We have a moratorium on any new 18″ dolls. Each of the girls have 1 American Girl doll and 1 Maplelea doll, and also have several pets that go with them and lots of outfits. After our big purge of toys this summer, and a re-org of their play areas, I challenged them to choose gifts that didn’t add any new collections, but that had play value with things we already had.
They have heard me say I was less than thrilled with the quality of the AG items, particularly given the high price tag and the fact that the dolls and accessories are made in China. In late September, they sat down to browse Etsy on the iPad, and were pretty excited about what they came up with.
At Paynes Doll Boutique, they found an amazing collection of 18 inch doll Pet-tastic furniture. The sales pitch was priceless and included “and it’s not plastic, or made in China, by children”. We agreed that due to the large price tag, we would likely have to ask Santa to make some of the pieces, then put the remaining items on a list for Grandma & Grandpa, Oma, and the two Aunties and their families. Ava wants the Pet Hospital and Georgia, the cat tree and bunny hutch, and corresponding ginger cat (American Girl site) and Brianne’s bunnies (Maplelea).
Rachel at Paynes Doll Boutique, has been amazing and agreed to custom color the sets, and use the Cushion and Dust fabrics I had sent to her from fabricworm for the cushions.
For my part, I ordered extra fabric in the Cushion and Dust fabrics, and hope to complete the following:
- coordinating minky blankets for each of the pets. There is a good tutorial here.
- 18″ doll hospital scrubs sets, to compliment the pet hospital. Ava’s will be made in the green floral and Georgia’s the blue floral. There is a free pattern here.
- doll lab coats in the bird cage fabrics. I had to draft a pattern for this, so will post the pattern in a few weeks.
- mini pet tents, using the free pet tent pattern from Sew Mama Sew. I’m excited to use the Momo, Oh Deer! fabric in Enchanted Forest Sky for these tents.
- Doll and me knit tops, with iron on pets that match their current American Girl pet collections. I’m using a raglan sleeve top pattern (#16) from the 4 / 2012 Ottobre magazine and the Liberty Jane baseball tee pattern for their dolls.
american girl pet iron ons
Momo, Oh Deer Fabric at Fabricworm
Before I start these projects, I have to tackle their Christmas dresses for our date with Santa at our employer’s Children’s Christmas party on December 1st. I also have one other project to finish up, binding the initial quilts that I had made this summer (but hadn’t finished yet).
Still, it feels good to be working through my stash of projects in my newly organized craft room. Even if I’ve broken a few rules, and purchased more fabrics in the meantime.
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