Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas, one and all! I hope all of you had a WONDERFULLY WONDERFUL holiday and got lots of amazing presents. You deserve it!!! :D

I'm writing this with two new friends peering over my shoulder: this new girl Addy Walker and her friend, Ruthie Smithens, who're both from New York. Apparently they know Jane distantly and wanted to attend school here at FMSG. It worked out quite well because Sunny wanted both Ruthie and Addy so it was a win-win for everyone.

Anywayyyyyyyys, all these new dolls and new clothes are keeping me in that holiday spirit, even though Christmas is over. Sunny's mom got us dolls an outift from Sitara's etsy shop, and everyone here is dancing around in the beautiful teal tank top and the olive green skirt. It's SO gorgeous. Unfortunately, Ruthie has already claimed it as her own couture and she just got here. I'm beginning to wonder if I'm going to like this girl or if she's just going to be a pain in the neck like Nellie. I'm just SO glad Nellie's not Sunny's doll but her sister's. Because if she was Sunny's, I think I might D.I.E...

So the outfit is pure AWESOME. Sunny's going to post some pictures of Ruthie in the outfit soon, maybe on Monday or Tuesday. She's thinking about giving Ruthie her very own blog to ramble on but I'm not very keen on that. We tried that once with the couture blog but no one followed, and we only posted on it once a month or so. That blog was somewhat of a failure so trying another blog might turn out just the same. However, it would be nice having someone here who could share my love of writing...

I'm having mixed feelings about this Ruthie girl. I wonder if her friend Addy is similar...

Well, enough of my ranting! Hope everyone has a great holiday and enjoys the winter break. :)

Cali***

Not-so-good CAGD Pics

Don't know what to get the special American Girl doll in your life? Well, fret no longer! Crazy for Cali is preparing a two-part holiday special featuring gifts that cost little to nothing to make or purchase for your AG doll this season.

COMING SOON

Until then, it's about time I show some pictures of our custom Rapunzel doll. Since she's not yet fully customized, Sunny photoshopped her eyes green on Picnik. The freckles and straightened hair are real however.The photos below aren't the greatest since it's been veryyyyyy rainy and cold here in Florida, and I haven't had the courage to risk getting my doll wet outside. So Sunny grabbed the camera and shot the photos in her bedroom, which unfortunately has not-so-good lighting. When the skies clear up, we'll definitely have some better photos to show you all.

Hope you enjoy them nonetheless!

This enchanteddesigner dress is a beautiful two-piece set that looks wonderfully realistic! It's exactly like the dress Rapunzel wears throughout Tangled.

Cali***

-Check our Flickr for Walt Disney World pictures! We'll be posting more soon.-

December and Rapunzel CAGD Updates

Well, everyone, it's officially...

DECEMBER!

Actually it has been for almost a week and I haven't even posted yet! Tsk tsk, Cali. Anyways, things have been getting busier and busier as we, meaning pretty much everybody at FMSG, have been preparing for or enjoying the holidays whether it be Christmas (like I am) or Hanukkah (like Rebecca). I hope all of you are enjoying the festivities and if not, then enjoying the wintry weather!

Also, many of you saw that we've been working on a custom doll, Rapunzel, from Tangled and we're getting a lot accomplished! So far our Elizabeth doll has been given an array of light freckles and her hair has been straightened and then put in braids to give it a silky slight curl. We also purchased her signature pink/purple dress from enchanteddesigner, an etsy shop you need to check out! Right now I believe there's one Rapunzel dress left and an assortment of other stunning princess, fairytale, and character outfits at an affordable price and exquisite quality.

The dress looks identical to that of the dress Rapunzel wears in the movie. Pictures of this stunning outfit will be available soon, I promise! Our main and currently only problem is that our Elizabeth (soon to be Rapunzel) has blue eyes... not green... and Rapunzel's green eyes are a kind of important aspect of her look. However the whole eye-swapping thing gives me the shivers. We don't know if we should go through with an eye-swap or just leave our Rapunzel unique with blue eyes. Please let us know how you feel about this! We'd love the feedback because the problem has been eating at us for a while. Thank you(:

So Rapunzel will be done quite soon and when she is pictures will be mandatory! We're going to Disney on Saturday and Rapunzel will be accompanying us quite hopefully to at least Downtown Disney or to one of the parks. We'll try our very best to post some pictures and to have a post while we're there because Sunny will be bringing her laptop. It's going to be very fun! I sure hope I'm allowed to come along...

Cali***

A new holiday look!

Since the Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's are fast approaching, I thought it would be nice to spruce Crazy for Cali up for the holidays! The new bokeh-type background is from Blogger and the Christmas tree countdown widget is from Spring Widgets. The new header was edited courtesy of Picnik.

