Instagram Spring Giveaway Contest

Today I am launching my first giveaway contest on Instagram. All you have to do to enter is to 1) follow my Instagram page @everythingnice4dolls 2)  tag 2 friends in the comments section of the post. You must be 18 or over to enter (or 13 or over with your parent's permission). The giveaway ends March 17. The winner will be notified on March 18. Open to US and Canadian residents.

The giveaway includes a cute spring ruffled top, capri pants that have ruffles on the bottom, and shoes. They all fit 14.5 inch dolls such as AG Wellie Wishers. Willa is modeling it and it looks so cute on her. So go on my Instagram page and enter today! Good luck to everyone that enters!

An up close picture of the top.

The whole outfit

A picture of the shoes for the 14.5 inch dolls. Except the giveaway shoes have pink roses on them.

Welcome to my shop!

Part of my work space. The sewing machine is one that I have had since I was around 20 years old.

Today has been quite a dreary day. It has been cold and cloudy so I have not been able to take any pictures of my outfits. So instead of doing nothing, I decided to do a live Facebook video inviting my friends and customers into my home. I wanted everyone to see where I work. I wish that I had a bigger place to sew but I don't so I just have to make the best of it. The area where I work is just a small room that used to be the back porch area and was enclosed to make an extra room. When my father in law owned the house, it was his office area and when my daughter was little, it was her playroom. Now it has become my sewing shop.

My Brother serger on my work table.

As you can see by the following pictures, the space is small but I'm able to get a lot done in here. I have a Bernina 910 that I have had since I was in my 20's. I would love to get a machine that is more modern and has more stitches but for now is has worked nicely. The serger is a Brother and I have had it for about 4 years. I got it when I first started making doll clothes. It really helps to finish the seams and give my outfits that professional look.

Some of my fabric stash

More fabric

As you can see, I have accumulated a lot of fabric in the 4 years that I have been sewing for dolls. About a year ago, my fabric stash had gotten out of control and I needed a way to organize it. So I searched Pinterest to find a way to organize it. There are so many ideas about how to organize fabric on Pinterest. What I do now is that I take comic book boards ( these are cardboard rectangles size 8.5 x 11 that are used to store comic books) and I wrap my fabric around these boards so it lays nice and flat then I put them in my plastic tubs or storage drawers. It is so much easier to know what I have just by glancing in my tubs.

My Ott light and ironing board

One of my favorite things is my Ott light. I just don't know what I would do without it. Now that I am older my eyesight is not as good as it used to be. The Ott light really helps me to see when I sew. It also has a magnifying glass so that if I need to correct mistakes (yes, I do make a few!), I can see those tiny stitches.

My cutting board and craft table.

Something that I could not do without is my craft table and cutting board. I use this to cut out all of my fabrics to make the doll clothes. I used to use my kitchen table before I got this craft table from JoAnn. It was a real pain because I had to make sure that I cleaned the table off real good before cutting any fabric out. I didn't want to get any food or grease on any of my fabrics.

A view of my doll house.

Another view of my doll house

I also share my sewing space with the doll house that I have made. It is just another hobby that I love to do. I made my doll house out of a shelving unit that is 48 in. wide x 72 in. high and 18 in. deep. It was another idea that I got from Pinterest. I'm hoping to maybe add a third unit and have a few more rooms. I would like to have a laundry room and also another bedroom. I am hoping to get the new girl of the year doll Luciana for my birthday.

My shipping supplies

There is a little room at the top of my doll house for storage. I use part of that space for my shipping supplies. Since I now have new logo, I have changed how I package my outfits for mailing.

My heater it gets cold in here!

Since this area used to be part of the outside of the house at one time, the heating and cooling is not very good in here. It gets very cold in the winter and hot in the summer. The summer is not so bad because I can just open up the double doors and it gets some cooling from the rest of the house. But when it is really cold outside, it is very hard to heat without some kind of heater.

So I hope you enjoyed my little tour of my work area. It's not much but it does get the job done!

