Over time, my first floor was getting too crowded, so my boyfriend built me a second story in summer 2009!
...which means I can have three floors to display my doll furniture!
Kit's Kitchen
Felicity's Bedroom
Monday, August 10, 2009
Dollhouse Transformations
I created this room back in November 2008 with the help of my boyfriend. Here are the original directions. I used adhesive tile and contact paper. The contact paper will fall off after a while, so I wouldn't recommend it unless you actually glue it on.
Over time, my first floor was getting too crowded, so my boyfriend built me a second story in summer 2009!
...which means I can have three floors to display my doll furniture!
Kit's Kitchen
Felicity's Bedroom
Over time, my first floor was getting too crowded, so my boyfriend built me a second story in summer 2009!
...which means I can have three floors to display my doll furniture!
Kit's Kitchen
Felicity's Bedroom
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Meet Jane (Jess) - January 2008
Jane (Jess) came into the family back in January 2008.
"Watcha gonna bring to the picnic?" asks Kirsten.
Kirsten's had earlier made some very imperfect homemade treats...ah, well, it comes from the heart? And those raspberry-strawberry things are tasty!
Elizabeth though is a master pastry chef...the tarts and bundt cake are quite fancy!
Meanwhile, for some strange reason, Josefina is baking bread in her horno...inside the room...
Of course, she's bringing bread and melons. (The shawl is custom made, but it matches the Harvest outfit quite well!)
Addy's is preparing her pie and has lots of flowers.
She has apple pie, meat pies, and candy...
Josefina and Kirsten get the picnic table ready...
Oh, oh, will all these dishes and treats fit on the table?
"Let's try it anyway," says Josefina.
Tada!
Whew! Need to sit down! When do you think she'll get here?
Squeaky, squeaky! Speak of the devil!
"Gasp! All for me!?" cries Jane.
"You're so wonderful!"
"Watcha gonna bring to the picnic?" asks Kirsten.
Kirsten's had earlier made some very imperfect homemade treats...ah, well, it comes from the heart? And those raspberry-strawberry things are tasty!
Elizabeth though is a master pastry chef...the tarts and bundt cake are quite fancy!
Meanwhile, for some strange reason, Josefina is baking bread in her horno...inside the room...
Of course, she's bringing bread and melons. (The shawl is custom made, but it matches the Harvest outfit quite well!)
Addy's is preparing her pie and has lots of flowers.
She has apple pie, meat pies, and candy...
Josefina and Kirsten get the picnic table ready...
Oh, oh, will all these dishes and treats fit on the table?
"Let's try it anyway," says Josefina.
Tada!
Whew! Need to sit down! When do you think she'll get here?
Squeaky, squeaky! Speak of the devil!
"Gasp! All for me!?" cries Jane.
"You're so wonderful!"
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Town Fair Dress Comparisons
In 1997, American Girl designed a limited edition "town fair" outfit based on 18th century prints. The original town fair outfit came with a mob cap, red striped apron, green gown, and windmill; and a complete set can go for auction for over $100. I managed to snag my authentic AG town fair outfit (gown only) for $32 on Ebay. Jess is modeling it with a red cloak and borrowed lace cap. Elizabeth on the left is modeling a pinkish version made by Dollies' Dressmaker. Personally, I think Dollies is the better version. She once told me that she has never seen the original in person, so her outfit indeed is based on the historical print.
The tan gown on the right was also made by Dollies' Dressmaker.
Felicity checks out her China cabinet. (I got the jelly cabinet for $13--the price also included the shipping! The model ship and blue teapot are Christmas ornaments I found in California for $4 each.)
Close up of the prints:
The yellow cups are from the Chocolate Set. The colonists, to protest the tax on imported tea, drank chocolate instead. Collectors always debate whether getting the older version of the Chocolate set is worth it. In my opinion yes. As you can see on the left, the older version has more delicate twisted handles and more detailed art. The glaze is less yellow and shiny. (Oh, and don't worry, I don't have 3 chocolate sets! I only found the four extra cups alone in an Ebay auction. I'll probably resell them now that I have the older version of the complete set.)
