Dolls on a Dime
  • Home
  • Meet the Dolls
  • Photo Gallery
    • Mini Dolls
    • Seasonal/ Holidays
    • Transformations and Rescues

Boy Week: 18 inch Boy Doll Options

8/26/2014

2 Comments

 
     I personally believe that all children can benefit from doll play, regardless of gender. I also feel that children need to explore male characters in a wider context than is currently offered by most common toy options. While female dolls represent a wide range of ages, characters, and roles, male dolls tend to be depicted as adults (fashion dolls and action figures) or babies/toddlers (baby dolls). American Girl includes some great, multi-faceted male characters in their historical books, so I am disappointed that none of them have been depicted as dolls. 
     Most major retailers offer limited options, but there are some nice boy dolls available online. Here are a few of the ones that stood out to me. I have not purchased products from any of these retailers, so my comments are just general impressions rather than reviews. 
Harmony Club Dolls
Picture
Retail: $78
My Sibling/ My Pal Dolls
Picture
Retail: $47.99-$59.99
Sew Dolling Rowdie Boys
Picture
Retail: $99 (Sale $89)
  • Harmony Club Dolls: To me, these are one of the most attractive boy doll options for under $100. Their faces are young and sweet without being too babyish. They have beautiful fixed eyes and wigged hair. The current options are both light-skinned with with either brown hair and eyes or blue hair and eyes, but I have seen slight variations in the wigs and skin tones. Check back often to see what's available. Harmony Club has a bigger selection of girl dolls, but they all still have the same skin color. They retail for $78 dollars but are often on sale. You can also sometimes buy display models for a reduced price.  Harmony Club also offers some great contemporary clothes for boy and girl dolls, which are well-priced and look stylish and durable. 
  • My Sibling Dolls: These dolls are an excellent value, and I especially like that they come in so many different skin tones and hair styles. They all have rooted hair, but I'm not sure if their eyes can open and close or not. This line actually has more boy dolls than females. Most doll lines focus on girls and maybe throw in one or two boys, but this company focuses on Autism awareness, and the creator felt that she needed to offer boy dolls since Autism is more prevalent in boys. They come with little booklets. The My Sibling dolls each have a story about a brother or sister who has a disability. I like the view point from a typically developing child and how the sibling's disability affects the whole family. I definitely see from my own experience that sometimes the child with the disability gets all the attention, so I like this approach. The My Pal books are meant to appeal to children of all abilities and focus on common experiences like starting school, celebrating holidays, or participating in sports. There is also an Autism Awareness pal and a Dress-Up pal (which can come with an optional religious booklet). The dolls shown are the dress-up ones, which come in a fancy suit, but most of the My Pal and My Sibling dolls come in casual clothes or sports outfits. Extra clothes are also available. Another bonus is that these dolls are packaged by people with disabilities. I don't like their face molds or hair-styles as much as some of the other dolls, but I think they promote education, fun, and awareness.
  • Rowdie Boys from Sew Dolling: These dolls have sleep eyes that open and close, but I can't tell if their hair is rooted or wigged. Right now there are three options, all with a light Caucasian skin tone, but I think more options will be available in the future. I really like their outfits and accessories, which seem to be school-themed. Sew Dolling does not sell girl dolls, but they have clothing and accessories for boy and girl 18 inch dolls. They donate a portion of their proceeds to help abused children and animals.
If any of you know of other good doll lines that sell boy dolls, please comment below. I know there are several custom options on Etsy and Ebay, and a few of the major doll manufacturers have created boy dolls which can still be found on the secondary market. American Girl also offers their Bitty Twins line in a variety or hair and eye colors with different skin tones, but I didn't include them because I tried to pick dolls that look the same age as the main American Girl characters. Good luck to those of you seeking to add a boy to your doll family.
2 Comments

Boy oh Boy!

8/25/2014

1 Comment

 
In honor of my new twin nephews who were born yesterday, I decided to declare an official Boy Week here at Dolls on a Dime. I will be posting boy-themed activities and ideas, as well as product reviews for boy dolls and clothing. We'll also take a look at some of the young male characters in the American Girl books and other historical fiction and non-fiction stories.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Click here to learn more about my custom boy doll, Emmett. Click here to find his clothes from Springfield Collection.
1 Comment

Mystery Prize!