Also, Sunny got around to doing one (ok, I know it doesn't sound like that much but it took her twelve tries of the same shot to get the perfect photo) of our holiday portraits! It was Chloe's and she was modeling one of my favourite Christmas dresses, the Fancy Flower Outfit minus the faux-fur shrug. The grey and silver colors in the dress suited Chloe well and almost gave her cocoa-eyes a silvery-tint. The portrait is also featured on our Flickr (see sidebar) and is in a special Holiday set. The rest of the portraits when we get around to them will also be in the set.

Tomorrow's Thanksgiving! I hope to post about my Thanksgiving either tomorrow or by the weekend. Happy holidays!

Cali***

Samantha's Winter Stroll

My friend Jane's cousin Samantha Parkington (she's also a student here at FMSG) is just loving the wintry weather here in Florida. Sam was born and raised in New York where the temps can reach below zero during the holiday season so the chilly weather was very familiar to her. She just loved modeling her new evergreen winter coat and elegant velvet hat as she strolled through the FMSG campus. Luckily, Sunny had her camera handy and was able to take some beautiful photos of Sam in her winter wear.

Sam looks just lovely in green. It really brings out her brown eyes and hair!

It was a cloudy day today but the colors of the late fall greenery and the damp soil below made great contrast for photography.

All of these photos were edited using Picnik's Orton-ish effect and the text effect. Since the weather was overcast, the lighting wasn't phenomenal so editing helped a lot- especially to bring out the rich colors.

I can't wait for the holidays to arrive! What do you guys plan on doing over the Thanksgiving and winter breaks? Any family traditions you love? What's your favorite thing about the holiday season? Let me know in a comment- I'd love to hear what the holidays mean to you!

Cali***

We need a little Christmas now

Hello, everyone, and happy holidays! Today's the first day of Thanksgiving break for us dolls here at FMSG. This not only means a whopping 9 days off of school and the start of the Christmas season but also more time for posts!

Sorry I haven't been posting as much lately but, with the arrival of break, I'm hoping I'll be able to post more often. Maybe even everyday!

Anyways, since it's Thanksgiving break Sunny's been preparing us dolls in our holiday finery for our Christmas portraits in front of the Christmas tree. My dress is brand new and it's just dazzling. I can't wait to model it in my portrait! Once we get every doll's portrait taken, we'll post them here and also in a special holiday album on our Flickr. If you want to know what we've been up to in the past weeks check our Flickr. We update that often, even when we don't have time to post here on Crazy For Cali.

Check back here for more posts soon! :)

Cali***

New Year's Eve Ballet

Julie, Noelle, Jane, Shannon, Piper, Gwen, and I had the clever idea to put on a special New Year's Eve ballet for the preschoolers this morning. Yesterday we decided who got what parts and rehearsed a few times. We chose the Nutcracker since it's festive, and I got the part of Clara!!! I didn't think I was much of a ballerina, but everyone (even the new girls, who I was surprised even wanted to do the show) thought I'd be perfect and that my dance skills were good enough.

Here is the list of dolls who participated and the roles they had:

Clara- Cali(me)

the Nutcracker- Julie

the Mouse King- Noelle

the Sugarplum Fairy- Piper

Ice Fairies- Jane, Shannon, and Gwen

To see the show click here! The preschoolers just loved the performance and it was a lot of fun. I think it was a great way to end the holiday season!

Anyways, as you all know, tonight at 12:00 am it will be the start of a new decade!!! The last time that happened Sunny was too young to remember. Since a new year and new decade will be starting, I have decided to post a few of my New Year's resolutions. Check 'em out!

1) I'm going to become a better guitarist and practice more often than I usually do.

2) I'm going to try to get outside more and eat healthier.

3) I'm going to get an A in Math, whatever it takes!

4) I'm going to stop biting my fingernails, something I constantly do. A very bad habit, as Sunny puts it.

5) And last but not least, I am going to continue writing on this blog as much as possible, no matter what!

I am determined to follow through with these resolutions! I hope to look back at these resolutions a year from now and be able to say that I've done all of them successfully.

Happy New Year!

Cali***

(bonus pic of Lanie, girl of 2010 below!)

This picture is from Doll Diaries. It is not mine!!!

The Sisters in Heart Environmental Challenge

The Sisters in Heart have started an environmental challenge, and I have gladly participated. Anyone who wants to participate must take photos of their doll(s) having fun or enjoying nature! Below are the photos Sunny has taken of me in our backyard, wearing my Christmas present, Ruthie's Play Outfit:

Thanks for looking at the photos! Happy holidays!

Cali***

Christmas Surprises

Hi, Cali here! Merry Christmas! I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season and spending time with friends and family. I know I am!

