Questions (re: dolls, music + flour)

Alright, all you crafty, smart and knowledgeable people (you!).  Can you help?

1. I want to make a doll for the boy.  I'd love to buy a gorgeous, handmade little boy doll but can't, and I don't want one of those little plastic babies that cry when you push their belly, etc.  So I think that leaves me with the option of making one, but there's no way I'm going at it all on my own (especially with the recent crafty vibes around here).  I need guidance.  Is there a great pattern?  I'd (I mean the boy would) fall in love with one just like Colin, of course, and doing the SMS meme posts led me to this cute little guy (now clothed!) who was made with one of these kits.  Do you have any suggestions for me in terms of patterns, resources, etc.?

2. The boy and I need some good, new music to listen to together.  I'm not in the "kid music for kids" camp, meaning we listen to all sorts of wonderful music together all day.  We both like the Beatles, classical, we often have our local jazz station on in the background and we throw in a little reggae, etc.  But, I also think there's a place for the classic kid songs like those from Raffi (he really doesn't bother me) and we love Elizabeth Mitchell's albums all the way.  Anyhow... A mix of happy music, you know?  I have an iTunes credit to use up (from long ago) and I'd like some new songs for us to enjoy.  They don't have to be "kid," just nice.  Some of our favorites on our "Happy Kid/Mama/Daddy Music" compilation disc:
Car Car, Elizabeth Mitchell
Here Comes the Sun, The Beatles
Three Little Birds, Elizabeth Mitchell 
Don't Worry, Be Happy, Bobby McFerrin   
What Goes On, Elizabeth Mitchell   
How to Be Strong, Rosanne Cash
See You on the Moon, Great Lake Swimmers   
Yellow Submarine, The Beatles   
Rainbow Connection, Dixie Chicks   
What a Wonderful World, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole

3. And last, but not least, this request comes from the whole, extended family.  We make lots and lots of bread, and it's good for a variety of reasons.  One of the reasons is Robin Hood brand flour from Canada, and now it's just too grueling to make flour runs across the border (it can take hours to get back into the US now).  We need access to our flour!  Does anyone know how to get Robin Hood brand flour in the US?  It's unlikely, I know, but I thought I'd give it a shot!

Comments

[April]

1. sorry, can't help you here
2. we love jack johnson. try the curious george soundtrack.
3. yea...no help here either.

[Nanette]

Have you thought of this:
http://www.marthastewart.com/making-dolls-with-laura
I haven't made one yet but I intend to soon, (my daughter is developing an unhealthy interest in her cousin's bratz doll).
As to your second request we are mad keen on Elizabeth Mitchell here too. Have you listened to Frances England's album 'Fascinating Creatures'? Seriously good, particularly 'Tricycle' - what's not to like with a lyric 'I do the Tour de France in my underpants'. We have many more favs - have you tried Dan Zanes at all? We'd be happy to do a wee music swap if you are keen.

[mama k]

Howdy! I really though the Dancing Rain Dolls kit was easy and the directions were great. She also just sells the patterns. The other dolls you linked to are also "Waldorf Style" dolls. It just looks like the Colin doll used regular worsted yarn instead of the mohair I used for the hair.
I'm sure if you googled you could find some basic directions.
Good luck!

[emily]

dolls - magic cabin has a kit for making a waldorf doll. have you seen it? i have no idea if it's any good. but i've noticed it.

flour - i know nothing about robin hood brand (helpful, so far, no!?), but i swear by king arthur brand. for whatever that's worth.

music - i'm sending you an email.

[sherrieg]

I know you mentioned 'See You on the Moon' - did you know that there's an album of the same name that has some great songs on it? A friend gave it to us for a shower gift, and we all love it. http://www.amazon.com/See-You-Moon-Songs-Kids/dp/B000ENBNWC

[Stefanie]

Wee Wonderfuls has a great doll pattern (a bit different from the waldorf kind but you might still like it) I have made a few and they are pretty simple, however the last step (with the legs and the bottom) are a pain in the you know what! Other than that it is a great pattern.

Good luck, let us know what you come up with!

