Opal & Mackenzie

What an amazing summer we had. So much fun, so much happiness and play. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to spend the summer home with my children. But this morning it was time to say goodbye to summer good-times with the first day of school for Sweet Pea, and the last year of no back to school for Boober.

We spent so much time out and about this summer that getting dolls finished was . . . well, slow going. But I did get 2 more done, and here they are for your enjoyment!

Opal - a 10" jointed Waldorf doll.

Such a sweetheart. I love the flutter sleeves on her tunic top.

Opal's fabulous hair has been in reserve for a long time now, waiting for just the right doll to come along. She finally did!

I really hope Opal and her child are very best friends.

I also made this little one over the summer: Mackenzie.

Mackenzie is a 14" jointed baby doll, made from a pattern by Cutest Creations. This little one is made with sunny skin, and chocolate brown TLS hair. With the sole exception of plastic jointing buttons inside the arms and legs, the fibres on this doll are entirely natural.

I absolutlely loved making this doll. Every step of the process was thrilling. I couldn't wait to put it all together and see the final product. It's nice when I feel like I'm just as excited about a doll as the person who ordered it.

Babies are a lot of work, but I really look forward to making a whole bunch of them!

Robbie & Nathan

This summer has been incredibly busy -- and just plain incredible.
We've had a few weeks of heat and humidity, but also long stretches of beautiful doll-making weather. We've played outside, we've watched movies, we've done crafts . . . and I've made a few more dolls.

First up is Robbie.
Robbie arrived at his new home last week.

He's already well loved by his child, who has been engaging in some baby wearing, and has his mommy nurse Robbie at bedtime.

Robbie is a 14" traditional style Waldorf doll . He has fair skin.

Then there was Nathan.

Nathan is a 10" traditional style waldorf doll. He climbed into his box this morning and headed off for Australia. He's going to see kangaroos, koalas, and parrots!

Nathan's family are fans of non-traditional colours - creating Nathan and his clothing was a really fun, riotous process. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Kaelin and Kristine

July has been a little on the wild side for me. First, there was my daughter's fifth birthday, and a last-minute party we had to pull together.Then, I was rail roaded into full time day shifts at my job for 2.5 weeks, so that really threw a wrench into the doll-making works. By the time I came home from a full day of office work, I wasn't feeling fun or creative at all. I had forgotten just how rough a full-time day shift can be. Part time afternoons might be taxing, but at least I get a little space from the office!

My stint as an office worker made me really appreciate the opportunity I have as a part-time worker/stay at home mom/hand-made entrepreneur. This is so much better!

I did manage to get 2 dolls done so far this month. I'm starting another one today.

First off, Kaelin:

A 10" jointed custom order, Kaelin was sent off to the same household as Pippa! She's colourful, fun, and slightly silly in her sparkly purple pants.

Then I did up Kristine - Krissy for short:

She's a 14" custom order. She's on her way home now, and will be waiting to delight someone for her birthday!

I know it seems early, but it's already time to start thinking of winter holiday orders. Christmas and Hanukkah are just a few months away! I already have 2 orders for December. If you're thinking of a special toy for the winter season, you may want to start that ball rolling. 

Catching up.

For a while there, life was moving pretty fast. I missed posting some dolls!

This is Bobby - a gender non-specific, 10" jointed doll. I just love the little sleeper!

Celia - a 10" jointed rainbow stripe, that I made just for fun. She's still available in the shop.

Ella - another 10" jointed doll. She was a custom order, but her intended family suffered an unexpected blow. They weren't able to bring her home. Fortunately, Ella was a great fit for another child, and she has found a loving family.

Jennifer - a 14" because I needed a change of pace. I made her just for fun, and she's still available in the shop.

 Pippa - a 10" jointed. I'm particularly fond of this one. I think she's among my best work.
 She is meant to be a very princessy doll, but not a princess. Her belt and un-crown can be worn as bracelets by her child. What's your bet they're lost? I know my daughter would lose them in a week. ;)

And there is Susie - a 10" jointed. I adore her rainbow-y hair. It's bright daisy yarn from Odalee Fibers. LOVE! And the bug dress? Dying over here!

I think that catches us up.

And the winner is . . . .

Christina D, who chose Becky!

I'm so pleased that this lovely little doll has a new home, and will be played with!
Christina, Becky is on her way.

