October 1st at Cousin Rube's Farm -Barbie Diorama

As with most nurseries, early fall is all about pumpkins at Peace and Pancakes Farm. It also means cooler weather and heartier appetites for the -all you can eat- pancake breakfasts on the weekends:@) This helps draw in big crowds as everyone stops by to pick up their prized pumpkin, and anticipates Rube's Halloween decorations and events. Barbie decides she'd like this huge beauty for the front yard...

So the guys rolled it onto a blanket to carry it to the Jeep... And Ken thought he was only going out for a nice breakfast:@) He sure hopes someone is around to help unload it when they get home😉

Jack-O-Lanterns have a long history and have been carved from many things. I've included a little background below... One of the guys grew habaneros and brought some of the peppers into the office. This lone little orange one was left on the counter in the kitchen, so I brought it home to draw a silly face with a Sharpie, and knew it would be a great size for some Barbie pictures:@)

Looks like two pumpkins are coming home after all:@)

Barbie says, 

that's one spicy jack-o-lantern😂

Wikipedia:

A jack-o'-lantern (or jack o'lantern) is a carved lantern, most commonly made from a pumpkin, or formerly a root vegetable such as a mangelwurzel (beet), rutabaga or turnip. Jack-o'-lanterns are associated with the Halloween holiday. Its name comes from the phenomenon of strange lights flickering over peat bogs, called jack-o'-lanterns (also known as, will-o'-the-wisps). It is suggested that the name also has ties to the Irish legend of Stingy Jack, a drunkard who bargains with Satan and is doomed to roam the Earth with only a hollowed turnip to light his way.

🎃Make something just for fun and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Cousin Rube's End of Summer Staycation-Barbie Diorama

Things slow down at Peace and Pancakes Farm towards the middle to end of August. Customers are scarce as everyone uses up some vacation time, and it's still too hot for mums... So Barbie's Cousin Rube decided to close the store for a long weekend before fall, and just relax at the farm house with his girlfriend Reenee. A Staycation of sorts:@) It felt good to just sit with toes in some cool water, catching a breeze for a while...

And Reenee was thrilled to spend a little quiet time with Rube. They've been so busy with the farm, and harvest season will bring in a ton of people for pumpkins and Halloween fun. Just a few days where the only decision they have to make is what's for dinner...

And with a belly like this... Rube takes dinner ~very~ seriously😎

After much deliberation...

Decision made😉

Details: How to make a no-sew Handkerchief Top here. House backdrop, pool, and chair from Dollar Tree. The food came in a Zuru Mystery Ball:

The ball was loaded and every item is substantial plastic, no little cardboard boxes of air... The pizza and sandwich box lids do close. The pizza can be removed from the box, the hot dog comes out of the foil wrapper, and the sushi lid opens and the plate comes out. Everything is ~very detailed~ and as the label implies, all items are real restaurant name brands. Fun stuff folks...

 We here at PIM hope that you too, can take a little time off as summer winds down. It's good for the soul:@)

Because,

Fall is coming folks...

🌻Have a happy day😉

Barbie's Christmas In July -Arriving at Cocktail Party

Barbie and Ken were invited to a ~very fancy~ Christmas In July cocktail party... Oooh la-la:@) Much like the holidays, the occasion gave folks a chance to get just a little dressed up for an (air conditioned) evening of wine tasting and appetizers. And since nobody likes to show up empty handed... Ken brought a classic summertime favorite, Jersey Shore boardwalk salt water taffy.

And Barbie took a drive to Cousin Rube's farm store for a treat to bring. Rube made sure Peace and Pancakes Farm was ready for Christmas in July fun (and hoped to sell a lot of marked down Christmas trees)... A local bakery provides pastries and candy for the sweets cart. I'm telling you folks, that elf is everywhere...

Barbie came home with...

A gingerbread lighthouse...

Perfect for summertime festivities:@)

Barbie's Cousin Rube is a self proclaimed old hippie, a passionate farmer, and master marketeer who greets every season with childlike enthusiasm. He genuinely hopes ~you~ always look for something to celebrate too:@) And um, stop in if you need a new tree...

Details: I found the $1 lighthouse ornament last year at the thrift store and immediately knew I'd use it for Christmas in July. My door scene is a cardboard foldout from Dollar Tree. There are several room scenes to choose from, they can be fun:@) The barn is from the Sweet Orchard Farm playset. Cousin Rube is a 12" Rubeus Hagrid doll from the Harry Potter series. How to make a Barbie necklace here. Big man doll overalls free pattern here.

