Woo Hoo, didn't know making just clothes was SEW much fun.

since entering the world of Etsy, I have been really enjoying the making of dresses to sell.  I actually made my first sale!... dancing dancing...lol

 My first sale was this pretty purple and white dress. I use a lot of Famcookie designs for my dresses. They are very easy and turn out great!

 Simplicty pattern

 Farmcookie

 My own design

 Farmcookie

Farmcookie

Opened a Shop on Etsy.

More then digitizing more then sewing for people, I love sewing for dolls... they do not holler if I stick them with pins and they are happy no matter how I dress them. So putting that all together I started a shop on Etsy
https://www.etsy.com/shop/GrannyGooseDesigns 
Now to find the time to do all the things dolly that I love

Calling All Dollies

    Granny is back in the saddle. Been feeling really really bad lately. But the last few days I have felt a turn around...YAY...the dolls are happy. They are sitting there grinning at me.  Okay ladies, beware.

Somebody loved her once. I hope they will again.

Got my Hilary dressed!

I am in deep trouble. I keep finding dollies that scream at me, "take me home, I need help!" So I do.  but I did get Hilary dressed...

This next one is an unmarked Mary Hoyer. Poor thing was just crying for help.  I don't want to part with these when I get them... I get too attached to them.

 



New AG outfit for sale in my Etsy shop

I have a super new outfit for sale in my Etsy shop. Here's the picture -

I made every single piece of this outfit - yup even the boots! (real leather too!)

Need to behave and stay off the net!

Just when I think I have found all the dolls that I had as a child, a new memory comes to the surface as I look a dolls and go "I remember that doll, I HAD ONE JUST LIKE IT".  then I have to search for it and try to find it.  I need to be satisfied with what I have and get them dressed.  Well on the Dollwearstitchers group we were talking and posting pictures and it was my down fall...HILLARY was posted.  When I saw this doll back in the 90s I wanted her... she was about 20 -24 inches with blonde hair and blue eyes and so pretty... Later I worked for a lady dressing dolls for her and she was going to get me a kit to make a Hillary. but things fizzled. Her husband got worse and she quit making dolls and I didn't get Hillary.  Well I searched and found a 15 inch version with brown set in eyes...will have to wig her and dress her myself but that will be half the fun... Oh Yeah!...

Theresa's Newest Outfit - No. 2

Here are two views of Theresa in her newest outfit. It's the second one I made for her. Along with the background being different in the photos, Theresa also changed her shoes. The red shoes have red flowers, similar to the one on her blouse. They are just a wee bit smaller, size wise. 

Theresa has her hair in a pony tail which is tied up with a red ribbon, to match the flower on her blouse and the red shoes she's wearing in one of the above photos.

The multi printed fabric I used for the background is the same fabric I made her robe/duster/Spring Coat out of.

 The pants are plain and simple striped pants with an elastic waistband.

The boat necked white blouse has a row of lace going down the front of it with a red flower just below the neck band and in the top center of the lace on the blouse.  The sleeves end with a ruffled cuff that was created by using elastic for same.
 
The blouse has a zipper going down the center in the back of it. Instead of putting in a hidden zipper, I put in an exposed zipper, which is similar to the latest fad on dresses and the like, but, with a twist. I put in a matching zipper instead of a contrasting zipper.
 
Instead of the zipper opening at the bottom of the blouse like a jacket, I put a band around the bottom. Theresa can step into her blouse and pull it up instead of pulling it over her head and messing her hair up. She can put her slacks on, pulling them up, after putting her blouse on. She has the option of wearing the blouse tucked in or wearing it out, as shown in the photos.

Now, Theresa has two outfits she's modeled listed on eBay.

What Next?

Besides Theresa's sister, Winifred, who likes wearing her vintage dress, Theresa has 3 cousins coming shortly. Of course, they are going to want new outfits too. So, come back often and check out and see what their new duds will look like.

Winifred says that they have to stand in line, that she's waiting for her new outfit and that I should make hers first. After all, she let me make two for Theresa, so, she says that she's next in line for a new outfit.

The Boyle Clan:

Both Theresa and Winifred are members of the Boyle Clan.  Peggy, the author, is also part of same. Peggy is a granddaughter of Michael Leo Boyle who is found listed on ancestry.com. Peggy's grandmother's name was Winifred Theresa... Sound familiar?

Theresa's new outfit

Sewing Hints for making Doll Clothes

Came across this link for the Doll Boutique, at Simplicity, which is mainly hints for making doll clothes.

http://www.simplicity.com/t-doll-boutique.aspx?utm_source=bronto&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Doll+Boutique&utm_content=oceanpeg1%40msn.com&utm_campaign=Doll+Clothing+01%2F08%2F2013

Added another 18 inch doll to my collection. Another blonde hair blue eyed doll, but, with curley hair. She came to me by way of eBay. She arrived at her new home, here, this morning.

Have to name her. Thinking of Winifred, seeing that my other one's name is Theresa. Both will then be named after my grandmother, Winifred Theresa O'Boyle. Will give them grandma's and grandpa's (Michael L. O'Boyle) last name too, O'Boyle. However neither doll looks like grandma because grandma had dark brown/black hair. Grandma and Grandpa are listed in ancestry.com. One of my cousin's hubby is maintaining same.

Promise to upload photos when my dolls get their new homemade outfits.

Dolly felt shoes FREE Tutorial

A new mommy of an 18 inch doll here...

Found out that there's a freebie felt/leather pattern/tutorial for baby shoes that can most likely be adapted to the 18 inch doll. I measured the sole of my dolls shoe to find out that it is just 3 inches long. This pattern is for a 4 inch long pattern, with about a half of an inch used for the seam.

