How To Start Your Own AG Doll Blog

So. You’ve been reading doll blogs for years, marveling at other blogger’s cute blog designs, glossy pictures, and creative posts. Maybe I could do something like that, you think. And here’s the answer:

Yes. You can.

I’m going to give you tips and tricks I have picked up in my three years of blogging (remember, I didn’t start out with a doll blog, I had a different one for a couple of years). Hopefully, I can give you the know-how and inspiration to hop online and create your own AG doll blog.

(You could use this tutorial for setting up any type of blog, not just AG, if you would like.)

Step 1) Get your parents’ permission. This is one of the most crucial steps in starting a blog of any kind. If you don’t have your parents’ permission, but start a blog anyway, don’t think they won’t find out. (Trust me, they will.) Creating a blog without permission will get you grounded, and your parents won’t trust you to ever have a blog, even in the future. So ask politely. If your parents say no, politely ask why. Don’t whine or beg. Are they worried you’ll run into cyberbullies or creepy guys on the Internet? Tell them that you can create a private or password-protcted blog. Are they concerned that you will spend all your time blogging? Ask them to help you set up a schedule. If they need time to think about it, give them time (without interrupting). If they still won’t agree, leave it be and ask again in a few months.

Step 2) If you got a “yes” from your parents, it’s time to pick out your blogging platform. I have only ever used WordPress, so that will of course be my recommendation. However, there are other sites such as Blogger, Weebly, TypePad . . . the list goes on and on.

Step 3) Look through and decide which plan you will use. A “plan” is basically the type of service you will get through your blogging platform. I’m not sure how it works with other platforms, but WordPress has several plans to choose from – the free plan gets you several different blog designs to pick from, a few gigabytes of storage space, etc. More expensive plans will get your more (or even unlimited storage), and hundreds more designs. Before paying for an expensive plan, ask your parents if it is okay first. You don’t need an expensive plan to blog – I have been using WordPress’ free plan for three years, and it works great.

Step 4) Pick your blog’s theme. Look through your platforms’ blog theme choices and pick the one that you think best suits your blog. Remember, you can always change your theme in the future, so don’t think you will be stuck with your chosen one forever. However, don’t change yours every week, it may annoy your followers.

Step 5) Customize your blog! This is the fun part about blogging, and the good news is, you can re-customize your blog design many times, just as you can change your theme. Set up a header picture, add widgets, etc. Make it 100% you. There are hundreds of tutorials on how to do this for your specific blogging platform on the Internet. (I may do a customization tutorial in a future blog post.)

Step 6) Now that you have set up your blog, start posting. This is harder than it sounds – but it is also a lot of fun. Get inspiration from other peoples’ blogs (however, do not copy posts/blog designs.) The great thing about AG blogging is that there are so many different types of posts you can do! Photostories, photoshoots, photoseries, craft/hair tutorials, create/participate in tags/awards, etc. You can also create something that is unique to your blog. I created The Dog Blog a few months ago, and I haven’t seen it anywhere else yet.

Step 7) Make friends while blogging. I have become really good friends with my followers – some of us even email and write letters to each other. I have mentioned this before, but friends was not something that even crossed my mind when I set up American Girls in Alaska. My previous blog was password protected, so the only people who read it were people I already knew. Start chatting in the comments on other people’s blog. You can ask someone to check out your blog, but don’t add a follow-up comment saying something like, “did you check out my blog yet?” That can be annoying. If you want to subtly invite someone to your blog, sign your comment with your name/username and underneath, add your blog’s URL. I have followed many people who have given me their URL and didn’t even ask me to check out their blog.

Step 8) Be courteous, kind and respectful. No one likes a blogger who is rude, swears, etc. You catch a lot more followers with honey than with vinegar, that’s for sure.

Step 9) Just have fun! Don’t worry about your follower count. There are bloggers who have been blogging for a year and have 40 followers, and there are bloggers who have been blogging for a year and have 300 followers. The little number on the screen means nothing. I have been blogging for eight months and I have 69 followers. Compared to other blogs, that may seem like a tiny little number, but to me, it means a lot. When I think about all the people who I have made smile while reading my blog, it makes me really happy (as sappy as that sounds.)

