mini American Girl doll short tank crochet pattern

 

Created by paperdollmom, Copyright 2014

 

Materials needed: size 10 crochet thread and a siz 2 hook

 

- Chain 41, DC in the third chain from the hook and across, Ch 2 and turn

 

- DC across each of the 39 stitches, Ch 2, turn (repeat this step again, bringing it to a total of 3 full rows of DC)

 

- DC in the first 7 sts, Ch 5, skip the next 5 sts, DC in the next 24 sts, CH 5, skip the next 5 sts, DC in the last 7 sts, Ch 2, turn

 

- DC in the first 2 sts, combine the next two sts, continue to DC across while combining 2 sts over each armhole and combing 2 sts (twice) in the middle of the row; also combine 2 sts when there is 4 sts left, and DC in the remaining 2 sts. This means you will be combining 2 sts for a total of 6 times throughout this row.

 

- repeat the previous step, though using SC rather than DC

 

- finish off

 

-cut a longer piece of crochet thread and just lace the back closed, similar to tying a shoe (after you put the shirt on your doll)

 

* The skirt is also easily sewed, and can be adapted to any length. I simply cut a small strip of stretchy fabric that does not need to be hemmed because it does not fray, and stitched 4 pleats across the front. I did not pleat the entire skirt because I simply stitched the entire back of the skirt closed. If pleated all the way across, the sewing would prevent the fabric from stretching (which is needed to put it onto your doll without Velcro or snaps). For an easy tutorial that helps to explain how I sewed this skirt, please check out this lovely YouTube video created by Disney Ever After that opened my eyes up to how simple it is to sew doll clothes. 

The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans

The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I finished the first story in the trilogy, which is really quite short (around 85 pages). This was a reread for me, and I remembered most of this story, which I still love just as much as the first time I read it. It is a lovely Christmas tale that reminds readers what is important around Christmastime (or any time)- your family. A father of a budding family is reminded to spend more time with his young child through a new friendship that will impact his life forever. I can't really say too much more about it, as it is short, and I don't want to give spoilers. But it is a very heart touching story that will have you tearing up in a few parts. It is very nicely written; a tale I will reread many more times!

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American Girl mini dolls on sale

If anyone is interested, Marie-Grace Mini Doll, Caroline Mini Doll, and Cécile Mini Doll is on sale for only $10 each at the American Girl online store.

Meet Molly: An American Girl

Meet Molly: An American Girl by Valerie Tripp
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have been trying to get into several American Girl books, as we have quite the collection. I started a few that just didn't grab my attention, but Meet Molly pulled me in from the first paragraph. I really loved this book, it reminded me so much of the Ramona books that I use to read as a kid. She is mischievous, getting into trouble with her brother, and has a silly fun personality that is revealed to the readers through her actions and thoughts. This particular book takes place during WWII, and during the Halloween season. Basically her and her friends are trying to decide how to dress up for Halloween, angering her brother in the process by teasing him about a girl he likes. He declares he will get even, and even he does! His revenge involved a lot of freezing cold water and soggy Halloween treats. The revenge planning doesn't end there, for Molly that is. Now she needs to get even with her brother, which involves a lot of her brother's socks and underwear, and a whole lot of embarrassment! It is a really short cute book that had me chuckling in a few spots. The illustrations within the book are detailed and very nicely done. There is also of course mention of the war and a section at the back of the book that explains into more detail what it would have been like to live during Molly's time. It is very informative without getting too dry, which is spot on for kids. I really enjoyed this book and will be continuing on in the series of Molly books.
My only complaint about this book, and really any of the American Girl books, is how heavy each book is. The books are printed with extremely nice quality, but the pages being so much more thicker than usual, it makes for a heavier book. In my opinion they are each too heavy for a small chapter book for children, especially if you have a small stack that includes entire set of one American Girl. Every time I stack up the American Girl books in our house to move somewhere else, I am always in shock of their weight for such small stories. Seems wasteful, and possibly unpractical for what they are.

