How to Crochet a Doll Blanket - Yo-Yo Method

15 more days until Christmas! Are you ready? Well, if you are still looking for that last special gift for a person who loves dolls, I have just the thing for you!



I decided to create a Christmas blanket that is quick and easy to crochet. It uses up some of those old balls of yarn that are laying around. And, it has that perfect Christmas season touch. Don't believe me? Check out my video below!







If you are interested in seeing the free written pattern I used to create my version of a doll blanket you can check out the link here http://priscillascrochet.net/free%20patterns/X%20Afghans%20and%20Tree%20Skirts/Primitive%20Pines%20Yo-Yo%20Afghan%20&%20Christmas%20Tree%20Skirt.pdf.



Of course, Priscilla went and made a beautiful afghan and tree skirt with her motif, which I just adore. But, being I am all about crafting for dolls, I stopped with just one of her seasonal trees.



I hope you enjoy this craft and find the time to make it before the holiday. If you do have any questions, please leave a comment for me below.



Also, if you made a blanket from this pattern, I would love to see it! Please leave me a link to a post you made on your blog, or let me know if you have posted it to Twitter or Instagram. You can also upload a picture on my Facebook page. Whatever works for you!



Thanks for watching and Merry Christmas!

Golden Retriever Puppy Makes a Christmas Ornament (A Minute of Biscuit #13)

So has everyone had fun Christmas shopping this year? I kicked off my holiday shopping on Black Friday. I made a handful of purchases for gifts, but I also found some time to pick things up for myself and Biscuit! Watch the video below to see what I got!







Of course the ornament didn't turn out as well as I thought it would. I become disappointed when a craft project doesn't look like that on the box. But, it will work out for this Christmas season until I can find another ornament to replace it. However, I do like the clay for molding and free shaping other ornaments. It was not a good clay to press down with and dry though. Not like the plaster ornaments I had made in school!



So, have you ever done a craft project with your dog before? It can be for either a holiday like Christmas or a just because creative kind of day. Let me know in the comments below.



Thanks for watching and have a Merry Christmas!

A Minute of Biscuit #12 - Do You Want to Build a Snowman?

It's a snow day! Yeah!!! So, it was a great day for Biscuit and I to romp around outside. And... to build a snowman! Do you want to watch us build a snowman? I sure hope you do!







As you can see, Biscuit was getting the hang of it. Even though she is 2 years old and this is her third winter, we have never built a snowman before. This is because we never had much snow in the past two winters she has been with us. Because of all this snow, we are hoping to get some more videos of us playing in it. Maybe sledding is in the future? I know that my brother has had is snowmobile sit in the shed for the past few years. So, if he can get that running, I will try to get a minute of Biscuit of the snowmobiling we like to do in our Minnesota winters.



Thanks for watching!

Bedtime for Dolls - Nightgown Sash & Headband for 18" Dolls Crochet Pattern

I am very happy that the final segment of the "Bedtime for Dolls" crochet tutorial has now been uploaded to YouTube. We have made the nightgown and the bed socks in previous episodes. Now it is time to crochet the nightgown sash and the headband.



In case you missed it before, you can download a printable version of this pattern at the Red Heart Yarn's website by clicking this link: http://www.redheart.com/files/patterns/pdf/LW4759.pdf.







I have to say that this bedtime set is so adorable. I love how the variegated yarn was accented by the solid blue in the accessories I made. How did yours turn out? Please share a link in the comment section below as I would love to see it!



As always, you can find the completed outfit in my Etsy shop for sale if you are interested. Please visit my shop at www.etsy.com/shop/melindasclosetfinds to find this outfit and other outfits I have made.



Also, if you have any questions about this project, or if you would like to suggest a new free pattern to make a crochet tutorial on, please leave me a comment below! Thanks for watching and have a great day!

Bedtime for Dolls - Slipper Socks for 18" Dolls Crochet Pattern Tutorial

I love slipper socks! Yes, especially when you live in an old drafty farmhouse with cold, hardwood floors. Slipper socks keep my tootsies warm as well as let me slip and slide through the house, which is both fun and energizing!




This brings me to the next segment in our "Bedtime for Dolls" crochet series as we get to make those same slipper socks, or bed socks as the pattern refers to them as, for our dolls!




