Goodbye, Everyone

This is going to be a hard post to write. I don't know where to begin. I'm leaving my blog. I just don't have a big interest in dolls anymore. Of course I will always love and cherish them, but I just don't feel like playing with them or dressing them up anymore.

To be honest, I never thought it would come to this. I thought I would blog until I had to go off to college. But I'm entering my freshman year of high school instead. I've changed and my schedule doesn't allow for doll blogging anymore. 

I'm so sorry to leave, but it needs to be done. I give a big thank you to all of my followers and all the people who inspired me to start my blogging. This has been an incredible year and three months.

I'll leave my blog up, and who knows, maybe I'll come back someday. Maybe someday I'll have daughters of my own who love American Girl Dolls as much as I do.

Goodbye, everyone. Thank you so much for a truly fantastic time.

~Heather

Grateful Blogger Tag (Second Time!)

Maria from The American Girl Attic Girls nominated me for the Grateful Blogger Tag! This is the second time I've received this award. Thank you, Maria!

Here are the rules:
1. Nominate 3-7 Bloggers (your favorites or somebody new)
2. Answer the questions given or follow specific instructions
3. Make sure you post a comment on their blogs letting them know they were nominated
4. Copy the award image into your post
5. Put the award on your sidebar or page

Maria's questions for me:
1. What is your favorite type of music?
I like country music.
2. Do you like storms?
Kind of. I like thunderstorms, but not tornadoes!
3. How many pets do you have?
I have 3 horses, 3 rabbits, 1 dog, 1 cat, and 11 chickens. So that's a total of 19.
4. Provolone or swiss cheese?
Neither. I don't like a lot of cheese. My favorite is Mozzarella. 
5. Horses or llamas?
Llamas all the way!
6. If you could have another doll, which one would you choose?
I would pick Josefina.
7. Guitar or piano?
Piano.
8. Do you enjoy being outside?
Yes. I love to read outside and play outside, too.
9. What's your favorite sport?
Well, my favorite sport to play is basketball. But my favorite sport to watch is football.
10. Have you ever been to another country besides your own?
No, but planning on it sometime.

Thanks Maria for the GREAT questions!

I nominate:
Polka Dot Bee 123
Gumnut Street Dolls
AG Unique

Not to be lazy, but I ask you the same questions Maria asked me. I am kind of busy right now to make some up.

Thanks for reading!

My Doll Picks of the Month: July 2015

My picks for this month are:
1. Polka Dot Bee has some cute t-shirts for sale in her Etsy shop. This one is my favorite.
2. I just love this patriotic skirt from the Her Doll Essentials Etsy shop!
3. Claire from Carrot and Claire did an excellent review on the Flamingo Beach Dress from American Girl!
4. Check out these super cute silver doll sandals!
5. One of my favorite crafts this month was this Firecracker decoration for dolls from Doll Diaries!

Liebster Award (Second Time!)

Emma from Whiskers and Wildflowers nominated me for the Liebster Award. Thank you Emma! This is the second time I've won this award!

Here are the rules:

1. Nominate 3-7 bloggers

2. Answer the questions given to you

3. Make sure you comment on the blogs of the people you nominated letting them know they were nominated

4. Copy the award image in your post and put it in your sidebar or page

5. Make up new questions for the people you nominate

Here are Emma's questions for me:

1. Who is your favorite actor or actress?

Josh Hutcherson.

2. What is your favorite thing to do with your dolls?

I like to dress them up and take pictures of them.

3. If you could go back and live in any historical time period, which would you choose? 

Hmmmmm...... Maybe the '70's?

4. Fork or spoon?

Fork

5. Do you have a favorite word or quote?

I like this quote: "Make new friends, but keep the old. One's silver and the other's gold."

6. Who do you look up to?

Well, does a character count? If so, I look up to Katniss Everdeen. She is so brave and is such a strong person.

7. Favorite Animal?

Chickens

8. What is your favorite color?

Red

9. Favorite school subject?

Science

10. Painting or coloring?

Coloring

I nominate:

Emily and Friends

The Dolly District

I know the rules say that I have to nominate 3-7 blogs, but so many people have already won it. I you would like it, comment below and I will add you up here.

My questions for you:

1. How many dolls do you have?

2. If you won any doll right now, which one would you pick?

3. Do you have a favorite sport?

4. If you could meet one famous person, who would you meet?

5. What are some of your favorite movies?

Craft: Recreating Grace's Bistro Set: Part 3: Table Accessories

Welcome to part 3 of Recreating Grace's bistro set from American Girl. In this part I am making the accessories for the table.

Here is AG's Version:

What you need for this project:

• Menu Printable (get it here)
• Scissors
• Glue Stick
• Sculpey Clay

Start by cutting out the menu along the outer lines. Then fold it in half horizontally and glue it together. Then fold on the vertical line.

Make the croissants and fruit out of sculpey clay.

 Now you have table accessories for your bistro set.
  
Make the table here.
Make the menu sign here.

