Sunday, December 7, 2014

Where's Willow? - Denver, CO (Day 5)

 
Willow and Caroline dressed quickly to go to a last photo shoot.  They decided to read about Colorado together while they wait for the host family.
 
 
 
Willow and Caroline are having fun in the local nursery, Echter's.  Echter's does a great job of decorating their greenhouse so kids, dogs, and dolls can all get their picture taken with a holiday background.  Willow is standing in one of the fairy garden's - notice the mini elf?
 
 
Willow and Caroline sitting in the carriage! 
 
 
 
Back at the house, Willow is ready to say goodbye to Caroline. Willow is excited to have more Colorado adventures before she goes home!
 
 
 
Caroline is giving Willow a gift to take back to Rhonda.  The gift is from the CO hosts.  We want to thank Rhonda for all her effort on her blog. Rhonda is especially good at letting everyone know of doll sales - we have all saved so much money due to Rhonda's quick actions! Notice Willow almost drops the gift, poor girl.
 
 
Caroline gives a cookie to Willow for the road.  We loved having you stay with us, Willow, and come back anytime. We still need to ski!

*Reader Photos* Doll Clothing Storage Ideas

"Me and my two girls are AG fans, with limited storage space. I thought I’d share what I did and maybe it would inspire others too. "


"I saw jewelry storage bags and thought I could use them for shoes, jewelry, and socks. They worked fine, but weren’t deep enough for some of the shoes. The girls liked that they could be hung close to the clothes with everything in one spot. "

 


"For the clothes, I bought curtain rods and a roll of 2” quilting fabric. I sewed the fabric so it covers the curtain rod.  I can’t remember what depth rod I bought, but the AG hangers do work with a good distance away from the wall. The hangers fit well on the rod too. With three of us, it allows the clothing to be store in one place."


"Then I bought a $12 Sterlite ornament storage container."

"There are three levels, each level snaps to the other. On trips or vacation you can bring one, two or all three levels. "


"This is what it looks like inside. So far I have only had a problem with the My American Girl boots, they are a tad too tall."
****
Thank you Renee for these great storage tips.

*Reader Photos* Happy Holidays From Ivy in Canada


Margaret's Ivy is ready for the holidays.

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Where's Willow? - Denver CO (Day 4)

Today Willow toured part of downtown Denver.  The first stop was at Molly Brown's Victorian House.  Who was Margaret "Molly" Brown?  She was the most famous survivor of the Titanic in 1912.  After she assisted many people into Lifeboat  No. 6, she demanded that the lifeboat be returned to ship to look for more survivors.  Molly was also a strong advocator for poor children, coal miners, and women.  She ran for political office at a time when most of the United States did not allow women to vote. For more information, www.mollybrown.org is a good site.




Molly Brown



The Molly Brown House does not allow photography inside the home.  So Willow volunteered to have her picture taken in the front window.



This building is the original carriage house for Molly Brown. It is now used as a ticket office and gift shop for the house tours. Willow is standing next to a Molly Brown doll. Willow is wearing AG Samantha's new meet dress and her old meet hat, which matches her new dress well.



Another picture of the carriage house.  Historic teas, Titanic lessons, and other fun events are held upstairs.



Willow and I then drove past the state capitol building, about three blocks away from Molly's house. The gold dome at the Capitol has recently been re-done with gold from Florence, Italy.  One of the steps you see is marked with a sign that says, "You are exactly one mile above sea level". That's 5280 feet! The mountains are 14,000 feet above sea level.



Here is the United States Mint, one of four places in the United States where coins are made. The Mint does give free tours, but security is very strict. The Mint is also close to Molly's house in downtown Denver.
Willow and Caroline will be having some holiday fun tomorrow before Willow leaves for her next stop in Colorado.

DIY - How to Make Pretty City Carriage (Dolliday Crafts)

BIG undertaking!


I wanted the city carriage, but am saving for GOTY15.
I decided to make my own pretty city carriage for photo props. I lack the patience and skill to actually put rolling tires on it so my version is stationery.

Supplies:
  • cardboard box, 2
  • white foam boards
  • white poster board
  • fabric - metallic silver for canopy
  • Styrofoam florist wreaths (4)
  • fabric - wine or burgundy felt or fleece for seat
  • polyfil - to fill seat
  • GLUE lots of GLUE (I use hot glue)
  • wrapping paper tubes or wooden dowel (2)
  • plastic tube hangers (4) - gray
  • paint - black, gray
  • Holiday decor



 I don't have a tall enough backdrop.


This project is VERY detailed so it's best to watch the
*TUTORIAL VIDEO*

Friday, December 5, 2014

Where's Willow? - Denver, CO (Day 3)

 

Do you know what the capitol of Colorado was back in 1862?  If you guessed Denver, you're incorrect.  The City of Golden (15 miles east of Denver) was the state's first capitol.  Golden was also one of the first cities in the area to discover gold.



 

Here is Willow enjoying the water at Clear Creek, where gold was first discovered in the 1850's. Now it's a popular tubing spot in the summer.  The snow melt from the Rocky Mountains makes the creek super fast in the springtime.




Willow sees snow for the first time!  Actually, it's more like ice, but Willow didn't mind at all.


 


Willow spots the Coors Brewery.  The Coors family started making beer in 1873, and the company offers free tours, which are quite interesting.  


*In Store Report* Holidays at AGPDC

I always love when Madelon visits AGP. It gives those of us who don't live near AGP a chance to see the current displays. I especially appreciate the in-store photos for my International readers to see.


Exterior wreath.

 

 Cute display!

 
Wonderful presents.


 Upstairs window.


2014 Ruby Red Dress Store Exclusive.




Thanks Madelon!

*Opening* OG Party Whirl Holiday Dress

I needed a holiday dress for Paige. I didn't want another red, green, blue or even pink dress so when I saw this plum/purple OG dress on sale......Cha Ching!



It's called Party Whirl.


The bodice is a soft velveteen plum and the skirt is purple satin covered in netting.



It has a matching velveteen bolero and flats.


An added piece is the pearl choker.
I know Paige will look pretty in purple this holiday!