Friday, March 31, 2017

1989 Pleasant Company doll catalogue


I have this catalogue.
My aunt, Pat Brutke, sent it to me years ago as she thought I'd love the dolls. I did; I fell in love with
Samantha Parkington and loved her and her clothes. However at the time she and the 3 other dolls were $80 US each and I couldn't afford it. 
Pleasant Company was owned by Rowland Pleasant, and she had an idea to produce a series of historical dolls with a book collection telling their stories.
I love this original idea. She sold the company to Mattel and since then it really took off with many dolls being produced, but then recently the historical dolls began to be retired. I think Samantha was the first to go, but fortunately I bought her in 2006. My dream finally came true.
Anyhow, the catalogue is now worth this price, which is around $91 Cdn! Maybe I should sell it. What do you think?

By Loretta Houben



Thursday, March 16, 2017

Miniature kitchen sink for mini dolls.


I found the above image on Pinterest.
Most of the images don't take you to any links, except ones that sometimes get me in trouble because they are rigged. So I don't know who created it.
But I'm putting it here on my blog in order to try to make a similar version of it out of foam board, for my mini dolls.


Then I found the above on FB and it's on a really neat BLOG.
Please click the link to discover how to create a farmhouse sink out of polymer clay.
This also really intrigues me.

By Loretta Houben

Friday, March 10, 2017

Mattel doll line in 2017.


Mattel produces the American Girl line.
Apparently they are in deep trouble.
Here is a new group of dolls coming out in 2017.
I purchased Tenney already; I couldn't help myself.
She is beautiful in person.
I'm very tempted to purchase the Hawaiian doll on the left.
Even though I did purchase one of my own choosing when I visited Honolulu in Dec 2014!
To read about why Mattel is in such financial trouble, please CLICK HERE.
It's a newsletter by Lee and Pearl, an 18" doll company pattern duo. It's very interesting. And quite sad.

By Loretta Houben

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Making candy for the doll's coffee shop!


It's March, and time for the wearing of the green!
I quickly set up Grace's bistro set, and added 2 small green cups from Dollarama, and 2 coffee cups which I also found there! The little donuts are from the Newberry coffee shop.
The little hats are also from Dollarama. The elastic needs to be shortened.


I got ambitious and I made some dolly candy.
This is my first attempt!
Someone had used Valentine beads recently online, so I tried shamrock beads. They come in a large pack.
The sticks are candy sticks from Michaels which I cut in half for the correct length. Then I put them in a row of 8 on a piece of sticky tape, and carefully layered a 2nd piece on top. Fortunately it worked out well the first try!
I even added a piece of the cardboard from the bead bag.


I think they turned out great!

By Loretta Houben

Monday, March 6, 2017

Crafting fun!


Crafting doll items is just as fun as collecting doll items!
American Girl Ideas is a great place to visit.
Recently Rudy posted a darling craft to make; a Build a Bear box in 18" doll size with a certificate.
I couldn't resist and printed it off immediately and made it today. 
I had the perfect little bear too, the one I gave hubby with his chocolate rose for Valentine's. He in turn said to use it for the dolls. So here it is!
Now to name him....maybe Charlie.

By Loretta Houben