Search Results for: DIY

Mom Makes American Boy Doll for 6-Year-Old Son

When Gina DeMillo Wagner’s 6-year-old son began asking for an American Boy doll last year, she went to great lengths – at a low cost (less than $50!) – to give her boy the doll of his dreams. Currently, the company that makes the American Girl dolls does not make a boy version of the toy. The doll she started with is actually a Madame Alexander brand doll.

And it wasn’t just any doll he was after – Miles wanted one that looked just like him since his older sister had an American Girl doll that looked just like her.

Wagner was inspired to take on the DIY project after a friend jokingly suggested she “get a girl doll and give it a haircut.” One swift makeunder later (she gave the doll a haircut, used acetone to remove the doll’s lipstick and blush, and trimmed the eyelashes), and Miles had his perfect doll, which he decided to name Fred Jones, possibly better known as Freddy from Scooby Doo. His sister named her doll Daphne.

As for whether her crafty endeavor has inspired her to take on more DIY toy projects in the future, Wagner says, “I don’t have any specific plans right now, but I did download some sewing patterns for 18-inch dolls, so if we want to make Fred some new T-shirts, we might do that!”

Category: Craft | Comments Off

October 19

Make Your Own Zombie Jewelry

Halloween isn’t far off, and if you are still in need of some spooky accessories, this tutorial from the DIY Maven on Curbly has got you covered. The DIY Maven takes you step by step through making your own zombie pin out of polymer clay. Even if you’re new to polymer clay, you’ll find this tutorial easy to follow with it’s great pictures and clear instructions.

Category: Craft, Geek, Horror & Gore, Tutorial | 1 Comment

October 5

These Are Definitely The Pumpkins You’re Looking For

Halloween is coming and to get you ready I found some fun pumpkin carving templates and ideas! StarWars.com has got some free templates featuring some of your favorite characters, like Yoda and R2-D2. There’s a Chewbacca one that I think looks a bit impossible, but my pumpkins tend to look like a second grader carved them, so . . .

There are so many fun pumpkin carving (and decorating) ideas out there. Do you have some favorites?

Looking for a little more Halloween inspiration? Check out my Halloween Pinterest Board!

Make Your Own String Dolls!

I was hanging out with my best friend and her family, including two very rambunctious boys, and we were at a big toy store when my friend found this really fun looking kit for making string dolls. But the kit was $20, and we both kinda cringed at the price and put the kit back on the shelf.

However, it got me thinking, somebody out on that world wide web has had to have posted a tutorial on how to make these super cute little guys! A quick Google search, and lo! It seems the most excellent Natalie over at Doodle Crafts has got this DIY covered!

Unlike a lot of tutorials I saw, she uses pipe cleaners and a wooden bead for the string dolls’ bodies. Other tutorials used heavier gauge wire and bits of styrofoam (or nothing at all for the base of the head). Natalie also uses regular old white glue to secure the string onto the base form, whereas other tutorials use super glue (or other heavier duty adhesives). I haven’t tried making one yet, but I certainly plan to. It seems to me it would be best to experiment with whatever materials you have on hand and see what works best for you when creating your new little string doll best friend! I would guess that different materials would have different staying powers and durability.

Have you ever made one of these cute little guys? What materials did you use?! How did yours turn out!? Be sure to share in the comments below!

Make Your Own Felt Sugar Skull Sachets

I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love the colorful and ornate look of sugar skulls. So when I saw this fun tutorial and pattern by Rachel on the blog Adventures in Making, I knew I needed to share it. The tutorial has a downloadable template and step-by-step instructions, complete with plenty of pictures, so you can make your own lovely sugar skull sachet. There are even instructions on making your own sachet mix to go inside the felt sugar skull. Wouldn’t this make a fun gift?

Papercraft Minecraft Torch – Pin of the Week

I really like the idea of this DIY Minecraft torch. It looks super easy to make, not too expensive, and it would look great to have them dotted around the place for a Minecraft themed party, or even just as part of your everyday décor! There are full instructions of how to make your own papercraft torch, as well as a template to print your own. Happy Mining! :)

Edited to add the original source of the pictures here and the design here.

Category: Computers, Craft, Games, Geek, Tutorial, Video Games | 4 Comments

Geek Crafts

Where geek and crafts collide