Did you enjoy the post? Would you like to see more blogging tutorials in the future? Do you have any tips to share? Did I completely forget something? Comment below, I would love to chat!

The Trials of Tessa, Part 1

“I wonder when I’ll adjust to this new family, Cooper,” I say to McKenna’s Labradoodle. We’re sitting on the heart, bored. Cooper, because he hasn’t gone for a walk today. Me, because I have no idea what to do to entertain myself in this new house with my new family.

“Hey, Tessa!” McKenna calls, materializing next to me in that creepy way she does. “What are you up to?”

“Nothing much,” I tell her. “Just hanging out with Cooper.”

“Ohhhhhh,” McKenna sighs. “I see. You’re bored, you have no idea how to fit in with your new family, and you think we have nothing in common.”

“How did you know?” I ask, shocked. Can McKenna read minds in addition to appearing out of nowhere?

“Trust me, I’ve been through this with four other sisters. You would think I would understand the signs by now,” she explains.

“Oh,” I say. “So . . . they went through this too?”

“Absolutely. And the best way to cure it is to do something fun together. Hey, I’m about to head to the gymnastics center for open gym time. Wanna tag along? I have a gazillion extra leotards that would probably fit you,” McKenna offers.

I ponder this for a few minutes before nodding my head. “Sure. It’s worth a shot.”

It’s not like there’s anything else I can do.

“Watch and learn, sis,” McKenna says forty-five minutes later. We’re at Shooting Star gymnastics, and my sports-obsessed sister is about to show me a few moves on the bar that I’ll (hopefully) be able to do.

McKenna flips herself upside down, her legs reaching the bar.

In one swift motion, she’s on top of the bar. “That was pullover,” she explains. “The most basic bar move. Wanna try?”

That was basic? I think, as I step up to the bar. I replay what McKenna did in my head, hoping I can do the same thing.

A few seconds later, I’m on the ground.

“Um, maybe bars isn’t your thing so much,” McKenna says. “Why don’t we move on?”

We step over to the beam, where McKenna hops up and positions herself. “Watch this. It should be simpler for you.”

McKenna flicks her arm out and I step back. With just the right amount of sass, she begins to walk down the length of the beam.

A few minutes later, McKenna hops off. “Why don’t you try now,” she says. “Gymnastics have to look confident, and walking on the beam is the best way to practice that.”

I hop up, McKenna watching from behind. “Go for it, Tess.”

It doesn’t go quite as McKenna’s did. My legs begin to wobble instantly.

I fall off the beam, crashing into McKenna. “Owwwww,” we moan in unison.

“Ya know, Kenna? Maybe gymnastics isn’t my thing at all.” I say.

From behind me, McKenna says, “Yeah. Maybe not.”

-End of Photostory-

Did you guys enjoy the beginning of an informal little photoseries? I think it’ll be around three or four parts, once each week. Kind of illustrating Tessa’s journey in becoming a part of her new family. Sound good? Is there a specific sister you think Tessa should follow around in the next few parts? Just leave me a comment down below!

The Customization of Tessa Elizabeth

Hello, everyone! I want to give a HUGE thank-you to everyone who took my poll. It is super helpful for me to know what YOU GUYS want to see. And, according to what you told me, y’all want more photostories/photoshoots and Day in The Life!

Happy to oblige.

Also, I know what you’re thinking – when exactly is Tessa going to make an appearance on your blog?

Let me explain – when I got Tessa, I knew that I would have to do Travels With Grace and catch up on stuff like Day in The Life before I could let her star on my blog. I am really, really excited for today’s post – the customization of Tessa Elizabeth!!!

I did a VERY INCOMPLETE customization photo process, but I was so excited about getting Tessa and customizing her that I didn’t really do a very good job of taking photos along the way. But what I have is here. 🙂

Now, right before we move on to something much more exciting than announcements and stuff, I want to give a big shoutout to Elysium (formerly known as Avaroo2003 from Ava’s Pokémon Blog), who started an epic new blog you can check out right here. It’s called An Author’s Odyssey, and Elysium posts these super amazing writing prompts that you guys can use. I have started to do it, and it is A TON of fun. I strongly encourage you guys to go check it out, follow, and participate!

Now, onto the Customization of Tessa Elizabeth!!!!

(Note: There may or may not be photos of disembodied dolls. Proceed with caution.)