Common sense might be to just reduce or shrink the sole of the shoe pattern to 3 1/2 inches and adjust the other part to fit same. Can play with scrap fabric to get it to be a perfect fit for your doll.

The link to the tutorial is:
http://www.purlbee.com/felt-baby-shoes/2011/12/6/mollys-sketchbook-felt-baby-shoes.html

With the link to the 2 templates/pattern parts being:
http://www.purlbee.com/storage/felt_baby_shoes_template.pdf

I have several patterns for baby shoes. Will have to see if I can do same with them too. 

In checking the chart, the smallest 4 inch shoe sole size is for a 1 to 3 month old baby at the above site. This, most of you already know and I'm just finding out this info because I'm still experimenting with making clothes for my new 18 inch doll...

Oceanpeg/Peggy Winifred in NJ

Happy New Year!

I already started off my year thinking I will make the resolution to "GET ORGANIZED".  Yeah right. I am trying. (My family tells me I am VERY trying)... I have gone through all the lace and ribbon and thread and tossed and sorted.  But I will NOT (yet) go through the dolls and toss any. I just can't do that. If I decided to get rid of one I will dress it and offer it to someone else. 
Made my granddaughter a dress for Christmas and did one for her doll too. This month she is going to be 9 so I have a Baby doll for her but the poor wee thing needs clothes... so yep you see what I will be doing this month. (once the worst of the "organizing" is done...lol) Oh and I bought myself a new doll...

At the Family Dollar they had all the toys 1/2 off so I got this one for only $12.50.  I wanted the Ariel with the legs... me and flippers don't mix...lol

A New Addition

The Christmas gift I gave myself :) Rowena, one of the slim-bodied AG dolls.

Isn't she beautiful?

I absolutely LOVE her hair!!!

I also have this doll outfit up for auction on eBay -

http://www.ebay.com/itm/321045501559?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

This auction is over Sunday night, but I'll have another one start Sunday night. Right now, this outfit is going for $5.50 - a great deal for someone! :)

Dolls the silent witness

I found that Dolls are theraputic. I went through a time in my life when I misscarried three babies in a row. It was a time when my family suffered too.  I was not an easy person to live with.  But eventually the Lord did bless us with another girl (we had 3 already).  So in that time of loss I collected dolls and they brought me consolation.  I can still take a baby doll in my arms and cuddle it and feel comforted.  I love babies.. real ones too. I have 8 grandchildren right now and I love everyone of them. I have rocked a sick grandson to sleep, wiped their snotty noses and kissed their boo boos...heaven helpe me if I ever succeed in getting a reborn baby.  Oh me, I would probably go off my nut and just rock it and talk to it like it was real. 

2 new bride dolls live at my house!

Doesn't she just have a 'nother world' look about her?

She holds her head high and outshines every doll on the shelf.

Now, this little bride is very friendly, she opens her arms to you, she's a huggy type of personality.

She also has the longest eyelashes I've ever seen, and is wearing the prettiest earrings!

 

They both arrived in this BEAUTIFUL box! The shipping tape came off easily enough, but these shipping labels did not want to budge, and I'm telling you, I wanted this box!!!

Well, a little Avon Skin So Soft, and the edge of my 6" ruler and about 30 minutes later, I had my beautiful box! Look at that, not a sticky note on it! Isn't it gorgeous? It seemed only fitting that I store beautiful things in it, so I have put my silk fabrics in it,and put it on top of a cabinet, which I'll show you later on my blog

Happiness is a new Home!

  When I successfully redo an old or neglected doll then it finds new home, I am VERY happy. It is the satisfaction of knowing something was not thrown away but repurposed and will soon go to where it can be loved.  When I see a doll thrown away that can be fixed and loved again it really upsets me.  Okay so I am a little looney here.... Aw come on , so I am ALOT looney...lol

Tea Party Dress

I am making progress on the dress. What's really holding me up is the shoes. I ordered them over a week ago and they have still not arrived. I can't show this dress for sale without the shoes. Just can't. So, I thought I'd show you the completed top. I decided to leave the lace as is. In person it's not as dark as it shows on the monitor.

(I'm also organizing my lace, so it made a nice backdrop for her to lay on). This is the top, waiting for the skirt.

I got this really neat elastic with a little attached ruffle, from this Etsy seller and used it for her sleeves! I like the way it turned out. BTW, the Etsy seller had great prices on things, and super fast shipping! I'll be back!

One of THEM days.

I do not love all dolls I run into.  Sometimes I just cannot bond with them.  I guess it was why I was able to get rid of dolls I had in the past. They did not "speak" to me.  Today I finished one for a lady and it was "I have to get this done and out of here " job.  so she is done.  From this

 to this

I like her far more now then when I first saw her, but is not one I would say "gee wish I could keep her"...Now to call her mommy and tell her she is ready to go home.

 

Making a Fancy Dress - for a Tea Party

So, my doll, Riley Madison has been invited to a tea party, by her best friend, Samantha. It is Samanatha's birthday. Here are some pictures of my progress.

The sleeves are very puffy, and have some gathering detail around the arm, which I haven't gotten to yet. The lace on the front, is vintage lace from Paris, given to me by my friend Cynthia. It's a little yellowed with age. I'm wondering if I should take it off...? 

It has a VERY full skirt, and longer than her normal dresses.

Isn't this border lace beautiful?

Close up of the lace. The more I look at it, the more I think I should take it off. What do you think?

East Coast

I wanted to post for Prayers for the families in the path of this terrible storm on the East Coast. Stay safe! xo

I had my first sale!!

It's so exciting - I had my first sale from my Handmade Artists shop! 2 dresses and 2 panties for AG doll. They will be Christmas gifts for the buyers granddaughters, and I'm just tickled pink. Now, I've GOT to make time to make more things for my shop! Where do you go to get more time????

karen