Previous Barbie Christmas in July:

2020 -Double Sided Pillow

2021 -Stocking Cap from Sock

2022 -Disco Ball Light from $1 Ornaments

2023 -Resort Vacation-Frozen Hot Chocolate

🌴🦩🎅Happy Christmas in July!

Barbie Peeps Apron & Other Peeps Doll Crafts

I say it all the time folks, the fastest and easiest way to create something seasonal for your (or your girl's, or your grand's) doll is by making an apron. And what's more iconic for Easter than peeps... So I simply cut a bunny shape out of some leftover felt, glued on some ribbon, and wa-la, we have a Peeps Apron for Barbie. Total project time = about five minutes. We like that kind of craft here at Pig In Mud:@)

Side View:

My pattern:

You may even have a cookie cutter you could trace around.

✂What I did:

1. Cut one from craft felt.
2. Add eyes and nose with Sharpie.
3. Cut ribbon for ties, one long enough to tie around waist and two for shoulders.
4. I aimed for the "waist" of the Peep to be Barbie's waist. Hot glue ribbon to center of Peep's waist. I purposely wanted this to keep the icon shape, not be fitted to the doll's body, so I didn't glue it to the edges.
5. Glue each shoulder strap to the bottom of each ear. I wanted the ears to stand up, so again I didn't glue to the edges.
6. Dress doll and smile:@)

More Barbie Peeps Projects:

Small Felt Pillow

And a Recycled Candy Topper Decoration:

Did you know Peeps originated here in PA? Yep.

Barbie says, this Easter she hopes you get to spend some time with -your- favorite Peeps!

🐰Make something just for fun, and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Barbie's Trip to Christmas Tree Farm and Holiday Party -A Short Story

Very early one snowy morning Barbie and Ken (and furry friend) hopped into the Jeep and headed north to Cousin Rube's farm to pick out their Christmas tree. While the weather was iffy, Ken was confident the Jeep could handle the trip. Everyone dressed warmly, and was looking forward to seeing Rube's farm.

It was a couple hour drive out to the country, and the scenery was beautiful as the sun began to come out. Everything was frosted and sparkled...

~Someone~ was very excited about the road trip😉 As for Barbie... She was ready for a cup of coffee!

Cousin Rube bought his property a few years ago and the first thing he did was plant evergreen trees. The saplings thrived and grew, and are finally large enough to be harvested, so he opened the gates of his nursery to the public. He's thrilled to see his vision of a sustainable homestead slowly coming to life:@) 

Rube says "Welcome to Peace & Pancakes Farm"...

While Barbie has heard stories of the farm, she really didn't know what to expect... Other than, on the weekends there would be an all you can eat pancake breakfast for a nominal fee. Rube says, even Hippie farm boys have to pay the bills😉 

Barbie found the perfect tree!

Look closely folks...

I'm telling you ~he's everywhere~:@)

There was a great assortment of fresh wreaths, and some handcrafted gift items from local artisans. *Free gift wrapping too... Rube is very detail oriented and thinks of everything🎅 

After a few hours of cold fresh air, a yummy breakfast, and the tree's on top of the Jeep, it was a great visit! Ken waves goodbye as they head back to the city.

Cousin Rube wishes everyone a wonderful Christmastime😎

After they warmed up and the tree was decorated, Barbie and Ken decided to have a small holiday gathering. So they sent out invitations to some close friends for a Theme'd Cocktail Party... Barbie thought it might be fun if couples were encouraged to wear matching outfits. While in real life guys might grumble a bit at such an idea... The Kens seemed to be on-board and willingly dressed up:@) Some wore ~very~ formal wear, while others... Well, others were a bit more playful, while sticking to the dress code of course...

Ken straightens a few ornaments on the tree before the guests arrive. And Barbie's having a little sip in anticipation of a fun evening.

Appetizers were served as the guests arrived.

(Ken's best 'don't hate me because I'm beautiful' pose...)

Jazzy instrumental Christmas music played all evening, which encouraged a little holiday dancing by the glow of Christmas lights.

And of course there's one in every crowd...

Santa Ken with photo prop beard and mustache. He encouraged all the girls to sit on his lap and tell him what they wanted for Christmas... (Long Santa dress from wine bag DIY.)

Barbie wished for more time with good friends, 

and the peace of Christmas to last all year.

