Fashion Dolls 101

 Michael’s just sent out their latest promotional email, and it is elftastic. The flyer announce that Shenanigan season is here and is full of colorful images of everyone’s favorite elf   Featured products include the Santaverse elf door which opens a magic door to the North Pole.   There is also plenty of inspiration your Scout elf’s creative set up with Claus Couture, and cute elf pets.  The 2024 Michael’s exclusive Elf on the Shelf accessory is the Elf Pets Polar Props DIY Sweet Truck. Elf on the Shelf may be falling out of favor  with some parents, but there is no need to let your Elf get the better of you. Remember: the elf is a toy and his behavior—naughty or nice— is up to you.  Check them all out at Michael’s.  Related: The Elves on the Shelves Have Landed at Michael’s Mouse in the House Caters to Kids Elf on the Shelf Falling Out of Favor? Mariah Carey Plush Doll Is All I Want For Christmas  The Elves of Christmas Decorate the Tree  December The Elves of Christmas 2022 Celebra

  Not too long ago, Walmart put their Dreamworks Trolls on sale for $5.97, so I decided to grab one. I never saw the movie, but I collected Russ trolls as a little girl, so I have occasionally added a thrift store troll to my collection through the years after losing all the ones I had as a child. Also, being a fan of the Pink Plastic Princess means the Mattel label on the package didn’t hurt, so I nabbed the pink girl troll.    The box date is 2023 and the packaging says “Dreamworks Trolls Band Together.” Related : Mouse in the House Caters to Kids Elf on the Shelf Falling Out of Favor ? Mariah Carey Plush Doll Is All I Want For Christmas  The Elves of Christmas Decorate the Tree  December The Elves of Christmas 2022 Celebrate the Holidays  H appy New Year, 2024! Send in the Trolls! 2022 Dollar Tree Elfs 

 Martha on the Mantle, Snoop on the Stoop & Trump Elves for the Holidays  Move over Elf on the Shelf. You are not the only elf in the house anymore!  Snoop on the Stoop appeared a few years ago and has achieved enough popularity to come back every year.  New this year are Martha on the Mantle (available at Walmart) and the Trump Elf from Proud Patriots  Since  Elf on the Shelf is falling out of favor  with some parents, maybe it’s time to consider a new elf. The Martha Stewart elf is a holiday tradition. The Snoop elf is a hood tradition. And the Trump elf is a presidential tradition.  And if that’s not enough holiday celebrity for you, maybe you can find the Mariah Carey “All I Want for Christmas” elf from Kidrobat which came out in 2021 to put under your tree.  Related: Elf on the Shelf Falling Out of Favor ? Mariah Carey Plush Doll Is All I Want For Christmas  The Elves of Christmas Decorate the Tree  December The Elves of Christmas 2022 Celebrate the Holidays  2022 Dollar Tree

  Michael’s has done it again—they have the cutest little Christmas minis up on display! The store has everything for the holidays for your dolls: miniature coco and marshmallows, cookies, teddy bears,  ornaments, gift bags, miniature trees and much more.  The prices aren’t bad to begin with, but all the Christmas goods are already on sale at Michael’s and will be throughout the holidays! Go grab some Christmas minis today. Your dolls will thank you.  Related:  Elf on the Shelf Falling Out of Favor? Santa Figures & Nutcrackers Now at Michael’s  Groovy Girl Vanessa Celebrates a Patriotic November Cute Fall Figures at Dollar General Bob Carlisle’s ‘Butterfly Kisses’ Song, Books & Dolls–a Look Back Barbie Doll Goes to the Dove Awards

  November is the month for voting and Veteran’s Day and Groovy girl’s Vanessa was ready. Made in 2002 by Manhattan Toy Company, Vanessa is a cloth plush doll that comes with curly red yarn hair, an embroidered face, and wears a red, white and blue outfit. Her red top has an American flag embroidered on it, Her blue denim skirt is trimmed with a red and white bandana print, her leggings are white stars on a blue background, and her sewn on boots are red fringe.  Vanessa  bring some fun and whimsy to any holiday, not just November. Vanessa hopes that everyone voted and wishes a Happy Veteran’s Dat to all our Veterans.  Related: The Doll Who Became President: Donald J. Trump Talking Doll

 If you love all things Elf on the Shelf, it’s time to get excited! The Elves on the Shelves have landed on the shelves at Michael’s stores!  They didn’t arrive alone! They brought pets, costumes and accessories!  Take a look before they are all gone. You don’t want to have an Elftastrophe! Related: Celebrity Elves Make the Holidays Celebratory  Elf on the Shelf Falling Out of Favor ? Mariah Carey Plush Doll Is All I Want For Christmas  The Elves of Christmas Decorate the Tree  December The Elves of Christmas 2022 Celebrate the Holidays  2022 Dollar Tree Elfs 

 Dollar General Stores has a few cute fall figures left in stock! Dressed in fall colors, these little cuties are sure to add to your autumn decor.  The large autumn girl gnome is $5.00. She is dressed in a bright fall plaid and carries a Happy Thanksgiving sign.  The small fall scarecrow figures are just $1 each, and the cunning little autumn birds are $3 apiece.   Next time you pass a Dollar General Store, head on in. They also have cute Christmas figures!

