CRAFTY | My DIY Barbie Closet

The Daughter has started playing with Barbie dolls and as a consequence, has started bugging me for clothes and accessories for her little friends.

Now any parent of a little girl knows how ridiculously expensive Barbie doll clothes are.  In fact, a simple dress and shoe set can cost as much as the Daughter's own set of clothes!

I don't blame the Daughter, though, as as a kid, it was one of the things I myself enjoyed playing with (The only difference was I was lucky that an aunt gifted me with a box full of Barbie doll clothes, shoes and accessories for Christmas, hence the Parentals didn't need to buy me some.  😁)

We've not bought the Daughter any brand new Barbie clothes from Mattel yet.  We've been trying to avoid doing so as much as possible.  So instead, we source their clothes from:

1. local online sellers selling 2nd hand Barbie clothes (great as they are original Mattel and will only require a bit of washing if dirty),
2. sourced directly from a China factory (which we did buy from only once and I swear, will never buy from ever again.  They are cheap but utter rubbish; majority did not even last us a day's play!),
3. from a S$2 Japanese lifestyle store called Tokutokuya, (cheap and extremely durable), and
4. if time permits, I DIY.

Doll clothes from Tokutokuya

CRAFTY | Slyvanian Family Decor on the Cheap

The Husband, on the belief that every little girl would love to own a doll house of her very own and acting on the stories I've told him from when I was younger (hint: I've never had one 😁), saw a Sylvanian Families Cosy Cottage Starter Home set on sale and bought one for the Daughter when she was 2.

CRAFTY | The Daughter's S$2 Art Caddy

I read a parenting article way back stating that kids should have easy access to their art supplies so when inspiration hits, they can just as easily reach out and create.  I believe every little child has this creativity bug in them.  The Daughter herself loves doing crafts.  She doodles, cuts, paints, etc.

Whereas before, her art supplies were all placed inside her closets, we decided now was a good time to have it out in the open.  So off I went to Daiso and bought this -- a plastic remote control holder.

SG | Daiso Haul (July 2017)

Time for another Daiso haul post!  😍

CRAFTY | DIY Barbie Handbag

The Daughter has started playing with Barbies and as can be expected, has been asking for clothes and accessories for her dolls.  Unfortunately, these things cost too much and I'm not really too gung-ho on spending too much for them.  Heck!  A set can cost as much as the Daughter's own shirt!

So what's a mom do?  DIY, of course!

SG | Daiso Haul (June 2017)!

As evidenced by previous posts, I love shopping in Daiso!  S$2 (approx Php68), they offer great savings and can definitely help stretch your dollar.  And considering how expensive it is in Singapore, every time the shopping bug bites me, an hour at Daiso is all the remedy I need.  😃

So in this post,  I want to showcase my Daiso haul!

FAB FIND: Daiso Japan's Strong Cyanoacrylate Adhesive

It is my belief (well, in my opinion anyway) that every home should always have some type of strong glue in their arsenal of repair tools.  They are absolutely fantastic pieces of equipment.  Doesn't cost too much and is useful for simple repairs.

But the gripe I have with most super glue brands is how watery it is.  Using it on paper is a chore (what with the paper absorbing the glue and all).  Worse off, it tends to run everywhere (because of its texture)!

Now 3M's Super Glue Gel (blogged about it before) is not as runny and is much more effective in spot binding pieces.  But for a cheaper (but still effective) alternative, I use Daiso Japan's Strong Cyanoacrylate Adhesive.

Daiso Japan's Strong Cyanoacrylate Adhesive

FAB FIND: Kokuyo's Harinacs (The Staple-free Stapler‎)

Ok.  I know the title may be a bit confusing.  But allow me to explain.

Stapler's use (staple) wires to stick paper together.  A life saver for adults, but staple wire and kids make a really bad combo.  Enter Kokuyo's Harinacs - the staple-free stapler‎.

Kokuyo's Harinacs (The Staple-free Stapler‎)

CRAFTY: Daiso Magnetic Paper Dolls

I remember playing with paper dolls growing up.  I'd spend hours changing their outfits, bringing loads of fun for periods at a time.

Now the Daughter has also gotten into the habit of playing with paper dolls.  The thing is, her generation also gets to enjoy them in sticker play set form.  It's easier though, but based on our experience, once you stick it on the background scenes, it's no longer reusable.  What a waste!

So what's a mom to do?  Make magnetic paper dolls, of course!

Materials needed.