I have really been in the mood to sew lately, but I just have not had time! Between getting all three of my kids to their afterschool sports (yes, I have three kids – my oldest is a 15 year old boy, then my 13 & 9 year old girls), working on Doll Diaries and my other websites, and doing all the other things we Moms have to do, sewing just had to wait. I declared today Pajama day in our house and decided that everyone could sleep in as long as they wanted and we were not going anywhere – it was all part of my plot to make sure I could find time to sew today.

This afternoon I flipped through the patterns I had received from Liberty Jane Patterns and narrowed it down to two patterns – the Bubble Skirt and the Square Chair. I wanted to make the Bubble Skirt, but I need some stretchy fabric for the waistband and I didn’t feel like hunting down one of the girl’s camis that has seen better days to cut up, so I figured the Square Chair would be a fun alternative.

I picked out two coordinating fabrics from a set of “fat quarters” we had on hand and cut out the patterns. The instructions were clear and easy to follow and it wasn’t long before the doll’s new chair started to take shape! My daughter helped out by stuffing the chair’s base while I worked on the arm rest and then stuffed the arm rest while I hand stitched the base opening closed and tufted the cushion.

The chair turned out so cute!  What do you think?

Nicki was the first one of the dolls who got to test it out and she approves.

Here is another view but without the doll. I used two wooden buttons I found in my sewing box from years ago to create the tufted pillow look. I think the buttons were from my Grandmother’s sewing notions that I inherited somewhere along the way.

And here is the chair from one more angle. I really love how it turned out and would recommend this pattern to anyone who wants a quick project that is not too complicated.

Let’s file this one under things that other doll lines have that American Girl does not! We were walking through Target the other day and just had to visit the doll section (because we always do) when this adorable laundry set for 18″ dolls caught my eye.

Seriously, how cute is that?? The set includes Includes a washer, a dryer, a laundry shelf, clothes rack, ironing board, iron, 2 plastic bins, measuring cup, spray bottle, 6 hangers, 2 dirty laundry bins, 1 big basket, 2 small towels, 2 big towels, laundry detergent box, box of dryer sheets. It sells for $50. This would be such a fun piece if you were setting up an American Girl doll house or large play area for the dolls.

The photo above is from the Target web site but shows the whole set in better detail than my iPhone picture of the front of the box. Obviously it is all plastic and quite pink, but the set is so cute. I am seriously considering getting this set if it happens to go on sale any time soon.

Now if I could only teach Julie, Chrissa, Marisol and the rest of the dolls to do laundry for me! That would be awesome.

UPDATED! Congratulations to our winner – Marysa!

It is time for a giveaway!! Don’t you think your dolls need a new bed? Leigh at American Made Girl Doll Beds is sponsoring a giveaway for an adorable Cool Hearts Canopy Bed for dolls. Whether you need a bed for Bitty Baby, your American Girl Doll or any doll up to 22″ tall, this bed is just too cute!

WHAT WE ARE GIVING AWAY

The prize is one (1) Cool Hearts Canopy Bed for Dolls ($78.50 value) that features:

• A white-painted wooden, canopy bed with a pretty canopy cover that fits 18″ and 22″ dolls.
• A super soft mattress and bed pillow for a great night’s sleep.
• Beautiful handmade reversible coverlet.
• Pretty pastel hearts adorn the headboard!
• Wide enough to fit two dolls side by side!

HOW TO ENTER:

• Visit the American Made Girl Doll Bed site and take a look at the rest of the Cool Hearts Bed photos then leave us a comment on this post telling us what you like best about the Cool Hearts Canopy Doll Bed or who would be the lucky doll to get this bed if you won.
• Get a bonus entry if you let your friends online know about our giveaway – whether it is by posting about it on your own blog, posting the giveaway on a forum, giving a shout out on Twitter (we are @DollDiaries), become a fan of DollDiaries on Facebook or your favorite social media site – help us spread the word about the My Twinn doll giveaway. Come back and leave a second comment telling us where you shared it.

RULES:

• Leave your comment(s) no later than midnight October 25, 2010.
• You must use your real name and email address in the comment form below (but don’t put your email address in the comment itself). If you don’t we can’t contact in the event that you win.
• If you are under 14, you need to get a parent’s permission to enter.
• We will be using Random.org to select one (1) winner.

So, its Saturday and you just don’t know what you might want to do today. Why not get crafty and make something new and fun for your dolls? Check out these cute patterns I found:

From the DIY Network show Creative Juice, you can make a bed for your doll very easily using an old breakfast tray. Get the directions for making your own recycled doll bed.

Don’t leave out Barbie! You can make a sofa for Barbie and her pals out of a tissue box. paper towel roll and some fun fabric. Get creative and make it fit your American Girl dolls, too. Get the directions for the Barbie sofa craft.

Got some knitting skills? Check out this super cute doll halter top and shrug that you can knit easily. The pattern is free and can be found at Soulful Hues Hobbies.

For even more doll craft ideas, check out:

• The Doll Diaries Doll Craft archive
• Emily Rose Doll Clothes has plenty of craft ideas, too.
• There are tons of doll craft how to videos on YouTube
• Or check out one of the following craft books next time you go to the library or your local bookstore (or click on the images for where to get online):

Sew the Contemporary Wardrobe for 18-Inch Dolls: Complete Instructions and Full-Size Patterns for 35 Clothing and Accessory Items The Doll’s Dressmaker: The Complete Pattern Book Kwik Sew Doll Clothing for 18"" Dolls Pattern Kwik Sew 18” Doll Clothes & Beanbag Chair Pattern Craft Sale: Earn Money Making and SElling Fun and Easy Crafts Ginger’s Spice of Life Crafts: Easy Crafts to Make and Share Funky Felt Crafts Button Crafts Doll Crafts: Make Your Doll Accessories to Fill Her World! Earth Smart Crafts: Transform Toss-away Items into Fun Accessories, Gifts, Room Decor & More! Flower Loom Crafts American Girl Crafts Fun Frame-A-Name

And as always, if you make something cool and creative for your dolls, snap a picture of it and send it to share@dolldiaries.com and we may feature it on the site!

I meant to post this earlier in the week, but My Twinn is having a sale on some of their doll furniture until July 16, 2010. Select doll furniture is 20% off - including the Doll’s Contemporary Chair and Ottoman (above), Contemporary Nightstand, Contemporary Table and Chairs, Classic Chair, Classic Table and Chairs, Classic Vanity, My Twinn Doll Rocking Chair, and the Butterfly Canopy set for Girls. No code necessary.

One of our readers, BonggaMom, and her girls sent in a photo of their dolls hanging out by the doll bunkbed their super cool Dad made.