DIY Tutorial 18 inch doll Pencils and other School Supplies

I was needing some pencils to go along with my school theme background sets for photos and for my granddaughters to play with.  I decided to make my own pencils and folders.

 I remembered I had some wooden skewers and thought they would be the perfect size for the dolls hand. I had two sizes, and I decided to go with the larger skewer.  I cut the end off of one as you can see in photo below - about 3 inches.  I continued to cut the remainder skewer and used a small hand held pencil sharpener to give the faux pencil tip.

I made coloring pencils in the bottom two photo's in the above photo.

Below are the different color sharpies and highlighters I used to create faux doll pencils and coloring pencils. 

 Metallic Silver Painters Pen (can buy at Wal-Mart or any craft store) 

I used the black sharpie to create the black lead for the pencil.  I used the red sharpie to create the faux eraser.  I think used the silver paint pen to create the metal piece on a pencil that hold secures the eraser on to the pencil.  then I used a pink highlighter to color the pencil pink.  

Here is a backpack I made, school folders and one of the pencils. 

I purchased the American Girl "Doll School" book kit with book and school supplies for your dolls from Michaels. These can be purchased at Books-A-Million or Barne's and Noble also.  

I printed off these school papers and pattern for school folder from  Doll Diaries day 82  or you can purchase the school PDF  that contains Included: Doll sized teacher letters and manilla envelope template, folder template and school accessories printable, 3 different types of lined paper, worksheets, story starters, journal pages, and instructions to make a doll sized locker. Bonus full sized story starter and journal page for girls, too. Fifteen pages total. from  Doll Diaries on Etsy

I hope you have found this tutorial inspirational and will make some for your dolls. As always, thanks for stopping and reading my blog.

GiGi

Thrifty American Doll Finds Roundup #2

When I am out shopping I am always looking for items to use for American Dolls.  I love using items that are realistic and like to use items for photo props.  One of the items I have been wanting to buy is the laptop and bag from Target.  I have not been able to find one in any of the Target stores in IL, MO, or TN or online.  I was looking on Ebay this past week and found one.  It sells for 16.99 at Target and the seller on Ebay had buy in now for 21.00 with 4.00 for S/H.  It would have cost me more if I had to drive - 2 hours for the gas to get it.  So I didn't mind paying that amount for it.  Dear hubby said you paid that for that little thing! LOL yep I did.

It is really small but I love it.

 It even has a small touch screen pen with it.

 It was brand new also.

 

The next item I seen on Ebay was another item I wanted to use for photo prop when I start making and selling doll scrubs for the vetinary. Pet Carrier.  It is also from Our Generation.

 

 Isn't it cute?

 Pink and white poodle is from My Life from Wal-mart.

 

The Dollar Tree has some great items that are just the right size for 18 inch - American Girl Dolls. I found these small cards - learning colors, ABC's, shapes and colors - 3 pack for one dollar.  I also found words, numbers, and another one (granddaughters took it so I cannot remember what it was).  Great for doll school play.

 

Trophies for anytime of win - package of 4 trophies for only a dollar.

 

 

Michaels craft store is another great resource for finding small inexpensive items for dolls. I found these USA Gold metals - perfect right now since the winter Olympics is going on. 10 in a package for 2.99 (cheaper if you use a coupon).

 

I came across this adorable metal My Little Pony - Best Friends lunch box for $3.00 and it is perfect size for the dolls.

 "Best Friends Forever"

 

Found this Hello Kitty bracelet for little girls at Target for one dollar and it just the right size for making it a dolls necklace.

Hobby Lobby has some bubblegum necklaces and bracelets for girls and I purchased the bracelet for a necklace for the AG dolls.

 

 Adorable isn't it?



 

Above is another great find I couldn't pass up - doll chest of drawers.  Hobby Lobby sells for 13.99 and I used my 40% coupon and it only cost 8.39.  I don't think my husband could have made it for that amount.  The drawers even pull out too.