You will see in the below video that I chose to make my socks from light blue yarn to add a contrast to my nightgown. You can choose whatever color you like as long as it is the same weight of yarn that the pattern calls for.




If you are looking for a printable version of this pattern, you can visit the Red Heart Yarn website here: http://www.redheart.com/files/patterns/pdf/LW4759.pdf









Please stay tuned for the next segment where we make the headband and sash for the nightgown!




As always, please leave me a comment below if you have any questions about this project or suggestions for new projects you would like to see. Just make sure that the patterns are free and accessible to everyone.




Thanks for watching and have a great day!

A Minute of Biscuit #1 - Dirt Pile! What Every Golden Needs in Their Back Yard!

Have you ever had one of those days where you are trying to clean up something like a closet, cupboard, or a blog for instance? Well, I was reorganizing my blog so everyone can find things easily, especially myself :), and I realized.... I never posted the very first Minute with Biscuit segment!




I couldn't believe it! After all, this is the video that started it all. I love this video as it shows who Biscuit truly is: a down to earth, get in the dirt kind of dog. She really is rambunctious. It is like everyone says, golden retrievers are obedience stars, they just don't come with the obedience degree.




She really tries to listen as we tell her to do this and don't do that. But, she is just a dog and likes to dig and get dirty sometimes. And, it is at those times that I just have to sit back and laugh. Enjoy!

Bedtime for Dolls - Nightgown for 18" Dolls Crochet Pattern Tutorial

I have been so lucky this season! Why? Because I am living in Minnesota and the snow has still yet to fall! Yes, it is cold outside, but the snow and ice are still not on the ground yet!






Of course, due to the cold weather I have been loving staying indoors and of course, lounging around in comfy, cozy pajamas! It is darker longer for a reason, don't you think?






It was one of those dark mornings when I looked over at my dolls I have sitting in my sewing room and realized, "I don't have a pajama set for them!" So, onto the computer I went and I found one of the best free patterns from Red Heart Yarn's website called, "Bedtime for Dolls." It features a lovely nightgown with sash, a floral headband, and slipper socks. How cute is that!!!






I dove right into the project and have the first part of the tutorial done!




Watch how I make the nightgown in the videos below:

Please stay tuned in the weeks ahead as I complete each part of this adorable pattern. And, if you need a printable version of this pattern, please visit the red heart yarn website link here: http://www.redheart.com/files/patterns/pdf/LW4759.pdf






If you have any questions, please let me know in the comment section below.


Thanks for watching and have a great day!

A Minute of Biscuit #11 - Golden Retriever is Crazy Mad

This week has been super busy with the Thanksgiving holiday and then the black Friday shopping. And, we cannot forget about small business Saturday. Needless to say, I have been working and formulating ideas for my shop. However, I have come to a standstill in producing videos because we had a construction crew finally show up to reside the house.



Yes, are place is an absolute disaster for the holiday season! We were supposed to have the entire project completed earlier during the spring season. That would allow us time to landscape around the house in the summer, which would have made our house in tip top shape by the time fall came along with the holidays. But, one general contractor, one electrician, and three construction crews later, we find ourselves in deep construction stress of getting the project done before the snow flies!



Of course, that leaves Biscuit in the middle of all the confusion and chaos. And she doesn't like it one bit!



Some of you may have dogs that are afraid of loud noises and banging. Well, Biscuit does not like that and people in general that are not family members. She is more of a guard dog than the friendly, people oriented golden we were expecting to get. Just see for yourself in this video!







She has been like this everyday since the construction process started. Let's just say our whole family with Biscuit included will be very happy when this project is done!



Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

A Minute of Biscuit #10 - Golden Retriever & Laser Pointer

If you haven't noticed by now, my dog is usually scared of anything new or any change that comes her way. The trainer I took her to during the AKC STAR Puppy Program said that this was not normal for a golden retriever. I had Norwegian Elkhounds before this and they are skittish dogs but I wasn't sure how a golden was supposed to act and thought it must be normal for them, too. Because of this skittishness, the trainer and the vet both told me I need to introduce her to new places, people, and objects all the time so she gets used to the idea that change isn't necessarily bad.