This morning Sunny got a few American Girl items...including two new JLY dolls!!!!!!!!!! Piper Diana Cassidy is shown below:

She's JLY #37 and she looks quite a bit like my older sister, Mia. Piper seemed very nice, spunky, and athletic when I first met her. I hope we can be great friends!

Shannon Rose Silver, JLY #48, was the other new girl. She seemed like the exact opposite of Piper. Shannon seemed book-smart, sophisticated, and the kind of girl who doesn't like to break a nail. She did seem nice, though! I'm guessing Piper and Shannon are best friends by the way they whispered and giggled together under the Christmas tree.

Sunny's other big gift was a Melody Valerie dress, the Statement in Taffeta!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's such a beautiful piece of couture and even the packaging was elegant and magical! The dress is very beautifully made and of great quality. Thanks everyone at Melody Valerie Couture! We absolutely love this dress. :-)

Piper and Shannon will be posting either tomorrow or Sunday about their lives and personalities. I hope everyone enjoys the rest of their Christmas and has a happy New Year!

Happy Holidays!

Cali***

Merry Christmas Eve!

Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas!

I sounded like Jolly Old St. Nick there for a second! :-)

Hope everyone is having a great time enjoying holiday festivities and spending time with family. Christmas is on its way!

Happy Holidays!

Cali***

Caroling, caroling, through the snow...

...Christmas bells are ringing!

It's so hard to believe Christmas is only 3 measly days away! In 72 hours Christmas music will be ringing through the house, relatives will be dropping by with brightly-wrapped gifts, smells will be bursting from the kitchen...

Christmas is definitely the most wonderful time of the year!

Anyways, last night I went caroling with my school Christmas Choir. We all had so much fun, and we even raised quite a lot of money for the FMSG Music Department. I can't wait to do the program again next year!

All the carolers had to wear their FMSG Field Trip uniforms when they went caroling. I hated mine!

"Hark! The herald angels sing, glory to the new born king! Peace on Earth..."

I hope everyone is having a fantastic holiday season! Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

Cali***

Downtown Disney Photos Are Here!

Jane here! This is my first (and most likely only) time I've written on Cali's blog. Thanks for letting me post, Cali! Anyways, this morning I got back from my mini-trip at Downtown Disney. I had a fabulous time!

Here is a short summary of what we did:

We checked into our hotel room.

Then we went shopping! I totally wanted these boots :)

And, of course, we ate at Planet Hollywood. This was the dress Judy Garland wore in her role as Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. Isn't that cool?

After that we walked around some more and shopped some more. I posed for a pic with Mr. Potato Head.

Before we left for the hotel, Sunny's parents got everyone hot cocoa...yumilicous!

Back at our room, Sunny surprised me with a stuffed animal that I named Peaches. It was my early Christmas gift!

For more pictures of my trip, click here. I hope you enjoy the photos!

Happy holidays, everyone!

~Jane~

Downtown Disney

Tomorrow Jane is going to Downtown Disney with Sunny, Marigold, and their parents to finish up some Christmas shopping. They'll be staying the whole day at Downtown Disney and overnight at a Disney hotel and will be taking lots and lots of pictures of the magical holiday decorations. Since I'll be at a holiday sleepover tomorrow I was unable to tag along to the trip. It's okay, though, since I'm the only doll (other than Victoria) who has gone already. Expect a post of their holiday trip on Sunday night or Monday!

Merry Christmas!

Cali***

Dear Santa

(from the desk of Cali Hazelwood)

Dear Santa,

I'm Callista Marie Hazelwood, a.k.a Cali. I am probably your biggest fan ever (No, I am not trying to persuade you to put me on the Nice List, I'm being truthful). Christmas is my most favorite time of the year and I would just like to thank you for helping to spread the joy. If you're looking for a new head elf I am definitely someone to consider! Anyway, I was hoping you might be able to leave me a few things on Christmas Eve such as a Rebecca mini doll, a Breyer Stablemates horse to add to my ongoing collection, and a Melody Valerie Couture dress. If it would be possible, I would also like you to bring Elizabeth, who may be here during the holidays, her own special gift. I know she would appreciate it! Thank you again, Mr. Claus, for all the past gifts. You (jingle bell) rock!

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

Love, Cali***

Red & Green

Only 13 days left and only 5 school days until Christmas! Sunny and I are counting the days, hours, even minutes, until that joyous day! I feel like bursting into a Christmas carol right about now... LOL!

On another note, the last day of the Secret Santa gift exchange was yesterday, and I had a ton of fun! Gwen couldn't believe that her Secret Santa was me. And, believe it or not, Elizabeth wasn't my Secret Santa. She had Emily. My Secret Santa was Noelle! She said she made her handwriting look like Elizabeth's to keep me off the scent, and it did work! I hope we can do Secret Santa next year, too.

