Ssssshhhhh.....

Ssshhhh.... I have a secret....

I am offering 15% off of Harmony for my blog readers until the end of the year.  To redeem this offer, simply go to the Etsy shop and enter the coupon code "Secret"!

I want this special girl to find her forever home :)

http://www.etsy.com/listing/88681700/harmony-12-inch-apple-tree-house-doll

I will have some custom doll listings available in my Bigcartel Shop on Tuesday.  Just a few at first, and hopefully more later.  I am also working hard gathering materials for the 10 inch doll making kits and hope to have those available after the beginning of the year.  More on that later.

Have a wonderful Monday!

xoxo Debra

Big Plans

It is hard to believe that another year is coming to a close.  This is my second winter selling my Waldorf styled and inspired dolls, and boy has time flown by!  I just finished up the last 2 custom dolls for the year, both boys:

As I was preparing to send them off, it got me thinking.   I had forgotten how much fun custom dolls could be.  The end of the year seems to be a great time for reflection :)  I think it is high time to start taking some more custom orders.  There will be just a few spots at first, but as I get back into the swing of it there will be more.   There are currently 2 skin tones I have to chose from (peach and mocha - I have found these 2 colors clean up nicely from the smudges that happen during play) and you will be able to chose 8 or 12 inch. 

Harmony, in the shop now http://www.appletreehouse.etsy.com

That also got me thinking about my 10 inch doll making kits.  I really miss getting the excited notes and photos of mamas making dolls for their kids.  I am going to spend some time the next couple weeks getting supplies together and there will be kits in January in my Bigcartel shop.  I will put supplies in listed as  "Coming Soon" until I have everything together.  This time, kits will be offered a little differently.  There will be a listing for a kit with your choice of skin colors (based on what I have on hand).  The kit will include the pre-sewn body, head, thread to match, and instructions.  Then there will be separate listings for crochet caps and yarns for hair.  This will benefit us all... I will have choices available and you will be able to see and plan for yourself without trying to convo back and forth and not really knowing what you will get until it arrives.  I am still working out all the kinks, but that is the plan for now. 

"My mama made her just for me!"

Finally, I want to make more of my 15 inch baby dolls.  I do love this doll so much.  She has been wonderful company on my shelf as I set up the new house.  This size will eventually be offered as a custom doll option after I get a few more made as ready to go home dolls.  And there will be ready to go home dolls, just maybe not quite as many as you have been used to seeing, at least not in the beginning of the year. 

So, those are my big plans for 2012... I think I will be very busy :)

I hope wherever you are and whatever you do
That someone special can spend time with you!

xoxo Debra

Upload 12/14/11

The last shop upload for the year will be today, 12/14/11 at 10 pm EST in my Etsy shop.  There is a link on the right side bar.

Here's some pics of the 2 girls I just finished, both wearing their Melamoose Co. outfits.

First up, we have Harmony.  She is 12 inches, has mocha skin, grey eyes, and some really amazing hand spun yarn in her hair.  It has sparkles and some of the original curly lamb locks in it!  It is predominately blue and silver, but there are some purpl-y and darker bits as well.   I have been dying to use this yarn for the longest time.  When I put the face on this little girl, I knew right away she was the one to have it. 

She will be $175 plus shipping.



This is Addie.  Addie was named for a very special little girl that believes in doing random acts of kindness.  She is also the daughter of the creator of Paint The Moon Photography  http://paintthemoon.net/  .  I use a lot of Annie's PSE actions to process my photos.  I was so moved by her story of Addie trying to give balloons away and though of her while I was making this sweet little gal.  Addie has over 500 strands of yarn in her super soft head of hair.  Much of it is a hand spun yarn. 

She will be $160 plus shipping.



Speaking of shipping, I normally use USPS Priority Mail.  This time of year, the timing can be tricky.  If you need a guaranteed delivery date, please convo me immediately at the time of purchase and I will send you an invoice for either Fedex or UPS shipping which will be about $35 for shipping within the U.S.  For other countries, please contact me before you purchase to make sure it is feasible. 