I had this in mind when I went shopping over the weekend. I wasn't particularly looking for anything in the pet section of the Family Dollar store. But, when my eyes caught a laser pointer shoved in a corner bin, I grabbed it!



I have seen many pets on YouTube play with a laser pointer light. This includes dogs, cats, and even turtles. So, I decided that for a $1.00 worth of investment, this might be a good tool I can use to get Biscuit used to a new object.



The below video shows her reaction, and yes, that is the very first time she saw a laser pointer. I didn't even do anything behind the scenes first so you can get an idea of what I am talking about.







So, you can see at first she was a little curious, but then she went and hid behind the table. Biscuit always grabs her blanket and shoves it in her mouth for comfort when she is nervous, scared, or anxious. That is a habit she has, but the blanket is supposed to console her just like how a small child uses one.



I was very pleased that she did come when I called, dropped her blanket, and decided to play. And boy did she play! That was great exercise for her on this rainy November day and I also found that when she follows the light, I can lure her into certain positions like I do with treats during training. (This gives me an idea for a new video series of training Biscuit!) Of course, that would be for my other YouTube channel. :)



I hope you all have a great day!

A Minute of Biscuit #9 - A Day in the Life of a Golden Retriever

Happy Friday everyone!



It is another minute with Biscuit to end your week and begin your weekend!



This time I decided to show a couple clips from Biscuit's everyday life. She loves going for rides and she loves having visitors. So, I decided to meld those two clips from this past week into one video. I hope you enjoy it!

And the Winner Is....

The winner has been announced for the Spreading My Joy and Melinda's Closet Finds Fall Giveaway!



If you remember the prize was the 3-Piece Fall Outfit I featured in my Etsy shop this year.

And the winner is...

KARA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This outfit was one of my favorites so I hope you enjoy it as much as I do Kara!

I want to say thank you again to Allie D. for letting me partner up with her in the fall giveaway this year. Make sure to follow Allie D. at SpreadingMyJoy.BlogSpot.com as she brings giveaways and great content for all doll lovers!

Happy Halloween from Biscuit & Me!

Biscuit is all dressed up this year and so am I. We won't be going out trick or treating though, as we have kids coming to our house!



We still have fun though watching the Halloween Classic, "It's the Big Pumpkin Charlie Brown." I have the movie on DVD so we can pause and answer the door when the kids come a calling. We also watch Garfield's Halloween as I have that on my DVD, too. I never watched it when I was a kid because they never aired it on TV. And, the TV channels really hack into the videos now to post so many commercials!!!! It is very frustrating. At least we get to watch the whole episode now. :)



But, back to Halloween goodies. We usually make popcorn at my house and make popcorn balls. I don't eat the candy that we buy at the store and hand out as it isn't gluten free and Biscuit can't have chocolate. So, it all has to go!



That is when I was told about the Teal Pumpkin Project by Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE). It is a nationwide initiative to encourage people to leave non-food treats for kids who can't eat candy because of various allergies and intolerances including gluten.



Watch my video to see my special trick or treat table I came up with this year and what Biscuit is wearing for Halloween...

If you are interested in seeing the second part of this video to learn how to set up a candy bar like the one shown, I posted it to my other YouTube channel here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXmyWSGFqW0



If you want to learn more about FARE and the Teal Pumpkin Project visit their website here http://www.foodallergy.org/teal-pumpkin-project



Have a safe and happy Halloween everyone!

How to Sew Liberty Jane Clothing's Free Tank Top Pattern

I love free patterns and I found another one to share with you that I have made time and time again. It is a free pattern from Liberty Jane Clothing and can be downloaded from the Pixie Faire website. Here is the link to get your copy so you can make some doll clothes too!http://www.libertyjanepatterns.com/2010/03/free-pattern-for-american-girl-dolls-trendy-tank-top.html





This pattern is very easy to make if you are a beginner. And, if you have some other tools like I mention in my video tutorial, it can go even faster. So let's begin!

 

If you want to see the finished top on my doll you can see a picture at this link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/245068778/3-piece-autumn-outfit-american-girl-doll?ref=shop_home_active_4

 

This is the perfect top to have on hand as it goes with many different outfits and is easy to accessorize with. This fall print I made it in goes perfectly with a fall wrap or denim jacket! Make one in many colors and you will quickly expand your dolls wardrobe!

