I just finished reading The Real Z by Jen Calonita.  The book is definitely worth reading, and is a pretty easy reading level (ages 8+).  The chapters are about 10 pages long, which makes it easy if you don't want to be committed for a long period of time.

We find out Z's full name pretty quickly (in the first chapter), get to meet some of her friends, and follow her journey as she prepares a film to submit to the film festival contest.  This book is good at showing us that it's important to not let exciting events in our lives dominate and take over.  Z is pretty easy for girls to relate to.  She is tech saavy, and is probably in middle school.  She does spend a lot of time with her friends, and video chats with her friends who live overseas.

I hope that you all are able to enjoy the book as much as I did!  If you read the book, be sure to share your thoughts in the comments below.  I do have to approve the comments, but plan on logging on more often than I have in the past few years.  I plan on reading her new book (Z on Location) and will write a review once I'm done.
~Lily

Well, it's been a while (3.5 years) but I'm still here, and still occasionally getting new dolls.  Yesterday there were 2 presents under our tree, and today there were 6, so I guess that Santa came and dropped some off.  He left me Z Yang, her accessories and her filming accessories.  I'll post a review of her book once I'm done with it (before 3 years have gone by!).

Merry Christmas to all! 
Lily

Z with one of our trees.  [We've got 2; the heavy ornaments go on our fake tree and the lighter ornaments go on the real tree which happens to be right next to the front door.

Z and me

Well, I would not be surprised if I don't have any followers anymore, but just in case I have a few:
I apologize for not being very active with this website!  The last two months of school were so busy, and the summer got off to a very fast start.  I have some fun posts coming soon though, and I just linked my twitter account (@agpixplace) to my iPod.  I am going to do my best to update my twitter more often.  I have put a copy of my twitter feed on the right hand side of this blog (all the way down). 

I should have a new post up by next weekend with at least one or two photos!
Hope you all have been well!
~Lily

I haven't completely forgotten about this site, but I have been really busy and haven't been able to finish my doll suspenders yet.... the biggest problem is finding a clip small enough for a doll (too hook them onto pants). 

I do have a few other pictures that I can post though... and hopefully in a few more weeks I will have finished the suspenders. 

Recently we made some tutus for my dolls.  I think they came out really well.

My mom learned how to make the tutu from aheartfulloflove.com, but then we just cut them shorter.  I think it came out really cute.

Rachel also has a new headband made from a doll headband form from Punch Place Plus and ducktape.  On a website my mom found, the headbands were decorated with fabric not duck tape.  I will do a "How to" in the near future.  I also have a request how to make the scarf that Marisol is wearing in this photo as well... I will try to do those two posts before the summer!

Have a great week or two (no more than that hopefully)!!
Lily

Here is a different type of duck tape purse for your doll.  It's a "hipster" type purse, so it's flat, and doesn't require a box to make.  I think I might show a "tutorial" next weekend on how to make it.  The strap is, unfortunately, too short to go over your doll's head (but you can fix that problem by just making a longer strap).  I think it turned out really well.
I hope you all have a great week this week!  It feels so great to be back blogging!
~Lily

Once again, I've missed my one week goal, but you have to admit that I have been doing much better than I have been!  I used this book (again) to make a duck tape purse for my doll.  In the book, you use a box for your "mold."  (You get this box back after you have finished your form).  I followed the instructions in the book, but a box from a deck of cards.  I think the purses came out really great!

If you use a bigger box, you can make a purse for you.  My mom is in the process of making one for herself (it'll be a lunch box), and it looks like the one on the cover of the book!  I can't wait to be able to show more duck tape crafts soon!

These are the purses I made!  Nicki modeled a few that went with her dress, and would like to know which one you think goes best!  Leave your comments below!

As always if you make a duck tape purse for you or your doll (using any pattern you find), I would love to see pictures, and will be happy to post them for you!!

I should have another post this weekend (since I have a long weekend)!!
Lily

I know I didn't quite make my weekend goal, but I have time tonight, as all of my homework is finished, and now we areRecently, I made a few more duck tape crafts for my dolls.  I made a hair bow.  I cut about 2" of duck tape for the doll's bow (and used about 6" for a human bow).  The directions on the Duck Tape website aren't very specific about how much tape to use. 

I also made a bracelet.  The directions for this bracelet came out of the same book that I got the necklace out of.  I just followed the directions at the end... but I did still fold the tops of the duck tape like you do for a Duck Tape Rose.

You can also make a duck tape bows for mini-dolls.  I cut about 1 1/3" of duck tape for these, and then when I was finished, I cut some off the ends because it was too big for the mini-doll (and it's really hard to work with a really small amount of tape).

If you make any duck tape crafts, please email me a picture and I will definitely post it!  I'm so happy to have found a new hobby. ;)
~Lily

I really do enjoy blogging (again)!!  I am thinking of doing another craft for next weekend.  Can't wait to share it with you once it's finished. :-)  If you try this craft, please send me a picture [email protected]. 
~Lily

Well, so far, so good.  I've kept up with posting.  I just hope I can continue this through out the semester.  I am doing my Girl Scout Gold Award this year, and so I got an extra doll school desk, and the classroom scene.  I wasn't real thrilled with the "scenes" over all, because I enjoy making my own scenes, but it really did make this photo shoot easier.  I guess I've written a little "review" below, but if you get it, and use it, I would love to see photos.

JJ, Pita (Karito Kids*), and Marisol (2005).
*It appears as though Karito Kids has gone out of business.  The Karito Kids website address isn't active.  These dolls were really nicely made, and I was disappointed when I learned that the company was no longer in business.

Here is the scene itself.  I don't like that the door is shorter than dolls just three inches taller than American Girl dolls because if this is supposed to be an elementary school room (which it looks like it would be), then the teachers would be at least three inches taller than the students. 

As I've said before, these posts won't be big, but it feels good to be back blogging.  Please remember that I have to approve your comments before they are posted, but this should take 48 hours or less.
~Lily

Since today was supposed to be my last day of winter break (we have a snow day tomorrow because of windchill and Winter Storm Ion), my mom made pancakes for breakfast.  She made 11 doll sized pancakes with some of the pancake batter for some of my dolls to enjoy. :-)

Nicki brings the pancakes she cooked to the table for her breakfast with Holly and Rachel.

Here are the doll-sized pancakes on a plate.  The forks are Mozaic brand forks (and the white plates too).  They are sold at Kroger, but are probably sold at party stores (they're for appetizers).  This company also sells little square bowls, spoons and knives.  These are are a little big for the dolls, but they're close enough.  My mom made the pink plate and pitcher at the "paint your own pottery" place uptown.  It was part of a miniature tea set.

While I'm at it, here's a much better picture of Holly than the original picture I posted.  :-) 
Hope everyone has a great week!!
~Lily