Thursday, September 27, 2012

Tutorial Thursday = fall special instead!



Playing House Skirts

All Skirts are now $5.00 off until November 30th.  Right now our Playing House skirt is the only one, but we have a new one in the works for our mommas and older girls.  Coming in a week or so depending on if our families can stay healthy.  This includes any Christmas fabrics as well.  Our skirts can be worn year around with a cute pair of tights or leggings underneath.  

  






Monday, September 24, 2012

Cinderellie and Tunic Dress...We've been busy

Well you see Keri and Amanda work a little differently...Keri loves structure and patterns...She is the pattern queen, always searching for new ideas and fun things to make.  Amanda is the one who likes to try and figure out things by herself.  If she sees something, she wants to figure out how to make it without a pattern.  So from Amanda comes a couple new things that have been in Amanda's sketchbook a while and in her head for years.


Cinderellie




This is Playing House's Cinderellie Dress, inspired by Cinderella and those two cute little mice, Gus and Jac, it has elastic sleeves and neckline.  The length falls below the knee near the calf.  Doll #2 has been waiting very patiently for this dress.  Custom orders are welcome.  We do not have any in stock.  Sizes infant to 6T are available.  We will ship for $5.00.  Combine orders for cheaper shipping.

Base Price $38
5T & 6T $5.00
Designer Fabric $10.00



Tunic Dress



Peek-A-Boo! Here comes the Tunic Dress.  This dress is knee length and has an elastic neck with large open sleeves.  Ruffles and a ribbon dress up the tunic down the bodice.  We love how women are wearing this with some leggings and tall boots.  We thought dolls would look adorable in them.  So you get the cuteness and the comfort in this little number.  Custom orders please.  None in stock at this time.  Sizes infant to 8T.  We will ship for $5.00.  Combine orders for cheaper shipping.


Base Price $34.00
5T and up $5.00
Designer Fabric $5.00



BEWARE CHRISTMAS PICTURES BELOW
-yes, it's coming soon-



The Playing House Skirt goes Christmas...great for the casual festive outfit for holiday parties.  $25.00


Thursday, September 20, 2012

Thursday Tutorial: How Do You Measure For Custom Clothing






How to measure your doll

You may need one or more of the following tools
Yardstick, ruler, or measuring tape
String, yarn, shoestring, rope i.e. anything that can go around something and then can be measured



Measuring the waist- you want to measure the child’s waist where they usually wear their pants. 



Use the string and wrap around child’s waist, not tightly you want to allow about a thumb width of wiggle room. Then put the string next to a yardstick to get the measurement in inches.

Length- measuring with a yardstick or string measure from the waist (again wear they were their pants) down to where you want the pants to fall, whether that be to the floor, or to the top of the foot.  You will be measuring on the outside of their leg.  I would say that a good rule of thumb would be one inch up from the bottom of the heel.  Make sure you keep it tighter to the doll's leg.  I needed another hand as I was holding the measuring tape to her waist and taking the picture.




Head circumference for hats- using string measure around the child’s head where they would wear a hat, then measure the string with a ruler or yardstick. With this measurement you want exact so don’t allow any wiggle room, but when the hat is custom made the wiggle room will be taken into consideration.




















Monday, September 17, 2012

New Clothesline Addition: Schoolyard Jumper



This is a classic jumper, with two shoulder strap buttons. We have it pictured and ready to ship in purple paisley (size: 6) you can also custom order it in any fabric we have. This dress is available in sizes 3T-8.
Please note: Matching headband is not included, but can be added for an additional $7.00

Base Price: $30
5T & up: $5
Designer Fabric: $10
Shipping is $5, combine orders for cheaper shipping, local customers can pick up from Playing House.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Tutorial Thursday: What's Cooking? Pulled Pork BBQ

 Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwiches




So I hope I'm not the only one busy running from here to there and everywhere.  Sometimes I feel like I couldn't even go another direction if I tried.  Lately, I've felt the need to really keep us all at the dinner table as a family.  For me growing up, my mother made that very important each evening.  No matter the time, we all sat together and had dinner.  I feel that same strong pull to keep us as one at dinner time.  And so I've been looking for quick easy meals at dinner that the dolls will actually eat and this is by far a family favorite...the big joke is this recipe is the only one I serve especially at my larger family gatherings.