 

Please let me know if you have any questions by leaving a comment below. Thanks for watching and have a great day!

A Minute of Biscuit #8 - Farm Dog Loves Riding the John Deere Gator

It is fall and that means the leaves are falling! We have a huge grove at our place and the leaves are too thick for our grass to grow. So, we have to rake them up.



We bring out the heavy tools to get this done. Mainly a rake, snow shovel, and of course Biscuit's favorite, the John Deere Gator. We use the Gator to haul the leaves from one part of our farm to the other without having to bag them.



Just look at how excited she gets when she knows we are going to go for a ride!

We were trying to get her to jump into the pile of leaves for this segment, but she kept an eye on the Gator at all times! As soon as we turned towards it she ran and was ready to jump on the seat.



Of course, she always tries to go for the drivers seat first. I guess I will have to teach her to drive it. :) If she knew how, she would drive it every single day!



I hope you liked a minute with biscuit and if you are curious to know just what we do with all those leaves, watch my second part of the video on my other YouTube channel Missy R. https://www.youtube.com/user/meliannrobe

Thanks for watching and have a great day!

The Holidays are Just Around the Corner

I have been busy working and sewing this past week for the holidays. Yes, I know that Halloween is this weekend, but they already started playing the Christmas music in the stores and pushing the sale of holiday décor. In short, I got to thinking about upcoming sales for the holidays and needed to do something special.



I also thought that it would be a good idea to share a little more about how my packages are shipped. Here is a picture of when I wrapped a package this morning that will be shipped out this next week (I am still waiting for the shipping address, so that is why I am delayed from shipping it out today!)

 

 

All my sales are wrapped in white tissue paper and either wrapped in jute string or ribbon. I include a gift tag like the one on this package or a note card seen on the bottom of this photo at no extra charge! All you have to do is let me know who the package is for and from. I can also write a little message in the card if you wish!

 

I love making all my sales a special surprise whether it is for a birthday, holiday, special occasion, or just because. The package is also wrapped for the buyer so they can feel that extra special glee of opening a present. After all, who doesn't like opening up a gift on any day of the year?

 

I also made a video for those of you who are curious to know how I wrap and ship my packages for my Etsy store. This can be applied to other online stores as well such as Amazon, eBay, or a business website that you run and manage. No matter what you may be selling, a personal wrapped gift is always appreciated. Check out my video below!

 

 

If you have any questions, please leave them in the comment field below.

 

Remember to be creative and have fun this holiday season! Hope you have a great day!





Walking the Dog for Dolls - How to Crochet the Puppy Dog 3 Part Tutorial

Yes! The last video of the crochet series has been posted to my YouTube account! It is in three parts so make sure you watch each one to complete your dog, leash, and collar.





I think this project turned out so cute. I had a few issues completing it though as I wanted to make sure everything was just perfect for you guys that are watching and crocheting along with me. I did find some errors in the pattern by Red Heart Yarn. But, they weren't something I couldn't reread and figure out. The one thing that left me confused was how they wanted the leash to be attached to the collar. However you end up doing it is fine by me. I just slipped stitched it around the entire collar so it looks like it is attached by a ring. It turned out to be just fine.





So, let's get started. Parts 1 through 3 are listed below in order.

 

 

If you missed the pattern for the dog or any of the doll clothes we made. Here is the link http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/walking-dog-dolls. The pattern is a .pdf file so you can either view it on a tablet computer or print it off.

 

Let me know what you guys think of this tutorial and if you would be interested on me doing another one. (A shorter one next time would be great!) I don't think I want to tackle this long of a pattern again for a long while. I did it because I wanted to make this outfit and dog for myself and to sell on my Etsy store. But, it was a very tricky process for me to video tape all the stitching and create a quality video that you guys could follow along with. It was a learning process for sure!

 

Also, if you have finished this project, I would love to see it! Post it and send me a link in the comment section below or share it via one of my social media sites. I am on Pinterest, Twitter, Google+, Facebook, and Instagram.

 

Have a great week!

Etsy Shop Tip #2

So, you here about branding a lot. And branding on Etsy usually takes the form of a digital icon with a matching store banner at the minimum. But, there is an important piece of branding that many shop owners overlook. It's business cards!