Survey Reminder

Hi Everyone, I want to remind you to take my survey. I have had only 9 responses so far, and I know that I have more people reading my blog than that. This survey is very important to me because it helps me make improvements to my blog that my readers want to see. To take it, please click the "survey" tab above or click here. I also want to give a big thank you to those who already took the survey, your thoughts are important to me and I am working on improvements currently.

Craft: Recreating Grace's Bistro Set: Part 2: Menu Sign

Welcome to part 2 of Recreating Grace's bistro set! In this part, we'll make the menu sign!

Here is AG's version:

Let's get started! What you need for this project:

• An old picture frame. (Mine is 5x7)
• Wooden candlestick
• Turquoise Spray paint
• White Paint
• Wood Filler
• Hot Glue Gun
• Chalkboard spray paint
• Chalk/Chalk markers

Start by pulling your frame apart. (Kids give your glass to an adult)

If your candlestick has a metal inside, use a hammer and wood chisel to pull it out.

Now fill the hole with wood filler. (I waited a day for mine to dry) When it is dry, sand it smooth.

Paint your frame and candlestick white.

Now spray paint your items turquoise.

Spray Paint the inside of the back of your picture frame with the  chalkboard paint. When it is dry, rub the surface with chalk and wipe it off with a dry cloth. Put it in your frame.

I bought these chalk markers at Hobby Lobby for this project because I think they are easier to write with. Chalk will write just as well.

Now attach the frame and your candlestick together with hot glue. You are finished!

Make the table here.

American Girl Dream Come True Sweepstakes

Have you hard about the Dream Come True Sweepstakes that American Girl is putting on? Ten people will win their choice of a BeForever Doll and a doll-and-girl pajama set. You can enter everyday, but you have to be 18 or older to enter. If you are under 18, your parents have to enter for you. If you would like to enter, click here.

Craft: Recreating Grace's Bistro Set: Part 1: Table

I am making my own version of Grace's Bistro set from American Girl. This is part one where I will show you how to make the table.

Here is the AG Version:

 Let's get started:
What you need for this project:

• 6-7 inch circular wood plaque
• 4 inch circular wood plaque
• Wooden candlestick
• Black and white paint
• Clear coat spray
• Masking tape
• Wood glue
• Wood Filler
• Sandpaper

(My camera quit on me for the first part of the tutorial, so I'll have to walk you through it with words)

To start, sand your plaques and any flat parts of your candlestick. If your candlestick has a metal inside, use a wood chisel and a hammer to get it out. 

Fill the hole with wood filler and sand it flat. (Mine took about a day to dry)

Now assemble your table with the small plaque on the bottom, candlestick in the middle, and large plaque on the top. I used wood glue.

Now use masking tape to tape off around the candlestick so you can paint the candlestick and the small plaque on the bottom black.

Now wrap the masking tape around the stem of your table so you can paint the top white.

Now just spray it with a clear coat spray and you are done!

My Doll Picks of the Month: June 2015

Hi, everyone! I'm starting a new series on my blog, where near the end of every month I'll show you some of my favorite doll products or blog posts that I either found this month, or that were new. Here are my picks for this month.

1. This month, AG released the second half of GOTY Grace's collection. My favorite item from this release was Grace's Sightseeing Outfit.
2. Check out this cute owl purse for dolls that I found!
3. I am in love with the new Sparkle Sweater Outfit from the Truly Me line from American Girl.
4. These doll sized oreos and ice cream scoops look so realistic!
5. This is one of my favorite crafts from this month. Anna shows us how to make doll sized fruit tarts on Doll Diaries.

Do you like these items?

P.S. Remember to take my survey if you haven't already. To take it, click the "Survey" tab above.

Doll Diaries Giveaway: Coleman® Cooler and Sleeping Bag and Lantern Set

Doll Diaries is giving away a Coleman sleeping bag, lantern, and cooler from My Doll's Life. Visit Doll Diaries to enter!

 Hurry! Giveaway ends Midnight, June 12, 2015!

My 1 Year Blogoversary!

Can you believe it? I have now been blogging for a whole year! It went by so fast! This is kind of going to be an updates post, so I'd appreciate if you read it. I'll try to keep it as short as I can.

New Blog Design
I changed what my blog looks like in honor of my first blogoversary! I decided it was time for a switch up. I don't know if I'll do this every year, but we'll see!

My Button
I now have a button for my blog! I would really appreciate it if you put it up on your blog somewhere if you have one. (A sidebar or a page with buttons on it) Just take it right from my sidebar.

Meet The Dolls Page Updated
My "Meet The Dolls" page has been updated with new pictures and new descriptions of the dolls. Go ahead and take a look if you want.

Survey
I have created a short survey for my blog! I would really appreciate you taking time to complete it. To take it, visit the "Survey" tab above, or click here.

Followers 
I want to give a big thank you to my 30 Google+ followers and 14 Google Friend Connect followers!

My Goal Achieved!
I achieved my goal of 5,000 pageviews by my first blogoversary! Thank you to all my viewers! Let's try for 10,000 by next year!

Thanks for a great year!

Felicity Doll Giveaway on Oh My Dollies Blog

Hi everyone, Shelby-Grace on Oh My Dollies is giving away a Felicity doll! Visit her blog to enter!

