What has Nina been up to????

What has Nina been up to?  WELL!  Let me tell you.  She and Grandma have been very busy making jewelry for dolls.  Nina is Grandma's model for her lovely jewelry and headbands.  Nina wants to share with us all about what it takes to be a fashion model.

"Hello all!  this is Nina.  I wanted to share with you about being a model.  It is a lot of work being a model.  To be a good model you have to be able to stand patiently for long periods of time while your photo is being taken.  I happen to be very good at standing still.  Sometimes you have to have several photos of the same pose taken to be sure of a good shot!"

"When taking a fashion photo it is important to consider the color of what's being modeled and the background.  Here, Grandma Linda decided to use a dark background to show off the crystal tiara headband."

"I don't always look straight into the camera.  Here I am looking thoughtfully into the distance while I skillfully  display the jewelry set I am modeling.  It is important to look natural and relaxed."

"As you can see in this picture, a white background and white shirt were used to draw all attention to the colorful headband I am wearing.  Luckily I am very good at standing still.  It makes the photo-shoot go more smoothly."

"Here I am in a shot that gives the impression that I am running in the wind.  But, I'm not!  I am standing very still, but the hairdresser has styled my hair to look windblown.  My hairdresser is the best!"

"As you can see a lot goes on being a model.  I enjoy my job as a model and look forward to doing more work in front of the camera.

Well, that's all for now!  Grandma and I will keep you posted about what we are up to here in Texas.  Until next time, take care Y'all!"

Hugs n kisses,

Nina and Grandma Linda

Savannah Ann and Emma

Emma and Savannah Ann are best friends.  They knew they were best friends the instant they first met.  They love doing all kinds of things together.  And of course Savannah and Emma shop together.  They don't need to buy a thing, they just love looking.  but every once in awhile they can't resist something new.

 "Oh, I love this dress!!"

                                                              "It is your color, you should get it!"

"Look at these shoes...." 

Savannah Ann loves to drive an open top Jeep. 

                                               "Let's go down PCH.  I love the sun on my hair!"

"Wait for me!"  

During their drive they talk about the clothes they saw.  

"I wonder if that dress is available in other colors?"  

"I always look online.  We can check when we get back."

"I don't see it here.  Oh well."

"Look at that outfit though!"

Whew!  Savannah and Emma are ready to put their feet up after a long day out shopping and sight seeing.

After a rest Savannah and Emma decide to go out to eat.  Savannah and Emma love to go out to eat.  They would eat out every night if they could

YUM!

After a long day of shopping and eating Savannah and Emma love having sleepovers and watching their favorite movie....

TOY STORY!!!  

They love how Barbie and Ken first meet and fall in love...

 and also how Buzz Lightyear saves Jessie and wins her heart!

Savannah Ann and Emma have to say goodbye for now.  Aunt Sina has adopted Savannah Ann and she is going to live with her in Georgia.

Emma helps Savannah make up her bed and get ready for her big move.  Precious, Savannah's kitten, is helping too.  After all her things are packed it is time to say goodbye.

"Good bye Savannah."

"Goodbye Emma."

"Bye Savannah, bye Aunt Sina.

We will miss you until your next visit."

Doll house additions!

We have a couple new additions to the dollhouse.  We needed a better chair for lounging in the living room.  The rattan chair is just too tall and uncomfortable when all the girls are chatting.  SO, back to the craft room...

Here is the before picture

As you can see the rattan chair is much too high.  We also have a makeshift table on the left made from a glass vase turned upside down.

On a recent thrifting trip I found a little dresser that I thought would be great for that spot.  Here is a closeup.  I am sure it was meant for a jewelry box.  It looks hand painted.

Three deep drawers, perfect for storing all the tiny AG things we keep accumulating.

Then I went to my craft room and started experimenting with foam for a new chair.  After a couple hours I came away with this little chair.  The bric a brac is covering up my crooked seams.

Not perfect, but not too bad for a first attempt.

Here is the new highboy with some decorations

and add the new chair....

And a living room makeover for our AG dolls!  

A Doll Wedding

Sophie and her friend and her little brother, were having a doll wedding.  They set this all up themselves and I took photos - so cute!

First of all there must be music.  Here we have Grace on the flute and Emma singing the wedding song

Here is the maid of honor 

(or second bride depending on which doll you are playing with)

HERE COMES THE BRIDE!!

A mini dolphin figurine in her belt.  Something borrowed or something blue??  Discuss.

Next to the bride is the glitter lamp - of course.

The guests, very casually attired.

AND here is the wedding party!  Congratulations!!

wait a minute, something is missing....

Baby Sweater to Doll Coat Tutorial

I found these baby sweaters at a thrift store.  They are so cute, I thought I might make them into doll sweaters.  So here we go!

As you can see the sweater  is much too large even though in the store 

I was CERTAIN it would fit.  : )

OK, first thing is cut off the sleeves.

Then turn the body inside out and pin to your doll.  Remember you want the fit to be loose enough to go over other clothes.

Stitch the sides along your pin line.  I also do a second zigzag stitch to finish the cut edge a little.

Put the body back on and place a pin at the shoulder.  Trim off the excess shoulder fabric.  Remember to cut less rather than more, you can always fit it all better later.

Put the sleeve on the doll and add a pin at the shoulder.  Cut a slight diagonal line up towards this shoulder pin.

Turn the sleeve inside out and pin to the doll just like you did with the body of the sweater.  Stitch along this pin line   Trim off the excess and zigzag raw edge.  

This is the tricky part.  I decided to insert the sleeve into the new arm hole to stitch.  Since the fabric is stretchy this was not too bad.  Line up the side seam and the sleeve seam.  Remember to put right sides together!  (I had to rip out one of my sleeves because I was talking to my Mom on the phone and didn't pay attention!) Stitch carefully around the arm opening.  

And here is the first sleeve reattached.

and here is the finished sweater.  I decided to leave the sweater long to be a sweater/coat or dress.  I think the sleeves are a little too long, but I could always stitch deeper into the shoulder seam and bring it all in tighter, but for now I think it is cute!

And here is the same sweater open with boots.
I folded the cuffs back and it looks more like a coat.

AND...

Here are two other sweaters I cut down from baby clothes.