The tan gown on the right was also made by Dollies' Dressmaker.
Felicity checks out her China cabinet. (I got the jelly cabinet for $13--the price also included the shipping! The model ship and blue teapot are Christmas ornaments I found in California for $4 each.)
Close up of the prints:
The yellow cups are from the Chocolate Set. The colonists, to protest the tax on imported tea, drank chocolate instead. Collectors always debate whether getting the older version of the Chocolate set is worth it. In my opinion yes. As you can see on the left, the older version has more delicate twisted handles and more detailed art. The glaze is less yellow and shiny. (Oh, and don't worry, I don't have 3 chocolate sets! I only found the four extra cups alone in an Ebay auction. I'll probably resell them now that I have the older version of the complete set.)
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Good-bye Jess, Twin of Jane
Sniff. So a couple of Christmases ago, I got a brand new Jess from my boyfriend; I named her Jane. But I also nab a $25 Jess from Craig's List in very nice condition. So for a long time, I considered them twins, and only had vague ideas about selling her. But then a couple of weeks ago I traded in my second Jess for a "free" Marisol and a $60 Kit. Do I regret it a little...maybe...But Marisol is so pretty...
Anyway, Jane had a very serious personality and Jess was a bit goofy. I made a 1930s story for them but it's a bit tediously long, so I'll just summarize.
(The two 1930s dresses are both from Dollies' Dressmaker. The orange outfit is based on an American Girl book illustration. The green one has little Scottish terriers on the print.)
Serious Jane is on a deadline and has to type up her story.
Jess, who's supposed to be copy editing is very bored and spins around in her chair.
She starts decorating her desk with movie posters...
Jane feels exasperated and stalks off...
Jess, feeling sorry, tries to cheer up her sister by decorating the office.
Jane realizes Jess was just being herself and likes the new decorations.
They make up!
Anyway, Jane had a very serious personality and Jess was a bit goofy. I made a 1930s story for them but it's a bit tediously long, so I'll just summarize.
(The two 1930s dresses are both from Dollies' Dressmaker. The orange outfit is based on an American Girl book illustration. The green one has little Scottish terriers on the print.)
Serious Jane is on a deadline and has to type up her story.
Jess, who's supposed to be copy editing is very bored and spins around in her chair.
She starts decorating her desk with movie posters...
Jane feels exasperated and stalks off...
Jess, feeling sorry, tries to cheer up her sister by decorating the office.
Jane realizes Jess was just being herself and likes the new decorations.
They make up!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Ibsen, A Doll's House
Elizabeth stars as Nora in the 1879 feminist Ibsen play, A Doll's House. She's blond and looks Swedish...
Nora: "I have other duties equally sacred ... Duties to myself!"
Elizabeth as Nora looks out and bows to the audience.
Of course, all the audience members clap.
...and she's congratulated by Diana.
The dress was made by Dollies Dressmaker. She created it for the 1970s AG doll Julie, because in 1971 the movie Nicholas and Alexandra was very popular and hence many fashion designers that year drew inspiration for their line up from imperial Russia circa 1900. So I'm probably a couple of decades off fashion-wise. The detail on the dress is very delicate and beautiful. If you see her reproduce the pattern again, you should certainly snatch it.
Nora: "I have other duties equally sacred ... Duties to myself!"
Elizabeth as Nora looks out and bows to the audience.
Of course, all the audience members clap.
...and she's congratulated by Diana.
The dress was made by Dollies Dressmaker. She created it for the 1970s AG doll Julie, because in 1971 the movie Nicholas and Alexandra was very popular and hence many fashion designers that year drew inspiration for their line up from imperial Russia circa 1900. So I'm probably a couple of decades off fashion-wise. The detail on the dress is very delicate and beautiful. If you see her reproduce the pattern again, you should certainly snatch it.
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