So . . . our story starts off with a box.

A box I cannot show you a picture of because I stupidly did not cover up our address with a card and you can now see where we live and I’m too lazy to install the Flash plugin so I can edit the picture because I am a very mysterious person.

Ths is what the box looked liked after I opened it.

(Best. Photo description. Ever.)

AHHHHHHHHHH IT’S A HEAD!!!!!!!!!

Belonging to this lovely doll in need on major TLC.

This is Tessa’s hair . . . pre-customization.

Hope I’m not freaking y’all out with this! If you’re not already disgusted . . . funny story!

So we (my mom and I) have a doll head and a doll body. Why not have a little fun?

My mom as my dad is pulling out of the driveway: Holds doll body up to window, makes arm wave.

My dad pulling out of the driveaway: Does not notice.

Me: Laughing hysterically.

In case you couldn’t tell, this photo has been majorly cropped so you can’t see all of the baby photos on our back wall.

But now you know that my hair is brown! Big clue as to finding out my true identity. Hey, you have now eliminated half the world population!

La head.

The two wigs, side by side!

Before gluing it on . . . BTW, how do you spell gluing? Is it glueing?

I will save you the stunningly gorgeous picture of Tessa as she has pins sticking out of her head as the wig’s glue dries. Instead . . . the finished product!!!

Tessa Elizabeth, my very first custom!

I hope you guys enjoyed that little Behind The Scenes view into my messy house process of creating a custom doll. I will see you all on Wednesday for my Valetine’s Day post!

Twelve Days of Christmas, Day #10: Christmas is . . . Holiday Hairstyles

Day #10???? Say what now????? 

Yep! It’s Day #10 of TDOC here on American Girls in Alaska. Today I will be doing my first ever hair tutorial! I will be showing you two cute holiday hairstyles, as modeled by Grace and Emily!

Style #1: Flipped Braid Bun

Step 1: Braid your doll’s hair.

Step 2: Grab the braid by the end and pull it up. (My mom is holding it here, Grace’s hair is not floating.) 🙂

Step 3: Tuck the elastic part under the braid.

Step 4: Bobby pin the braid so that it stucks to the doll’s head.

Ta-da! Simple and chic!

Hairstyle #2: French Twist Braid

Step 1: Seperate a small section of hair from the doll’s head.

Step 2: Seperate that section in two.

Step 3: Cross the left section over the right section.

Step 4: This is a bit hard to explain, but you’re going to take hair from the rest of the doll’s head and add it to the the section on the left (the one that is hanging down).

Step 5: (Sorry, this one is a little blurry.) Pull the left section over the right one. (Like you’re twisting it, which is technically what you are doing.)

Step 6: Continue to grab hair and add it to the section hanging down before twisting that section over. If you know how to French braid, this should be very simple.

Sadly, my picture of the side of her hair would not upload, but it looked really cool! 😦

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. If you try these styles, send pictures to americangirlsak@gmail.com!

Just a friendly reminder, tomorrow is the last day to enter my giveaway. 🙂

Countdown to Christmas: Two days!

Twelve Days of Christmas, Day #8: Christmas is . . . Charity

Okay, everyone! It’s time for Day #8 of TDOC! I can’t wait for this one!

“Hey, everyone, it’s Emily. I’m breaking out of my shell today to lead TDOC Day #8. Why? This post is about a topic that is very important to me!”

“Some of you may know about Operation Christmas Child (I’ll call it OCC for short). OCC is a great organization led by Samaritan’s Purse that gets shoeboxes full of little presents to children in foreign countries. Some of these children are very poor, and the shoebox you pack and send to them may be the only present they get on Christmas. Today, I will be showing you how to pack your shoebox.”

“You can pick up your OCC shoebox at places like your church. At this time of year, it is too late to do an OCC shoebox, but this may be helpful for next Christmas.”

“When you pack your shoebox, make sure to include a “wow” item. My “wow” item is this cute flower purse. Then, you can pack the rest of the box with personal care items, or smaller toys. I am including a box, a pencil, some hair accessories, and a comfy pillow.”

“However, do not pack candy; toothpaste; gum; used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives, or military figures; chocolate or food; seeds; fruit rolls or other fruit snacks; drink mixes (powdered or liquid); liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; aerosol cans. This information has been taken from the Samaritan’s Purse website.”

