Did anyone catch the QVC segment last night that featured American Girl dolls? I missed the first 15 minutes but was told that Julie, the newest main historical doll, wasn't even shown and sold out in 15 minutes anyway. Julie is from 1974 and came with her meet outfit, 2 books and her Dog Walking outfit. It's so cute and includes 3 dogs that she takes care of. I remember reading that in one of her stories.
Next came Molly, who is probably my favorite historical. She was my daughter's first AG doll back in 1998 and Molly became my first AG doll in 2005. Molly was being sold with her Miss Victory outfit, her meet outfit and 2 storybooks along with a stage that revolved. This however was not an AG historical item. Many of you may recognize it as the stage that you can use for your doll wearing one of the AG ballet outfits. If you follow Molly's stories at all, you know that her father is a doctor and has been sent to England during WWII. Her mother was a stay at home mom and now she's having to take work outside the home. The show host pointed out something very cool--that little girls now can relate to that whether their dad or mom is over in Iraq or just having Mom go back to work after being home. Molly McIntire is a sweetheart of a doll!
Then they showed the adorable bald Bitty Babies available in blonde, brown or AA. It was a super deal too because you got a high chair, feeding accessories, the doll itself in its meet sleeper and another outfit as well for only $106 I think.
The last dolly featured was another of my favorite historicals, Miss Addy Walker. Addy came with her meet outfit, her Flower Picking outfit and her Songbird and Treats set as well as her Meet Addy book and a large book telling all about what it was like in Addy's time. The big book included what toys children played with back then as well. Addy is so adorable, I just love her.
I'm not really sure that I agree with selling these dolls on a venue like QVC. On one hand, it may tend to make them seem "dime a dozen" as my daughter put it when I told her that AG was on QVC last night. But on the other hand, the way it was presented was very tastefully done and not the usual QVC frenzy that I had expected. It wasn't like they were selling a doll itself for some outrageously low price of $35--they sold a doll, 2 books, an extra outfit and some sort of accessory to go with her for a reduced price. It was good way to educate the American public about AG dolls, especially those who may not have known about the AG website to begin with. It may make people want to explore the AG website even more and find out what other great things they have there.
The next show featuring American Girl dolls on QVC is on October 25, probably the 7-8 ET p.m. time slot. Be sure and write yourself a reminder or set it up on your computer to remind yourself if you missed the first installment. It's anyone's guess what will be next. Will it be more historical dolls? I hope so! JLYs are top sellers for Mattel so I would think they'd want to educate more people about the American Girls that started it all, the historicals. After all, that's why Pleasant Rowland founded the company to begin with, to educate girls on little girls of different time periods. Mattel bought her company in 1999 but despite numerous retirings of different historical items, they seem to be on track in keeping the historical line intact.
QVC showed a countdown to Christmas last night and it's 90 days away GULP! If you would like any handmade American Girl doll clothes for your favorite little collector for Christmas, please check out my Kitt's Kloset site. My mother and I along with a good friend who lives in New York make all the clothes you see. If you purchase something of Holly's and mine, it would be great if you'd place a separate order for Holly's items since they will be shipped from her home in New York. Holly makes beautiful handmade historical American Girl clothes. Her ID on eBay is newyorkdolldesigns. She also sews for the MyTwinn dolls as well so check her out sometime!
And of course if you're a Barbie fan, don't forget to check out my handmade Barbie, Ken and Bratz clothes
at my site, Barbee & Friends. Please order early for Christmas! Thanks and happy doll collecting!
Friday, September 26, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Adjusting to College Life and Empty Nesting
Wow you're saying, another post on the same day? What is this world coming to? Well I just wanted to get my customers/readers caught up with what is going on in my real life. Yes! I actually do have a real life beyond making handmade Barbie clothes or sewing clothes for American Girl dolls.
As many of you know, we recently became empty nesters, well we will be for 5 years anyway, lol. Our one and only, our daughter has gone to the University of Connecticut and life is well, just plain strange right now. She went from tears to happiness pretty quickly though as she's adjusting to life on campus, getting used to sharing the bathroom and showers and of course, doing laundry. Being an only, she was not used to what it's like to wait on the bathroom or a place to take out her contacts or brush her teeth. Although I would say she's probably had more experience in those things than most kids (aside from the laundry!) by having attended 4-H camp since she was in 5th grade as well as going on various overnight class trips.
She doesn't seem to think she's making friends quickly enough but she does really like it in Huskyland. The football games are fun and she enjoys her Animal Science class a lot. We are going up to visit her on Family week so that should be fun.
Meanwhile here at home, hubby and I are adjusting to not having a kid to run to various events and having lots less laundry--hmm, not really anything wrong with those two things, haha. We're finding that we're spending a lot less on gas and groceries, lol. We do miss her a lot but going to UConn has been her dream for a long time now and we're happy she's realizing that dream. She's funding her own education as well because for one, we can't afford to. Plus we all feel that she'll appreciate it so much more if she has to pay for it herself. Not saying we're not helping. Trust me, I've already sent her 4 care packages! It's all a learning process. Before too long, we'll feel like veterans at this empty nesting thing!
