Happy Birthday, Jesus

The Night Before Christmas for a Hearts for Hearts Girls doll

Sewing Idea from Erica: make a cozy robe by adapting our hoodie patterns!

It's the Night Before Christmas and this cute Hearts for Hearts Girls doll has been dressed in a beautiful robe made just like her Mommy's. Erica Neumann. made the robe for her daughter's doll from the BeachBabyDoll's Hoodie Pattern for 13 -14 inch dolls. She adapted it by lengthening and adding a tie! Great idea! She also made 2 sets of pajamas and pajama pants from the tee shirt and pants patterns from BeachBabyDoll.com. She made them all by hand and quickly. Good job, Erica. Her creation will be posted on the Your Creations Page from BeachBabyDoll.
I was just thinking what a blessing Erica's gift to her daughter is: The Hearts for Hearts Girls dolls donate some of their proceeds to World Vision to help children all over the world. BeachBabyDoll donates to Harbor Baptist Church's children's camp fund and to Mrs. Meehan's school supplies, and much of BeachBabyDoll's supplies come from Christian thrift stores who help so many homeless and poor families and children. So before her daughter even receives the doll clothes, they are giving to others. Best of all, when Erica's daughter receives her gifts, she will always, forever remember that her Mom made them for her and cherish that Christmas. Who knows, she might even want to make doll clothes for her own daughter some day! So the gift goes on.
Besides being a great mother, Erica Neumann is a professional artist. I discovered her web site when she ordered from BeachBabyDoll. You can check out her amazing work on-line at Neumann Gallery and Studio.
I love the big red bear! Her paintings bring great memories back to me of Calgary where I once lived for 6 years. Beautiful expressions of God's creation!

Wonderful words from the Angel Gabriel

Great words to Mary from the angel Gabriel whom God sent to Mary :
(From Luke 1, a Book of the Holy Bible)
  ³¹ You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. ³² He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, ³³ and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” 

 And later he reminds Mary:

 ³⁷ For no word from God will ever fail.”

Which of God's promises in the Bible are special to you? His word never fails! 

All of us can be in His Kingdom that will never end! Here's His greatest promise (the best Christmas Present Ever) as written by His friend John in the book of John chapter 3 verses 16 and 17.
¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

The Story of Christmas from the Bible

The story is found in God's Holy Word, the Bible at http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=luke%202;%201-19&version=NIV

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while^[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

What does it mean for you today?

Celebrating Christ with Your Sewing Skills

          Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

Gwen made this nativity with her dolls wearing costumes made from BeachBabyDoll's  Everything Costume to fit American Girl.
She shared this for our new Your Creations page! Click on it above to see what she said about her experience! Thanks, Gwen! What a wonderful scene for our celebration of the birth of our Lord! I think people of all ages show what is in their hearts by what they make with their hands.  Beautiful.

         

Scrubs Pattern to fit BFC Ink Large dolls

Quick to sew by machine or hand. Someone would love this scrubs outfit for her doll  for Christmas, especially since you made it! Not too late to do it! Instructions for stethoscope included. Pattern is e-mailed to you within 24 hours of purchase.See it here.

Share your creations for Christmas!

Did you use a pattern from BeachBabyDoll.com to make something really special? I would so love to see a picture! Other seamstresses would enjoy viewing it too. Beginner? No problem! Let us help you bask in your accomplishment! Advanced? Maybe we can learn from you!

Announcing: the new "Your Creations" page. Here's how it works:  If you make a doll outfit or item with one of BeachBabyDoll's patterns and you want to share; just send me an e-mail (address found here) At least part of the outfit must have been made with a BeachBabyDoll.com pattern. In this way, I hope people will be inspired to use the patterns in an endless array of creativity. Do you sell doll clothes that you make? I'll be happy to give a link back to your shop, site, or brick and mortar store. Cheri has started us off. Visit the Your Creations page  to see her fabulous Christmas pajamas!

What's New?

 The newest pattern in our collection is a scrubs top to fit BFC Ink dolls.Yes, You can make it before Christmas! It features a lined top and a great divided pocket that really works. There's also instructions for the easy-to-make stethoscope. Find it on BeachBabyDoll's pattern page for BFC Ink. It makes up fast. There's plenty of time to make it before Christmas. Surprise someone with a doctor, nurse or vet in the family! Pair the top with the simple pants pattern. The two are now sold in a Scrubs bundle for your convenience.

