How to create Rockin Victory Rolls in doll hair

Victory Rolls, once you figure out how they work, aren't that hard to do on dolls, but don't expect them them to hold up through play.  I put these in my dolls that I use for modeling.  You will need a fine tooth comb and Bobby pins.  These are much harder to do on dolls with bone strait hair, but work perfectly with the doll that hair have a bit of wave or curl.

 First separate the sections of hair that you want to roll.  Each section will be one roll.  Comb it smooth, I use hair butter to smooth the hair of all frizzy's and the hair stays soft and easy to roll.  

Start at the ends and comb them over your finger for a forward curl or under your finger for an under curl.  Both curls are shown, but only the forward curl is shown step by step.
Roll the hair to the base of the scalp. The curl can be as big or small as you want.  Some Victory rolls are really big on top of the head, while others are smaller and off to the sides.   Put the Bobby pin in, starting at the dolls scalp catching hair beneath the curl and pin the curl through the middle.  See pictures for a clearer idea of what I'm trying to say.

The first curl is an forward curl that sweeps the hair off the dolls face.  The other two curls, on the sides the first, on top of the head are also forward curls, sweeping off the face.  The back I put into a pony  and curled it under.  In the final pictures I put a bow on the pony, but on this doll in the earlier pictures, she is modeling a headband from a dress set I made and sell on my Etsy shop, Stink Feet Creations.

Etsy 

How to make 18 inch doll apron with pattern included

Apron Pattern, directions for those with some sewing experience.

First choose your base color and contrasting color or pattern if you don't want a solid colored apron.  You can make this apron with a quarter of a yard.  Contrasting color are for pockets and waistband.

Choose your lace and sew it into the inside of the arm straps.  The pattern marks where to place the lace but experiment on how long you would like it to be.

Apron top stitched together, before turned inside out.  Apron skirt cut out and top gathered.

To turn the waist band and ties inside out, attach a safety pin to the end and push the safety pin through the inside of the "tunnel" created by the fabric.

Turn the top inside out and attach to the bottom.  Flip the top back up and once the waist band is sewn together and turned inside out, attach the waistband between the top and bottom of apron.

Next zig zag the bottom hem of the apron skirt, turn under and attach the lace.  Iron seam on pockets, gather the bottom in a stitch and sew a seam on the top.

Attach the shoulder straps to the back of the waist band and attach the ties to the end of the waist band.  Sew the pockets on the front of the apron and you are done!

The finished product, in white at my Etsy store.  Many other options also available.

Etsy

Tips for great shots by KJ plainwell photography

I am also an avid, award winning, amateur photographer in the Plainwell Michigan area, specializing in candid portraits in natural settings.  

                                 KJ Plainwell Photography

I love getting those perfect pictures taken when least expected. 

The trick is to zoom in and wait, you have to anticipate the next move of your subject and take as many shots as you can, hoping that one of them will be that amazing picture you were hoping for. Expect to get dirty, you will be crawling and laying on the ground, following children up playsets and moving fast to get the next shot. 

Not all your pictures are for beauty, this is a perfect example of a child caught showing exactly was he was feeling, worry and fear. Looking back, these are great shots to capture a moment. 

Always remember that everyday events can produce amazing pictures, the kids playing in the leaves on a sunny fall day. 

And drinking from the hose on a hot summer day. 

Things you see everyday, if framed in a certain way can also make great pictures. This next one won best of show. 

Etsy