Etsy Packaging

Since I had my new logo made from Susan at Logolane , (who has a great little shop on Etsy by the way) I have changed the way that I package my doll clothes. I used to just wrap my doll clothes in plain white tissue paper and then put them in a bubble mailer. But now I put the clothes in a 9 x 12 clear poly bag from Amazon , wrap it up in pink tissue paper and tie it with gold curling ribbon (paper and ribbon were from Papermart ). Then I stick a round Avery sticker on it printed with my logo.

This is the way that I package my doll clothes that I sell in my Etsy shop.

After I tie the ribbon around the package, I tuck one of my new business cards in between the ribbon.

My new business card with my new logo.

I hope that my customers will like the new touches that I have added. Please feel free to comment down below and tell me what you think of my new packaging.

Valentine's Day Deals!

Are you ready for a sweet deal? I am having a Valentine's Day sale starting tomorrow. Use the code BMYVALENTINE and get 20% off dresses and pajamas for 18 inch dolls like American Girl dolls, 14.5 inch dolls like AG Wellie Wishers and 15 inch baby dolls like AG Bitty Baby. *****I am not affiliated with American Girl or Mattel.******

These are just a few of the outfits that I have been working on.

Remember to sign up for my emails to get notices about upcoming sales and events that I will be attending.

Who Wears it Better?

I am going to start a new feature with my blog. It will be called Who Wears it Better. Whenever I come out with a new outfit, I would like to get my readers opinion on who wears the outfit better. So to start things off, I finished a really cute skirt set and blouse from a designer called 18 On Main. This was the first time that I have ever used her pattern before. It is a really cute design. I did have a little bit of trouble with it at first although the first time that I make a new outfit it always seems like it's a little difficult. But usually once I finish something the first time, the second time is not quite as hard because I actually know what I'm doing by that time. Well anyway, the skirt has a bib sewn onto it which we used to call a skirt like that jumpers. It is made out of an olive green small wale corduroy. It has a Velcro closure in the back with three buttons for just looks. The blouse is made out of a floral print cotton material and it has some green in it that coordinates well with the skirt. It has metal snaps as closures and four cream colored buttons on the front. This outfit would be just perfect for back to school. Ok, now I would like for your opinion on who wears this outfit better Isabelle who is a 2014 GOTY or Grace who is a 2015 GOTY? Please leave your comments about this.

Grace wearing the Skip to My Lou skirt outfit

Isabelle wearing the Skip to My Lou skirt Outfit

Summer Sewing

One of the reasons that I like the summer season so much is that I get the time to do the things that I want to do. Working for a school district has the advantage of being off in the summer. And that time off gives me time to catch up on some sewing projects that I really need to do because it won't be long until there will be those fall craft shows. I will need to have some new items to put in my booth. I also went to see my mom in June and July. Since my dad passed away in April, I've been trying to go and visit her more this summer. While we were there, she gave me some material that was in her stash. I made that cute little outfit out of some of the fabric that she gave me. I think that this watermelon top and green dotted pants are so cute! They just look like the perfect thing to wear on a picnic.

The second picture is also very cute. The top was made from the peplum top by Liberty Jane and it is found on the Pixie Faire website. This is a very bright and cheery outfit. It would be great for going on a kite flying adventure.

The third outfit was made out of a green Parisian print fabric and it is accented with a ribbon belt. The Capris are navy colored with silver hearts all over.

Next is a black, silver and pink Parisian print fabric ruffled top that is accented with a silver ribbon at the waist. The pants are black and white dotted fabric. 

Here is another outfit where I used the fabric that my mom gave me. The ruffled top is made out of multi colored striped seersucker fabric. And the pants are a royal blue broadcloth fabric. All of these outfits turned out too cute! The patterns of the last three pictures and the watermelon outfit are all made from The Cute and Casual pattern by Chris Lucas. I just love this pattern because its so easy to make and it looks so good on the doll. There is also a variation in the pattern where you can make shorts or even a dress. 