Small Business Saturday: Last minute, easy doll clothes patterns

Shop with us on Small Business Saturday. Visit BeachBabyDoll.com for easy doll clothes patterns that you can make even if you hardly sew.
Patterns to fit Best Friends Club Ink large Dolls, American Girl and similar style 18 inch dolls, 13-14 inch dolls like Hearts for Hearts Girls, Groovy Girls, and Les Cheries and My Twinn 23 inch dolls. All Value Priced.
 Surprise that little (or big) girl in your life with your own creations for pennies! Do the world a favor even and re-cycle your old clothes into stylish doll clothes with BeachBabyDoll's easy patterns and tutorials. Bond with a girl and help her to learn to sew. The e-book tutorial sewing guides will help you  and her each step of the way. All the patterns  come with complete guides are currently under $3.00 at BeachBabyDoll.com and $3.49 at the etsy store:beachbabydoll.etsy.com. Most can be made by hand as well as machine and/or serger. BeachBabyDoll.com is a very small business that delights in helping children with the pattern proceeds.  See "About me".

Alligator Lies, an adventure story for children, free e-book

A free copy of Alligator Lies , my new children's e-book is now available for you to read on-line and/or download. Just click on the link. My husband Fred did most of the wild-life and landscape photography, a real treat for viewers. I think it's a very exciting story which both boys and girls will like and has an encouraging Christian theme. I used my BFC Ink Large dolls to represent the main characters: Rachel and Ryan who are brother and sister. It was filmed on location in several different wild areas of Florida. The human heroes in the story are represented by these two mystery guys, Christian fishermen, who just happened to allow me to take their picture on the pier at Sebastian inlet. "Anything for Jesus!" they said. See how the Lord helped me use them in the story!

Enjoy!  I would love to hear what you think.  Sylvia

BeachBabyDoll.com: Unisex Hoodie Pattern for BFC Ink dolls

Having fun on a fall day in our red hoodies

Optional pony tail opening for dolls with long hair!

I just finished this much requested pattern: unisex hoodie for BFC Ink large dolls. Its moderately easy and is lots of fun. You can make it even by hand watching TV! A Great Stocking Stuffer whose proceeds help children. Find it in my shop at http://www.beachbabydoll.com/Patterns4BFC.html.
You may like my other patterns for BFC Ink dolls too!
Complete full color photo tutorial with pattern in pdf format is e-mailed to you within 24 hours of purchase. No gas to buy! You won't even have to go to the fabric store because you can make it or several out of one adult tee shirt! Happy Sewing!

Being Creative! Sewing by Hand for National Sewing Month!

Click Image to Locate the download

Do you have fun creating things? I do. It is such a blessing to be able to use this attibute of God that He gave us!!!! I like to do things with my hands, even when I goof up! Recently I have been reviewing old, old, sewing books that are in the public domain.  I chose some of my favorite illustrations from them to make a free Hand Stitching Hand-out. If you would like to download it, just go to the link at BeachBabyDoll.com. Sometimes, it's so nice to know you can make a garment, even a little doll garment totally by hand! My new "Everything Costume Pattern" for dolls is a great pattern for hand sewing. It comes in two sizes for American Girl and Best Friends Club Ink large dolls. I blogged extensively about it on Sept 8, 2012. See what you can make, anytime, anywhere!


 

Mrs. Meehan's classroom got their cozy rug! Thank you!

It's great we could help out Mrs Meehan with the pattern sales! If you would like to see better pictures of her adorable classroom, Click Here.  Mrs. Meehan and her children are blessed.. Thanks so much! Sylvia

The Everything Doll Costume Pattern: Have you seen it?

