Welcome to Summer

Won't you put on your sunglasses

 and join me for a garden stroll

 to welcome the official start of Summer.

Lollypop is the name of this hardy lily.

This insect found a perfect resting spot.

Stella de Oro is a popular variety of daylily to plant in Midland.  You see this plant everywhere.

I've planted mine near our Japanese Maple for contrast.

The golden-yellow flowers lean toward the sun
in our partially shady yard.

The Grape-O-Licious Wishbone Flower

is an annual in our region. 

This is the first season I have seen this plant available

in our local nursery.  

A closeup of the delicate blooms features 

the deep purple throat of this plant.

We'll stop a moment to admire the Royal Candles Speedwell. 

The purple flower spikes

match the sunglasses worn by today's tour guide.

I'd love to hear about the plants

that welcome Summer into your garden.

Please leave a  comment.

Until next time, live and love well.

Joining these fun parties:

Bunny Hop Party at Bunny Jean's Decor and More

Share Your Cup Thursday at Have a Daily Cup from Mrs. Olson
Show Off Friday at What-About
You're Gonna Love It Tuesday at Kathe with an E
What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

New Clothing Added to Custom Doll Boutique

New clothing selections to dress your custom doll

 have been added to our boutique.

An adorable navy romper is now available.

Pale pink binding accents the leg openings,

front pocket and straps.

The romper is accessorized with a cream sweater

featuring a pink poodle applique.

The pink toy poodle is included with this clothing choice.

Black and bright pink make a striking statement.

The jumper is black corduroy.

Accent stripes of pink plaid are at the hemline

with a heart applique of the same fabric on the front bodice.

The pink shirt features a collar of matching plaid fabric. 

Our model for the navy romper is one of our Dress Up Toddlers.

Dress-Up Guppy has Blonde hair and Blue eyes. 

Dress-Up Keiko models the black jumper.

Keiko has Dark Brown hair and Chocolate Eyes.

When you purchase

Dolls that Look Like Your Child

or Dress-Up Toddlers,

you choose your favorite clothing outfit

from our current selections to dress your doll.

Your doll will be delivered lovingly dressed

complete with coordinating shoes and socks/tights.

Visit our custom doll boutique

and create the doll of your dreams!

Until next time, live and love well.

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

Toddlers Who Will Capture Your Heart

Do you have a friend or family member who is a doll collector?  Maybe YOU!?

Is there a special child in your life who would cherish a pretty doll?

Plan now for your upcoming gifting needs.

Valentine's Day, Easter, and Birthdays are perfect occasions for gifting a doll.  

New inventory has been added to the Doll in the Looking Glass web site.

Lots of adorable expressions have been added to our Dress-Up Toddlers category.

Here is a preview of our newest expressions.

Visit the Dress-Up Toddlers page at Doll in the Looking Glass for more details.

You may be wondering why these dolls are called Dress-Up Toddlers.

Purchasing one of our Dress-Up Toddlers is a two step process:

• First, select the facial expression that captures your heart.   We have a variety of eye colors, hair styles and hair colors in stock.  All of these dolls are photographed in a simple t-shirt so the doll's face and hair can be the initial focus.  Once you have found the baby or toddler expression that calls to you, you can move to the next step.

• Second, (this is the Dress-Up part of the name) check our closet of clothing and choose an outfit that will accent your doll's unique personality.  You may want your doll dressed for a very special occasion and you will find clothing adorned with ruffles and lace.  Or, you may prefer every-day cute clothing styles with a contemporary flair.  You decide!   Your doll will be lovingly dressed and delivered to you.

Until next time -- live and love well,

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass. Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works. The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.

Christmas Toys

You can't think of Christmas without thinking of toys.  No, not all of the electronic, high tech goodies available today.  I'm thinking of the old fashioned kind -- things that children (and adults) have enjoyed throughout history.

If you have ever watched a production of the Nutcracker Ballet, you know that Clara is given a nutcracker as a gift and dreams that the soldier nutcracker becomes real.   Many nutcrackers are depicted as soldiers.   However, the nutcrackers who stand guard at the base of our stairway are not in this traditional image.

Here is a close up photo

of the two stairway sentries who greet visitors to our home.

The nutcracker on the right is an image of the composer Tchaikovski.  Dressed in a blue velvet cape, maroon vest and fur hat, he holds his baton high to summon the start of the music for the ballet.  He is accompanied by a pink-eared mouse and two other characters from the story.

