Finding Doll Props: Blind Bags for a Birthday, Puppy in My Pocket and Thomas Trains

We have two more belated birthdays to celebrate, as seems to be the custom in this doll household.  Sigh.

Anyway, Sakura and Yuna have been with us for over two years. 

Anna has bestowed upon them gifts of blind bag toys.  These novelties have become a staple in our home, at least when it comes to gift giving (Check out our other blind bag posts).

For Yuna, there is an unfamiliar selection called Puppy in My Pocket.  Anna says one of her siblings enjoyed this particular line of toys as a child, so it has a certain nostalgia.

Inside we have a small dog figure and the familiar checklist.  The figure is flocked to resemble the soft fur of a real puppy, a pleasant detail I must say. 

There seem to be a wide variety of breeds in this series.  Yuna received Gordy, the Gorden Setter.

The tiny puppy fits well in Yuna’s hands and I feel it will never leave them.  She loves it so much.  I suspect there may be more of these delights in the future.

For Sakura, there is the familiar Thomas & Friends mini trains.  Sakura has received one before and has been pleading for more ever since.

Inside is a the usual checklist and a green train engine.

According to the checklist, Sakura has received the train known as “Classic Duck”.  Such a peculiar name.

Despite the odd name, Sakura still loves her new train.  It will go nicely with her other one.

The trains are designed to link together for added enjoyment to the collector.

Overall, our dear little dolls are enjoying their little fine birthday toys.

And may there be many more birthdays for them to enjoy.

Be at peace my dear readers.

Read More »

Of Bjd Fashion: Pink Sweater Set with Navy Skirt and a Tutorial

This post may contain affiliate links, please check out my disclosures page for more info.  Thanks!

Our dear little Momoko had a birthday several months ago that quite dreadfully went on forgotten, until now.

Anna has designed and sewn an adorable little outfit for this joyous occasion.

It consists of a sweet pink sweater and knit top with a navy blue skirt and white bow.  The outfit it most becoming on Momoko.

Since we are in Arizona with temperature still soaring even this late in summer, Anna was thoughtful enough to make the knit top sleeveless.

And in her generosity, Anna also developed patterns and a tutorial, so others can sew this adorable outfit for their ball jointed dolls.

Sweater Set with Half Circle Skirt for Yosd Bjds Tutorial

Materials needed:

• Knee socks or some other knit for the sweater.
• Basic sewing supplies
• Thread
• Fabric for skirt
• Thin elastic
• Snaps or Velcro
• Trims of your choice.
• Tiny safety pin (optional)
• Doll
• Basic sewing knowledge (or a helpful friend who sews).

Here is the pattern for the knit top and half circle skirt.  You will also need my yosd sock sweater pattern, but that will come later.

First cut out the piece for the top from a knee sock or knit material.  You have two option for the collar piece.  You can cut using the pattern as is and fold it in half before sewing, or cut a piece along the edge of the sock.  The ribbed sock edge looks nice and you save on fabric because it only needs to be half as wide.

Anyway, start by pinned the front and back pieces at the shoulder and sew.  If sewing by hand, you will need to sew using a back stitch.  Check out this video tutorial for doll tank tops if you don’t know how to do a back stitch.

Now hem the arm openings (fold and pin along the edge before sewing them).

When hemming with a backstitch, you want to sew while facing the outside of the piece because the stitches on the underside are kind of ugly.

Now let’s get to that neckline.  Remember, if you cut the whole pattern piece for the collar instead of using the ribbing, you need to fold it in half before attaching to the shirt.

Start pinning the “collar” to the top.  I first pin at the center and both ends.

Then I finish pinning the rest of the collar.  Carefully sew while removing the pins.

Turn the collar up so it lays flat and pretty and pin in place.  Stitch along the edge (top stitching!), so it stays nice and pretty.

Now it’s time to sew up the sides of the top.  This is also a great time to try it on your doll (if you haven’t already) to make sure it fits.  Adjust as needed.

Almost done now.  Pin and hem the bottom.

Repeat on the back opening.  Then you can sew on snaps or Velcro, or whatever ever closure you like.

And now the top is ready to wear!

To make the sweater, just download the pattern from this post.  There’s a pattern for both Msd and Yosd sized sweaters along with a link to the original SD sized sock sweater tutorial.

As for the skirt, just follow the instructions in my msd sized half-circle skirt tutorial.

And now the finishing touch, the bow pin.  Just tie a simple bow from a bit of ribbon and add it to the sweater.

You can just sew it to the sweater, but if you sew on a tiny gold safety pin it suddenly become a nice removeable bow to use in other outfits.

And with that, the outfit is complete and ready to be worn by your doll.  Take tons of photos and enjoy!

End of tutorial.

(Anna, next time please arrange for the birthday doll to receive her gift at least during her birthday month!)

(Okay, but just remember that it’s difficult enough to keep track of all these dolly birthdays let alone plan gifts.  It would be easier to just give cards instead.  Is that what you want for your next birthday?)

(…On second thought, just do your best.)