At BeachBabyDoll.com. we (that is me, the dolls and Fred) are all so excited about the new Everything Doll Costume Pattern! Why, because we hope our customers and fans will show us some of the huge variety of clothes and costumes they can create with this pattern. Many people are starting to work on stuff for Christmas. Some ladies I know feel badly because they don't have much time and probably may not get to sewing doll clothes for their little special ones till Christmas eve. I hope this pattern can help. It's so easy and quick and makes a bunch of things.That leaves you lots of time to enjoy your family and thanking God for them! Girls just learning to sew will love this pattern because it's very forgiving and lets them be creative. I start you off with some suggestions for outfits like Bible Time and Nativity costumes which is how I got started sewing with this pattern, but you will see how vast the variety is of things you can make.Like:

Pilgrim

King

Prairie Girl

Bible Time Characters

Christmas Party Dress for Miss Claus

Update 8--26-2013: There are currently three doll sizes for this pattern: American Girl size (18 in soft body doll), BFC Ink large doll size  (18 in very slim vinyl doll includes vintage ones like Super size Barbie, Tiffany Taylor), Hearts for Hearts Girls and Les Cherie size (14 inch dolls).   Each size is sold separately. All the sizes can make all the items pictured and a gazillion more things. In the accompanying 30 page e-book and sewing guide I give you the basic garment pattern and instructions, suggestions to get creativity flowing as well as some little accessory patterns and ideas.
Party Idea: In addition, I thought it would be so much fun for girls to throw a doll costume party where the guests could make their own original doll costume. I've included a little design template for that as well as an invitation.  A nice granny or mom may want to sew up a few muslin versions of the basic garment, then let the girls add the embellishments whether actually sewing or using markers and gluing. Here's the link to my Etsy shop where you can now instantly download the pattern and guide to fit the three dolls sizes above BeachBabyDoll.etsy.com.  Happy sewing!
PS: I'm happy to give you a great introductory price. This  e-book and pattern is only $4.49 USD at BeachBabyDoll.com. And the proceeds help kids! Read "About" above. I now send my doll clothes patterns all over the world. What a blessing and a joy!  Sylvia

Ziggy the Bulldog, what a guy!

My grand dog. Ziggy The Bulldog, is aiming for 1000 likes by Thanksgiving. He loves dolls too! He loves everybody! He just looks tough with his shades on!  Click here to give him a Facebook like.

Field trip and dolls

Sometimes the most exotic and different things are located in your back yard, so to speak. My hubby and I are celebrating the 41st year of the first time we ever laid eyes on each other. So we took a field trip, by that I mean, we continued our on-going journey into "Old Florida". In Bartow, the county seat of Polk County, we found a great museum in the old county courthouse. There was a lot of information there about the Seminoles. These pictures above are from a display of the little dolls the Seminoles made.

Here's a picture of a boy's Seminole dress:

 And below a little settler boy's coat:

Here is a picture of some Florida "crackers" cooking some sugar cane syrup

It was really hot in the 90's when we visited. We saw lots of photos of the first "pioneers" of Florida and I wondered how they managed with no AC, running water, toilets or even good bathing suits.

Long before people lived in Florida, the Bartow museum noted that huge crocodiles did:

But I digress from dolls.  The only other two places I saw about dolls were:

There was some interesting architecture and a beautiful campus at Florida Southern College. Hence, the picture of the  Frank LLoyd Wright dolls. I learned that girls during World War II built the whole library there using a lot of complicated concrete and mostly by hand. The girls were students and were working for their tuition. How about that! This is what was the library then and a pic of the inside of the old "reading room".

  But alas, I never got to visit this cute shop below in Mulberry  because they were closed: I hope I can go back. They are relocating soon somewhere.

Easy Swim or Dance costume Pattern for Hearts 4 Hearts and Les Cheries

New easy-sew pattern for Hearts 4 Hearts Girls and Les Cheries or other 13 -14 inch dolls. Complete instructions even includes hand sewing stitches. Come see it . Click here

Comparing H4H girls and Les Cheries doll measurements

I am having "sew" much fun sewing for the mid-size dolls, Hearts for Hearts Girls and Les Cheries by Corolle. If you can click on the image above you will see the comparative measurements of these two brands of dolls. As many of us know by now, they can share most clothes. Seamstresses, pay attention, though, there are a few crucial differences: the head, arm length and inseam length could make a difference in what you are making. In addition, Les Cheries are flexible so may be able to ease into some shoes or pants with tight foot areas that H4H couldn't manage due to firmer plastic. I hope you find the chart useful.