The nutcracker on the left depicts Ebenezer Scrooge.  He is all business with his spectacles, briefcase and account ledger.   But in recognition of the softer side that Scrooge will display after visits from the Christmas ghosts, his dapper bow tie is made from fabric with a colorful parrot motif.

The chair near the fireplace in our family room is the perfect resting spot for a soft fuzzy ball of white fur.  This teddy bear is appropriately named Fluff.

Fluff introduces a snowman theme into this room.  He holds a small pillow.  Although you cannot read the writing at the bottom of the pillow in this picture, it is captioned, The Coolest Guys Around.

Another area of the room displays a sleigh with three bears as passengers.

















You have seen my "seasonal" doll before.  She always dresses for the occasion.  Her Christmas dress is made of sheer fabric with delicate snowmen.  Of course, she carries a glittery snowman to continue the theme.

There is one more doll on display that is the guardian angel of our Christmas tree.  She was received as a gift from family friends a number of years ago.  She is a Zapf Creation, a European manufacturer of dolls.  It would not be Christmas at our home without this angel standing near the tree.

Thank you for visiting.  Wishing each of you a Happy Holiday!

Joining the fun at Bunny Jean's Bunny Hop party!

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.

Baby Dolls That Look Real with Inner Glow

A new technique was introduced in Fall 2010 that brings a new level of realism and results in baby dolls that look real without the high cost associated with a reborn doll.  Inner Glow uses a specially formulated blue dye on the inside of extra-light semi-transparent vinyl.  The result is a natural skin tone that mimics the depth and richness of real skin.  This artistry is available on select expressions.

Doll in the Looking Glass currently has two babies available in our boutique that feature the life-like realism produced by the Inner Glow technique.  Little Miss is a 17-inch preemie and Cream and Honey is 19-inches.

Visit the Doll in the Looking Glass boutique for these and other toddler and baby dolls that look real.

Introducing Bear-ry Holidays

Midland is dark and rainy today and the wind sock outside my window is spinning wildly.  Mother Nature is is giving a not so gentle reminder that the seasons are changing and cold weather preparations should begin. With that thought in mind, we have added a holiday doll to our Doll in the Looking Glass boutique. 

Bear-ry Holidays was created using Bailey, one of my personal favorite faces from Apple Valley Dolls.  She has a soulful expression and views the world through hazel eyes.  Light brown hair is styled in a simple bob with multi-color ribbons pulling her hair to one side.  This doll has a fully jointed 22-inch body with a light skin tone.

Bear-ry Holidays is wearing a pink jumper that features colorful applique of bears at play in winter.  This outfit is from a holiday collection of real children's wear.   Here is a close-up of the sweet applique.

Don't you know someone who would love to celebrate the winter season with Bear-ry Holidays?

READY TO LOVE TODDLER

Doll in the Looking Glass has named this collectible doll Lavender Ice inspired by the pale color of her dress.  Dress features pointe d'esprit netting with an embroidered collar accenting the bodice.  Neckline, sleeves and skirt are trimmed with venice lace.  An extra-wide lace on the underskirt enhances the fullness of the dress.

Lavender Ice is a dramatic beauty with Victorian Blue eyes and Dark Brown-Black hair upswept into small ringlets on top.  This specialty doll was created using the Jilly Bean expression from Apple Valley Dolls.  She stands 24 inches tall as a result of her custom made doe-skin body with fully hinged arms and legs.   Additional photos have been posted to our website in the Ready to Love category.

CUSTOM DOLL BOUTIQUE NOW OPEN!

Exciting News!  The on-line Doll in the Looking Glass boutique is now open to assist you with your design of a collectible doll.  We invite you to visit our website to explore the custom doll services we provide.

Children grow up so quickly.  Capture the personality of your cherished toddler with a custom designed doll that looks like your cherished toddler.   Provide us with photographs and allow us to select a facial expression and hairstyle that resembles your child.  Doll in the Looking Glass uses vinyl doll components manufactured in the U.S.A. by Apple Valley Doll Works.  With 35 facial expressions, 6 eye colors and an endless variety of hairstyles available we can create a keepsake look-a-like doll that will reflect the special features of your toddler.   

You can view more samples on our website.  The Dolls that Look Like Your Child tab on our web page showcases these specialty dolls.