Hurry! Giveaway ends May 31, 2015 at 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time.

Review: Our Generation Laptop Set

I recently bought the laptop set from OG at Target. Here's a review on it if you are thinking about buying this.

The set cost $7.99. It comes with a laptop, a case, and a pen.

Let's start with the case.

The case is plaid with a dog on it. I like the two buckles on the front. They are easy to open and close.

Dolls can hold the case easily.

Everything fits easily in the case.
Now let's look at the laptop.

The screen shows the Our Generation website.

Here is the outside of the laptop.

Here is the pen.

I hope you enjoyed this review. I recommend this product.

The Darling Doll Blog Award

A big thank you to Hope from All Things Doll for nominating me for The Darling Doll Blog Award.

Rules: Answer the questions given and nominate 5 doll blogs.

Hope's questions for me:
1. If you were to bring back only one of the retired AG dolls, which one would you choose?
I would bring Nellie back. 
2. If you could create a story line for the next GOTY AG doll, what would it be.
Hmmmm, I'm not really sure about that. I think it would be cool if her family owned a zoo or something like that.
3. What kind of pets do your dolls have?
My dolls have two dogs and a pig.
4. How many dolls do you have?
Four
5. What are your other hobbies besides collecting dolls?
I like scrapbooking, reading, doing crafts, and playing with my pets.

I nominate:
AG Doll Days

It seems that a lot of people have already been nominated for this award. But if you want it, comment below saying that you want it and I'll add your name up there.

My questions for you:
What is your biggest fear?
What toppings do you like to put on ice cream?
How long have you had your darling doll blog?

Thanks for reading!

Doll Diaries Giveaway: Elsa & Anna Dresses

Doll Diaries is giving away Elsa & Anna dresses from My Fancy Princess. Visit Doll Diaries to enter.

Hurry! Giveaway ends Midnight, April 18, 2015!

The Good Friend Blog Award

Meghan from Girly Doll Type nominated me for The Good Friend Blogger Award! Thank you!

Here are the rules:

• Choose 3+ bloggers you love, and agree that they are amazing bloggers.
• Ask them 3+ questions.
• Post on your blog.

Here are her questions for me:
1. What is your dream job?
A science teacher.
2. If you won the lottery, what would you do?
Buy and iPad, an AG doll, donate a chunk of it to charity, and put the rest into savings.
3. What's something you look for in a friend.
I look for someone who is honest and I feel like I can trust with anything. They will support my ideas and thoughts, and are just fun to be with.
4. Sequins or glitter?
Sequins
5. If you had to dye your hair a crazy color, what would it be and why?
Dying my hair is something I would never consider, but if I had to, it would have to be red because it is bright and cheery.
6. What's your favorite thing about blogging?
Sharing my ideas with others.
7. What's your favorite song of all time?
Nothing to Lose by Josh Gracin
8. What is something about yourself that no one would ever guess?
I like to ride dirt bikes. 

I nominate:
AGD Time Blog
Small Town American Girlz
The American Girl Attic Girls

Here are your questions:
1. Mammals or Birds
2. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
3. What is your biggest fear?
4. What superpower would you have?

You're A Great Photographer Award (Second Time!)

A big thank you to Ginny and June from Small Town American Girlz for nominating me for my second "You're a Great Photographer" award!

Here are the rules:

1. Nominate 3-7 blogs for this award and make a link to the blog.

2. If you are nominated, give 1 of your photography tips and answer the questions given.

3. Go comment on a post of the person you nominated letting them know they were nominated.

4. Copy the picture above on your post.

5. Link your post back to the original post.

6. Add the picture to your tool bar or page.

7. Copy these rules onto your post.

8. Have fun!

My photography tip:
Use natural lighting, but don't take pictures right in the sun. Find a place where it is still bright, but not direct.

Here are their questions for me:
1. What is your favorite book?
I really like the Narnia Series!
2. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
I like Moose Tracks!
3. What profession would you like to pursue when you are older?
I want to be a science teacher.
4. Does your handwriting look better in pencil or marker?
Pencil.
5. What does the fox say?
Well, it's bark actually sounds like a high pitched dog bark.
6. Swimming or sledding?
Sledding.
7. If a tree falls in the woods, does it make a sound?
People say it doesn't, but how do they know if they haven't been around to hear if it does or not.
8. Why did you start your blog?
It's hard to think why. I guess I always admired other people's blogs and decided I wanted to do that too. Other people inspired me.

I nominate:
AG Doll Days
Dolls World
Gumnut Street Dolls 

I ask you the same questions Ginny and June asked me.

Craft: AG Beforever Memory Game

Do you like the game memory? It's the one where the cards all have pictures on them and you flip them over and try to find the matching card. I've made a doll sized version of memory featuring the Beforever dolls from American Girl.
Let's begin!

What you need for this project:

•  Scissors
• Glue stick
• Colored card stock paper
• Beforever Memory Printable (download it here)

 To start, cut out a piece along the lines. Then glue it to the card stock leaving a thin border of color.

 Just cut it out and you're done! Do this with each piece.

Now just flip your pieces over and start playing!