Treasures For Dollars is a mini-series that is completely focused on things that I actually find (and buy) from dollar stores and other similar stores. It will alternate with Blythe On A Budget articles for the next little while until the finale of the mini-series (at Part 10). I hope you enjoy the series!

I adore the dollar store. Not for the super cheap fall-apart knick knacks (although if I ever need Disney Princess tableware, I know where to go!), but for the little gems that you find when you actually look. One of the things that I really wish that I had more time for is sewing for my dolls. Sometimes I find inspiration in discovering new fabric, sometimes it’s when I spot metallic thread (yes, I’m drawn to shiny things!). But sometimes, it’s when I’m in the little scrap booking section and I find ribbon.

I’ll be the first to admit that I have a lot of ribbon. But it’s all in different types and styles and colours… Each spool in the photo was a dollar. But considering there’s 3 yards per spool (2.7m) and I’m not using that much per doll dress/outfit/item, each spool goes a long way… Besides, they’re nice colours! And I love having nice ribbons around, because they’re quite nice. And before anyone sneers, they’re nicer quality than what I get at the big-box craft stores. Nice woven ric-rac. Really nice pom-pom trims.

Now all I just need is time to sew! So much ribbons and trims, so little time.

What’s a good inexpensive dolly-find you discovered recently?

I adore the look of doll clothes on little hangers. It’s quite a sweet sight to see, small works of sewn art on dainty hangers. But I have to admit that it sounds a little tedious and impractical when you have a lot of doll clothes or no where to hang it from. But I do adore the look of it, because it is really cute. I’m personally limited by space (and also a severe lack of hangers or something to hang the little hangers from). If I could, I probably would have some kind of small dowel set up to hang little dresses off of. Or at least have small dress forms to show off an outfit or two as some doll dresses are amazingly detailed and I consider them to be works of art and I’d love to show them off.

So while I’m unfortunately limited on space, my dolls’ clothing remains in plastic drawers. Each drawer has its own purposes (tops, bottoms, dresses, hats & hair, shoes, stock). I have 2 sets of drawers (with 3 drawers per set). It’s a lot of space for dolly clothing, but I’m afraid that it can be a bit time consuming at times to go through all the dolly things that I have to find an outfit that goes well. Maybe that could be fixed if I had everything out on hangers…? Or maybe I’d just end up spending even more time going through doll clothing as it’d just all be more easily accessible for doing up with different combinations of clothes. What a little conundrum I’ve caught myself in!

Are your doll’s clothes on hangers? How do you store them?

In the holiday spirit, I decided to write a little letter to Santa this year. Just because I can.

Dearest Santa Claus,

I’d like to think that I’ve been very nice this year, although I suppose you would know best as you keep an eye on me all the time like you do all the kids (and big kids!) around the world. Well, this year I’m hoping to have a great dolly-filled Christmas. Now, I’m not expecting your elves to make me a Blythe in their workshop (I know that Blythe is made by Takara Tomy and not by your elves), but I would greatly appreciate some Blythe-sized clothing and shoes, if your kind elves have a moment to spare.

Sincerely,
Michelle

You can really send a letter to Santa! Volunteers over at Canada Post help Santa Claus with all his mail. You can send him a real paper letter or an email (because Santa is up to date with new technology!). So for the big kids (and little kids), in your life, you can help them (or yourself!) send a letter to the North Pole.

For email, you can check out the email form over at Canada Post.

Santa’s address, if you’re wanting to send him a letter is:

Santa Claus
North Pole HOH OHO
Canada

Remember to include a return address so he can write you back!