Thanks everyone for your entries! I have hidden entries on the giveaway post to protect your contact info, everyone. Spam sucks.

The bunny will be uploaded to the Etsy shop very soon. 

The Giveaway Gang!

Are you just about ready?

Today, June 21, 2013, marks the third birthday of Making Friends. Three years of making adorable toys, delighting children and parents, and (best of all) working with some of the most incredible customers I could ever hope for.

In keeping with tradition, a birthday for Making Friends means a giveaway! As you all know, I've been grappling with the decision -- what to give away? I made a choice of sorts -- and this is it:

The 2013 Making Friends giveaway is . . . . .

One of these guys. Yeah, I kind of flaked out on making a choice.

Becky, you all know. 10" jointed Waldorf doll, fair skin, Tibetan lamb wig.

Stuffed with clean, carded wool, dressed in cotton, Becky is an all-natural toy. She's sturdy and crafted to last many, many years. She's been sitting around here for quite a while now, waiting to be adopted and meet her new best friend.

The other options are:

This dragon right here --

He seems like a bit of a shy guy. He keeps wrapping his wings around himself like a security blanket. But then, he was really just finished this morning, so maybe he needs time to warm up to us?

He's made with polyester fleece, filled with polyester, and due to small parts and safety eyes, should be chaperoned if he's given to a young child.
Pattern purchased from DIYFluffies.


And the final option --
This little bunny.

The softest stuffed animal I've ever met! His 'fur' is shaggy minky, his ear lining and foot pads are minky. He is stuffed with clean, carded wool. While he's not an all-natural toy, his stuffing will warm to the touch, and he has a bit of extra heft to him. These are really solid little bunnies!

I tried something new with this guy and did nylon joints instead of string. His jointing is extra solid! He's super cute and would make a great companion for anyone, young or less young.
Pattern credit goes to Cutest Creations. 

General rules:

• You are not required to like Making Friends on Facebook, favourite Making Friends on Etsy, follow this blog, follow Making Friends on Twitter, or pin anything on Pinterest. That said, if you like what you see well enough to want one of your own, then I would hope you will like, favourite, follow and/or pin my work. 
• 1 entry per household permitted. You're on the honour system here - don't break my heart! I will be checking that the winners only have 1 entry. Additional entries mean instant disqualification. That's just cheating. 
• To enter, leave the following via comment: Your choice of prize, and a contact for yourself - either email or Etsy. Please keep in mind that while you CAN comment anonymously, I will need a way to contact you. Per page terms of use, I cannot contact you via Facebook. It's just not allowed. Some folks have been having difficulty with comments. I've done some reading -- apparently if you try a different browser, you may have some luck. Failing that, send me an email (makingfriendsdolls@gmail.com) and I'll enter for you. 
• Winner will be selected via random number generator at noon EDT on June 25th, and contacted immediately. They will then have 48 hours to respond, or the prize will be passed on to a new winner.

Good luck, everyone, and thanks for another amazing, successful, overwhelmingly incredible year!

So, I've arrived at a giveaway decision.

I see all of you are just as good at making final decisions as I am. Hurray for us!

I suppose that's not really fair to say. Some of you are quite good at making decisions. It's just that we kind of failed to reach a consensus. We did, however, eliminate the sheep as an option - that's progress, I suppose.

With only three choices, I was able to arrive at a final decision. Would you like to know what I've decided? You'll have to keep an eye on this blog! Unveil will be either tomorrow or Friday.

Avaleigh & Alice

Sometimes, people ask me to make things that aren't in my normal repertoire. Sometimes those requests work out REALLY well.
A while back, I was asked to make a bunny from Cutest Creations' Waldorf Wabbit pattern.

I did. This was the result:

Alice. Made with shaggy minky, stuffed with wool, weighted with glass pellets. Her ears and foot soles were made from a "Guess How Much I Love You" knit that the momma who ordered Alice sent me. It was sent in the form of a dress that the little girl getting Alice was close to outgrowing. Momma wanted to keep the dress around forever and ever. Now she can, in a way.

Alice was so lovely that I was soon asked to make another, smaller bunny for a different customer. I just finished Avaleigh  yesterday. She shipped this morning.

