Enter the Doll Diaries Lea Clark Giveaway

 If you haven't already done so, be sure to check out the Lea Clark AG doll giveaway over at Doll Diaries. I mean, what AG fan wouldn't love a free doll? Find it here.

 Tags: American Girl Giveaway, AG, Giveaway

 ~Hallie

Dramatic Color-Splashed Photos Edited Using PicMonkey

 Hey there! It's Hallie, and today I'm going to be showing you how to edit a photo in the same way I edited this photo of my newest doll, Caroline.

Caroline's dramatic photo with a black-and-white color- splashed blackground.

  PicMonkey has SO many ways to make your photos look more dramatic. Today, I'll be showing you how to 'splash' a photo in PicMonkey. I used to do it in Photo Bucket, but it was such a hassle to upload the photo just to edit it. Note that this is on Windows, I don't know if the PicMonkey page is changed for mobile or other devices.

 First, go to PicMonkey 

 Click edit. If you are on windows, like I am, it will likely prompt you to choose a photo from your computer. Choose the photo that you would like to edit.

 Once the in-browser editing program launches, click "effects"

Click on the wand that means"effects"

  Once you are in effects, scroll until you see the button for "Black and White"

Click "Black and White"

 Once you have clicked it, your photo will become black and white and you should see something like this:

Click the paintbrush button.

 Click the paintbrush button. A small tab will pop up on your photo. Click the "Reverse Effect" box and color will return to your image.

Click "Reverse Effect" and the color should return to your image.

 Once you have done that, just move the tab to a part of the picture you aren't painting black and white and click your mouse to paint! It's very simple. Just make sure you don't close out the tab that popped up on your photo (shown above) or it won't work.

 Thanks for reading, have fun, and feel free to ask questions.

 ~Hallie

 Disclaimer:
I am not affiliated with PicMonkey. I am also not responsible for any injury or problems caused by any of my posts or tutorials. Read and do at your own risk. I have to post this 'cuz of legal stuff.

Thoughts on Lea Clark & Some Items From Her Collection + Happy New Year

 Sometimes, us AG bloggers and youtubers just tune out for a little while. We don't post for a while. But, hey, I'm back!

 Anyways, Happy New Year! Here are my thoughts on the new Girl of the Year, Lea Clark!

 Discalimer:
This is my opinion. O-P-I-N-I-O-N. Opinion. Opinion. Opinion. It means it's mine. And, you don't have to have the same one as me 'cuz it's mine. None of this is meant to offend anyone. Don't like, don't read. Enjoy at your own risk! :P

 Also, I am in no way affiliated with American Girl, Our Generation, Mattel, Target, or any other similar brand. I'm not makin' any money off of this! I post my opinion for fun!

 To see the items I am posting about, visit American Girl

 Lea Clark
When I first saw her, I thought "Hey, that looks a lot like Rebecca with different hair." Although she does look like a mixture of (IMO) Lanie, Marisol, Rebecca, and Kanani, she does look somewhat unique. I won't be adding her to my collection, since I have enough dolls (post on that coming soon!), I think that she is a beautiful doll and I know many AG fans will love her! I also like how she comes with the cute little messenger bag, so you don't have to buy her accessories to get it! :D

 Lea's Rainforest House
Awesome, awesome, awesome. What can I say? I love everything, but the price. :/ It's super cute, but 1. I don't have the space. 2. Don't have the money, and 3. Even if I had the money I would rather spend it on something else... (like a new camera, hint hint!) Anyways, this is super-duper cute if you can afford it!

 Lea's Ocean Kayak Set
This is cute and all, but IMO it just looks like a cheaper and slightly changed-up version of Caroline's skiff. It is cute, though, and would probably appeal to AG's target age-group. :)

 This isn't all of Lea's collection, just three of the more expensive items and my random opinion. :D

 I'll be posting again, soon!
 

 

 

End of Summer Doll Crafting Tag

 Ok, ok, ok. Do y'all remember back when I did the Summer Bucket List Tag and I said I would make up a new tag? Well, here it is!

 Welcome to the End Of Summer Doll Crafting Tag!