Yes, I know we are running an online shop. And, many online shops typically don't feature a brick and mortar store when they are small business run by a sole owner or a partnership. Usually they are run in the studio or office of a house. But, besides spending time marketing online to your customers, you also need to think about the potential customers you run into at the grocery store, at the park, or even in church! (I personally have a thing against doing business in a place of public worship from my Christian background so I don't target people at church, but boy does the subject come up unexpectedly from someone else sitting next to me!)

Please watch my latest video on how I make my own business cards and more reasons on why if you don't have a business card, you should get one fast!

 

Spreading My Joy & Melinda's Closet Finds Partnered Giveaway!

I am so excited and honored to be a part of Allie D's Giveaway on her blog Spreading My Joy! Yes, I have partnered with her to giveaway one of my outfits from my Etsy Shop.

 

Yes, I am giving away this 3-piece outfit! The pleated denim skirt, fall print top, and brown crocheted shawl goes to one lucky winner who enters the giveaway on Allie D's blog.

Here is the link to enter the contest: http://spreadingmyjoy.blogspot.com/2015/10/another-giveaway-with.html



The contest started yesterday, October 15th, and ends on October 31st.

And, please make sure to subscribe to Spreading My Joy as Allie has put together an awesome blog!

Product Reviews: Doll Stand Sold by WishlistDollClothes4U on eBay

Have you ever set up an object in the perfect position to take a photo of it and it just topples over before you click the shutter? I have that happen to me all the time! Especially when I am trying to photograph my dolls outside in their outfits. Sometimes the wind is strong and pushes them over or I have to conduct a balancing act on uneven ground.



So, I was trying to figure out a few weeks back what I could do to stabilize my dolls better so they don't move when I take their picture. Well, somebody already invented something long before me called the "doll stand." But, I totally could have come up with that if someone else hadn't. :)



I searched and searched and searched online mostly as the brick and mortar stores here don't carry such items. I finally found one that caught my eye that is sold be WishlistDollClothes4U on eBay through their store WishlistDollClothes. I thought the price was right and finally bought one after it had been sitting on my watch list for a few months. They aren't the cheapest doll stand on the market, but they are fairly reasonably priced compared to some other items I saw.



The base is wood and the neck of the stand is metal painted in a brown color. It also has an adjustable holder for the doll to accommodate anywhere from 16" to 20" dolls. I tried out my doll stand on the Mattel American Girl Doll Samantha as she has the most stuffing of my other American Girl Dolls by Pleasant Company before the buyout. Plus, most people looking for dolls to buy are probably looking at the newer Mattel ones as they came out with more variations and historical ones for the BeForever collection.



Overall, I was happy enough with my purchase that I am going to use it in my photo shoots. You can see my overall review in the video:

Some things I would have included in this video is how the doll looked wearing a dress. I talk about it but never showed it. The dresses I make are floor length and you cannot see the stand at all when the doll has a dress on. Actually you can't really tell that the doll is leaning backwards unless you are very intent on staring at her to see what her flaws are.



I also never showed what a Pleasant Company American Girl Doll looked like using the stand. I am not actually planning on using this stand on those dolls as it was so tight on my Mattel doll that I didn't want to risk ripping the cloth body on those dolls. I don't use them in photo shoots most of the time as they are my collectibles and not apart of my business display dolls.



If you have purchased this stand please let me know what you think of it in the comments section below.



If you are interested in purchasing this doll stand, you can find the eBay listing here: http://stores.ebay.com/Wishlistdollclothes/_i.html?_nkw=doll+stand&submit=Search&_sid=229432335



I hope you all have a great day!



Walking the Dog for Dolls - How to Crochet an Ear Flap Cap for 18" Dolls

I am so, so, so, so, so, so, sorry I did not get this video uploaded sooner. I had made this about a month ago and never got it up on YouTube! I did not mean to leave you guys hanging out there wondering if we were ever going to finish the outfit. We have one last video coming up on how to crochet the dog that our doll needs to walk. I say video, but it might be more than one as that is a long tutorial with various parts. We not only make the dog but also the collar and leash. Plus, the dog is the most complicated, at least I feel, to complete in the pattern.



