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This is what I just installed next to my sewing machine: two cork boards and one of those ... file ... thingies. One cork board, as you can see, is holding all my important doll patterns. I have no idea why I have two sleeve patterns and two bodice patterns, but I do. That pant pattern is folded like it is to do double duty as a legging pattern.
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What am I going to use the other board for? No idea. I'll tell you if I figure it out.
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I ~think?~ I might use the metal file ... doohickey for pattern storage. I have a drawer, but the fit is getting tight if you're picking up what I'm putting down. I don't even own that many patterns! But it'll be nice to stash my patterns that I don't use quite as often. (I mean, I love my homemade doll qipao pattern, but how often does that come up?)
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By the way, over there on the left edge? The light in my sewing space sucks big time. That's one of those Aero Gardens. It grows bunny food for me AND doubles as a sewing light. When you use them for double duty, they are a total <i>steal</i>.Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511851383195973913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7455858257204241051.post-47397018846393213772012-03-23T23:30:00.000-04:002012-03-23T23:30:00.707-04:00PlaygroundI took these at a local playground back in January. Hope you dig them:
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_1044.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_1044.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_1027.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_1027.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_1029.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_1029.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_1031.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_1031.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_1033.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_1033.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_1034.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_1034.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_1038.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_1038.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_1039.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_1039.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_1042.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_1042.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511851383195973913noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7455858257204241051.post-51115420528284831152012-03-16T22:30:00.000-04:002012-03-16T22:30:00.569-04:00Doll Collection OrganizationSomeone was asking a while back when I was posting it on my personal LJ about how, exactly, I have my doll clothes organized, so I figured I'd put this out here for everyone to see.
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I am totally aware that this is overly OCD of me, but here it is.
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I've got these bins, one for each American Girl:
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_0956.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_0956.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
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I used to have smaller bins, and everything fit, but I found that it wrinkled less if I gave it some room to breathe.
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Anyway, each doll gets 12 outfits, one for each month. You can see each bin is labeled:
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_0957.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_0957.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
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(Hey, it's my handwriting!)
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Anyway, this is Kirsten's, since it's all filled out. When it comes time to dress the doll, all you do is look to see what month it is and what outfit she should be wearing. None of these are hard and fast rules -- October can also be Halloween costumes, for example -- but it's one way of sorting out who gets what. I don't even know if this is the best way to do it, but here it is.Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511851383195973913noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7455858257204241051.post-76163468878440379822012-03-09T21:30:00.000-05:002012-03-09T21:30:01.062-05:00Cloth!Just for fun, an old picture of my cloth storage.
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=IMG_0947.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/IMG_0947.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
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On the plus side, I don't have to buy cloth very often any more.Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511851383195973913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7455858257204241051.post-37979562107775158592012-03-02T19:00:00.000-05:002012-03-02T19:00:01.814-05:00National Craft MonthDid you know it was National Craft Month? I had no idea!
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Of course, it's sponsored by JoAnns, so far as I can tell, so it's likely a commercial holiday, but I'm not sure I care. It's awesome.
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Anyone else Pinterest obsessed? You can check out a National Craft Month pinboard here:
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/joannstores/national-craft-month/">CLICKY CLICKY</a>
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... yeah, it's sponsored by JoAnns too. Don't hate, they're where I get all my cloth anyway.
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Anyway, crafts are pretty much all I use Pinterest for, so this is awesome!Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511851383195973913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7455858257204241051.post-57205957324472726492012-02-24T20:30:00.000-05:002012-02-24T20:30:01.478-05:00Yarn Along Week 7<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=yarnalong.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/yarnalong.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
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We're going to finish! We're going to finish! Are you excited!? You should be!
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We're not knitting or crocheting today, we're joining pieces. If you don't know how that works, here's some help:
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<A HREF="http://cache.lionbrand.com/stitchFinder.html">How to join knitting</a>
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<A HREF="http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa010999.htm">How to join crochet</A>
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It's the same process for both. If you get stuck, just hand sew it with yarn like you'd hand sew with cloth. It's a similar idea.
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Anyway. Grab that first big piece we made. The 7 by 5.5 one? Turn it long ways. Now, join one of the 5.5 by 4 inch tall pieces to one part of the top edge, and the other 5.5 by 4 inch tall pieces to the other. <b>MAKE SURE THE BUTTON HOLES FACE INWARD.</b> You're also going to want them on the right side of the doll's body, so keep that in mind.
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A diagram, because I know all of that was confusing:
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=step1.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/step1.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
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Now. Take both of the 3.5 by 5 inch pieces, and center them on each seam you just made. Sew them in.
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<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/?action=view&current=step2.png" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/bean118/step2.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
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You can probably recognize the basic shape that we've got now. We're making a sweater! But you knew that, right? Fold your sweater along the shoulder seams so that the bottom edges touch, right sides together. Start at one sleeve and sew down to the bottom edge (<a href="http://www.beanbunny.com/shirt.html">you know, like you were making a shirt</A>), then do the other side. Turn it.
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Ta da! Your own doll sweater! Aren't you proud? If you were wondering, and you weren't, all the measurements came from my old 1995 Kirsten sweater. So this pattern will TOTALLY fit a PM doll.
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Of course, now that you know what you're doing, you can vary it with stripes, cables, different stitches, pockets, buttons, whatever you can think of. You can even alter my numbers to make it fit better. Or, you can make it really long and make a sweater dress like all the cool kids wear now adays.
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<A HREF="http://www.beanbunny.com/aggallery.html">Send me the finished project so I can put it in the gallery!</a>Beanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15511851383195973913noreply@blogger.com0