Anyway, my Barbie clothes orders really picked up right around the time we were getting ready to move her in up at UConn so I've stayed consistently behind. If you ordered in August, your order should be there. If you ordered earlier this month, don't worry, it's going to be there soon. At the moment as I write this, I am working on one order and just have 3 waiting so I'm not as backed up as I once was.
It has been quite a busy end of summer though and I would like to thank anyone who has placed orders recently for their extreme patience as we three Hanns adjust to college life. I have had to spend a lot more time on the phone with our daughter and sometimes she just calls me to check in. I wouldn't trade that time for all the world as I'm sure no one else would either. My family definitely comes first but my customers are next!
Don't forget to bookmark both my sites for your Barbie doll clothes and American Girl clothes gift giving needs this season! Handmade gifts are always the best! Christmas will be here before you know it. I already have people who have said they're placing their orders early for Christmas and that is very much appreciated. The earlier you order, the better. I usually like to tell people that I cannot guarantee delivery in time for Christmas gift-giving after November 25 so I am going to stick with that date this year as well. I do of course sew after that but I finally have to stop and have my own Christmas.
Well, until next time, whenever that may be! Have fun playing with or collecting dolls. Don't forget, dolls are not just for kids! They're for the young at heart!
As many of you know, we recently became empty nesters, well we will be for 5 years anyway, lol. Our one and only, our daughter has gone to the University of Connecticut and life is well, just plain strange right now. She went from tears to happiness pretty quickly though as she's adjusting to life on campus, getting used to sharing the bathroom and showers and of course, doing laundry. Being an only, she was not used to what it's like to wait on the bathroom or a place to take out her contacts or brush her teeth. Although I would say she's probably had more experience in those things than most kids (aside from the laundry!) by having attended 4-H camp since she was in 5th grade as well as going on various overnight class trips.
She doesn't seem to think she's making friends quickly enough but she does really like it in Huskyland. The football games are fun and she enjoys her Animal Science class a lot. We are going up to visit her on Family week so that should be fun.
Meanwhile here at home, hubby and I are adjusting to not having a kid to run to various events and having lots less laundry--hmm, not really anything wrong with those two things, haha. We're finding that we're spending a lot less on gas and groceries, lol. We do miss her a lot but going to UConn has been her dream for a long time now and we're happy she's realizing that dream. She's funding her own education as well because for one, we can't afford to. Plus we all feel that she'll appreciate it so much more if she has to pay for it herself. Not saying we're not helping. Trust me, I've already sent her 4 care packages! It's all a learning process. Before too long, we'll feel like veterans at this empty nesting thing!
Anyway, my Barbie clothes orders really picked up right around the time we were getting ready to move her in up at UConn so I've stayed consistently behind. If you ordered in August, your order should be there. If you ordered earlier this month, don't worry, it's going to be there soon. At the moment as I write this, I am working on one order and just have 3 waiting so I'm not as backed up as I once was.
It has been quite a busy end of summer though and I would like to thank anyone who has placed orders recently for their extreme patience as we three Hanns adjust to college life. I have had to spend a lot more time on the phone with our daughter and sometimes she just calls me to check in. I wouldn't trade that time for all the world as I'm sure no one else would either. My family definitely comes first but my customers are next!
Don't forget to bookmark both my sites for your Barbie doll clothes and American Girl clothes gift giving needs this season! Handmade gifts are always the best! Christmas will be here before you know it. I already have people who have said they're placing their orders early for Christmas and that is very much appreciated. The earlier you order, the better. I usually like to tell people that I cannot guarantee delivery in time for Christmas gift-giving after November 25 so I am going to stick with that date this year as well. I do of course sew after that but I finally have to stop and have my own Christmas.
Well, until next time, whenever that may be! Have fun playing with or collecting dolls. Don't forget, dolls are not just for kids! They're for the young at heart!
Win a Cute Witch Costume for Your American Girl Doll!
Hey I didn't think it had been THAT long since I wrote here last but time sure flies when you're busy. I have some great news to share so I thought I would write again. The fun and cool doll newsletter, Doll Diaries, that I subscribe to is having another giveaway. You can read all about it and how you can enter yourself. When you see that picture you'll see why it's my favorite costume on the website! Samantha (or JLY16) looks adorable wearing it!
For handmade Barbie doll clothes and handmade American Girl doll clothes, I would love to have you visit those two links which lead to my two sites. Please order early for gift giving purposes.
Good luck in the costume contest! I, ahem, am planning to win it myself but hey, if one of my wonderful blog readers wins it instead, I won't be too upset! My dolly girls know that I can make them something--but will I, lol. That's the keyword there since my time is spent making orders for earnings, sort of like the old story of the shoemaker's kids going shoeless. Have fun!
For handmade Barbie doll clothes and handmade American Girl doll clothes, I would love to have you visit those two links which lead to my two sites. Please order early for gift giving purposes.
Good luck in the costume contest! I, ahem, am planning to win it myself but hey, if one of my wonderful blog readers wins it instead, I won't be too upset! My dolly girls know that I can make them something--but will I, lol. That's the keyword there since my time is spent making orders for earnings, sort of like the old story of the shoemaker's kids going shoeless. Have fun!
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