As usual, I like using recycled materials.

Here is an old pair of canvas pants that I am cutting up

to make into a stuffed doll.

 I drew a simple pattern of a doll with a pencil
on the cloth.

If it is difficult to invert, you can use a 

long nosed pair of pliers.

Cut out two ovals from cardboard

to fit inside the base.

Use a glue gun to glue cloth to the base.
Then glue on the 2nd cardboard oval to cover it up.

Draw a face.

Or you can use movable eyes

and a button nose if you prefer.

 Or feel free to use this template

with carbon paper to trace it

on to your doll.

Paint the face. I used acrylic paints.

  Paint the dress.

I like using two or more shades of the same color

 to add interesting splotches.

Also, this hides any imperfections!

I looped the yarn around my fingers,
cut it,and arranged it on her head.
Then I used a glue gun to hold it in place.
The important thing is not to let any bald spots show!!

Next, I looked for some lace

and fixed it around her shoulders.

I cut up some small bits for her neckline

and her sleeves.

To put words on her dress,
you may write directly on the dress with
a permanent pen.
But I chose to use gel medium.
Make sure your words are inverted and
that you used a copy from a copier
not from a printer.

Put gel medium on the side with the print.
Glue it on the dress.
Wait 30 minutes.

To remove the paper, dip your finger

in water and rub off.

If some parts of the letters got removed,
like here with the letter e,

just write over it with a permanent pen.

For the little book,

I cut out some leather from an old jacket.

I was so happy to find the leather label

of just the right size! 

Use a glue gun to attach the signatures
to the leather cover.

Write prayers inside the little book.
I'm praying that my son, Josh, and his cousin Mark,
will pass the UPCAT, our State University's exam.
I need to pray hard because 70,000 students took it!

Put velcro on the doll's hands
so that she can hold the Book of Prayers.

We appreciate your comments

and I know it takes time and effort,

so we'll pick one comment next week 

to win one of our 2013 planners.

This one says

"Don't forget to wear your invisible crown."

It's one of my favorite designs

(of course that's because it's mine!!!)

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