OMG for cute. Love the big eyes! And her popsicles and ice cream cones dress? Squee!!
Initially Avaleigh was meant to be made from a very shaggy minky. Unfortunately, the pile was overwhelming and it just couldn't work. Thank goodness for flexibility - this final look is something I can really be proud of!

Firm decision making time!

For the Making Friends Giveaway 2013, the choices are as follows:

A doll. In fact, this doll right here:

This is Becky, who has been waiting for a home, and a child to love for a long, long time now. If her winner wants her to be a boy, I can change her hair and clothes out.

A dragon. It will probably be different colours, but from this pattern:

A lamb. Again, different colours, but here's a visual reminder:

Or, a bunny. Not this exact bunny, but one like it.

Help me out. Choose just one (I know it's hard) and leave your choice in the comments. I'll be eternally grateful.

Oops.

I have definitely been falling behind in the blogging world. Sorry! Life is crazy and hectic, and I'm doing my best just to stay on top of things, and above all to hang out with, and really appreciate my littles. Sweet Pea has just 5 days of school left this year. It's so hard to believe! She's very nearly reading, she can ALMOST tie her shoes, and (worst of all!!) she has four loose teeth!! She'll be five years old in just under a month. She is astonishing, and beautiful, and capable, and so very tall! Boober is 2.5. He is toilet trained (well, day trained, anyway), he makes sentences with lots of words, he tries very hard to do 24 piece puzzles but can't quite get there, and is convinced that he is a big boy, and can do everything his own self!! He is determined, so skinny his pants won't stay up (no matter what size I try!), fearless, and his smile is the brightest thing I've ever seen. I love knowing these little individuals.

 But we're not here to catch up on my littles, now are we? No. We are here to prepare for the third annual Making Friends giveaway!
I haven't made any final decisions just yet.
I was thinking perhaps a doll? But then maybe a dragon? Or the sheep are pretty cute too . . . . Maybe some doll clothes? Or a gift certificate for the shop?

What do you think? What would you like to see for the giveaway this year?

More Dolls!

Check this pretty lady out!

A 14" custom order - mixed rainbow hair which looks awesome with her sunshine-themed top!

This was my 62nd Waldorf doll. Every so often I count them all up. She's arrived at her new home, and is hanging out, waiting for a birthday.

And then this little one happened -- a 10" custom order.

Her pink and purple outfit is just adorable!

I'm just about done with the queued dolls for the spring -- soon I'm hoping to put some lambs, monkeys and mermaids in the shop!

Sisters!

Have I ever told you how much I love my work? Sure it can be demanding and challenging, but that's a great big part of the fun. The best part, though, is working closely with some really awesome people to bring dream dolls to life. I recently had the opportunity to work very closely with an Alaskan mom to bring her two daughters some really fantastic dolls.

First, we came up with Milly.

Milly's dress just slays me. The bugs! So cute! Milly has (I believe) just met her little girl this week. I hope they're fast friends!

After Milly, we turned our collective attention to doll #2 -- Teagan.

Teagan is going to a bigger girl, so she's actually got TWO outfits. One is her rainbow dress,

and the other . . . .

. . . is this great mermaid costume! I think there will be many happy hours of play ahead for Teagan and Milly and their girls.

Things kind of blew up there!

Mid-January, something very exciting happened. Making Friends was mentioned, and linked in an online article about natural toys. 

Super! It took less than three days for my queue to fill to mid-April. I actually had to suspend custom orders of 10" jointed dolls, because the wait was getting out of hand. I like to aim for 8 weeks of waiting, maximum.

With these orders, there has been a touch of drama (why is all the red hair coloured yarn in the world suddenly synthetic? I shouldn't have to look so long and hard for this!), and a whole lot of fun and excitement. Just last night, I finished a really adorable little girl doll. I think she's absolutely perfect. This is Bea:

Bea is short for Beatrix. It means bringer of happiness. I couldn't imagine a better name!

Bea will be joining her new family soon. I'm sure she and her little girl will be great friends. And I bet Bea gets to have the most exciting adventures ever!

Heading out with Bea is this little baby dragon.

He's stuffed with wool, making him an all-natural playmate for a very special little boy. And there's something special about this dragon, too! He has a heart.
Little C has a heart murmur. His dragon has a heart in his chest too. They are both brave and strong fellows with big hearts. I've been really honoured to make these 2 incredibly personal, meaningful toys for 2 really amazing littles. Thanks for making me part of that, K!