#maplelea

[americangirldollwho]

requested by anon

[desertdollranch]

Feeling a bit overwhelmed by American Girl's new releases lately? Or maybe discouraged because it's mostly big-ticket items and limited editions? Feeling like you've been left behind as a fan? Then may I suggest you mosey on over to Maplelea and see what legendary things they have been quietly dropping?

If you're not familiar with Maplelea, they are a Canadian company that produces beautiful dolls and doll accessories, with an emphasis on exquisite quality and attention to details. They are proud of their Canadian heritage and they aim to encourage pride in a Canadian identity. As someone who is half Canadian, I have loved everything I've ever bought from them, including my beloved doll Léonie! I've learned so much from her about Canadian history and culture in the five years since I brought her home.

First you'll want to check out the newest Maplelea&Me dolls:

And then take a peek at some of the absolutely iconic outfits! Maplelea knows what they do best (cozy knitwear), and they're also great at making gender neutral outfits with a focus on outdoor exploration, physical activity, and education.

And I cannot overstate how absolutely amazing their doll footwear is!!! Each shoe is like a shrunken-down version of human shoes, with all the fine details and sturdy materials.

Maplelea does remind us often that their shoes will fit all other brands of 18 inch dolls, and as someone with numerous brands of 18 inch dolls, I can say this is 100% true. All my dolls love wearing Mapelea shoes and probably argue over them when I'm not around.

This is not a paid advertisement and I earn $0 if you buy something from them--I'm just a big fan!

(They will ship outside of Canada, but tariffs may apply in which case you'll have to cough up a bit of money to collect your package.)

[americangirlstar]

maplelea i know im not canadian but listen if you get me out of this shithole country i will write an entire maplelea movie for you. you already have the perfect "save the farm" plot set up with brianne because her journal literally says she needs more money for her farm. like you have that immediately. send them all to summer camp together with a new doll who will be introduced via the movie and send them on a treasure hunt across canada. i will do all the work if you just get me the fuck out of here

[hedgehoghollowdolls]

A little bit of Christmas creativity . . .

Every year for, oh, the past 8 years or so? I’ve made my sister some doll clothes for Christmas. This year I finally cut into fabric that had been just waiting to be turned into a dress for Saila. I don’t have any pics of it on her yet, but it’s adorable, even cuter than it is off the doll.

The plan was always for a tank top dress/sleeveless dress, but I decided a few bodice details would be adorable.

The bodice is pieced and then top-stitched to give it an almost corset-like look. It does show up great in pictures because the fabric is pretty busy, but it’s a lovely subtle touch in person.

The back has Velcro that goes down well into the skirt, which is something I usually forget to do, but it makes dressing the doll miles easier!

And the skirt is a nice mid-thigh length because I was trying my hardest not to make it too long.

(I have a tendency to make doll skirts and dressses reach mid-calf because I’m afraid of them being too short. But I did really well on this one - it’s perfect!)

-ForestPoodle88

[doll-princesse]

Changing a few of the girls in the new clothes i bought. (and the Buzzinbea ripped jeans and the Molly’s school shirt that’s still without buttons).

The gold hoops look great on Raquel. I wanted to match her earring to the rest of her jewelry.

I’ve somehow misplaced Corinne’s sweater. I probably set it apart so I would know where it is, but it’s eluded me so far. It’ll turn up.

Leonie’s traditional outfit was so many layers! I had to reference the papers it came with for the kerchief. I have to mend the snap on it, and the bonnet needs an iron. I was actually leaning towards disliking the skirt due to the elastic waist. But you can even tell under the bodice. I folded down the bib for a half apron look (it shows up too well on camera vs irl…). But it really is a fine outfit!

Also Joss looks so good in purple wow! And the ruffly mob cap looks too cute on Dolly. I forget how charming a plain dress can be. Simplicity is a real thing.

[adventuresindolls]

The Doctor Doll Project: What I’m Spending My Year Decade On!

So, Doctor Who is currently my biggest special interest, from the show to books to audio dramas, and I decided to combine it with my doll special interest and customize 18-inch dolls for every one of the Doctors!

The thing is, this show has been running since 1963. Every time the Doctor is killed by something, they regenerate into a new actor. We’re currently up to Fifteen:

Plus two more, technically:

The War Doctor comes between Eight and Nine but was a soldier who did terrible things (and was added later so never starred on the show), so they don’t like to count him. And the Fugitive Doctor is…a nebulous addition from some time in the past. She’s mysterious. I do have one friend for whom War is her favorite, but I don’t care about him. However, there’s no way I’m not making that shirt, so Fugitive is definitely happening.

And then I added my favorite companions to get to a nice even twenty: Romanadvoratrelundar, Roz Forrester, Ace McShane, and Leela of the Sevateem (Roz is from the books so images of her are limited).

Infodump about face molds and where I am so far below the cut!

I started with Our Generation because they’re easy to find secondhand, and while they have a limited variety of face molds, their generic ones work well for certain things.

Two, Three, and Nine have the same mold, but will look different enough with hair and painted on wrinkles for the first two. Fifteen has eyeshadow I couldn’t get off, but I think he’d wear it. Leela is a doll I had already because she’s one of my favorite face molds that’s just so perfect for her, and I’d already painted on the freckles! Her eyes are brown but since her eyes start off brown in the show, it’s fine I think.

And next is American Girl, of course, because when you can find them affordably they are very nice with a decent variety.

One’s was originally going to be Nine but then I decided it would be better to switch them. Five was a lucky find that looks just like him, and Romana was going to be one of the Doctors but really just worked too well for her. Eight, of course, was my own Rebecca, but I decided she too looked a lot like him and honestly I don’t even need to replace the hair, just restyle it.

I don’t normally like My Life As dolls as much, but Four just has such boggly eyes he could never be anything else. And I knew, immediately and without a doubt, that Six with his round face and wide mouth had to be a Maplelea doll from Canada, but it took me a while to get one because they can be expensive and hard to find.

And then, just last week, I discovered a brand I hadn’t heard of before. Adora mostly makes baby dolls but they also have a small line of 18-inch ones with some really great faces!

It took me forever to find the right shape for Thirteen, but I didn’t expect to also find one that was perfect for Fugitive, and one I could get two of to be Ten and Fourteen that actually looks like David Tennant! (These are ordered but not here yet so I had to use the eBay pictures)

And finally, as much as I love her, the only reason Ace is on here is because I found a unique doll I couldn’t not use but who looked nothing like any of the Doctors. I have absolutely no clue what brand she is, so if someone knows please tell me!

Which just leaves Seven, Eleven, Twelve, and Roz to collect base dolls for! I think I want Roz to be AG, but idk what mold yet. Definitely not Addy. The others I have no clue on yet.

As for the project itself, I’m buying them new wigs and making their outfits myself! I will keep you updated as I make more progress!

Dividers by @/strangergraphics

[hydrangeaz]

I got my first Maplelea items for my bday from @geezsewsnstuff and @mermaid-jellysquish and I love them so much!!

[jostoys]

Happy Groundhog Day!

and also, a little late,

Happy Jammie January!

Xander and friends are ready for a slumber party. Xander and Logan are wearing pajamas from Maplelea. Aidan’s pajamas are from American Girl.