[dawn silvio]

my favorite boy doll pattern is from wee wonderfuls. the "archie" doll from hilary's "make a long" pattern. sooooooo cute, and there are quite a few accesories, too.
music::i've gotta great one. it is called "gather round" and i purchased it at starbucks. (it is out in the car, right now) i believe it is available on line. it has tracks like; puff the magic dragon (peter, paul and mary), rainbow connection (sarah mclauchlan), free to be, you and me, the lion sleeps tonight (the tokens), chicken soup with rice (carol king), there are even more...i just can't remember them all! my kids love it.....and i do too. (unlike the many annoying kid-singing the current hits style disks out now.)

[Sarah]

Jack likes They Might Be Giants, their ABC CD in particular. And it's fun, so it doesn't grate on my nerves. We also get a lot of mileage out of old time folk music, a la Woodie Gutherie and Pete Seeger, both of whom have great songs about nature, cars, trains and other fun things for little boys.

(Of course, Jack is also a Bon Jovi junkie, but I claim complete responsibility for that.)

[erin]

my kids love listening to justin roberts (justinroberts.org) and dan zanes.

can't help you on the flour, but i will say i think the wee wonderful dolls are cute. i have made them and if you go slow on the leg part, you can do it easy peasy.

[Nikki Schreiner]

HI! We got a CD called Baby Loves Jazz for Christmas and it's great. My kiddos love it and I like it too, it's not at all obnoxious.

[kirsten]

I'm big on not listening to just 'kids' music. we LOVE raffi, don't get me wrong, and we love a couple of other kids' cd's (TMBG's ABC one for one), but for the most part we listen to everything. just go through your cd's and pick out music that you like. you'll benefit, because you won't go crazy with kids' cd's, and he'll benefit from exposure to a variety of good music. and lots of it. my kids LOVE arcade fire, the beatles, the ramones, the shoutoutlouds, and we just discovered that my son rocks out completely to louis armstrong. we also play classical, too.
and what about soundtracks? not just kids' ones.

have fun with that itunes credit!

[kirsten]

ps - i'm with erin - my boys LOVE their wee wonderful archie dolls.

[Angie]

Try Not For Kids Only by Jerry Garcia and David Grisman. It's a great intro to bluegrass music. Kiddie music that's totally bearable for parents, too.

[Kathie]

I second the Not for Kids Only recommendation - I listen to it alot even when there aren't kids around.

[Sarah Jackson]

1. I'll echo the recommendations for the Archie doll and the kit from Magic Cabin.

2. My kids love Jack Johnson, Not for Kids Only, They Might be Giants, Pink Martini, some Bob Marley, Indigo Girls. Anything folk-y they love.

[Stacey]

If you are looking for more kid friendly music I would check out some Greg Brown, a lot of his albums are child oriented in the subject of the songs but the music is all good folk/bluegrass. Billy Jonas is fun too, although it's much better live.

Hope these help.

[Sarah]

My kids love Nickel Creek and a great - but not too unnerving kids CD is Peter Paul and Mommy - an album we used to listen to as kids on the record player. I haven't made it yet but my 5 year old boy asked me to make him the Wee Wonderfuls doll. No idea where to get the flour. We live in Texas and our border is the other direction.

[Michelle]

I've been reading your blog for a while and really enjoy it. As far as doll making. I am currently perusing and planning on making some dolls from MAKING WALDORF DOLLS. I bought the book from Amazon. I am in the middle of a joy's waldorf dolls kits. It is going OK. I am not totally happy with how it is turning out compared to a kathe kruse doll we have. My doll making has started from wanting make my son a doll too. Good Luck!

[Carrie]

We really like Gillian Welch in our house and Mogs is a fan of the Beach Boys, too. I can never bring myself to listen to kid music, but we do love the They Might Be Giants ABC's and the Woodie Guthrie Song for Mother and Child, I think?

When you make the doll, please post photos, as I am looking for a pattern as well. I started a head in felt, but need to figure out how to make the body.

Good luck!

[h.]

In Harmony: A Sesame Street Record is a great CD I grew up with and it is still in print. (But it isn't on iTunes.) It was recorded in 1980 and has lots of fabulous people singing on it. This is not a muppets style Sesame Record! Elmo is no where to be found on this album. We also listen to a lot of Captain Bogg and Salty at our house. They are a pirate band and a great group of guys. I recommend Pegleg Tango to start with. The songs are so much fun to listen to that the adult in our house listen to it without the monkeys. Also a lot of vintage Sesame Street music is available now on CD, although again not on iTunes.