8/18/2014

0 Comments

 
A few weeks ago I submitted a picture for the a camp memories post over at Camp Doll Diaries, and I won a mystery prize! It came in the mail yesterday, and Saige was so excited to open the package. Look at all this great loot from the Doll Diaries Etsy shop. I will post more pictures of the items in action later this week. 
Picture
What could it be?
Picture
Look at all this cool stuff!
Picture
A close-up view
I got a package of Laura Kelly buttons, two Camp Doll Diary pins, and a doll breakfast kit (complete with a sign, a sticker, two place-mats, two plates, and four fried eggs). Even the included business card is beautiful and perfect for doll play. All these items are for sale in the Doll Diaries Etsy shop, and you can find awesome craft ideas and more at dolldiaries.com . Thank you Doll Diaries team for this fun prize!
0 Comments

Up, Up, and Away

8/17/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
So, this isn't really doll-related, but my family attended a local hot-air balloon festival this weekend, and I wanted to share this awesome picture, which my 6 year-old son took all by himself! I have always dreamed of going up in a hot air balloon, and it was really fun to see them inflate and then launch. My daughter loves the American Girl character Saige and her stories, which involve the Albuquerque balloon festival, where she gets to celebrate her birthday each year. Now my daughter and I are both even more jealous of Saige. Maybe some day, I will get to fly in a balloon (and then if I can just get my own horse, all my childhood dreams would come true!). 
0 Comments

Doily Dress

8/15/2014

2 Comments

 
Picture
This week's activities over at camp doll diaries have focused on fancy, frilly looks from the Victorian era. So I grabbed the frilliest, laciest thing I could find and made it into a quick mini dress.

I just folded a round doily in half twice to form a triangle with four layers, tucked the point under, and wrapped it around the doll's waist. then I added some bits of ribbon for sleeves and tied the whole thing together with a ribbon sash.
2 Comments

My New Old Samantha

8/15/2014

1 Comment

 
Picture
     When I was growing up, I somehow missed the whole American Girl phenomenon (probably too busy making tin foil clothes for my second-hand Barbies). Even so, I find myself feeling nostalgic toward the original characters. While I didn't get the chance to "meet Samantha," I did meet and fall in love with similar characters like Anne Shirley, Mary Lennox, and Sara Crewe and their fascinating time period. Though my daughter is thrilled about the pink-clad "new" version of AG's beloved Samantha Parkington, I prefer the original. So I decided to to add her to my mini-doll collection while she is still readily available. The new Beforever mini comes out later this month.
     Mini Samantha is currently sold on the American Girl website for $24, but I actually purchased mine for about 19$ on Amazon, since I had free shipping. When Samantha arrived, she was a little off-kilter inside her box, so I was afraid she might be disheveled, but she came out looking lovely, though her hair does lean to one side.
     I had already purchased Samantha's Play Scenes and Paper Dolls book on sale for $5. It is no longer available, but some of the other historical paper dolls are still on sale. I love these sets, and at $5, they are an incredible value. The actual paper dolls are a little large for the play scenes, but the mini dolls are a perfect size! Here are some pics of my new "old" Sam.      

Picture
Samantha gets ready for back-to-school time with this fabulous classroom scene from her paper doll book.
Picture
Picture
Samantha plays with her new birthday teddy bear in her room (bear and play scene are from the paper doll set). The first chair is made from a free printable available here, and the second was purchased with a coupon from Jo-Ann craft store.
Picture
When I first saw this mini doll, I immediately thought of the beautiful Diana Barry from L.M. Montgomery's books. Naturally, I had to create her kindred spirit and bosom friend, Anne Shirley. Saige is borrowing Marie-Grace's dress and Cecile's boots with a mini straw hat to complete her costume. This picture just makes me giddy. I loved Anne of Green Gables so much, and I was even in a junior high production of the play, where I played Diana's sister Minnie May.
Picture
Picture
Which do you prefer, the new version of Samantha, or the old one? 
1 Comment

Mini Furniture: Printables and Links

8/12/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
When I got my first AG mini doll, Felicity, I set out to find some cheap furniture for her, so I turned to Pinterest and looked up Printable Dollhouse Furniture. I was not disappointed! Here is one of the pieces I found, which is from a set of vintage postcards with art by W.H. Ellam.
     You can find more of these pieces on TuckDB.org, a free online database of antique postcards published by Raphael Tuck & Sons. The images are now in the public domain and free to use as you wish. Click on the pictures below to get the full-sized versions from the Tuck DB website. Be sure to look around for more vintage printables for your dolls. Click on the Full Sized Image link in the upper right-hand corner and save to your computer.
Picture
Picture
Here are some more links for printing or making miniature dollhouse furniture:
  • The AG Minis of Snickerdoodle Street: This is my absolute favorite mini-doll blog. Under the Mini Furniture tab, you'll find printables and tutorials for making your own inexpensive furniture. Check out the Printables and Scenes and Setting sections too.
  • Small Stuff's Print Minis: This great site has lots of free printables for your dollhouse, including posters, furniture, wallpaper, and more. 
0 Comments

HORSE PLAY

8/10/2014

1 Comment

 
Picture
A few weeks ago, my daughter participated in a Special Kids Rodeo with awesome activities for children with disabilities. She even met Miss Rodeo and got this Breyer model horse to take home.

