Diva Dolly Apron

 This actually was my niece's Christmas present, I made a "set" for my sister (Banana) and her daughter (BellaBoo), but it turned out so cute I thought I'd share it with you.

I'm sure you have seen the "flirty" aprons around the web, maybe even contemplated spending the $30-50 on them, but they are really incredibly simple to make, and even a novice seamstress can come away with something adorable.  (You will have to beg the pardon of my grumpy daughter in the photos - she just found out we weren't keeping the apron she was trying on.)  

First, choose a fabric that is washable! No silks, brocades, or satin's here, you want this to be adorable and FUNCTIONAL.  I chose polka-dot and zebra print because it really fits my sister and her daughter, but choose whatever you like.  I think (its been since November sorry!) I got two yards of the polka dot for both of them and a half yard of the zebra print - as I couldn't find any ribbon I liked, so I made my own.  

Next, get a rough estimate on the size of their chest.  Remember as an apron you'll want it to be snug enough to not get in the way, but big enough to cover most of their shirt.  I measured my own and subtracted a few inches since my sister's smaller than me!  I measured She-she and added a few since her cousin is older than her. Make sure to leave an extra half inch for sewing up the edges!

Third, use a piece of paper or a scrap of left over material or newsprint, and, folding it in half, draw a half a heart.  Draw a line down from the outer edge at a softer angle. Wall-ah you have your bodice.  If a heart doesn't fit your mood you can do a square, a circle, or whatever your heart (haha) does desire.  Once cut simply sew around the edges.  Clip any corners to keep it from puckering.  Set aside.

Fourth cut a large square (I measured to about my knees and took off about 3 inches for my sister.) I have seen many different styles of "skirts" before, everything from upside down hearts, to multiple layers, have fun and get creative with it.  I simply did a square then folded it in half and rounded it out.

The "gathering" is probably the most difficult part of this and really isn't difficult.  Using your sewing machine on the widest stitch possible do a quick straight stitch across the top - DO NOT knot it on the ends.  Find your center point and grabbing one thread gently pull it, supporting the cloth as it gathers.  You want these to be relatively similar, I found it best to "guide it" with my fingers, pinching where I wanted the pleat, and pulling where I wanted it smoother.  Compare the size to the bodice to ensure you're not gathering it too tightly.  When you have it the way you want it "lock it in" by sewing over it with a tighter stitch.  Again check the "fit" and then sew the top and the skirt together.  

Then you will want to add your ribbon for the waist.  Since I made my own ribbon I doubled it over and stitched it together then flipped it and hand stitched (like making a long skinny pillow without the stuffing.) If you have ribbon you can sew it on however you like, I've seen it behind, I've seen it in front, I've seen it attached to both sides, I've seen it long enough that you tie the bow in the front.  I chose a back button because I wanted it functional, and didn't want froo-froo in the way of the cookies and cakes!  Then using the same ribbon sew on the top.  Embellish with anything you want - I did an iron on patch that said "Diva in training."

Any decorations you do will be adorable, and it made BellaBoo and Boo happy. :)  

Fleece Blankey

Diffuclty Rating: 1.5 - Child's Play 

(Scissors should be used with adult supervision.)

She-she's bedroom started out as a "baby bug" room, particularly the "pretty" bugs like lady bugs, dragonflies, and butterflies, but as she's gotten older she's wanted more and more Tinkerbell.  We have a slightly "odd" bed for her - its dimensions are not quite toddler and not quite child, so i decided to make her a fleece tied blanket all to herself.

I took my sweet little girl to JoAnn's with me and we chose two fleece's - one of course with Tinkerbell, and one with the background.  I particularly wanted the little "bumpy" fleece as it was extra soft and cute, She-she chose the color.  

Now you've probably seen this before, as its incredibly easy and they were hugely popular some eight to ten years ago. but for a quick reminder this is how you do it:

Step 1: Choose two of roughly the same weight fleece fabrics. place them together right sides out.  There is no flipping reverse sides like regular sewing.

Step 2: Going in about 3 inches cut 3 inch long strips about an inch apart. I did the first few with rulers, and had the ruler sitting there to check when I felt they were getting a bit off.

Step 3: Using the front and the back strips (in my case Tinkerbell and the green bubble fleece) tie a simple square knot.  I highly, let me repeat that, HIGHLY recommend knotting every few strips.  A strong wind, playing kids, running cat or anything else could move your fabric so the front and back cuts are off and your ties will be all messed up. 

 Step 4: Repeat until you come to about 3 inches out of the corner, tie it snugly and don't worry about bunching you'll stretch it a bit later. When you reach the corner, simply cut the rest of the fabric off. (See photo.) Then continue going along the other side with the same knotting method you used, repeating the corner cutting until you are to your very first corner.