BeachBabyDoll will have a new pattern for these dolls very soon (hopefully this week). I think you will love it. Check out BeachBabyDoll.com in the Doll Pattern page often for doll patterns.

Here is a little outfit I made. You can see that they share it nicely:

It's nice to have someone to share clothes with.  I used to share clothes with my sister! God blesses us with sisters and friends who are like sisters!

Free pareu style top pattern to fit BFC Ink large dolls

Just Chillin'

 

Free Pattern for a pareu style top from BeachBabyDoll.com

"Just Chillin' and thinking about the start of school! My human Mama made me a pareu top because I liked the one my sister doll Anusia had. It's nice and cool.  You can make your favorite BFC Ink doll a pareu too.  The pattern is free on BeachBabyDoll.com's pattern page!"

Sylvia hopes you like it.  She said to tell you that she added a couple of illustrations and cleaned up a couple of typos in the Hearts 4 Hearts Pareu top pattern. It's easy to download if you need to do it again.

Free Pattern to fit Hearts for Hearts Dolls

Free, Easy Sew Pareu style top to fit 14 inch dolls like Hearts for Hearts Girls and may fit Les Cheries. I got it out just in time for you girls' last project of the summer. Really a fast sew if you use a serger. Have fun! Make a bunch. Find it on BeachBabyDoll's value pattern page. Sylvia

Simple pants pattern and tutorial for Hearts for Hearts Girls

Simple Pants pattern now available for Hearts for Hearts Girls or other 14 inch dolls.  Now you can make a whole outfit with my tee shirt pattern too. See it on this page: http://www.beachbabydoll.com/page2.html
Free doll size BeachBabyDoll shopping bag with every purchase. It comes to you as a pdf file along with your pattern purchase or in a separate e-mail if you purchased the doll clothes. It's a little bag that you print, cut, assemble and put yarn or ribbons on as handles. Sample picture on the above page.

New for Hearts for Hearts Girls: Tee shirt pattern and complete sewing guide

Girls all over the world wear tee shirts! Did you ever think about that?  It's a fashion staple from Canada to Chile and Siberia to Australia. So of course, all your new Hearts for Hearts girls need a cute fitted tee.  I just developed a pattern especially fitted for the 14 inch  Hearts for Hearts Girls. Click here for pattern site. It's a great pattern and tutorial for beginning seamstresses or for people who don't have time to make a pattern for this smaller doll. She is much tinier than American Girl. I made the tee shirt pattern because I am going to make her a sari costume and use a cropped tee for the top.
 If you haven't "met" the Hearts for Hearts Girls yet, you will love it when you do. They are from different countries and have great life stories. They are sturdy and have great hair and accessories to their outfits. The web site  www.hearts4heartsgirls.com carries stories about real girls from the countries represented by all the dolls. Sales of the dolls help children around the world through World Vision.
The picture is my Nahji Hearts for Hearts Girl whom I named Anusia. See my previous post.

Anu's New Friends

Dolls: largest: My Twinn, Midsize: American Girl, Smallest: Hearts for Hearts

 Anu (Nahji) close up

The top image says it all.  Friends can be different sizes, colors, etc.!  The smallest one is my new Hearts for Hearts Girls doll  Nahji whose story has her born in a poor rural section of India.  She sells duck eggs to go to school. The book that comes with her is very interesting. Nahji is  just 14 inches tall. I like her little sandals and outfit.  She comes with jewelry. She doesn't want to get married at 13 like her sister. Whoa! That would be hard. She wants an education. Since this doll Nahji has moved to my house in the USA, I have renamed her Anusia after the lovely daughter of  friends with Indian heritage. Her nickname is Anu. My dolls are her new friends. I will probably make Anu some other clothes this summer. I'd like to make a sari that is age appropriate for her. She's supposed to be 10. If you have suggestions, let me know. Have you seen the other new Hearts For Hearts Girls? They represent different countries. The funniest part is that eventhough all my modern dolls including American Girl represent different countries or nationalities, they were all born in China! I'm thankful for the effort and detail that are created in these dolls by people so far away from me. So many children (of all ages) find joy in them. Do you know that reminds me we were all created by God eventhough our earthly homes are so different and far away from each other. And He loves us and created us to be all different sizes and colors. He really wants us all to be in His family with Him forever. (You can find it in God's Message to us, the Bible: John 1: 1-14. In this passage the Word is Jesus.)