 Perfect size for the dolls. Love it!

 

I hope you have enjoyed these thrifty doll finds and perhaps you can find them for your dolls.  As always thanks for stopping by and I hope I have been and inspiration to you.

 

GiGi

 

 

New items for the 18 inch doll boutique

Wow, cannot believe I have not posted in such a long time.  Upon returning back to work in August, I feel as though my life has turned upside down.  Work is very busy with promotion from Associate Professor to an Assistant Professor - huge note book I have to put together to submit and then all the busy work our nursing programs re-accreditation, not to mention the two overload teaching jobs/task I have taken on top of my regular teaching load.  I was appointed the program coordinator over the med-surge course.  I feel like I have no time for my hobbies.    I am so exhausted we I get home now.  I am sure some of you are going through the same thing.  But there is hope - there is light at the end of this tunnel.  LOL.  I have been sewing some and selling a lot locally and I have been selling a lot on Etsy too. My doll backpacks have been a huge hit. 

My husband made me some school desk and I have been using those for my photo shoots.  I have been making some school doll supplies too - pencils and folders.

Here are some photos of what I have been making since my last post and selling.


Pink Paisley - another very popular design.  Ruffled pants.  Shirt is made from LJC summer in Paris. top pattern

This is a very popular ruffled outfit - I have request to make more.  The "Paris theme" outfit.

 This denim ruffled outfit, sandals, chevron backpack and school supplies I made and donated to the college I work at for the Scholarship auction.  Dennis made me the chair and desk. 

 Peace design backpack

Here is a better view of the doll size pencils I made and school folders.  I tried to purchase popular style of cardstock - chevron and dots.

 Here are the two school desk my husband made.  I made the chevron backpack and pencils and folders.

 Aqua Teal ruffled outfit - top/dress combo.

 Below is a black and blue custom Alpha Cheer embroidered ordered I did for a customer on Etsy. I used the "glitter" sheets found at Hobby Lobby back in the craft section to embroider the A with.  Turned out very nice.

 Cheerleading - Practice- Lounge outfits I made.  I embroidered the word cheer on the back of the shorts.

 Embroidered zebera megaphone on short outfit

 Cheerleading - Practice- Lounge outfits I made.  I embroidered the word cheer on the back of the shorts. Another very popular design.

Athletic pants and T-shirt - ready to workout or play ball.

I am currently on our mini fall break and have been making some new items.  I will try and post new items that I have made this week tomorrow.

As always, thanks for stopping by. 

GiGi

New on Etsy - Backpacks for American Girl dolls

I came across this pattern on the Liberty Jane doll clothing site http://www.pixiefaire.com/collections/18-inch-doll-bag-and-purse-patterns/products/urban-backpack-18-doll-accessories and just had to get it.  I love this pattern.  I still consider myself a newbie to sewing because there is still a lot I need to learn.  I have never sewn a purse with a liner - truth was scared of doing it.  I have made 6 backpacks. The part that takes the longest is cutting out all of the fabric for outside backpack, lining, and the interface for it.  I love sew with it.  Cannot wait to sew more designs and some for boy dolls too.

I made the granddaughters backpacks too from one of their favorite characters - Hello Kitty.

These Backpacks are listed on my Etsy store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/GiGisDollCreations

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 I just love how this necklace looks on the doll too. It is child's bracelet that I purchased at target.  Reminds me of the bubble gum necklaces (very popular) that small girls (even teens and women) are wearing now.  I have seen them on facebook pages - BubbleGum Diva's. I got the chalkboard easel at Michaels for $1.00.  Just the right size for dolls.

The picture below is my favorite.  I just love black and white clothing.

 I did not sew front pocket on this chevron backpack because it would have hidden the chevron. 

 The silver "Toms" shoes located in the above photo - I made using the fabric glitter sheets.

 

 

These would make great gifts. What are your favorite colors/designs for backpacks?

Thanks for stopping and browsing.

 

GiGi