Another outfit that I made was this cute little romper and t-shirt from a pattern by Baby Mine. I just love the little ruffles on the back of the romper. So cute!

And last but not least, I made a pink bandana western dress and faux leather belt. I love this! I think that this will really appeal to my Texas friends. The dress has a ruffle with elastic at the neck and elastic at the waistline. And it has a ruffle at the bottom of the dress. The belt is made of leather look material and it has a square blingy buckle.

See! I told you that I have been busy! Hopefully I'll be able to get some more outfits done. Some of those may not necessarily be new but just to replenish my stock. Have a happy summer!

Parisian Outfit

About a month ago, I decided to make an outfit for Grace. Welł since she is staying in Paris, I thought that I would make her a look that is totally Paris. I used the Salina pattern by Liberty Jane to make the dress. The fabric is a pink, black, and cream colored Parisian print. And of course she needed a beret. The beret is made from an Eva Ava couture pattern, Peppermint Snow. I used a black and white houndstooth material and embellished it with a pretty decorative button. I also made her a cute little bag from a Sew Urban pattern. You can find all of these patterns at PixieFaire. 

Doll Beverages

the Today I made some drinks for my American Girl dolls. I learned how to make them by watching a video on YouTube by Toni Ellison  .

  I just love her YouTube channel. She is a great artist that makes all kinds of miniature foods and drinks. The first one that I tried was the Bomb Pop slushy. To make that you take red sugar crystals and mix it with a little bit of Resin. I used Easy Cast. You can find it at most craft stores. I got mine at Michaels. You want to mix it until it is a little chunky. You don't want the colors to sink down. My first one was too runny so it did sink down some. Then you use coarse sea salt for the next layer. Again you want it to be a little chunky. Add a straw and then add the top layer by mixing blue sugar crystals to a little bit of resin. Then I made a pink lemonade drink although I didn't have any poly clay to make a lemon slice like she did. I made it by mixing a little pink food coloring with the resin. I didn't have square beads so I just used some clear perler beads. And then I made a grape slushy by using the leftover pink resin and the White Sea salt resin mixture with a drop of purple food coloring. I found the neon food coloring at Walmart. I used little communion cups for the drinks. I found them for a really good price at a Christian supply store. Maybe you would like to make these cute little drinks sometime.

Week 1 at Camp Doll Diaries

I'm a little late setting up my camp scenes this week. Camp doll diaries 2015 had begun and I'm so excited! I know that Char at Doll Diaries has so much in store for us! My last day at work was Friday so that's why I'm late getting pictures into my blog. But summer is here hooray! And I'm ready for camp! I decided hat the name of the camp would be called Camp Cupcake. It is a bakery camp. The girls will get to make all kinds of goodies like cupcakes, cookies and even cakes! We have 4'campers this year, Isabelle, Grace, Madyson,and Saige. Isabelle and Grace will be staying in the cabin and Madyson and Saige will be in the tent. 

Here they are signing up for camp and getting their assignments.

Madyson is making sure that all the campers get where they need to be.

Grace is settling into her bunk.

I really enjoyed making the bunk storage trunk.

Lights out for the night!

Saige and Madyson are enjoying the campfire before going to bed. Stay tuned to more camping adventures next week.

New Spring and Summer Outfits

I have gotten back into sewing after having a little bit of a break. It's been really hard on me lately because back in March, we found out that my dad had a tumor on his back. They did a biopsy and it turned out to be cancer. The cancer started out in his lungs and then went into his bones. He started radiation therapy just to help ease some of the pain but unfortunately the cancer was too far gone. On April 30 my daddy went to heaven. I was just so sad for awhile that I just could not even think about sewing. I had no desire and the creative juices were just not flowing. But last weekend, I started feeling a little better. I made the peplum top from a Liberty Jane pattern and shorts from a McCalls pattern. And then I made an outfit using some of the material that my mom gave me. It was made from the Cute and Casual pattern by Chris Lucas. The top is made out of red material with black watermelon seeds and trimmed with a black satin ribbon at the waist. The Capri pants are made out of a green and white dotted fabric. I think the look is so cute for summer. They will both be listed on my Etsy shop very soon. 