Pulled Pork BBQ Sandwiches

                                     Ingredients:

A large pork loin
Low sodium soy sauce
A bottle of sweet baby rays BBQ sauce
Hamburger buns
Crockpot

Favorite steamed veggie
Dill Pickles
Tator Tots
Last week's Dessert






1. Get out that crockpot...the one kitchen appliance that saves me multiple nights during the week.  Place your pork loin in the crockpot fat-side up.  This way when it is finished cooking you can just stripe the fat off before pulling.  I've also been told that the fat on top gives the meat more flavor.  I always poke a few holes in it with a fork for good measure.




2.  Put 3-4 tablespoons of soy sauce on the top of the pork loin.  Use a fork and swipe the meat around making sure that it is pretty much covered in soy sauce.  The salt from the soy sauce adds flavor to the meat while it cooks, but there is NO soy sauce taste after it is cooked.  It acts as a salt more than anything.

This is a half a pork loin and should be what it looks like when done.
3.  Cook time depends on how large your pork loin is.  5 pound loin can cook on high in 3 hours or on low for 5-6 hours.  I always cook about a 10 pound pork loin so I can freeze leftovers and have a good ready-made meal a couple weeks later.  10 pound pork loin will cook on low for 8-10 hours.

4.  Once cooked (you can tell by the fact it is falling apart), you want to pull off all the fat on the top side of the loin.




5.  Once you have all the fat off, take it out of the crockpot and shred it with a fork.  It literally usually falls apart while trying to get it out.  Then mix your BBQ in.  Put as much as you like.  Some people like their BBQ sloppier than others.  You are ready to grab a bun and a pickle and eat.

6.  Add your steamed veggies and tator tots and you have a meal in about 30 minutes.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Tutorial Thursday...What's on the Dessert Menu?

We were going to fix a whole meal for you, but this momma on Tutorial Thursday is pooped...we doctored it, laundry-ed, soccered it, pto-ed it, footballed it, and CVSed it.  I know I'm so tired I'm making up words...so we are going to give you a quick easy meal in reverse order...first up dessert, next week easy peasy BBQ sandwiches!


Peanut Butter Chocolate Banana Cream Pie


1 cup finely crushed nilla wafers
¼ cup melted butter
2 squares semi sweet chocolate
½ peanut butter
2 sliced bananas
2 pkg (3.4 oz) banana instant pudding
2 cups cold milk
2 cups cool whip

1.       Heat oven to 350 degrees

      2.       Mix wafer crumbs and butter until well blended, press
             into bottom and sides of 9” pie pan. 
      Bake 5-8 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely. Meanwhile make chocolate curls using ½ of a chocolate square. ( I do this by using a sharp knife and a cutting board, or you can make pieces by using a grater)




3.      Microwave remaining 1 ½ chocolate squares and peanut butter in microwavable bowl on HIGH 1 minute, stir 
      until chocolate is melted completely and mixture is well blended. Place banana slices in crust, and drizzle with melted chocolate.






     4.       Whisk pudding mixes and milk in large mixing bowl whisk  
            for 2 minutes. Stir in 1 cup cool whip. Spread over  
            bananas, then top with remaining cool whip.



 5.       Refrigerate for 3 hours. Decorate with chocolate curls/pieces and wafers just before serving.







Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Look what is new on the line today...

Announcing the Ruffle 1/2 Apron
the best part is....it's only $15!



The perfect addition to your dolls dress up or tea time playing.  The ruffle apron features a Velcro closure in the front, which means that your doll can put it on all by herself!  This Bright Ruffle Apron pictured is ready to ship and will fit a range of sizes from 3T to 6 due to the adjustable Velcro.  This apron is also available in a reversible style, which would have a tie back, and a different fabric on each side (the ruffle and waistband would be the same color on each side).  Please let us know if you have any special requests, as we love custom orders!

Base Price: $15.00