Thanks for all of your support this year, I can't wait to share what I am working on for next year!

xoxo Debra

A December to Remember

I know, real original.  It has been that kind of month!  With the move, renovation, homeschool, and day job my life has been hectic to say the least.  I am working on a couple more dolls to upload either Wednesday 12/14 or Thursday 12/15 depending on how long it takes me to get them done.  I will post more pics here as the girls are completed.  One will be peachy and one mocha.  One will have pink hair :)

I built that fire myself.   No gas starter, the old fashioned way.  Living in the woods is agreeing with me lol

Here's something else that has taken a lot of time and patience... my home schooler decided she wanted to try her hand at quilting.  The front is done, time for a break before we bind it.  It is a great way to teach math and geometry :)

Also, when you get a chance, pop over and see what adventures we are having with Lunette, the travelling Moonchild Doll.  She is such a special little thing and I will be sad to see her go, but happy that she is going to another friend for more adventures.

http://travelswithlunette.blogspot.com/2011/12/anna-ruby.html

xoxo Debra

Upload 11/11/11

I made 2 special little Apple Dumpling dolls this week.... so cute and tiny.  The upload will be today, 11/11/11 in my Etsy shop at 4:07 pm EST (sorry for taking the 11 thing so far, but I love the symmetry in the numbers lol)  Each doll is $88 US plus shipping and handling.  They will probably be the last of this size for the year. 

This is Margaret... she has peachy skin and deep blue eyes.  I dyed her curly boucle hair myself, with some help and encouragement from a few of my doll making friends.  Margaret is a bit shy but she is begging to be picked up and hugged.  She is wearing a sweet halter dress and bloomers made especially for her by The Melamoose Co.   http://www.themelamooseco.etsy.com

This is Harlow Applestocking.  My girls decided all dolls with braids are Applestockings :)  She is the first Dumpling I have done with almond shaped eyes.  Her hair is the softest fuzzy black mohair and will do best if kept in braids or buns.  Harlow Applestocking is really good at listening to secrets and she is always ready to keep you company with her sweet little smile.  She too is wearing an outfit by The Melamoose Co.   https://www.facebook.com/#!/themelamooseco

And here is a nakey pic of both dolls together on my kitchen counter :)

I am toying with the idea of doing just one more upload towards the end of November with more dolls instead of doing a couple with just 2 dolls each.  My hope is that this will give folks a chance to select the doll that is right for their family.  There will be 12 inch dolls and hopefully some 15 inch babies if I can get the pattern exactly the way I want it.   I will post more about this as we get closer to the date, as well as some preview pics along the way. 

Hope today is a good one, and thank you for supporting my mama made business :)

xoxo Debra

Lunette

I am not sure how many of you are following Lunette, the Travelling Moonchild Doll, but her journey has brought her to the Apple Tree House!  I just contributed my 1st blog post:

http://travelswithlunette.blogspot.com/2011/11/visit-to-apple-tree-house.html

Please take a moment and read all about this amazing little doll.  You will get to know some fabulous doll makers in the process and get a peek at my doll collection :)

xoxo Debra

P.S.  Upload tomorrow 11/11/11 at 4:07 pm EST, there will be a new post with preview pics tomorrow a few hours before the upload!

Boo, the Special Auction

Just a quick reminder that the Boo auction is live and off to a fantastic start... she is up to $200 already!  Please spread the word so we can raise some money for the wonderful non-profit childrens hospital, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. 

In case you missed the earler post, Ashley of Li'l Blue Boo has been dealing with a very aggressive form of cancer. You can read more about her ordeal on her blog http://www.lilblueboo.com  I am so happy to say that as of now, it looks like the chemo is working so hopefully Ashley will be on her way to a complete recovery very soon. 

This is how Boo started:  Stephanie Corfee http://www.stephaniecorfee.com designed a "Team Ashley" logo at the request of a dear friend so people could show their support for Ashley during this tough time. When I saw the logo, I got an idea. I had some of the art yarn left from the 1st doll I made for Ashley's daughter, Boo http://www.lilblueboo.com/2010/10/lil-sally-doll-dress-pattern-giveaway.html and I thought it would be fun to make a doll similar to that one to wear a shirt with the Team Ashley logo. The Melamoose Co. http://www.themelamooseco.etsy.com very generously made the t-shirt and the coolest ruffle pants from some incredible Japanese linen blend fabric. And to top it all off, Boo is wearing a hair clip made by Ashley's sister, Perry. Perry sent me a couple clips a little while back, and this seemed like the perfect doll to wear one. You can find more of her work at http://perfectlyperrywinkle.etsy.com.