“Now, pack your shoebox!”

“My box is all packed!”

“Once your box is packed, take it to an official drop-off location. You can find the locations here.”

“Remember, this shoebox may be the only present a child in a foreign country gets for Christmas. Do you part and help make a child’s Christmas special!”

“Alright, that’s all for now. My sister will be back tomorrow with a super-cute photoshoot!”

Hey, everyone, it’s AGs in Alaska. I just wanted to let everyone know that I did not mean to offend anyone with my giveaway rules post. I hope no one thought I sounded too harsh, I promise I was just trying to make sure everyone who wanted to enter could get the chance to. I am super excited for the giveaway, and I want as many people as possible to enter! So I’m very sorry if I offended you. 😦

See you all tomorrow!

Countdown to Christmas: Four days!

Twelve Days of Christmas, Day #7: Christmas is . . . Building Snowmen

Hello, people of the earth! Greetings! ‘Tis I, AGs in Alaska . . . with TDOC, Day #7! Today, Lindsey is building a snowman.

Quick question – do you guys have any ideas for other TDOC posts? I need two or three more ideas. TIA!

P.S. All of the lyrics are from the movie Frozen, and the song is written by Kristen Bell and Katie Lopez. 

Do you want to build a snowman?
Come on lets go and play

I never see you anymore
Come out the door

It’s like you’ve gone away…
We used to be best buddies

And now we’re not
I wish you would tell me why!

Do you want to build a snowman?
It doesn’t have to be a snowman

Go away
Okay, bye…

Do you want to build a snowman?

Is that snowman not the cutest thing ever?!?!?! And isn’t Lindsey adorable in her little outfit?!?!?!

I can’t believe we’re so close to Christmas. Remember to enter my giveaway, guys! I am choosing the winner in just a few days. 🙂

See ya later!

Countdown to Christmas: Five days!

Twelve Days of Christmas, Day #6: Christmas is . . . Sledding

And . . . we’re back, with TDOC Day #6!!!!!

CHRISTMAS IS IN SIX DAYS PEOPLE!!!!!

In the meantime, here’s a cute photoshoot of Grace and McKenna!

“Ahh!”

“Erm, Grace? I’m still here!”

What is up with her hair???

See you guys tomorrow! Hope you enjoyed the photoshoot!

Countdown to Christmas: Six days!

Twelve Days of Christmas, Day #5: Christmas is . . . Warm Clothes

Happy-Almost-Christmas, friends!

Today’s TDOC post is a winter lookbook. Not all of these looks are Christmas-themed, as I don’t have very many Christmas clothes. I would love it if you guys commented on which outfit you liked the most!

First up, we have this lovely outfit Morgan is modeling! She is wearing McKenna’s school outfit, a sweat that I’ve had forever, and a headband I made!

Here’s Emily! She’s wearing coveralls that came out of nowhere, the True Spirit AG meet outfit shirt, the Real Me AG meet outfit pants and shoes, and Emily’s Holiday Outfit necklace. Sorry the shoes aren’t showing.

Molly is wearing her meet outfit skirt and shoes and Molly’s Holiday Outfit sweater.

Lastly, Lindsey is wearing some random AG pants that totally don’t fit her, her meet necklace and meet sweater, and the shoes from an AG Easter outfit.

Alright, that’s all for the outfits! Don’t forget to vote on which one you liked best in the comments!

Countdown to Christmas: Seven days!

Twelve Days of Christmas, Day #4: Christmas is . . . Baking

Hi, everyone! It’s Grace here! Today, we’re going to be making some delicious Christmas cookies!

Bonus: this recipe can actually be followed and used to make real-life cookies! However, American Girls in Alaska is not responsible for any injury, damage, or death that will not occur while making these cookies, but she has to say that just in case anyone does anything stupid.

The supplies you will need for this recipe are: 2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 3/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 eggs, and sprinkes.

But before you mix anything, preheat the over to 375° degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 1: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking soda. Mix well and set aside.

Okay, I’ve got it!

Step 2: In a large bowl, using a hand-held mixer or a firm wooden spoon, mix the butter until it’s creamy and lighter in color.

Step 3: Mix in the brown and white sugars.