Oh and, to get off of those boney knees:@)

And we here at PIM wish ~you all~ 

a little silly fun this holiday season!

Have a happy day🎅

Male Dolls-Ken (Barbie) & Rubeus Hagrid -Pants, Shorts, Overalls-Free Patterns

I think we're all familiar with that "darn it" feeling when a favorite pair of pants gets worn out. For today's project, it was my Philadelphia Eagles logo lounge pants. The good news though, the team colored plaid print happens to be small enough to make some Pajama Bottoms for Ken:@) So I sketched a loose fitting pair of pants. The waist can be held up by either elastic or a draw string. The waistband is the most difficult part of the garment, but I have a little tip to help make it easier... 

🏈As a super fan, 

Ken ♥loves his new lounge pants in team colors!

The well worn fabric drapes beautifully:

The Pattern:

✂What I did:

1. Cut 2 from from fabric of choice.
2. Place right sides together.
3. 1/4" seam allowance and hems:
4. Sew crotch, sew all around the U shaped cut out.
5. Hem the bottom of the legs. Since I used an old pair of pants, I cut my pieces using the hemmed legs and saved myself this step.
6. *At this point experienced seamstresses may want to turn away😉... I cut two pieces approximately 1 1/2" long, of 1/4" wide elastic for waistband. 
7. Fold top of waist over to wrong side 1/4"-ish. Carefully stretch elastic and using zig-zag stitch sew to wrong side of waistband. Do the same for the other side. Doesn't this mean raw elastic is touching the skin? Yes. My experience has been, while it might irritate toddlers, the dolls haven't complained so far.😎
8. Flip the fabric so the right sides are together and they look like pants, you can see the waist and legs. Really don't know how to describe this so it makes more sense, you just have to work it and you'll see they look like pants...
9. Sew the side seams. Turn right side out. Done.

Or maybe you'd like to make some shorts... This version shows an alternate velcro closure in the back, you could do that for the pants too. This is an easy pattern that can be whipped up in minutes:@)

As you can see, the guys take picking their beach volleyball team ~very~ seriously😉

What I did:

1. Cut 2 from from fabric of choice.
2. Place right sides together.
3. 1/4" seam allowance and hems:
4. Sew crotch, start at top of U shaped cut out, sew down and around up to the (approx) black line, back stitch.
5. Hem the bottom of the legs. I just folded the fabric over and creased it with my nail.
6. Hem the waist band pieces.
7. Flip the fabric so the right sides are still together but they look like shorts, you can see the waist and legs. Really don't know how to describe this so it makes more sense, you just have to work it and you'll see...
8. Sew the side seams.
9. Flip shorts so the right side is showing, fold the two opening pieces in the back and make crease with nail. Hot glue or sew velcro, or snap, for closure.

A pic of the back:

 

And there just aren't any clothes on the market (other than Etsy) for this Rubeus Hagrid doll I call Barbie's Cousin Rube. So I made some overalls because he is a farmer... And has a big belly, the straps hold the pants up:@)

Rube says ya gotta have a pair of long pants for the colder weather😎 I recycled an old pair of my shorts and used the original hems.

Side view:

And the back:

Details:

The straps are faux leather sewing trim from Ma's stash, and the rivets are studs, well over 25 years old, 25¢ on clearance. I do like this look😉

The Pattern:

✂What I did (all seams 1/4" and back stitched):

1. Cut two of pants on fold. Cut one bib (can make the bib bigger if desired). ***Please Note: I used hems from recycled shorts for the bottom of the legs and top of the bib. If using non-hemmed material, please add 1/4" to leg hole and top of bib.***
2. Place right sides of pants together, sew front from waist to crotch.
3. Hem bib on all sides.
4. Open pants, lay flat. Center bib on waist of pants, right sides together. Hem.
5. Fold bib up, fold waist down, sew hem all the way across waist.
6. Place right sides of pants together, sew back from waist to crotch.
7. At this point they will look like pants... Sew up one side and down the other of leg seams.
8. Turn right side out.
9. Figure out what you'd like to do for suspenders... Fold and sew denim or use ribbon, cording, etc.
10. Suggestion: The easiest way to dress the doll would be to add velcro to the back suspenders and inside of pants. What I did works, you just have to have a little patience😀
11. Add any desired embellishments or sewing trim and dress doll!

And if you'd prefer to make overall shorts:

Love the frayed bottom-cute!

The pattern:

Directions pretty much the same as above.

✂Make something just for fun and 

Have a Happy Day:@)