As you can see, this doll was a group effort and made with a lot of love.  The auction for Boo is up and running now right here:

 

https://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/photo.php?fbid=10150913737530243&set=a.339920055242.343456.334216215242&type=1&theater

 

  If you are interested in bringing her home, simply put in a bid before the auction ends at 7 pm EDT 11/4/11. At the end of the auction, I will send a paypal invoice to the winner and send the proceeds to the local non-profit Children's Hospital, http://www.choa.org/Support-Childrens in Ashley's name. If you would like to send a donation to the hospital directly too that would be fantastic :)

 

Thank you! xoxo  Debra

Jewel and Boo

The 2 dolls I just finished are very near and dear to my heart... I would love to tell you a little bit about them. 

First, there is Jewel. 

She has the most amazing head of hair.  The handspun art yarn came from a very dear friend of mine who is also a doll maker.  I have had this yarn in my stash for a bit, I couldn't bear to cut it!  But boy am I glad I did. 

Jewel is about 12 inches tall and is wearing an outfit that The Melamoose Co. made especially for her after seeing her.  She has mocha skin and light blue eyes.  There are a lot of creamy colored soft wool yarns mixed in with her special art yarn, and yes, there is some sparkle in her hair.  Jewel will be offered for sale comment style on my Facebook Fan page 11/3/11.  At about 9 am EDT, I will post a pic of her on the fan page.  If you are interested in purchasing her for $175 USD (plus shipping) simply leave your comment under her photo.  At 9 pm EDT, I will pull a name out of the hat and message that person who will have 24 hours to purchase her, or there will be another name drawn. 

And this is Boo.

Boo was a real labor of love.  I am not sure if you are all following Ashley of Li'l Blue Boo's blog http://www.lilblueboo.com , but if you haven't heard Ashley has been dealing with a very aggressive form of cancer.  Stephanie Corfee http://www.stephaniecorfee.com designed a "Team Ashley" logo at the request of a dear friend so people could show their support for Ashley during this tough time.  When I saw the logo, I got an idea.  I had some of the art yarn left from the 1st doll I made for Ashley's daughter, Boo http://www.lilblueboo.com/2010/10/lil-sally-doll-dress-pattern-giveaway.html and I thought it would be fun to make a doll similar to that one to wear a shirt with the Team Ashley logo.  The Melamoose Co.  http://www.themelamooseco.etsy.com very generously made the t-shirt and the coolest ruffle pants from some incredible Japanese linen blend fabric.  And to top it all off, Boo is wearing a hair clip made by Ashley's sister, Perry.  Perry sent me a couple clips a little while back, and this seemed like the perfect doll to wear one.  You can find more of her work at http://perfectlyperrywinkle.etsy.com. 

As you can see, this doll was a group effort and made with a lot of love.  I wanted to try a something a little different for finding a new home for Boo.  I would like to try auctioning her on Facebook.  Tomorrow night at 9:30 pm EDT, I will put up her pic and an opening bid.  If you are interested in bringing her home, simply put in a bid before the auction ends at 7 pm EDT 11/4/11.  At the end of the auction, I will send a paypal invoice to the winner and send the proceeds to the local non-profit Children's Hospital, http://www.choa.org/Support-Childrens in Ashley's name.  If you would like to send a donation to the hospital, please click on the link above. 

I will update this post with more photos in the morning when I have better light.

Thanks everyone for all of your support! 

xoxo Debra

P.S.  I read each and every comment and love hearing what everyone has to say, but for some reason Blogger says I am not allowed to comment on my own posts.  Go figure.

Time for a $1 Apple Dumpling Doll!

Time is just flying by... hard to believe we have been in our new house for 2 months already.  Renovations are well underway and I hope to have pics of my new kitchen to share soon.  Things have been a bit slow on the doll making front as I have been super busy unpacking, fixing, homeschooling my oldest, and my with my job, but I have been trying to make as much time for the dolls as possible as I love it so much!  I have a few dolls in various stages of completion, 2 very special ones that are just waiting on some cool duds from the Melamoose. 

Now, without further ado, I would like to share Cheri Applestocking!  She is quite an adventurous gal, loves climbing in the trees, playing on the rope swing, investigating in the woods...

