I have been thinking about Abi’s challenge for a while now – Do something you enjoyed doing when you were 4 or 5. My first instinct was to build robots (and I will still do that) but then last week something happened that really made me remember something I loved to do. Last week at the Acadian Center for the Center for Arts a young girl told me I looked like her doll (see the doll here) – and that got me thinking.
I used to love to make clothes for my Cindy doll (the English version of a Barbie doll). I never wanted the princess gowns that it came with so would spend my time making outfits that I wanted her to have. I haven’t even thought about that for years.
On Monday I finished a big consulting project and decided that I deserved some time off to play – so I took on the challenge.
It’s not what anyone would expect from me – but I actually had fun. It really took me back to childhood. I now have a mini-me! It’s not perfect, I will re-do the t-shirt one day now I’ve learned some stuff. I’m fairly pleased with it though, considering I didn’t have a pattern. I won’t be giving up my speaking career to be a full-time doll clothes maker anytime soon.
Thanks for this challenge Abi, I still want to build robots with you and Gwen.
The BE YOU doll.
a close up
and with glasses..
the clothes..
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Great job Aileen…
That’s neat. You did a good job on the clothes. I like it.
It would be fun to sell them with your Be You t-shirts.
I have to say… you’re always an inspiration.
Joe
Awww Joe – always so sweet. Thank you.
I am not sure that she looks like you….
her skin is not blue enough and she
would need a nose job. But the hair
is pretty close.
But hey.
About 2 years ago I met a sharp 7 year old
who made clothing designs for small people like
this. If you want I could hook you up with them as a
JV partner.
Best
Craig
P.S. Where’s the plan?
….come to think of it….this could be a rather
neat branding exercise for you.
If you could outsource the clothes making,
you could package them with dolls (bought
at wholesale) with your logo on them…..
The official Be You merchandise.
Just like Coca Cola does it.
Craig. I’m laughing at “her skin is not blue enough” – between you and me I know it looks nothing like me, but in the eyes of an 8 year old it did.. and that’s good enough for me.
I’m not nearly famous enough to consider production, only my Mum would buy one – and then only if I paid her to!
The plan is in the works!
Not that I am trying to steal your thunder, but making the doll a Be You shirt was my idea when we were talking about how much that girl’s doll looked like you. I am not going to sue you or anything, that is unless you post a retraction. I will be waiting :0)
Jesse – I wasn’t sure who mentioned it first so YES – IT WAS COMPLETELY JESSE’S IDEA AND HE IS WONDERFUL. – is that ok? I can put it on twitter if you want.. in fact I will straight away. (and I won’t sue for the injury) – are we even now?
Whoa she really looks like you. And me. I think that I am your mini-me:)
Megan – she looks way more like you than me. I was thinking that as I made it. Was raving about you behind your back yesterday!
Aileen,
Why don’t you send a proposal to http://barbie.everythinggirl.com/ and get them to produce your “BE YOU BARBIE”!
Who knows? They may bite and you could get some fine royalties from it
Looking forward to seeing you at NAMS3 … are you going to be there again?
Tawnya
Tawyna
I may just do that. One day that message will appear everywhere! Thanks for your comment. Yes I will be speaking at NAMS3 – I look forward to seeing you there.
I thought I had mad sewing skills, but I’m pretty sure I would have screwed that up. Impressive.
Dan