I really don't know why I stopped in the middle of the series in uploading these clips. I had good intentions! Trust me, I really did! I was going to upload it one night but the Internet was out. This happens all to frequently in my part of the state being in the rural American setting. I think with our lower population, we just don't seem to have the attention of the Internet providers. That and the signal has to travel longer distances. It never fails that we here on the radio that a fiber optic cable was cut in our area with all the excavation and field tiling going on in our area. That's what you get for being a farmer!



Oh, and that brings to mind another project that has taken my time these past few weeks. We got 10 baby bull calves in that have to be bottle fed twice a day! They are so cute and I have them take up way too much of my time. But, like I said, they are so cute!!!! I love seeing them romping around outside on these sunny days or quietly napping in the straw in the barn. But, I talk more about that on my more personal blog of my little homesteading project I got going on with gardening, canning, and crocheting other items. (You can check that out on my YouTube channel meliannrobe if you are interested!)



But, without further ado, here is the video on how to crochet the ear flap cap!







I promise to get the last of the series finished up and uploaded. Hopefully, in time this next weekend!

A Minute of Biscuit #6 - Dog Walking on the Treadmill or Not?

Even though it isn't officially fall, the beginning of September always makes me feel the need to prepare for the new season. School has started and I perform my fall cleaning. I reorganize, store my summer items, take out the sweaters, and of course... get the dog trained to exercise indoors instead of outdoors.



Yes, I have trained my dog to walk on a treadmill. She started using it when she was almost a year old and knows all the ins and outs of walking on it. However, she didn't seem like she was too enthused walking on it today. Check out the video below!







Biscuit seems to be able to hop off and on the thing without any problem. At least she remembered that from last year! But, I don't know how to get her to stay on the treadmill by herself to walk. I thought about using treats, but that kind of defeats the purpose of exercising in the first place don't you think? I also wouldn't want her drooling over the track and the crumbs would be a chore to clean up with the conveyor belt dropping them from front to back.



I don't want to tie her to the machine either. I have seen people do this and wonder, what if the dog has to get off. I want her to be able to comfortably walk, too. She is a large dog so her stride is just about as long as the treadmill track I have.



So far, I have come up with the routine of standing by her side making sure to block attempts of prematurely jumping off the machine after she jumps on. But, I really don't want to stand their all day either as I like to keep an eye on her but still get work done of my own. Like vacuuming! (Yes, I have a lot of dog hair to clean up with having her in the house. But, she is oh so worth it!)



Does your dog walk on the treadmill? And if so, how do you keep your pooch from jumping on and off? Please comment below!



Thanks everyone and have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend!

Walking the Dog for Dolls - How to Crochet Wristers for 18" Dolls

Well, last week sure felt like fall with the cool temps and overcast skies. Today it is definitely summer! We got up over 90 degrees on this humid, sunny day. So, it is ironic that we are making a really warm garment for our 18" dolls this week, wristers! (You can also call them wrist warmers, fingerless gloves, whatever you want!) I think that the cold will soon set in again and this is a very quick project to get done so you can still go out and enjoy the beautiful summer weather while it lasts! Check out the video below.







If you missed out on the first part of my series you may find the first part of the jacket by following this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94vF6CnLBcg

Also, if you are looking for the free pattern, you can find it at the Red Heart Yarn website by following this link: http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/walking-dog-dolls



Looking at this week's forecast, I guess we will be having summer weather all week long! School starts for the kids in my area tomorrow. It is a shame they can't enjoy more of this weather as last week was more of the time when kids could spend time inside without getting that antsy feeling.



I sure hope you all enjoy this series as much as I did making it! I know we are going to have a cute outfit for our dolls when it is done. I also can't wait to make my favorite part of the pattern, the cute little dog for our doll to walk!



Please let me know your thoughts of this pattern in the comments down below and if you want me to continue making doll clothes how-to series on YouTube.



Also, make sure to subscribe for updates and check out my other social media accounts! Of course, don't forget to check out my Etsy store where I sell all clothing and accessories for our darling American Girl Dolls and other related 18" soft-bodied dolls!

A Minute of Biscuit #5 - Happy National Dog Day!

