We are headed out on a family vacation in the near future. One of those long drive destinations. The question that all parents mull over is how the heck to get everyone from point A to point B with the least amount of mental breakdowns. For us the parents, I mean. I travel with a bag (or bags) full of things to do – magazines, lists, sketchbook, a collection of electronic devices, etc – though if I’m being honest, I usually zonk out on long rides. Exhaustion from the ‘fun’ of planning and packing really takes it out of me. Anyway, it seems my habits are rubbing off on my children because when we leave the house, like, to go anywhere, Love Bug and Sweet J feverishly grab dolls, stuffed animals, a armful of cars, a wooden spoon, the attachment to the vacuum cleaner, anything nearby to drag along on our trip. It’s funny until one has to carry it all that stuff back in the house. Every. Single. Time.
In an effort to stymie protests in support of packing bags of random household items, I have packed the activity bag. Markers/colored pencils and (lots of) paper, books, music and these clothespin dolls. Small with lots of playing potential, these wooden friends will be the actors in a variety of scenarios across the miles we will travel.
These dolls have been made again and again. Here’s how I did it.
Supplies:
-clothespins
-embroidery thread
-hot glue
Wrap the thread around the clothespin in the outfits you desire.
Stripes added some excitement to these wooden peep’s wardrobes. Thick or thin, it’s a nice change from solid on solid.
Love Bug had some requests for her ladies. She likes very fancy dresses and fancy hair (note to the pink hair band on the purple one above). For the one below, I tried to make a fancy flowy skirt. After gluing the lengths of thread at the waist, I unraveled the pieces to make it fuller. Tedious, yes, but a flowy skirt it made. The white band at the top of the skirt hid all the thread ends. Bug loved it. And the bangs.
For the dude hair, I cut tiny pieces of embroidery thread. It made fuzz. I covered the heads in hot glue and then rolled it in the fuzz. I think their hair might be my favorite part. I think it is a dead ringer for Sweet J’s head after nap time.
Of course I want to make a case for them to ride in, a place for them to play, etc but that’s for another day. Now that I have the activity bag packed, there is all the rest of the items to get ready.
Heaven help me…
The children immediately took to the dolls. I tried to get pictures of them playing with them but they couldn’t be bothered. Bug was deep into a drama with her ladies and Sweet J was launching his guys from the top of my work table along with his cars
Holeee Toledo, these are adorable! Once again, thanks for the inspiration! I have the perfect clothespins just hangin’ out in my stash!
Thanks Stephanie! I had so much fun making them. And I kinda want to play with them myself!!
Hello, this is a genius idea! Where can I get the pegs though. never have seen them in stores (in Canada), only the China ugly plastic ones…..
I found mine at a craft store. I’m sure you can find this type online.
They used to be in 5 and dime stores but I think you could find them in the dollar tree or the Family dollar store. Next time I get to Walmart I’ll look. You can tell my age by 5 and dime store and their used to be Woolworth too. Oh maybe at Big Lots Store . They would be reasonably priced . I hope you can find them . They look so cute and easy to make. Wow your in Canada. I was there twice. We stayed near Toronto. My daughter played ice hockey. She was a Goal tender. We played a game at Missasagua too. My husband thinks Don Cherry is the Bomb! We ate at Wayne Greztgys resturant. I would love to come back but I took a fall at our Arby’s . I was working at Hershey Park and the next day I was off to see my grandson do a singing and dancing recital and we went to eat afterwards. I went flying down on my hands and knee’s . The floor have a greasy spot .it had been mopped and was dry ,but they just spread it around .I am on disability . A mouse couldn’t live on what I get. I can’t drive very far . In around my little city. But my brother and my great sister in law take me to craft shows. I’ll shut up now . I hope you find the right clothes pins.
These are adorable Amy!
Thanks Michelle!
I LOVE this. My two girls will flip over these. How did you make the heart on the top of the brown haired one? Genius!