Doll house room tour videos

I recently did a video showing a tour of the doll house that I am currently working on for my daughter. I made it using a 72 h x 48 w x 18 d metal shelving unit. I found the idea from a blog that I found on Pinterest. So I hope that you like it and please subscribe to my YouTube channel. 

http://youtu.be/KZreLl7iRts

Easter Bunnies

 About a week ago, I had an idea that I wanted to make some bunny slippers for the American Girl dolls. I had seen several different ones on Amazon and I knew that I could make some cute ones. So I took the pattern for the Fuzzy Slippers (Eden Ava Couture) and I made a pair of ears made out of the white fur and pink felt. But I didn't know how I would make the eyes and nose. So I decided to make the eyes out of black embroidery thread and the nose from pink thread. I think that they turned out real cute and just in time for Easter. They go perfect with the cute little flannel pjs with pink bunny buttons.

My Giveaway Outfit on Doll Diaries

Doll Diaries is giving away one of my outfits that I donated to them as part of their Esty shop Friday spotlight. Make sure that you enter to win this because it's really cute! Even if I say so myself!

Doll Diaries Giveaway

Doll Diaries has a wonderful giveaway going on right now. They are giving away a Madame Alexander 18" doll and she is beautiful! All you need to do to enter is visit the Madame Alexander website and tell what your favorite Madame Alexander doll is and what you would name the doll that they are giving away.

I would name her Summer! I just think that she looks like a Summer. You get extra entries if you post about this on your blog, on your Facebook page, or to Facebook, follow Madame Alexander and Doll Diaries on Instagram or Pinterest. You have to have your parents permission if you are 13 or under. And you have to live in the US. More details are on the Doll Diaries website. I know I'm in are you?

Crazy Hair Photo Challenge

Well today is day 6 of the July photo challenge at Doll Diaries.com. Today's challenge is crazy hair. Our girls Madyson and Isabelle decided to have a sleepover. They got dressed in their favorite jammies and started fixing each other's hair. Saige was to be the judge. She's not in any of the photos but she did decide who had the craziest hair. Isabelle thought that Madyson would look great with lots of ponytails all over her head tied with different colored hairbands. She also added a couple of clippies to her hair. Madyson wanted to braid Isabelle's long straight hair with little braids all over and one flopping over into her eyes. She also added a couple of clippies. When they were done they got Saige to judge. Saige said that Madyson's hair looked the craziest. So she got the crazy hair award. So now it's time for pizza and watching Harry Potter movies all night long!

Happy 4th of July 2014!

Well, the girls decided that they would have a parade today for the 4th of July! Isabelle got dressed in the little bandeau top with the red, and blue stars print and her blue denim mini skirt. She decided that she would wear her Minnie Mouse ears since she enjoyed being at Disney World so much this summer. And Saige wore a little red and white polka dot mini skirt with a sailor top that ties at the shoulder with red ribbons. She wanted to wear a little red, silver, and blue sparkly halo on her head 'cause she's so good! And finally, Madyson wanted to show her Texas Ranger pride and wore her Texas Ranger t-shirt and a denim mini skirt. She wanted to hold a silver sparkler. She is also wearing some gold cowboy boots (they really belong to Saige but she was kind enough to let her borrow them). It is so good that we live in a country where we can these celebrations like these. Thank goodness for all of the men who fought and died for our country so that we can be free.
Oh and don't forget that you can find these outfits on my Etsy shop. And I am participating in the Etsy community Christmas in July sale. The coupon codes are: CIJ2014 where you will receive free shipping on orders of $30 or more and CIJ20142 where you can take 20% off your entire purchase. I also have some special sale items that are on sale right now. They are marked down 25%. I hope that you will take advantage of these sales because Christmas in July only comes once a year!