Cheri Applestocking is an 8 inch Apple Dumpling doll.  Her cherry red mohair locks were hand dyed by me and will look best if they stay in braids.  She can sit assisted and her arms are just floppy enough for fun play.  She is of course wearing The Melamoose Co. halter jumper that was especially designed for her.  She will be offered comment style on my Facebook page for $1 (plus shipping and handling).  If you are interested in purchasing her, please leave a comment below her photo on my FB page before 9 pm EST on Sunday 10/30.  At that time, all the names will go into a hat and one will be chosen to buy her.  If you are not on Facebook, please feel free to leave a comment here and I will enter a comment for you on the fan page.  To get to the fan page, please click on the link in the sidebar. 

I leave you now with a pic of the gorgeous fall color that is starting to pop up in my part of Georgia.

xoxo Debra

I'm Back!!

The last few months have been oh so very busy... we moved into a real "fixer-upper" (LOTS of fixing needed!!), my youngest started a new school, my oldest is now home schooling.   I now have almost all of my yarns and supplies unpacked and put away and was so excited to be able to thread the needles on my machines and get busy....I am so very happy to be back to creating dolls. 

Here are the two 12 inch gals I just finished:

They need names and I gotta pick out the perfect outfits for them from my stash of The Melamoose Co. dresses but that will be done soon. 

As of right now I am planning on uploading them both to my Etsy shop on  Thursday evening about 9:30 pm EST.  I will update this post with their final pics and leave a note on Facebook as well as soon as I am all done..

Thanks for stopping by!

xoxo Debra Ѽ

Unpacking

I know it has been a while since my last blog post and shop update, but I am still here!  I am pleased to say that we survived our move.  So far, at least... I know everything is here, just have to figure out exactly which box "it"  is in.  The house sold so fast that I barely had time to pack, let alone organize, and now I have the fun task of locating each item and finding a new place for it.  Mr. ATH has assured me that he will hang shelving for me this weekend so I can unpack my beloved fabrics and yarns.  Dare I unpack all of this at once?? lol

Moira, my daughter's 12 inch Apple Buddy Doll in the box of yarns... this is "most" of the yarns lol

I am hoping to get back to doll making some time next week and will keep you posted on my progress... meanwhile, here is a peek at what I can see almost daily outside my window:

The kids named the twins Spot and Dot, still working on a name for mama.

Have a wonderful day!!  xoxo Debra

Packing Up

Sorry things have been so very quiet lately... I have been deep in the mire of the business of moving.  We are all very excited about the new house, but not so much about the packing and impending move.  I have started a bunch of different things but have yet to actually finish anything and am not sure whether I actually will or not before all of my supplies get packed up.   One kid goes back to school this week, the other will be homeschooling, and the day job is keeping me busy as well. But fear not... I have many, many ideas swirling around in my head, dolls I want to make, modifications of some of my designs and rest assured that as soon as we get into our new place in a few weeks my supplies will be unpacked and organized and the steady hum of my sewing machine will fill my new sewing area!

I was recently asked to contribute a photo for a super fun project for someone I adore ... I can't say any more about it now but I will let you know when it is all done!  Speaking of fun collaborations, The Melamoose Co. has teamed up with Etsy shop Roses and Rhubarbs for some super fun doll outfits.  This is sold out, but a little moose told me there is more dolly loveliness.

http://www.themelamooseco.etsy.com

http://www.rosesandrhubarbs.etsy.com

Also, I am planning on doing another $1 Apple Dumpling Doll when we reach 2000 fans on Facebook so please tell your friends about Apple Tree House.  For those of you who may not know, a $1 Apple Dumpling doll is just that... a doll that is sold for $1 (plus s/h) comment style on my Facebook fan page.  It is my way of saying thank you for helping spread the word about my little company.  Last time I checked, we are only about 170 away from that benchmark, so hopefully we won't have to wait too long.

Here's a little something fun, we have been singing this at our house to keep the kids from feeling blue about leaving the familiar behind:

http://youtu.be/pOMqqI-kzHY

Upload 7/21/11

There are three little dolls that are just about ready to find new homes... they are all 8 inch Apple Dumpling Dolls.  The upload will be on Etsy http://www.appletreehouse.etsy.com/ Thursday, July 21st at 7:30 pm EDT.  All of the dolls are wearing special clothing made just for them by the fabulous Melamoose (love ya Moose!!)  http://www.themelamooseco.etsy.com/

Here's the preview pics for the next upload!

Each doll will be $88 plus shipping.  Please familiarize yourself with the shop policies which are also found here on the blog under "Purchasing Information" at the top of the page.

Thanks!!  Debra