My girls and I were wondering the same thing. I love them.
Thank you Missy!! I thought about stitching on the heart but used a paint pen instead. Cheating? Probably. But it was easier. :)
Amy, these are seriously SO incredible!
Thank you Caroline!!
Christmas gifts done, I am so excited about this, I found it on pinterest. My 10 year old and I can make these together for my nieces and nephews…… very excited
These would be fantastic Christmas gifts!! Have fun Jenelle!!
These are so creative! I love all your details. :)
Thanks Heather!
Oh, they are adorable!
Thank you Kelly!
How do you get the thread to stay wrapped around the pin? Do you glue it?
Great question Ilene? I used a dot of glue to hold the end of the thread in place and then wrapped until I was finished with the color. Used another dot to hold the end in place. If the thread didn’t stay in place, I used a few other dots of glue along the way. Use small dots because it will squeeze out between the threads.
I don’t mean to sound inept, ok maybe I am, but I have the same question. Do you just wrap and glue the end of each thread??
Haha Ann! You are not inept. :) I did answer the question above. I used very little glue. Most threads are just wrapped. I used glue for the ends and to keep any other threads in place. Good luck!
Love these so much!!
These are awesome! You inspired me to make some to go along with a story retelling set for Jack and the Beanstalk, and my kids love them. Thanks!
That sounds amazing Shaunna!
I’m the Editorial Assistant for Fun Family Crafts and I wanted to let you know that we have featured your doll project! You can see it here:
http://funfamilycrafts.com/clothespin-wrap-dolls/
If you have other kid-friendly crafts, we’d love it if you would submit them. If you would like to display a featured button on your site, you can grab one from the right side bar of your post above. Thanks for a wonderful project idea!
Thanks Cindy!
How did you make/work in the pink heart on lady with the red shirt?
I totally cheated and used a paint pen. :) Worked great!
Great idea, can’t wait to try to make a little fairy.
I think I’m going to be making some fairy beings too. Would love to see them if you want to share!
Oh my gosh, how cute are these?! I want to make these as gifts for littles, but I think I would make these more for my own enjoyment than theirs (hah!).
I totally agree. I don’t mind if they lay on my desk for a few days, just so I can see them. :)
They are sooo
cute. I love you picture.it gives me an idea?
Thank you!!
Hi Amy,
What a cute project! I love it so much that I decided to feature it in our roundup of clothespin crafts! Check it out here: http://www.favecraftsblog.com/link-love-clothespin-crafts/
Have a great day!
Thanks Julia!!
Hello! I am wanting to make a nativity scene like this with my children, adding pieces each year so one day they each have a complete set, any suggestions on how to get started? I am not as creative as you so I am having a hard time getting the idea from my head to my fingers, any suggestion would be appreciated! Thanks!
Love this. Thank you! I’m always looking for ideas to use in Africa, and I think this would do very well.
I can’t wait to make these with my grand children. Thanks!!
They are so fun!!
the instructions say embroidery thread, however, it looks more like crewel yarn, especially the hair. is it the embroidery thread, crewel yarn or a combination that is used?
It’s all embroidery thread, Kris. For the hair, I pulled the thread apart into the single strands. :)
Wondering if you have to use glue somehow to hold the embroidery string to the clothespin or does wrapping it do the trick.
Thank you :)
I used hot glue, Robin. I used a dot of it to hold the beginning end and then again for the end.
I love this idea going to try it right now & make some up for a grandchild for her birthday. PS: The dolls fits in a baby wipe box that I purchased at the dollar store in a pink color I was going to give away at a baby shower after I had it all paddled and by adding pretty pink fabric and ribbon boarder, but I now am going to use to hold the clothespin dolls approx. 10-12 will fit. I can’t wait to get started.
What a great carrying case for the dolls! Thanks Victoria!
I would like to see the back of the head…does hair cover all of it or just down the sides?