Step 5: You will likely notice that your fabric is incredibly bunched, this is normal and shouldn't concern you.  Simply grab it along one edge about 6 inches apart and pull it to stretch it back out to its regular grain.  You may hear a little tearing here, but that's normal.  Watch what you're doing however as it is possible to rip a knot right off, but its difficult. 

Step 6: Fluff the edges and tighten any that have gotten lose, once tightened they will do well for several years. 

In fact, I have a quilt my mother made me using this method when I was still in high school (I wont say how many years ago that was haha!), other than having to tie a few knots over the years its been fantastic, none of the edges have torn off and while some stress has been made to it, its still in very good shape.

So if you're looking for a sweet gift idea or a fun thing to do on a slow Sunday why not opt for a quick fleece quilt?

Working With Mistakes

My... pillowcase?

When you work with crafts you quickly realize that even the most experienced person makes mistakes, and if you're like me, you aren't the most experienced person.

Most of what I'm doing on this dollhouse is new stuff to me, taking crafts that I've played with before (like crocheting) and adjusting them to work with a dollhouse.  The only things I've crocheted before are lap quilts in a simple straight lined weave.  I decided this time I would attempt a circular weave for the pillow cases.  Lets just say it didn't work - but out came a pretty cute looking hat small enough for Barbie.

So when a cut goes wrong, the paint spills, or something seems to horribly go awry take a step back and try to see it as something else.  What could this be used for?  Could you adjust a few things and have it work out in a different way?  Being flexible is one of the most important things when working on crafts.
  

Collecting and Using Scraps

As soon as I discovered my baby was going to be a girl I started dreaming up a dollhouse for her.  The dollhouse I'd played with while I was young was AWESOME and I wanted something just as awesome for her, full of magical promise and fun-filled days and nights.  So I started collecting supplies.

Being a crafter anyways, I have paintbrushes and paints, a sewing machine, tons of fabric and ribbons, paper and stickers...  The list goes on and on.  But the fun thing about a DIY dollhouse that's meant to be played with is the imagination and its scale.  When you finish working on that baby blanket for your cousin there's always scraps of fabric left... so make a quilt for the dolls.  When you finish working on that shelf for your garage keep the little scraps of wood and look at them and imagine. 

Suddenly towels or raggedy wash clothes can become little teddy bears, old pajama bottoms blankets, chunks of wood can be carved into everything from wooden spoons to bowls to chairs, that old cologne bottle is great for a lamp (that one's coming soon just to let you know hehe!)

Looking at things from the outside of a box can be difficult, but the more you do it the easier it will become.  

That's where this little piece came from.  A little unpromising chunk of wood cut from the curve of the child's bed.

Start with a small chunk of wood and work with its general shape, in this case I immediately saw a house.  Sand it down, and paint it with acrylic paints.   Seal it with polyurethane, and you can get something like these.



A tip for painting TINY little objects - use a brush with only a few bristles, if you want to add depth paint first with one color and then a second color over (note the dark blue edge on the door to the right and the slight brown behind the red door below.)

Dollighted Your Visiting!

Welcome to Dollighted!  I am currently in full build mode on my daughter's dollhouse which I plan on giving her for Christmas 2012.  We have a strict "goal budget" of $100 dollars for the entire project as that is what you will spend on a plastic/cardboard Barbie Doll house.

I have had requests to post "how to's" and show my progress from friends and family, so I figured we'd start this blog.  Hopefully it will turn out as adorable as my head pictures it. :)

The ideas on these pages are my own or are inspired and compiled from around the web, especially helpful are Pinterest, Youtube, and Etsy.  I will be linking some things online at my etsy store as well, and in some cases my inspiration from others.

In the cases where I am buying something premade (like the toy chest I will be uploading in a few days) I will be including how much I have spent on it and where I got it.  Otherwise you can assume it came from my closet of craft supplies.  

In case you're wondering what is in my closet of supplies I'll list some supplies below (And each blog will include a list as well) They're pretty typical, and you most likely have most in your closet.  Some projects will include a difficulty rating as well - for example I have carved my doors, but for someone who has never used carving tools it may be more difficult, and some things, like Mod Podge Dimensional Magic, may look hard but tend to be pretty easy.

My Tools: 
Sewing Machine
Embroidery Needles
Embroidery Ring
Straight Pins
Jigsaw
Circular Saw
Belt Sander (Sandpaper will work but takes longer)
Hand Sander
Miniature Cookie Cutters
Toothpaste cap (the ridged kind...yes really lol)
Wood Carving tools

My Supplies: 
Fabric
Ribbons
Mod Podge
Mod Podge Dimensional Magic
Polymer clay
Pastels
2x4's (wood)
Balsa wood
Dowel Rods
Glitter
Various pendants, wood / metal
Old broken jewelry
Rocks
Twigs