Since this little baby will come around Thanksgiving, and since Christmas will follow soon after, and since it takes a LOT of energy and time to shop for all of our little people...
...we did most of our shopping yesterday! I have to tell you, my husband LOVES being Santa Claus--that's what we actually tell the children, that everybody's real Santa is their daddy. He gets all giddy and excited about treating each child to the delights of Christmas. What a wonderful gift he is!
Anyway, about the American Girl dolls thing--(or even the Vision Forum Beautiful Girlhood collection) they are just too pricey for our Christmas budget, but our girls have poured over these catalogs since when they first came out. Then, the other day, when I was in Michael's craft store, I discovered the undressed version of these dolls, and for only $16 a piece! (compared with $70 and $90!) They are from the "Springfield Collection", and you can pick them up online even if you don't have a store nearby, although your shipping and handling will bring them up in price a few dollars. We also bought little black, patten-leather shoes for $2 a pair.
Next, we went to the fabric store and picked up a McCall's 18" doll clothes pattern--both Simplicity and McCalls has them, but I chose the one that had the old-fashioned dresses.
My 13yo daughter is a whiz with a sewing machine, she just needs a little practice reading a pattern, so, the Lord gave me the idea of having her sew the outfits for her little sisters. We already have loads of material scraps, lace, etc. that are suitable for doll clothing, so the only other investment I had to make was a spool of thread and some sewing machine needles. She will begin sewing the little outfits during the younger girls' naptime.
By the time Christmas comes, we should have 3 beautifully costumed 18" dolls, and for a fraction of the cost! And, my daughter will have the satisfaction of helping out, besides the educational value of sewing with a pattern.
What a great idea! I am going to go to Michaels tonight and look at those dolls. I have seen some bigger dolls at Target also, but I never paid attention to the price. I think that it is wonderful that your thirteen year old is going to do the sewing. Those dolls are really going to be special.
Christmas dolls
12:54 PM, Nov. 8, 2006
.. Posted by Anonymous
I love this idea. The best part is the way big sister can contribute. My favorite Christmas presents growing up were the ones we made for each other.
--Julie (http://mentaltesserae.blogspot.com)
Build A Bear too!
1:11 PM, Nov. 8, 2006
.. Posted by Anonymous
We love "The Springfield Collection". Did you know that they also have Build A Bear compatible accessories too??
We purchased a winter sweater and bunny slippers last year for much less than they would have been at the actual store!
Dolls
2:14 PM, Nov. 8, 2006
.. Posted by Anonymous
Mom2fur here. I gave my daughter "Molly" for her First Holy Communion. That was about 14 years ago. I can't imagine what the Pleasant Company dolls cost now! She loved that doll and it was fun to buy things for her. (It helps I only have 1 daughter!) But I've seen those dress-her-yourself dolls and they are beautiful! Oh, wow--I used to make the prettiest outfits for Molly. Petticoats and pinafores and lace and all that gooey girly stuff! Molly and her trappings are on vacation up in attic land right now. Maybe someday, Katherine will pass Molly on to a daughter!
Dolls!
4:10 PM, Nov. 8, 2006
.. Posted by Anonymous
I think this is awesome. Each of my girls has an American Girl doll via Grandma (my Mom) but buying the clothes and assessories was crazy.
They used to have patterns so you could make clothes from what I recall which was so nice for the period dolls. My Mom was real creative in the bed department. My dh is a carpenter so made a doll bed plus I bought one at a craft show from a cousin. My Mom made the pillows, blankets, sheets, etc... The girls loved this and then I made nightgowns to sort of match (good enough - I am NOT much of a seamstress) the doll nightgowns. I did crochet afghans for each doll bed plus made them dolls scarfs and little hats. So cute!
I have a friend who bought the doll you mentioned for her two girls and who could tell the difference? Her eldest daughter and my youngest were bestfriends and loved playing with the dolls.
Thanks for the excellent idea!
Kathleen Marie
http://strandedinthemountains.blogspot.com
Untitled Comment
4:32 PM, Nov. 8, 2006
.. Posted by Anonymous
HI, In every Sunday paper there is a Michaels coupon for 40% off. Use that and get more off!!! I think this week had a 50% off for this thurs and fri. Jennifer
Untitled Comment
8:07 PM, Nov. 8, 2006
.. Posted by Andrea
Love it! I hope I can find them here in Canada - we have a similiar catalogue of Maplea dolls. My girls have worn out the thing with their drooling! Thanks for the tip!
dolls!
10:55 AM, Nov. 13, 2006
.. Posted by Christi
Im so glad i came across your blog! Thanks for the idea of the dolls. My oldest daughter as an American girl doll.. my other 2 daughters want one... But with just having my 5th child we can not afford to get them both a doll at that price. So this is going to be wonderful that I can get these dolls! And I sew so I am going to pick up a pattern and make there clothes. Thanks so much for this idea!!!
www.hsmamaof4.blogspot.com
We did something similar a couple of years ago. You have rekindled my desire!
Someone gave us their old Josefina doll. I made clothes, but nothing old-fashioned like we love. I just wasn't as experienced a seamstress then.
I would love to know how the doll dress making is going at your house.
DD7 will be 8 in May. I think that I will ask DH to make her a doll bed (the one that the family gave us fell completely apart). THis would encourage DH to do what he is really wanting to do - some woodworking with hand tools. And then I can make her some new doll clothes.
I know that ideally she would love to have a sister for Christmas, or her birthday - but I can't promise her anything! LOL And with 3 brothers, she's not holding out much hope! LOL
Maplea Dolls
5:32 PM, Dec. 19, 2007
.. Posted by Anonymous
Does anyone know if there is www addy for the Maplea dolls I've been searching and searching.
maplelea dolls
12:01 AM, Jan. 24, 2008
.. Posted by Anonymous
the maplelea dolls faces are not as realistic as american girl. some of the outfits are nice though. the website is http://www.maplelea.com/about_us.php?language=en