If you didn't know it, today was National Dog Day! I found out late this afternoon through someone else's Instagram post. :( So, I made up for time quickly by playing with my dog all afternoon and taking pictures! :)



We also played Biscuit's favorite game of fetch with her toy balls. She wanted to play with a stick, too. But, we were able to get quite the game in before the sun went down! Here is the video so you can see for yourself.







I absolutely love my dog and enjoy spending time with her, but sometimes running a business, even working from home! If any of you have dogs, maybe you have the same issues where you forget about your furry friends once in awhile. That is why I was glad that they set up a holiday just for my favorite furry one in my life. It really made me appreciate her even more for lifting up my frown into a smile each morning.



Hope you all had a great day!

Walking the Dog for Dolls - Fall Outfit for 18" Dolls Crochet Pattern Tu...

The birds are congregating together, the trees are starting to turn color, and the air is cool and crisp. That means fall is upon us and it is time to start pulling out those warmer clothes and blankets!



Of course, we cannot forget about the little 18" people in our life either. They need to dress for the season too. That is why I created this tutorial on how to make a fall outfit for your American Girl (or similar style) doll to wear when she goes out to walk her dog.



The pattern is free for downloading at Red Heart Yarn's website. You can find a link to the pattern here http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/walking-dog-dolls. Download the file as a .pdf and you can either view it on your computer screen, tablet, or print it off as a hard copy.



I am making a YouTube video series on how to crochet this pattern in steps. The first week we cover how to crochet the jacket. I made mine using different colors, but I followed the pattern as it was written. (Adding a few of my personal touches such as the two-tone sleeves) :) You can view Part 1 of the Jacket below.







The above video allows you to create the basic structure of the coat along with the collar. Part 2, which you can view below, finishes off the jacket.

Next week, I will show you how to make the wristers. And, we will get to the boots, cap, and of course the cute little puppy later on in September. I am so excited to share this pattern with you and I hope you are able to follow along and make this wonderful outfit for your doll before the snow flies!

My Etsy Store Vlog #3 - Getting Ready for Fall by Crocheting Instead of ...

I don't know what the weather is like where your at, but here it is dreary, wet, and cold. The summer weather we had last week quickly turned into fall! I took the time to wrap myself up in a blanket in my favorite chair with a cup of hot cocoa and dug through my yarn stash. Crocheting is just as enjoyable to me as it is to sew. I love designing my own patterns! And, that is exactly what I did this week.







I hope all of you are having a good time selling things on your Etsy shop! I have had to rethink how I take my pictures, as I do them outside. My house is too dark to take good pictures indoors. So, I am seriously thinking about making a lightbox as I won't be taking pictures outside as soon as the snow flies!



I hope you all have a fabulous week!

My Etsy Items Won't Sell!

So, I am down in the dumps today. It is raining for one thing. That never helps. And, I haven't been able to make a sale on Etsy yet. This week Wednesday, my store turns exactly one month old. Of course, I tried Googling why I can't sell anything and you know what the first thing is that pops up in the search list, "Top 10 Etsy Stores," "The Best Etsy Stores based in the United States," and "Etsy Stores You Must See to Believe!" I was almost waiting for a listing to come up saying, "It is so easy to sell on Etsy a Caveman can do it." (Remember those commercials?) Anyway, that just made me and my dolls blue...

Well, at least American Girl dolls always have a smile on their face!

Searching a little deeper I did find out there are other Etsy sellers like me who don't see sales $$ right away either. It is more or less a patience game. I read where one successful Etsy seller didn't see her first sale until she was open for 3 months. The thing is, I can't wait that long. Mostly because of my financial condition and a family and group of friends who think I am absolutely crazy and out of my mind that a person can make money through the Internet instead of attending a 9am-5pm office job like everyone else. 

I found through it all that I needed support more than anything. But, support is harder to come by than what you think. Yes, I joined various Etsy teams, but no one has responded to my inquiries for help. I noticed older posts than mine also did not receive any replies. This is disheartening as what is the purpose of joining a team? I did find some webinars to sign up for, but it really isn't the same.

I did find one thing I own that has given me all the support I can muster. My bracelet...

It's a little hard to read in this picture, but it says, "Be Brave & Keep Going." So many times in my life I have looked at this bracelet and stopped to meditate on those words. I think of all the little kid shows I watched where sayings of, "No pain, no gain" or "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger" help lift me up and keep me on the road to my goal. But, my strongest asset is praying and meditating on God's Holy Word through reading the Bible. Much inspiration comes from there by seeing all the trials people and prophets have faced.