Step 4: Add the vanilla and eggs. Sorry the eggs weren’t showing in the ingredients picture!

Step 5: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet mixture.

Ta-da!

Step 6:  Make little cookie balls that are the size of the rounded part of the spoon.

Like these here!

Step 7: This is my favorite part! Flatten the cookies slightly and shake holiday sprinkles on top.

Step 8: Place them onto ungreased baking sheets and bake them for 8-12 minutes!

This is how the cookies turned out!

Sorry some of these images are weird, the camera wasn’t focusing right. It was going in and out and in and out really fast.

Anyway, a bonus picture to show you the giant mess these made!

AGs in Alaska had to wipe her hands on tissue paper for wrapping presents before taking pictures.

Anyway, hope you guys liked this post! If you make these, shoot us a picture or two at americangirlsak@gmail.com, or through our Contact Page. 🙂

This recipe is from The First Book of Baking by Jeanne Besser, and the recipe credits go to her. 🙂

Alright, see y’all tomorrow! Au revoir!

Countdown to Christmas: Eight days!

The Twelve Days of Christmas, Day #2: Christmas is . . . Time for Tags

Hello, fantastic blogging elves! It’s time for Day 2 of TDOC! Remember when I did that huge tag post last week? Well, do you recall . . . the most famous reindeer of all . . . sorry, nope. Do you remember me saying that I couldn’t do one of the tags until I had my decorations up? Well, if you don’t, shame on you, because I did! MWAH HA HA!!!

Sorry. Anyway, I was tagged for the Holiday Tag by the Blogging Doll Sisters. Thank you guys so much! Here are the rules for the tag:

• Answer all questions honestly
• Take at least 5 pictures of your doll or doll-sized decorations for the holiday (Thanksgiving or Christmas)
• Tag at least 2 other bloggers with doll blogs
• If you have more than one blog, then DON’T TAG YOURSELF
• You need to ask at least 5 questions

Here are the questions they are asking me!

1. How many dolls do you have?
2. Which holiday do you like better: Thanksgiving or Christmas?
3. Would you rather have Christmas before Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving before Christmas?
4. Do you like pumpkin pie with or without whipped cream?
5. Do you like gravy on mashed potatoes?
6. Do you open some presents on Christmas Eve, or all of them on Christmas?
7. What do you think you’re getting for Christmas?

Here are my answers:

1. I have seven dolls.
2. Christmas! Thanksgiving has a lot of food . . . but then again, so does Christmas. I love the holiday spirit and cheer. It’s just a great time of year.
3. I like having Thanksgiving before Christmas, because no offense Thanksgiving, but Christmas is a bigger deal. I like having Thanksgiving because the start to the holiday season, with Christmas at the tail end. (New Year’s: You’re forgetting about me!)
4. With whipped cream, of course!
5. Definitely! I had some really good gravy this year.
6. I open a couple of presents on Christmas Eve.
7. Well, I know for sure that I’m getting an iPod Shuffle. I won’t tell you how I know this, but I promise it has nothing to do with me. 🙂 I am hoping to get some doll clothes, too.

Those were super fun questions, guys! Now, onto the pictures!

I took a few extra pictures of the doll tree for this purpose.

I really love this one!

Hang a shining star up on the highest bow . . .

Or zip-tie it. 🙂

Okay, okay, it’s not really a zip-tie, it’s one of those green metal ornament hangers that I unbent and used it to attach the star on.

Human view!

Excuse me, Crystal, why are you not facing the camera?!

Crystal: Hey , I was distracted. Lindsey was making faces at me. 😦

A close-up of the tree decorating.

I hope you guys liked those extra bonus pictures!

For this tag, I am tagging:

AAG @ designsbymaelyn

Laura @ addyl0ver

If either of you girls can’t do the tag, please let me know so I can tag someone else!

Here are your questions:

1. Do you stay up until midnight on New Year’s Eve?
2. Are you traveling anywhere for the holidays?
3. If you could travel anywhere for the holidays, where would it be?
4. What is your favorite holiday food of all time?
5. Does your family have any holiday traditions?
6. What do you want for Christmas?
7. What is your favorite Christmas song/carol?

Okay, that is it for the tag! Thanks again to the Blogging Doll Sisters!

Countdown to Christmas: Ten days!