Anyways, today Sunny had a red and green photo shoot with her sister's doll, Emily. The pictures are posted below:

(The text on this last picture is hard to see but it'll show up better if you enlarge it, I think)

Cali***

Holiday Updates

Hi! It's Cali. Today was a shortened day at my school and the fourth day of the Secret Santa Gift Exchange. Tomorrow I'll be able to tell Gwen that I'm her Secret Santa and confirm that Elizabeth was mine!Also, Sunny has decided to do a Secret Santa thing with her friends, which includes Maggie. She won't let me say who she has since her friends check this blog constantly... but, anyways, whoever she has is going to be totally surprised!

Besides all this Secret Santa stuff, I've been participating in the school Christmas Choir. This year we're doing songs like "O Little Town of Bethlehem", "Sleigh Ride", "Silent Night", "Angels We Have Heard on High", "The Holly and the Ivy", and my personal favorite, "Holly Jolly Christmas"! It's very fun! Jane and Noelle are doing it with me, as well as Elizabeth, who takes voice lessons at her school. We're going on our first caroling walk on Saturday. Yay!

Anyways, I just wanted to keep you all updated. More posts soon! Oh, I almost forgot; here are some more holiday portraits!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Cali***

On the first day of Christmas...

Okay, it isn't exactly the first day of Christmas, but it is the first day of the week-long Secret Santa gift exchange! :-)Amazingly, I was able to pick out good gifts for Gwen and make her a beautiful card, which I secretively stuck in her locker this morning. The card was made of red construction paper, silver and gold glitter, and Christmas stickers Sunny picked up at Michael's a few days ago. I have a good feeling she liked it!

As for my Secret Santa, I'm pretty sure it's Elizabeth. After all, I could easily see her curly handwriting, even though she was trying desperately to disguise it. The card she made me was really pretty, pink with silver snowflakes painted on the front, and the words "Let It Snow!" seemed to dance across the paper. Even though Elizabeth and I have only known we're twins for a week or so, we seem to know each other like the backs of our hands!

Since the holiday season is well upon us, I have decided to post Noelle's Christmas portrait below:

More updates on the Secret Santa soon!

Cali***

Secret Santa- Part 2

Yesterday, before we left school, Senora Montoya stopped us at the door to pick our person for the Secret Santa gift exchange out of a hat. I reached my hand in the Santa hat and pulled out a slip of paper : GWEN THOMPSON. Okay, I was thinking, I know Gwen pretty well. And I do. But as soon as I started thinking about what to get her for each day my mind drew a blank. Gwen and I have talked and we hang out a lot on weekends, but, well, we aren't as close as I am with Elizabeth or Noelle or Jane or even Madi. I needed help...but from who? We aren't allowed to share our person with anyone (even though I have a good idea who Elizabeth has!). So I've decided to be extra friendly to Gwen over this weekend and make sure I have enough information to be the best Secret Santa possible! Tonight I've scheduled a study session with Gwen in my dorm. Hopefully, I'll be able to get to know Gwen a little better. :-) Bye!!!

Cali***

Secret Santa

Hi, everyone, it's me, Cali! I am nearly jumping with joy at this moment because...

our school is doing a "Secret Santa" gift exchange! Tomorrow we'll be drawing names. You have to get little, inexpensive gifts for whoever you draw. Anyways, each day you have to stick a different type of gift in that person's locker, but you can't give any clues to who you may be.

*On Monday you must give your person a homemade Christmas card.

*On Tuesday you must give your person a holiday treat like a gingerbread cookie or a candy cane.

*On Wednesday you must give your person an inexpensive ornament.

*On Thursday you must give your person a little gift of your choice, under $5.

*On Friday, you must give your person a bit more expensive of a gift, such as a scarf or something like that.

I'm really excited to see who I draw. Since Elizabeth, my twin, is visiting us shell also be participating in the exchange. It's going to be so much fun! :-)

Cali***

PS- Happy December!

Babysitting Bitty Belle

Hi, everyone! Today is the last day of November, which means.......... Christmas is on its way! It's been so much fun having Elizabeth here with me during this exciting holiday season. We've done a bunch of fun things together, such as babysitting Marigold's Bitty Belle. Belle is a Bitty Baby that is the most adorable thing in the universe. Marigold had to go x-mas shopping yesterday afternoon so she hired Elizabeth and I to watch her. She barely even cried! Belle is such a sweet little girl. :-)

After we fed her and burped her, it was off to bed for the baby. Elizabeth has such a great voice; she was able to sing a lullaby to lure Belle to sleep. Once Belle was snug as a bug in her crib, Elizabeth and I played a game of Uno. Then Marigold came back home with Sunny and Grandma, and she paid us each $5. I'm going to save my money until I have enough to get gifts for my family.

Oops, look at the time! I better get going...I have quite a bit of homework to finish up!

Cali***