A New Pattern from Nedra Newson.

Nedra Newson is working on a  pattern for a ruffle dress using that popular ruffle fabric.  She sent us the first one in a size to fit the 11 inch portrait body.  I tried it on Little Lou and the color brought out her blue eyes.  I added some colorful embellishments to finish the outfit.  I thought she needed some special shoes so i did a shoe makeover with a pair of  plain Mary Janes. 

Nedra is planning for the pattern to include a ruffle dress in 3 sizes.  In addition to the 11inch dolls there will also be a pattern and complete illustrated instructions for a ruffle dress to fit  the 8 inch series and the 12.5 inch Sweet Petite series.  The last one will  do for the vinyl Little Darlings and by adding an extra ruffle I'm thinking it should work for the Big Sisters body too!.  

Shopping for Furniture!

Suddenly our dolls need a place to sit.  I've been surfing the net in search of chairs and other furnishings.   I found a site that has a nice selection of furniture, dishes and clothes for the 18 inch dolls .  Here is one of the sets they I ordered.  There are some other styles too.   Check it out!   http://www.thequeenstreasures.com/

Of course I've been trying to find furniture to fit the new sitting legs 11 inch dolls.  It has not been so easy.  The wicker furniture shown with Allison used to b commonplace at places like Walmart but no more!  I've searched the internet in vain.  But alas, i finally found a guy who has been making little furniture for Barbi. (11 Inches)  He's kind of fazing it out and getting into decorative trim for real people houses.  He said he can't get the right thickness of wood any more  Anyhow,  you can check it out. He still shows the furniture on his web site. http://victorianwoodshop.com/dollfurniture.html   He told me he can still make furniture but it has to be painted.   So there are some possibilities there yet.  

New Fun Product

At a huge craft trade show in Chicago last summer I saw a demonstration with this new product called Tumble Dye.  I bought most of the colors.  Recently I tried it on some doll    tennis shoes and it worked great.  Such vivid color and it doesn't seem to affect the plastic parts of the shoes.  The dye  comes in spray bottles.  You can spray in on most any fabric or fiber.  You work it in and then heat set in a dryer or with a hair dryer.  You can use an iron for flat things like fabric and T  shirts.  For the shoes I removed the shoe laces.  I sprayed it on a craft mat and painted it on the shoes with a brush.  The picture show an incredibly bright neon pink color.  it really is that bright.  I also tried a pair in red and it worked just as well.  Then I watered the dye down and mixed the colors to make a faded antique rose color.

Stay tuned for more information on how I decorated Little Lou's Shoes.

What Ever Happened to Hearty Clay?

If you've been wondering where you can find Hearty Clay, well it has all but disappeared from this continent except for maybe some white.  Never fear! I ordered my first shipment recently direct form the manufacturers, Padico in Japan.

Let's Network!

If you would like to join a brand new social network  to share info and stuff like I am sharing here please let me know.  I will invite you to be among the first to join me on my new social network for Doll Crafters.  Send me an Email so I can send you an invitation.  There we can post and blog and chat  to our hearts content as long as it mostly pertains to dolls and doll crafting, costuming, designing  and just playing with dolls.