McKenna Shoots for the Stars: how do you like it?

I'm watching the movie now.  Tell me what you think.  I love the gymnastic moves! She's under a lot of stress though.
Update after the movie was over: I really liked it. So heartwarming. I like the message that you can think you can do everything but you can't. I like the balance message which to me includes that God is one of the persons caring for me so no worries. I loved the routines! Sure wish I could do them!

BFC Ink Dolls Discontinued!

My Yuko, Kaitlin and Aleisha in tears at the news!

What? We're Discontinued!
 Sorry, my sweet dollies, but it's true.  I just received a confirmation from MGA Entertainment.  The BFC Ink line has been discontinued! I had a good suspicion when I could not get onto their website and the BFC Ink logo had disappeared from the MGA Entertainment site. What a bummer! The BFC Ink dolls are no longer being made. I can't believe it! However, there still seem to be a bunch for sale here and there. I had just purchased two. Well, girls, hold on to your BFC Ink dolls because they are collectors items now! And, I for one, will still sew for them! And I never made my video yet!

Final few days to win an American Girl Doll

This is an easy contest from the Doll Wardrobe.  All you do is post and give your name and e-mail which is kept private. Winner gets choice of 3 dolls! Like it!
Click: http://thedollwardrobe.blogspot.com/2012/04/summer-2012-doll-giveaway-starts-today.html

Korean Hanbok jeogori (Jacket) and skirt (chima)

Spotlight on Korea!

My doll Diette (BFC: Yuko) dressed Hanbok style

For many years I have admired the Korean women's traditional dress style called Hanbok. I have such a sweet new Korean friend who showed me her beautiful outfit: her Jeogori (top jacket) and chima (empire style skirt). She also had under slip similar to the outer chima.  The real hanbok clothing is so beautiful. As I learned more about it through exploring the web, I learned so much about Korea.

Special Message! Do you know what this Korean writing says? Click on writing below to enlarge.

This is Korean for John 3: 16-17

(You can read how much Jesus loves us in English and many other languages by clicking http://www.beachbabydoll.com/JesusLovesYou.html. Maybe you could even share another language for these verses with us.)

There are many Christians in South Korea. South Koreans send many missionaries around the world. Even as their bright Hanbok traditional clothing is so beautiful, they express the beauty of Christ. They have such a desire to unite with their relatives in North Korea and to be able to really share with them their freedom in Christ.

 Currently, North Korea is a dark place. Please pray for their freedom and especially their freedom in Christ! I believe the Lord led me to read a book recently entitled: Escape from Camp 14  by Blaine Harden. It is not for young readers. This is a true story of a man born in a political prison camp in North Korea. (Whole families are sent to prison if someone says or does something against their dictator so it's not uncommon for children to be raised in the prison camps.). His name is Shin Donghyuk. Through only the Grace of God he made it to freedom in the West.You may want to read this book, but if you are a minor, talk to your parents first. Maybe they would like to read it with you. It really impressed upon me that the condition in the camps in North Korea for 150,000- 200,000 political prisoners including children is very similar to the Jewish holocaust in Europe during Hitler's dictatorship. Indeed worse, because many of the children there have never known any hope or love, and it has lasted 12 times longer! Unknown thousands have died from cruelty or starvation.
In Escape from Camp 14, acclaimed journalist Blaine Harden tells the story of Shin Dong-hyuk and through the lens of Shin's life unlocks the secrets of the world's most repressive totalitarian state. Shin knew nothing of civilized existence-he saw his mother as a competitor for food, guards raised him to be a snitch, and he witnessed the execution of his own family. Through Harden's harrowing narrative of Shin's life and remarkable escape, he offers an unequaled inside account of one of the world's darkest nations and a riveting tale of endurance, courage, and survival. (review from Amazon.com)

These sweet ornmental socks were a gift from my friend.

As I was sewing the hanbok dress for my doll, I had an opportunity to pray for North Koreans. In upcoming blogs, I am plan to share more about making these lovely Korean dresses. It is my hope that you will like to join me in prayer for North and South Koreans to be united in Christ as well as nationally as we learn more about these  beautiful, courageous people. Thanks, Sylvia