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Saige

I have been so much enjoying the American Girl movies and books lately, I couldn't resist buying a doll for myself, although I only caved in on a mini doll. I found this Saige set at Sam's Club for $22.99. It included the Saige mini doll, which is adorable (especially the boots!), and two Saige books (Saige and Saige Paints the Sky). I don't know a lot about this girl, but I did end up snatching up the movie while I was at Toys R Us today, so I plan to give it a watch sometime soon. I am wanting to try crocheting some clothes for Saige using crochet thread, soon I hope. I am really busy this week though, as both of my daughters auditioned for a play on Monday, and both walked out with a part! My oldest daughter will be a beach bum in Blackbeard the Pirate, and my youngest daughter will be a sailor. They are both super excited and having a blast this week. I've been taking them to practices (pretty intense practices considering the play is performed on Friday), so after that and running errands every day so far, I am exhausted when I get home. But for now, I will just admire my new pretty doll!  

American Girl movies

I recently stumbled upon a collection of 4 American Girls movies at Walmart for only $9.99. The set included Kit Kittredge, Samantha, Molly, and Felicity. I also purchased the newest American Girls movie Isabelle, and with a coupon on the DVD, I got the McKenna movie for only $2.50. If you have any little girls that love anything and everything American Girls, you know why these movies are a must! Most of the movies were new to us, and we've been watching a new American Girl movie almost every night lately. I am a sucker for historical fiction type of movies like the 4 pack, especially when they are suited for kids to enjoy. I love watching how being exposed to these stories literally opens up a new world for my girls...well, historical worlds that brings a whole new understanding and appreciation for the things in our world now. While I can't wrap my mind around dolls that are so costly, no matter how well they are made (even though my daughters each own one), I applaud their efforts in teaching young girls about our history through young girls their own age that they can relate to, through books and DVDs. History is a hard concept to grasp sometimes, it is nice to see a company dedicated in trying to share the stories of many who have lived so long ago with our young ones today. Love it!

sunday reads #6: Christmas Tales

This week I have had Richard Paul Evans The Christmas Box trilogy sweeping through my mind. My husband gave me a  nice paperback copy of all three books in one on our very first Christmas together, almost 13 years ago. I then went on to pondering a lot about this book, as this is a book that comes to my mind a lot, and I've noticed it always seems to during the summer. So I was asking myself, why is that?
I realized that I love Christmas stories. I am drawn to Christmas stories (I've even manage to acquire a lot of random childrens Christmas chapter books). There is just something about Christmas tales that attract me. I've noticed a lot of avid readers go through a phase each year where they desire to read middle grade books. Apparently I have discovered for me, it is Christmas tales. Of course I love them at Christmastime. For many years I even created my own tradition of writing a new Christmas short story to pass out to family and friends for Christmas. But, I also always seem to crave some sort of a Christmas tale around this time of the year. And as Richard Paul Evans' trilogy is a special book to me and always available on my shelf, that is the book that is pulled down to fill that need (and the book I always shove into my purse when we evacuate for a hurricane). I admit that I have read The Christmas Box many times, but I have yet to reread the entire trilogy as a whole. I am sort of in the mood to do that right now. (I always get so ambitious when it comes to reading books, but so many books grab for my attention all at once). There is just something magical about Christmastime, and how the focus of tales revolve around the good nature of people and tending to those around us. It is just one of those moments every year that leaves me thinking....anything could happen. It is a time when adults and children connect and break through that age barrier and when the lines of reality and imagination are blurred. I think for me in general, Christmas isn't necessarily anything religious, but more spiritual in how it is a reminder that realities can be more than what we think, and simply that people matter. I think that tends to be a message that I love hearing and being reminded of, that tends to be fulfilled through movies and magical tales in books. So, I am thinking I will be enjoying some nice hot chocolate today while I dig into The Christmas Box, and maybe work on a jigsaw puzzle with my daughters.