Lastly, I did come to articles that helped me fine-tune my business plan, learn from other Etsy sellers' mistakes, and showed me resources I had overlooked for marketing. It is all a learning process and I have learned a lot so far! I will do my best to keep you updated of what I am going through so if you run across my blog and are feeling the same as me, you know that someone before you has been there and done that. Hopefully, you can find peace and tips & tricks to keep you going on your journey of becoming an entrepreneur, too!

A Minute of Biscuit #3 - Brushing a Golden Retriever's Teeth

Another week has come and gone so I like to share with you another clip of Biscuit to brighten your day! Right now, I need some brightening up as it is stormy outside with rain pouring down. Dreary days call for a dreary outlook on life sometimes.





I embedded this video below, which this week is a clip of my brushing Biscuit's teeth.









Now I know what some of you are thinking, "You actually brush your dogs teeth?!" Like that is the grossest thing in the world. Well, maybe your right, but what I think is more disgusting is bad dog breath. LOL. You see Biscuit is like any other golden retriever, she is a licker. And, I hated to think just where that tongue of hers has been. I thought, if brushing my teeth helps get rid of bad breath and germs, then brushing my dogs teeth would do the same!





It really isn't that hard to brush dog's teeth either. They really do most of the work for you by making the biting and licking motions seen in the video. The toothpaste I use is K9 toothpaste. It is not human toothpaste. Dog toothpaste is formulated to work better in your dogs mouth and not make them sick. I started brushing Biscuit's teeth when she was 6 months old and got her into a regular routine of having it done. She actually doesn't feel ready for bed until she has gotten her teeth brushed!



If you have an older dog that you want to get on a teeth brushing routine, they may object at first. You should first put some toothpaste on your finger and get them used to the taste of the paste. Then, you can work up to an actual toothbrush. When we are camping, I use dog tooth wipes (also in her favorite mint flavor). The wipes feel and look like baby wipes in my opinion. They don't do the best job of brushing my dogs teeth, but she doesn't object to those either. And, it is an easy way to pack with the wipes when going on a trip than to remember to pack with her toothbrush! I have a hard time remembering my toothbrush on a trip let alone someone else's! LOL.





I do encourage you to give it a try, though. Believe me your visitors, family, and even your dog will thank you for it in the end.

A Minute of Biscuit #2 - Golden Retriever vs. Kooky Bird

Yeah! Another minute of Biscuit has been uploaded! Well, this clip is more than a minute, but I am sure you will enjoy it. Please view the video below.







So, yes the Kooky Bird was scary. But, I did decide to put it away in storage rather than out in the trash for now. Who knows? It may actually be worth something being it is considered an antique from its age. And, I do have the original box. I think I heard it on Antique's Roadshow or something to that affect that having the original box of a toy makes all the difference in the value of the item. Well, I may just be on Antique's Roadshow one day with that Kooky Bird! (Yes, I will keep dreaming...)

My Etsy Store Vlog #2 - Things Are Looking Brighter!

My Etsy Store Vlog #1 - Monday, Monday... Can't Trust that Day

My first week of running an Etsy store didn't turn out as great as I thought. I have backorder issues on getting materials, too much stuff cluttered in corners, and I feel totally overwhelmed! Well okay, it could be worse. And, I have to start out somewhere, right?







I have literally been waking up in the middle of the night and jotting down ideas on a notepad I keep near my bed. So, if I come to a day where I feel that my imagination is dried up, I can resort to my notes to jumpstart my inspiration process again. As you can see, with the materials I have on hand, I should be able to make something worthwhile. :)



I do hope you check out my Etsy Store and see the hard work I put into it. I would also love to hear about your Etsy experiences, too. So, don't forget to drop me a line and comment below!

Etsy Store Tip #1 - How I Organize My Doll Clothes Patterns

Welcome

Welcome to my blog! I just started an 18" Doll Clothes Boutique on Etsy July 19, 2015. I am super excited to begin a store to sell my most precious doll clothes. I share tips & techniques I incorporate in my business as well as my latest doll clothes I have made to stock my store. So, please stop by often!