New Photostories Coming Soon!

Hi, everyone!  Just letting you know, I have a new series of photostories coming up - all based on Natalie's birthday.  I am doing some photo shoots this weekend that I am really excited about.  I will be posting the photostories over the next couple weeks.
Here are my plans:
#1 Getting Ready for the Party
#2 Natalie's Birthday Party
#3 The Slumber Party

I have a couple other ideas, too, but I'll keep those a secret for now ;)

Happy Birthday Natalie!

Today is my doll, Natalie's, birthday!  I have had her 5 years today!  (I will post a photostory of her party eventually.)

Happy Birthday, Natalie!

The Food is Painted!

I had a great time a few days ago painting the now-dried clay food items!  (See Clay Project to see how they used to look.)  Unfortunately the butter dish and one set of peas did not survive... the butter dish got stuck to the plate while it was drying and ripped when I tried to get it off : ( I am going to make a new one this weekend when I finish some of the other sandwhich-makings.  As for the peas, they kind of fell apart as I was painting them.  Oh well.
Anyway, here is what is done so far!

Pizza

Cinnamon rolls, crescent rolls, donuts, pancakes

Peas, corn on the cob, eggs sunny side up

Dice (not for eating, of course), lemon, orange, pear

Stick of butter, strawberry, eggs

Reviews

Some commenters have asked if I could do some reviews on a couple of AG products, particularly the Crinoline and Chemise.  The other products I am going to reivew are Rebecca's Robe and Slippers and Rebecca's Phonograph.  If there is anything else you would like to know about something, just tell me!
To see my reviews at the AG site, click here (though I have not done one in a LONG time) http://reviews.americangirl.com/4337/29770529/profile.htm

Crinoline and Chemise

The colors in this set are great.  I really like the pale pink.  The chemise is really easy to put onto the doll and fits well.  The neckline is not too low, and not so high that it will show badly under dresses.  The crinoline is easy to put on if you make sure it's not inside-out.  Really, the only challenge is putting the dress on over the hoops!  It is doable, though.  I usually do not put the dresses on over the dolls' heads, but I let them step into them.  If you put the dress on over the doll's head, it works better since it does not have to fit over the hoops.  With a little extra care, you can go feet first into the dress and work it over the crinoline.  The crinoline makes a nice touch to an outfit.  It is not too full, but full enough that you can tell that there is a hoopskirt!  It works well with Felicity and Elizabeth's dresses.  I would recommend this. 

Phonograph

This is much bigger than I thought it would be!  (That is not a bad thing.)  The colors go well with Rebecca's couch.  The base is plastic, but it kind of feels and looks like wood.  The songs on the records are "Maple Leaf Rag", "Take Me Out To the Ballgame", and "You're a Grand Old Flag".  These song choices (though not to my particular tastes) are period pieces.  I keep "Maple Leaf Rag" on my phonograph, since I like it best.  The record holder/book looks nice.  The records are easy to get in and out of the sleeves and stay in well.  The sound quality is good, and it sounds like a record player, but there is only one volume.  For me, this is more of a display piece, and I really like it!  It really completes the antique look for a doll house.

Robe and Slippers

I really love this set!  The color is so beautiful.  The fabric is soft/silky.  I love how the buttons fit into the flower things.  The sash is long enough to tie, which is a plus.  It also has a cute little pocket.  It fits well, not too baggy and can fit comfortably over clothes.  The slippers seem a little stiff to be slippers, though.  Overall, this is really beautiful and I would buy it again or recommend it to anyone who has an American Girl Doll.

Clay Project

I bought some modeling clay at Hobby Lobby on Saturday, and I can't wait to show you what I made!  My mom and even my brothers joined in.  I made all kinds of doll food!  As soon as everything is dry, we are going to paint them.

Butter, a butter dish, lemon, strawberry, eggs, pear, dice, pizza, and an orange

Pancakes, eggs (sunny side up), peas, bacon, cinnamon rolls, donuts, and crescent dinner rolls

Lasagna, tomato pieces, bread pieces, and corn on the cob

I am still lacking 2 strawberries and some sandwhich makings (cheese, another bread slice, and lettuce), but hopefully those can be made this weekend : )

Kitchen Craft

I really love my new Kit's Holiday Baking Set!  I decided to make more boxes like the flour and sugar ones that came with it.  I made a powdered sugar, a cake mix, and a hot chocolate box.  Also, some more recipe cards (I googled recipes for doll food I have) and a recipe card holder.

Short Story

Okay, so a couple weeks ago I had an idea for a short story.  I wrote the beginning, but have not really decided where it is going.  This is what I have so far.  Tell me what you think and send me your ideas for what comes next!

Rearranging

I let my little brother redesign my doll house.  He is so proud of it!  He wanted me to show you what a great job he did :) What do you think? 

AG Atlanta Trip

My dad went to Atlanta over the weekend and guess what... HE WENT TO THE BOUTIQUE AND BISTRO!  He called me and here is what I bought:

 

Kit's Holiday Baking Set, Kit's School Supplies, Rebecca's Robe & Slippers, and the Party Treat Set (you can only get this at the stores).  Daddy's present to me was Rebecca's Phonograph.

I asked him to take a picture of the piano, because I love it SO much :)  He also saw Cecile and Marie-Grace

Me as a DOLL!

 For my profile picture, I decided to put a picture of what I would look like as an AG Doll!  So This is a before and after.  The one on the right is the original doll, and then the one on the left is me.  I changed the eye and shirt color on my computer. 

Just like the Banquet Table... but not :)

I really like Cecile and Marie-Grace's Banquet Table, but since it was so expensive, I thought I would make my own!  I put two doll-sized tables together with a canopy I made for Lissie's bed for the tablecloth.  For the food, I just used what I had.  I think it turned out nice :) I will have to use it in a photostory soon...

My Order Came In!

My AG order came in!  I always order the new mini doll at the first of the month, and this time I also ordered Cecile and Marie-Grace's Crinoline and Chemise set!

Here are the newest 25th Anniversary minis: Julie and Rebecca.

Rebecca is trying on the Crinoline and Chemise.

This is what it looks like under a dress.

This is the view from the side.

I love my purchases so much!  Especially the crinoline : )



Penelope's Tea Room - An AG Photostory

Felicity and Rebecca put on their prettiest summer dresses to go to Penelope's Tea Room, a new restaurant in town.  They went to the front desk to be seated.

"Hello," said the waitress.  "My name is Natalie.  Welcome to Penelope's Tea Room!"

Natalie showed Rebecca and Felicity to their table.

They sat down and took a look at their menus.

Everything sounded so yummy!  Milkshakes, cider, sherbet, pastries, and cheesecake... how could they decide?

Rebecca ordered first.  "I think I will have a strawberry milkshake and the cherry pie with ice cream."

"I would like some flummery and cranberry tarts," said Felicity.

Natalie wrote their orders down.  "Coming right up."

Back in the kitchen, Natalie got everything ready.

She brought it out to the table.

"Here you go," she said, passing out the food and taking their menus.

"The pie is great!" said Rebecca.  "Cherries are my favorite."

"Mine is good, too," said Felicity, taking a sip of flummery.

To end their meal, they each had some tea - peach, the house specialty.

"Here is your check," said Natalie.

Rebecca payed with her credit card.  It was worth every penny!  They would have to come back again.