Give it a try:

• Girls' Knee-High Socks 2pk - Cat & Jack™ Pink

• Singer Sewing Kit Beginner's

• VELCRO® Brand Soft & Flexible Sew-On

• Sew-On Snaps by Dritz Size 4/0 Nickel 12 pc.

• Coats & Clark Dual Polyester Thread

Read More »

Bjd Unboxing: Kids Sky Tutu Boy! and a Wig and Shoe Review

As I mentioned previously, Anna ordered a new little ball jointed doll through Alice’s Collections.  It is a yosd or 1/6 scale doll from Kids Sky.

Now, less than two months later, it has finally arrived!

Dear little Momoko has been particularly anxious and excited for this new doll’s arrival, and with good reason.

The new doll is from the same company as Momoko (see Bjd Unboxing: kids Sky Doll Review Part 1).  Therefore, it is as if she is becoming a “big sister”, at least that is how Anna phrased it.

Inside the package is the familiar pink box from Kids Sky.

However, inside the doll box we see some sort of strange plastic packaging instead of the usual soft cushion.  How very odd, Momoko arrived with a cushion, so why didn’t this doll?

In addition to the ball jointed doll, Anna ordered a fine doll wig and shoes.  And as usual, Alice’s Collections added a free cleaning sponge as a gift.

Here is the new doll’s card and the care booklet that seems to arrive with all the bjds from Kids Sky.

And at last, here is our newest ball jointed doll.  Such an adorable doll! 

Anna ordered this new doll with a default face up (it was free!), and it is beautifully done though more subtle than usual.

And thankfully, the company included pretty undergarments, just like they did for Momoko.  I feared they would neglect that detail as well.

Over all, I would say this doll is a very sweet little girl and it is a pleasure to meet her.

“Um, I’m boy.”

You’re a what?  It’s a what?

Anna you never told me about this!

I thought it would be more fun to surprise you.  I ordered the Kids Sky 1/6 scale boy ball jointed doll, Tutu.  He is super cute, and I thought it would be nice to  have a little boy for a change.

“Hi! I’m Sakura, what’s your name?  Do you have a name? You’re a boy, Cool! Why are you wearing pink underwear? Is that normal?”

Sakura! Don’t point, and never mind such things.

“Hello, my name is Momoko.  It’s a pleasure to meet you.  I’m your new sister.  And this is my friend, Yuna.”

“Sister? Yuna?…”

“…Um, it is nice to meet you…”

“Wow, you’re really pretty…”

Come now dear, it is time to meet Yuki, he will be a great role model for you (since you’re actually a boy).

“But, I want to talk to Yuna some more.”

“…So, you got mistaken for a girl too.  This is Shiro.…”

“Cool.”

And they instantly bond, it this a guy thing or just a Yuki thing?

Now it is about time you were properly clothed, so I present to you the “new doll dress”.

“You want me to wear that? I said I’m a boy. :(“

Yuki wore it too, so there should be no problems.

“Yuki?”

“…I’m afraid she’s not gonna budge on this…”

And with the “new doll dress” he is decently atired.

Misako was the last to wear the dress.  As such, it would be wonderful for her to give a few words to the new doll, yet she still persists in not speaking.

Actions speak louder than words, Hikaru.  And a pat on the head is welcome enough for a cute little bjd.

Well, speaking of heads, it is time to adorn his with his new wig.

Anna ordered him this lovely coffee colored wig sized for yosd bjds.  It’s somewhat curled style is adorably sweet, though a little more feminine than one might want for a little boy.

Hey, I think it looks great on him.  The style seems to suit him, and the color is fantastic, though it seems slightly lighter in person than in the product photos.  And why fuss about a “feminine” wig when you made him wear a dress. 

Anyway, he seems to like it, though I think I know why.

“…Um, your hair looks really cute…”

“Thanks, Yuna. :)”

Anyway, it is time to try on his new shoes.  They are a simple pair of black shoes with t-straps.  Practical and versatile.

They fit our new doll nicely.  They slip on quickly and the buckles are easy to manuever.  Anna believes the style works fine for both girls and boys.

Anyway, our new doll hasn’t been introduced to Usagi or the cat quite yet.

“Oh, how cute!  What an adorable little boy! :)”

“You can tell I’m a boy?”

“Well, of course.  Why would anyone think you’re not? :)”

“That lady, thought I was a girl!”

Hikaru, isn’t it about time to give him the present.

Oh, yes.  The children prepared a little welcoming present for our new doll, however that was before we discovered he was a boy.  I do wonder if he will accept it.

It’s a little bunny I got from a gashapon machine, and I think he will accept it.

“…Um, Anna got this and said I can give it to you…”

“…Do you like it?…”

“Yes, it’s cute.  Thank you. :)”

Well, it seems our new little boy is getting along fine with the other children.

And our bjd family has grown so much over the past few years.  Anna even had some difficulty getting everyone into this photo.

Even so, there may still be more new additions in the future.  But, we will keep you up to date on such things as always.

Until then, be at peace.

Read More »