The text reads, "The History of Dolls" and the image shows a brown history book with cover art that shows paper dolls, a rag doll, a voodoo doll, a nutcracker, a Japanese peg doll, and a row of Russian stacking dolls. The ChellyWood.com logo appears in the lower right-hand corner. This thumbnail will be used during the month of July, 2024,to show that we're learning about the history of dolls this month. Be advised that the same thumbnail will be used throughout this series study of the history of dolls from around the world.

The history of the corn husk doll (AKA cornhusk dolls) #AmericanDoll #1

The doll in the image above is what’s known as a cornhusk doll (sometimes spelled as two words: corn husk doll), and they are so called because, well… they’re made from corn husks. This one is housed at the DAR Museum in Washington DC, and it dates back to the mid-19th century, so if you’re participating in the history challenge, you can give it a … Continue reading The history of the corn husk doll (AKA cornhusk dolls) #AmericanDoll #1

The text reads, "The History of Dolls" and the image shows a brown history book with cover art that shows paper dolls, a rag doll, a voodoo doll, a nutcracker, a Japanese peg doll, and a row of Russian stacking dolls. The ChellyWood.com logo appears in the lower right-hand corner. This thumbnail will be used during the month of July, 2024,to show that we're learning about the history of dolls this month. Be advised that the same thumbnail will be used throughout this series study of the history of dolls from around the world.

History Challenge! And… announcing three contest winners! #History #DollLover

In July, we did a quick study of some of the oldest dolls on earth, but did you know there was also a contest running? All you had to do was leave a comment on the “History of Dolls” blog posts in July, and your name was automatically entered in a drawing for one of three free copies of Doll Castle News. To read the … Continue reading History Challenge! And… announcing three contest winners! #History #DollLover

The text reads, "The History of Dolls" and the image shows a brown history book with cover art that shows paper dolls, a rag doll, a voodoo doll, a nutcracker, a Japanese peg doll, and a row of Russian stacking dolls. The ChellyWood.com logo appears in the lower right-hand corner. This thumbnail will be used during the month of July, 2024,to show that we're learning about the history of dolls this month. Be advised that the same thumbnail will be used throughout this series study of the history of dolls from around the world.

What’s the oldest articulated doll that girls played with in history? #Plaggona #DollHistory

Because Greek and Roman writers left us a large body of written texts, including anecdotes about everyday life, we know that little Greek and Roman girls did play with dolls in ancient times. Some of the oldest Greek examples of dolls, dating back to the 7th century BCE, have a strange bell shape to the body with elongated necks. Their legs, however, were jointed to … Continue reading What’s the oldest articulated doll that girls played with in history? #Plaggona #DollHistory

The text reads, "The History of Dolls" and the image shows a brown history book with cover art that shows paper dolls, a rag doll, a voodoo doll, a nutcracker, a Japanese peg doll, and a row of Russian stacking dolls. The ChellyWood.com logo appears in the lower right-hand corner. This thumbnail will be used during the month of July, 2024,to show that we're learning about the history of dolls this month. Be advised that the same thumbnail will be used throughout this series study of the history of dolls from around the world.

The Tlatilco “Pretty Lady” objects… Fertility goddesses or early fashion dolls? You decide! #Mexico #History

While archaeologists have not yet determined the purpose of these so-called “Pretty Lady” figurines, for the purpose of today’s blog post, we will imagine that they were used as dolls. Perhaps they even gave children an opportunity to learn how to sew by providing clothes for the figurines. These dolls or figurines were found in excavation sites in Mexico, where archaeologists studied the Tlatilco culture. … Continue reading The Tlatilco “Pretty Lady” objects… Fertility goddesses or early fashion dolls? You decide! #Mexico #History

The image shows a variety of fabrics in different shades of red, white, and blue, including paisleys, florals, dots, and wavy prints. The ChellyWood.com logo appears in the corner.

Happy 4th of July from ChellyWood.com #July4th #Dollstagram

Today’s blog post is just a series of pictures of dolls in various 4th of July outfits, in celebration of the American Independence Day holiday. Of course all of these doll clothes sewing patterns are available here, on ChellyWood.com, if you’re interested in making them. Happy 4th, everyone! If you enjoyed this blog post, and you’d like to see my videos, you might want to … Continue reading Happy 4th of July from ChellyWood.com #July4th #Dollstagram

The text reads, "The History of Dolls" and the image shows a brown history book with cover art that shows paper dolls, a rag doll, a voodoo doll, a nutcracker, a Japanese peg doll, and a row of Russian stacking dolls. The ChellyWood.com logo appears in the lower right-hand corner. This thumbnail will be used during the month of July, 2024,to show that we're learning about the history of dolls this month. Be advised that the same thumbnail will be used throughout this series study of the history of dolls from around the world.

Let’s learn about the OLDEST DOLLS ON EARTH! #Anthropology #ArtHistory

Ooh! I’m so excited about the research work that I’m sharing with you during the month of July! I can hardly contain my excitement! My regular followers know that in my day job, I’m a school librarian. What do librarians teach kids in the 21st century? We use computers instead of old fashioned Dewey decimal card catalogs for research these days. So as a school … Continue reading Let’s learn about the OLDEST DOLLS ON EARTH! #Anthropology #ArtHistory

The thumbnail shows a close-up image of a paper sewing pattern on a table or work desk. A graphic of a little blue heart-shaped pincushion appears in the lower right-hand corner. The text reads "A Big Announcement!" and the Chelly Wood dot com logo appears at the bottom of the purple polka dot thumbnail frame.