[Deirdre]

I can't help with #1 or #3, and am amazed that I saw so many of my "original" ideas. Here's our favorite kid-friendly playlist, a mix of kid & adult songs.
Jack Johnson: Banana Pancakes
Stevie Wonder: You are the Sunshine of My Life
Come On Get Happy by the Patridge Family
Fruit Salad by the Wiggles
Big Rock Candy Mountain by Elizabeth Mitchell
We are Famiy by Sister Sledge
Ac-Cen-tchu-ate the Positive by the Andrews Sisters
Woody's Round-up by Riders in the Sky
Three Little Birds by Bob Marley
I See the Moon by Greg Brown (and his daughters)
Raindrops Keep Falling on my head by BJ Thomas
The Unicorn by the Irish Rovers
Happy Talk by Ella Fitzgerald
Silly Pizza Song from Signing Time
Tell me why by Pat Benatar
The Bare Necessities (from Jungle Book)
Chicken Lips and Lizard Hips by Bruce Springsteen
La La La Lemon by Barenaked Ladies
The Hoppity Song by Five for Fighting
Graceland by Paul Simon
Beautiful Boy by John Lennon

[Heather]

i have made a doll from the magic cabin kit. they turn out really cute, come with all the materials you need (with choices for hair color and skin color), are all natural, and not that expensive. they come with patterns (not materials) for clothing too.

jack johnson and the potterybarn kids cd's are my favorites.

[Heather]

i have made a doll from the magic cabin kit. they turn out really cute, come with all the materials you need (with choices for hair color and skin color), are all natural, and not that expensive. they come with patterns (not materials) for clothing too.

jack johnson and the potterybarn kids cd's are my favorites.

[Kayte]

A friend bought a doll pattern from this site

http://sarahs-dolls.com/patterns.htm

And her creation couldn't be any more adorable. And the patterns are very inexpensive and have clear, photographed instructions.

As for music, don't overlook the library. I check out bunches of kid's music (which I agree can be good or really bad!) and give it try in the car or in the house for a week or so before I buy anything on iTunes or at Amazon.

Our current favorite is Mary Had A Little Amp.
http://tinyurl.com/398xlq
Here's the line up
1. Pure Imagination - Maroon 5
2. We Walk - R.E.M.
3. The Rainbow Connection - Dixie Chicks
4. Little Star - Madonna
5. Sing Along - Blue Man Group
6. Baby Mine - Bonnie Raitt
7. The 3 R's - Jack Johnson
8. Anchovie - Moby
9. Life Line - Nancy Wilson
10. Gentle Breeze - Lou Reed
11. Wild, Wild Party In The Loquat Tree - Indigo Girls
12. How To Be Strong - Rosanne Cash
13. When You Wish Upon A Star - Joe Henry
14. Teach Your Children - Graham Nash

For classic children's songs I would suggest Ella Jenkins. She has about 9 million different CD's so just search one with the classics you're looking for. Her songs are a little slower than most children's music and my 23 month dd really appreciates that she can actually chant along to Humpty Dumpty. As an adult, it does take a little to get used to ---it seems slow as first--but you get used to it and you can really see your little one feeling more included.

Other current favorites are Catch the Moon by Lisa Loeb.

As for the flour, I can't help you out except to suggest the unbleached all-purpose King Arthur flour. My daughter and I use it for bread every Thursday morning.

HTH

[Grace]

I know I'm coming to this late, but I have used kits for dolls (when I first made a doll), and they are OK (I used Magic Cabin's) ... you do get all the supplies that way, but a lot of times the instructions for hair are for a quick and simple 'do that will start to come off really quickly. I cannot recommend the book "Making Waldorf Dolls" by Maricristin Sealey strongly enough for this reason. It also has all the patterns in it. If you have questions, need tips, etc., please do email me because I am always willing to help others learn to make these dolls. I would also be willing to share my patterns with you if you are interested. (They are just adapted from the ones in the book I recommended a minute ago.) The yarn I used for the hair is Lamb's Pride Worsted. I have found, from my experience with my daughter's doll, that the mohair REALLY does not hold up. She's only had the doll a year and it is already falling apart. It looks pretty at first, but it gets ratty really fast. I strongly recommend worsted wool yarn. Good luck and do email me if you want!!!

PS: We don't listen to "kids' music" here; my kids love classical (I'm waaaaay into Baroque, so that's mostly what they get to hear, too ... E loves Bach), jazz, salsa (Eddie Palmieri is a fave), and Dave Matthews. Dave Matthews any day of the week would be fab for both of them!