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

Not So Lazy Summer Days

Is it just me or has this summer just completely flown by?  It is so hard to believe that school starts back up in our area in 3 short weeks.  We have had days filled with fun and friends and I have managed to squeeze a little sewing in between it all.  I have been working on a lot of changes here at the Apple Tree House, and not all of them have been doll related.  The biggest change is one that will take up a lot of time over the next couple of months.... no, not a baby (LOL) but a move!  We found a wonderful little house with lots of woods around it and a really sunny room for sewing and crafting and will be moving into it in about a month.  Everyone here is very excited.

All the activity has kept me from finishing the sweet little dolls that are waiting so patiently on my table.  This week, the kids are in an afternoon camp so I will have a chance to start packing and finish the Dumplings.  I am aiming for the upload on Thursday the 21st in the evening sometime, I will post the particulars and the pictures when the dolls are complete.

Here's a pic of an interesting apple art we spotted on a recent outing.  Can you guess what it is made from??

xoxo Debra

Oh, baby...

The fan designed $1 Dumpling doll is coming along nicely!  It looks like she will have rainbow hair... I am going to go ahead and finish her up tonight, I think this gal needs purple eyes.  She will be available comment style tomorrow, July 7th, beginning around Noon EDT and ending at 9 pm EDT.  (Usual shipping rates apply).

Meanwhile.... Ѽ Ѽ Ѽ

I have been dreaming of a special doll design for months... a 15 inch baby, one with slightly curved legs that could sit, floppy arms, feet that can wear shoes, and a little belly button and bum.  Oh how I wanted to take the time to make this doll, but I never seemed to have enough uninterrupted time to get to the momentous task of designing a new pattern and creating the doll I could see so clearly in my mind's eye.  That is until Mr. ATH got sidelined over the weekend with a monster tooth ache (root canal yesterday... boo).  The kids were at friends houses, he was on major pain medication, the house was very quiet and I had some unexpected time to do whatever I wanted, so I set to it.  This is what I made:

I was so pleasantly surprised at how nicely and quickly she came together.  I received some wonderful advice and tips from some of my doll making friends and I will always be grateful for their advice and encouragement to stretch and try something new.  There is such joy and freedom when you are able to create something that you desperately want to take form.  She was fun from start to finish.  I will be making more of these in the weeks to come... some will be weighted, most will have natural hair for now.  She will be available as soon as I make her a new dress, she is wearing one of my daughter's special Li'l Blue Boo ( http://www.lilblueboo.com ) dresses for her photo shoot.

The back drop is a gorgeous doll sized quilt made by my dear friend Cathy... she used apple fabrics and free form quilted some apples on to it.  I really love it and it will be showing up in a lot of doll pics, at least when I can sneak it away from the kids.  You can find Cathy's shop on Etsy http://www.clcknits.etsy.com

Don't forget to check the Fan Page tomorrow if you are interested in the $1 Dumpling!  There will also be an upload of 2-3 Apple Dumpling Dolls on Friday if all goes according to plan... the link to the Fan Page is in the sidebar.

Hope you have a wonderful day     Ѽ    Debra

Dollar Ѽ Dumpling

Head on over to Facebook to participate in a fun fan designed Apple Dumpling 8 inch doll!  This one will be extra special... I spent some time over the weekend tweaking the pattern a bit so the arms are now floppier.  This will make the doll easier to dress and undress.  I have a light body ready to customize... first, we will pick the hair color, then tomorrow we will pick the eye color, and then, she will be available for sale comment style on my fan page soon after (if you are not on Facebook you can e-mail me and I will add a comment on your behalf) for $1!!!  That's right, $1.... not a typo...  :)  This will be the 1st "$1 Dumpling Doll".... it is my way of saying thank you to all of my wonderful friends, customers, cheerleaders, and supporters. 

Come join the fun on the fan page!

xoxo Debra  Ѽ

Something fun is coming...

I just remembered starting a Facebook Fan Designed doll right before I was sick... I have plans for something really fun.  Check back on Tuesday, July 5th for more details!

Remember... Individuality is HEALTHY Ѽ

xoxo Debra