 Michael’s has been busy decking the halls since the end of September, so it is no surprise that it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at everyone’s favorite craft store.  Hot off the truck are the nutcrackers, in all shapes and sizes and in a bunch of  styles. They are colorful, whimsical and fun.  Also just added are the multi-cultural Santa’s. There are cowboys, chefs and a whole lot more, and they come in small, medium and large… and life size! And if miniature is your thing, the cute Lemox village is up! So take a sleigh ride to your local Michael’s to check out all the holiday goodies. It will put you in the Christmas mood.  Related: THE ELVES OF CHRISTMAS DECORATE THE TREE CHRISTMAS FIGURES LANDING IN MICHAEL’S The Elves of Christmas 2022 Celebrate the Holidays

 It’s fall, y’all! The Minecraft miniature figures are celebrating everything fall, and they invited the Shoneys Big Boy to join them.  Alex, Steve, a villager working on his anvil, a slime and the Creeper are enjoying the fall colors with their new friend Big Boy. The Creeper and Slime are on their best behavior because they don’t want to miss out on the fun.   Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy autumn with your own friends! Fall is a friendly season, after all   Happy fall, y’all! Related: Ashland Pumpkin Patch Figures for 2024

The holidays have landed at Michael’s stores! Employees have been busy decking the aisles with holiday goodies since the last week of September. Finally, some of the holiday figures are on display! These cute reindeer and Santa table decor figures are $24.99 and the sweet little sugar plum Christmas trees are $19.99.  The first nutcrackers, priced at $24.99, have been unloaded and some cute gingerbread pillow figures for $29.99 are out, with more cute Christmas goodies yet to come!  Check out a Michael’s near you to see what’s in store!  Related : Miniature Christmas Doll Accessories at Michaels

~ It’s  time to Celebrate Dia de los Muertos at Michael’s! ~   The Dia de Los Muertos figure are on display at Michael’s stores.  Dressed in colorful fabrics in festive turquoise, fuchsia, yellow, and black, the skeletal figures are ready to liven up your October decorating.  The large figures are $21.99 each, and the smaller dancing couple is $29.99. The larger couple has especially nice detail in both their costume and their face paint   So celebrate your eternal love with Dia de Los Muertos figures from Michael’s.  Dia de Los Muertos 2024 is on Friday, Nov.1 and Saturday, Nov. 2. 

~ Ashland Pumpkin Patch squirrels add a pop of fall color to autumn decorating ~ New at Michael’s is a cute collection of fall figures in the Pumpkin Patch collection from Ashland for $19.99.  Dressed in their autumn finery, the colorful cloth-doll squirrels wear fall plaids— the girls in plaid skirts and the boys in plaid shirts, all wearing fur-trimmed “lace-up” shoes. With their sewn on faces and bushy tails, these little seasonal squirrels are on cuteness overload. If your fall decorating requires something cute and whimsical, consider the Pumpkin Patch squirrels. They will add a touch of cuteness and autumn color to your decorating.  Related Articles:  Halloween & Fall Figures at Michael’s for 2924 Season Handcrafted Rajasthani Puppet Doll from Indian Vintage House of Hatten Cloth Dolls More Doll-Sized Furniture at Michael’s

 Michael’s is decked out for fall and Halloween! The displays went up the last week of June so items are not picked over yet.  Setting the stage for Halloween are these cute little pumpkin shelf sitters and charming little ghosts. Both collections are the perfect combination of cute, colorful and whimsical   Also adorning the shelves at Michael’s are these adorable sisel animals in their festive fall attire.  Whether you like piggies, or foxes, or squirrels or other woodland creatures, you will find them all dresses up in their fall finest just waiting to go home with you  