Here's the horse in her box, which also doubles as a really cool stable scene.

Autumn (mini Saige) was not at all shy to meet a new friend. She quickly found a saddle and blanket so she could go for a ride.

Picture
Add an Easter egg helmet and pipe cleaner reins, and we're ready to go.
Picture
The AG mini dolls fit ok on the horse, but they seem a little too big for scale. The little rider figures from Breyer have better proportions. Autumn doesn't mind, though. She loves her new horse already!
What a great horse, and great memories of a wonderful night!
1 Comment

Mooshka Tots Review

8/9/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
A few days ago, my daughter's beloved Mooshka Tots doll had an unfortunate accident and ended up having to go for a spin in the washing machine. She turned out good as new, and I figured now is as good a time as any to finally post her review. 
     This spring my son received some money for Easter, so I took him to Toys R Us to pick out a toy. He saw this little doll and insisted on buying it for his younger sister. I told him he didn't need to spend his Easter money on someone else and could buy something for himself, but he insisted that was what he wanted to do. 
     I was impressed with his generosity and kindness, and his sister was delighted at the gift. The doll came with a free e-book for my tablet, and all my kids love it. They are all enthralled with the Mooshka Village world, and my son was super excited that one of the dolls shares his birth date. 
     We got our Mooshka Tot for 8$ on sale, and it is still available at that price at Toys R Us and Target. There are also larger Mooshka Dolls available and a wonderful website with free activities and printables. 

Picture
Karia and her puppet
Picture
The paper dolls pose by the beautiful box cover.
Picture
Look at that sweet face!
Picture
This free printable puppet theater is so fun!

Review

Overview: This lovely set comes with a cloth-bodied doll, a cloth finger puppet, a beautiful box with carrying handle, and four paper double-sided paper dolls that are attached to each other. The story behind the dolls is that they are paper dolls that all held hands and came to life. The tots are little sisters to the full-sized Mooshka dolls, and each has a distinct personality and back story. 

Quality: The doll is very well made and looks like it will hold up to years of play. It has already been machine washed once, and it came out very clean and did not show any extra wear. The hair accessory is attached very securely, so it's appropriate for young children. 

Cost and Play Value: The tot dolls retail for about $13, which I think is a little bit steep, but the sale price of $8 is reasonable. The little accessories definitely add to the play value, and I love that the company offers a free e-book along with online activities and printables. I think these dolls are priced appropriately for the target age range, which I would say is 2-5.

Clothing and Hair: The little dresses are so bright and beautiful, and I love that the shoes and stockings are not detachable. The hair is drawn on with cute little pigtails. It does not allow for hair play, but it will stay looking great for a long time with no maintenance, unlike dolls with wigs or rooted hair. 

Recommendations:  I would definitely suggest this doll for a preschooler. The finger puppet and removable dress allow for imaginative play, and the rest of the doll is very low-maintenance. The online components and downloads enhance the play experience, and the characters are lovable and relate-able. I like the back story and character details. These are great dolls!

0 Comments

A Very Merry Un-Birthday

8/8/2014

1 Comment

 
Picture
My daughter has been planning her American Girl birthday party forever, and she has been harassing me about making her birthday cake for weeks, even though her birthday is not until NOVEMBER!! So I decided to make a "practice cake" with mini Saige just for fun. We even ate a pizza and made a party of it. 
     I thought it turned out pretty cute. I used a ceramic mug for the top part of her skirt and a small class bowl for the bottom. I used a small box of cake mix from the dollar store, and it was the perfect size for our little practice cake. 
     The bodice and belt is made from a Laffy Taffy rope, rolled out and shaped by hand. I pressed some shiny silver sprinkles into the bodice and sprinkled them onto the skirt, and I added candy stars and a large candy heart. I wrapped mini Saige in  Press N Seal wrap first, and she did not get any candy or frosting on her. 
     I dressed big Saige in a fancy dress from Springfield Collection, which was purchased from Joann with a 40% off coupon, making it $6. Her flower is from an old dance costume.

Picture
Big Saige even dressed up for the occasion.
Picture
Ta-da!
Picture
Introducing... Mini Me!
1 Comment
<<Previous

    Categories

    All
    18 Inch
    American Girl
    Ann Loren
    Books
    Boys
    Braille
    Clothing
    Decor
    Disabilities/ Special Needs
    DIY
    Doll Ar Delights
    Doll-ar Delights
    Doll-ar Delights
    Dolls
    Food
    Furniture
    Hair
    Historical
    Holidays
    Journey Girls
    Minis
    Patriotic
    Printables
    Repurpose
    Rescues/Transformations
    Reviews
    Sale
    Scenes And Settings
    School
    Thrift Store Finds
    Wigs
    Zulily

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    January 2017
    July 2016
    January 2016
    October 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.