Announcement: a Highly Anticipated Doll Clothes Pattern…

  If you enjoyed this video and you’d like to see more of them, you might want to navigate over to my YouTube channel, ChellyWood1 to look through my playlists. You may be subscribed to my website but not my YouTube channel… Now’s a good time to consider subscribing! Maybe you want to subscribe to my website but you don’t know how that’s done. On … Continue reading Announcement: a Highly Anticipated Doll Clothes Pattern…

The image shows a lady loading her glue gun with spare glue sticks, and there are actual palm trees (potted plants) behind her. The text reads, "doll beach DIY."

How to make a BIG beach diorama for your dolls!

As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Yesterday I shared some pictures of the 18 inch doll beach diorama that I built about four years ago or so: The video at the top of the page today shows you how to make your own doll beach, just like the one in the image above. It’s ideal for 18 inch dolls, but of course … Continue reading How to make a BIG beach diorama for your dolls!

The image shows a doll dressed as a mermaid. The doll is seated or swimming in a turquoise blue pool of water. The text reads, "Did you play with dolls in the water?"

Did you play with your dolls in the water?

These two doll-friends really remind me of myself and my cousin, Virginia. I was always afraid of the water, whereas Virginia would dive in the minute we got out of the car! Virginia and I took our dolls to the beach, built sand castles for them to live in, and played like our Barbies were mermaids in the ocean water. The American Girl dolls, like … Continue reading Did you play with your dolls in the water?

The image shows a blue frame surrounding the words "museum tour" and the Chelly Wood dot com logo, alongside a photo of a Petite Barbie doll staring at a bust of an African man wearing impressing garb.

Pictures from my trip to Paris and the museums I visited #ParisTrip #AmWriting

Today’s video is a break from my normal routine. Back in 2014, my daughter and I took a trip to Paris. I took these photos in museums all around Paris, and now I thought it might be fun to upload them and see what you think. Feel free to leave comments and/or suggestions. Should I have narrated, or was it fun to just look at … Continue reading Pictures from my trip to Paris and the museums I visited #ParisTrip #AmWriting

Sewing machine image on a turquoise blue background with sewing accoutrements.

Which New Year’s resolutions did I accomplish in 2022? #NewYearsResolutions #DollClothesPatterns

Everybody’s busy making resolutions for the upcoming year, but today I’m going to reflect on the resolutions I set back in 2022. What was I able to accomplish? My Strawberry Shortcake 11 inch doll, which I bought at a second hand store and restored from her earlier state of disarray, now has her own gallery, here on ChellyWood.com, so that was an accomplishment for 2022! … Continue reading Which New Year’s resolutions did I accomplish in 2022? #NewYearsResolutions #DollClothesPatterns

The Chelly Wood doll (a Spin Master Liv doll that has been re-designed to look like the real doll clothing designer, Chelly Wood) is seated at her desk in her office. The wall of the office is a mottled purple color behind her open laptop. The doll's fingers touch the keyboard which is resting on an extended arm of the desk. Her computer screen shows the ChellyWood.com "Share Your Creations" page with three doll clothes displays under the introductory text. The ChellyWood.com logo appears in the lower left corner of the image.

Announcement: a change to the “Share Your Creations” page on ChellyWood.com

In 2019, I first launched my Share Your Creations! page. Starting today, July 15, 2022, students who have taken one of my online courses through the Creative Spark online learning platform are being offered an opportunity to post images of their handmade doll clothes, along with a link to and/or watermark for their website or social media handles, for the Share Your Creations! page on … Continue reading Announcement: a change to the “Share Your Creations” page on ChellyWood.com

The Chelly Wood doll points to a pink dress. In America, we would call this type of dress (that's sort of strappy at the shoulders and is intended to go over the top of a blouse) a "jumper," but in the UK they don't say "jumper" for this type of dress. The dress, which is very straight (not flared or A-line at all) is pink with tiny multi-colored polka dots.

Upcoming Tutorials, Videos, Projects, and Patterns

Today I’m going to give you a brief preview of the many projects I’m working on behind the scenes. As I’ve said in a previous blog post, I’ve started filming for my next class. That takes a lot of time and concentration, so I have to get lots of blog post materials prepped before I start to work on my Creative Spark coursework. And here’s … Continue reading Upcoming Tutorials, Videos, Projects, and Patterns

On a purple background of fabric we see the words "which dolls will Chelly design patterns for in 2022?" and below this is an image of a doll silhouette with a question mark superimposed over it.

It’s time for a doll-clothes-designer’s New Year’s resolution!

I’m actually pretty good at following through with my New Year’s resolutions. As my most faithful followers may recall, in 2019 and 2020 I resolved to a.) re-design my website with galleries and b.) switch all JPG patterns to PDFs for easier downloads. I’m still working on the resolution from 2020 (which carried over into 2021 and still goes on to this day) — that’s … Continue reading It’s time for a doll-clothes-designer’s New Year’s resolution!

On a purple fabric background with tiny white polka dots, we see an image of two Littlest Pet Shop animal toys in a wicker chair. One wears a felt cat mask; the other sits inside a pumpkin. The text says, "Halloween with L P S" and there's a corner logo that says "Chelly Wood."

Let’s watch a Halloween video with Littlest Pet Shop toys! #HappyHalloween #KidStuff

I hope you enjoy this Littlest Pet Shop video. It shows how my patterns can be adapted for various dolls and toys, to suit your needs. As with all of my videos, the content is perfect for even young children and older kids too. This blog post is a re-post. I’m on a business trip, so I’m keeping my blog posts short (but hopefully entertaining) … Continue reading Let’s watch a Halloween video with Littlest Pet Shop toys! #HappyHalloween #KidStuff