    Kathputli Puppet Doll from Rajasthan Indian Recently I came across this beautiful Rajasthani  Kathputli puppet doll from India dressed in silk and playing a golden wind instrument.   Kathputli  is a type of string puppet theatre, native to  Rajasthan ,  India .  This string  marionette  performance  art is  the most popular form of Indian puppetry.    Putli  means a doll made of wood, and indeed, the head appears to be carved of wood and painted   The doll is slightly over two feet tall, dressed in green silk with a metallic pattern and trim. He wears a red silk turban and plays a golden instrument.  This  Rajasthani  Kathputli puppet doll is quite elegant and an example of a cloth doll with a wooden head    

Haunting thrift stores and yard sales can yield unexpected treasures. Today I found this whimsical 10 1/4 inch tall vintage cloth doll from House of Hatton.   This cute rag doll is a country girl dressed in calico overalls, an off-white blouse with red trim, cloth hat, boots with two pearl buttons, and has auburn yarn hair  her face is printed on. The doll was made in the Philippines and has a bit of a Holly Hobby vibe. She may have been part of a pair with a matching boy doll. There is no date on the doll, but House of Hatten was founded in 1892  and appears to have announced their closing the end of 2005 , so this doll would probably have been made sometime prior to 2005.   I hope to find out more about this doll and will post updates here when I learn more. Related Articles: Irish Rag Doll Annie a Cute Thrift Store Find Everyone Loves Holly Hobbie Dolls--a Piece of Americana The Intriguing History of the Holly Hobbie Doll Why Rag Dolls Are Fun and Historic to Collect

  Michael’s just keeps getting in cuter and cuter lawn chairs that are the perfect size for 14 inch and 16” fashion dolls to enjoy this summer.  Earlier I reported on the colorful striped lawn chairs Michael’s first got in. Then these two new small chair collections came in.  First, a set of ornate metal furniture with a chair that could seat a Moxie Teens doll for $14.99  and a bench that could hold two Barbie dolls for $16.99. Then came the red, white and blue Summer Heritage and patriotic chairs for $9.99 that are wide enough for a Gene, but have shorter legs than the smaller chairs. Here is another photo for scale  You decide! Which metal lawn chairs will you be getting for your dolls? Related Articles: Great Striped Lawn Chairs for 14” (and 16”) Dolls at Michaels Irish Rag Doll Annie  a  Cute Thrift Store Find Sweet Doll-Sized Carrying Cases at Michael’s

~ Annie the Irish Babe Rag Doll from Dublin ~  I know it isn’t St. Patrick’s Day, but I just found this rag doll Irish cutie at the thrift store and couldn’t resist. Her name is Annie, and she is part of the Kiddie Fun line of Irish souvenir dolls from Dublin.  Wearing a Kelley green shamrock  t-shirt with “Irish Babe” on it, a matching green and white shamrock skirt, green and white stockings, and red tennis shoes, Annie is definitely an Irish lass. Her vivid green eyes and red yarn hair with green bows complete the look. 

  Michael’s has become my go-to spot for doll shopping. Not only does the craft store offer adorable miniatures, but it also has small potted plants perfect for decorating doll spaces. But one of the cutest offerings from Michael’s are these sweet striped metal lawn chairs in their summer section, perfect for a vintage or modern doll display. They come in four color combinations! These colorful metal lawn chairs are great for 14” dolls and will also seat a Gene or other 16” doll if you don’t mind the slightly smaller scale. The same goes for Barbie— the colorful chairs work great for Babs if you don’t mind them being a little large.  You can find other miniatures and tiny plants for your dolls while you are there, as well as some patriotic bears for Memorial Day, Flag Day and July 4.  Summer days are here! Make sure your dolls are ready! Related Articles: Sweet Doll-Sized Carrying Cases at Michael’s Cute Patriotic Bears, More, at Michaels

  Look what’s on the shelves at Michael’s now! These cute carrying cases are the perfect size for smaller dolls like Tiny Betsy, Madame Alexander Wendy, and other 8” dolls   The case sports Monet’s Garden on the lid, with a pink base and white handle. The price is $29.99. Carry your small dolls in style with this cute floral carrying case from Ashland on the shelves at Michael’s now. Related Articles: Cute Patriotic Bears, More, at Michaels

  Michael’s is ready for Memorial Day, Flag Day and the 4th of July with red, white and blue decor. These cute little patriotic bears will appeal to any collector of stuffed bear an d patriotic figures.  A boy bear dressed in a blue vest covered in white stars and striped red and white pants holds the American flag, while the girl bear wears a matching dress.  If that’s not enough figurine cuteness overload, take a look at the Chicita banana vase! This tropical ceramic lady wears her fruit stylishly in her head  whatever you put in the vase, just adds to the look   Both are now available at Michael’s