                                           Rules
                                      1. List your favorite AG craft.
                                      2. Post the "End of Summer Doll Crafting Tag" photo.
                                      3. Tag ten people. If you can't think of ten, just tag as many as you can think of.


                                     My favorite AG craft is the mini doll skateboard that I made a while back. That sure was fun! :)

                                     To start this off, I tag:
                                     Madison @DelightfulWorldofDolls.com
                                     Hayley @FlourishingByRestfulFalls
                                     and I may add more if I can think of another person...

                                     Thanks everyone, and bye!

Maryellen - Thoughts on Her Collection PART TWO

 Here's Part Two! If you haven't already read part one, you can find it a few posts back. As I said in part one, this is just my opinion and we all have our own. I tend to lean on the negative side, even though I do my best to be positive. If you are easily offended, I don't recommend reading on.   

 Maryellen's Hairstyling Set
 I like the fabric on the cap and bag, but I still think $20 is a little much.

 Maryellen's Living Room Set
 It looks pretty cute, but a wee bit overpriced in my opinion.

 Maryellen's TV Console
 The first really true-to-era looking BF item in my opinion. I can see this item in my doll area in the future.

 Maryellen's Classroom Set
 This is another true-to-era piece. However, isn't $40 stretching it a little?

 Maryellen's Crinoline
 This looks nice. It's not too overpriced, but maybe they could add a chemise or an undershirt to complete the set?

 Maryellen Mini Doll
 Cute, although the clothing seems slightly bulky. However, they are working with thick fabrics.

 See you next time!
 D.O.A.B.

Doll Diaries MARYELLEN GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!!

 If you haven't already, go check out this post at Doll Diaries! They are giving away Maryellen!

 YAY!!!!!

Maryellen Release + Thoughts on Her Collection PART ONE

***This is a post stating my opinion. You do not have to agree. If you are easily offended by people thinking differently, I suggest skipping this post and checking out another one.***

 Hello all!

 I know I haven't posted much lately, but I'm going to try my best to change that. I will (hopefully) be posting at least once a week from now on. Anyways, on to Maryellen's release!

 I will not be posting photos because I do not want to get in copyright trouble w/ AG, but you can view Maryellen's release here at American Girl's website.
 
 For each item, I will try to find a pro and con. However, some items I may fall in love with.

 1. Maryellen
Maryellen reminds me a lot of Crystal (my #33). I do, however, wish that AG would use a different face mold. I love her hazel eyes and although I am a little old for all the stripes and stuff in her meet outfit, I think AG's target age group would probably like it.

 2. Maryellen's Accessories
As with most of the BF accessories, this set does not include much and is a little overpriced. If it ends up on sale for really cheap on Cyber Monday or something I may get them.

 3. Maryellen's Pajamas
 I am not a huge fan of the style, but I do love the floral pattern!

 4. Maryellen's Poodle Skirt Outfit
 This outfit is cute. Although, it is a bit stereotypical looking.

 5. Maryellen's Birthday Dress
 I love this! It looks similar to a dress that I wore when I was nine or ten.

 6. Maryellen's School Outfit
 Okay, I'm getting this. I can't find a con. I LOVE THIS OUTFIT.

 7. Maryellen's Play Outfit
 This outfit isn't my favorite, but I may end up adding it to my collection.

 8. Maryellen's Ice Skating Outfit and Accessories
 Not a huge fan of the color choices here, but I'm sure that some people will love it! :)

 9. Maryellen's Diner Set
 Okay, first of all, I LOVE this! However, I won't be paying $275 for it. I might catch it if it ever goes on sale. It might even be a (slightly) cheaper alternative to Grace's Bakery!

 10. Maryellen's Jukebox
 This is amazing! However, as with many of AG's items, I find it overpriced.

 11. Maryellen's Dog, Scooter
 SCOOTER IS SO DARLING! (I think you already know my thoughts on this...)

 12. Maryellen's Sofa Bed Set
 If this ever goes on sale, I AM SO GETTING IT.

  Okay, that's Part One! I'll add the rest later.