We hope you enjoy our first set! We have big things cooking and thought this Trick or Treat set would be a great way to showcase a small sampling of the many items we hope to create. Look for more to follow in the very near future.
About Us
Who is Kit 'n' Kaboodle A.R.T.?
Well, let me start with how we came to love clay, dolls, and everything in between. A recent trip (July 2013) to our local bookstore ended with my daughter asking to buy the American Girl Kanani book. She quickly began reading and asked "Mama, can you help me make a shave ice stand?" Never one to back down from a challenge (especially at the disapointment of a little girl who still believes I can do anything), I replied "Sure, lets look online for some ideas!"
I must admit I was trying to contain my excitement! I grew up reading the original three American Girl Doll books but never owned one of the dolls until I was reintroduced to them through a younger cousin in 2003. At that time, I was much too old to be 'playing' with dolls, but I was also much too old for anyone to stop me from buying one if I wanted. I purchased Samantha for my daughter (who didn't exist yet...always the planner), then Nellie for Samantha, then clothes for each of them, then a few accessories...you get the idea.
So, there we were, browsing the internet for a shave ice stand for Kit (my daughter's doll). She drew sketches of her vision and the planning began. A friend of ours was nice enough to volunteer her husband for the task of helping to cut the wood and assemble the stand. We arrived with graph paper and detailed plans, and he later asked his newlywed wife if I realized what a perfectionist I am. Thanks, and YES! ;)
The stand was nearly complete just in time for our family vacation. We were sooooo excited that Mamaw and Pap Pap would be here to see what we had made. My daughter decided on slighter darker than Pepto Bismol pink and went to work painting our creation.
Next, we needed treats to fill it. When I saw that people were creating their own clay doll food, one of my favorite childhood memories came to mind. One weekend, when I was around my daughter's age, my dad made homemade play dough in a variety of colors. We (me, my brother, dad, and family friends) made loads of creations and ate pizza for hours. I remember one of my favorites being my dad's small scale hotdog with mustard. So, naturally I wanted to try to recreate that with my dad and daughter this past summer. She joined in, made some really cute doughnuts and cinnamon rolls, and was off to another adventure. Hours later, my dad and I were still creating! The memories were recreated and though he is back in the sunshine state and I'm preparing for a New England winter, we're together several nights a week (Thanks, FaceTime!) creating again.
We recruited a carpenter, a.k.a. my brother, along the way. He has recently retired his apron (former cook) and purchased a saw. He's leaving the cooking to us for once (at least in small scale).
So, there you have it!
We are Kit 'n' Kaboodle A.R.T.
Kit for my daughter's doll, Kaboodle for all the fabulous collections we hope to offer, and A.R.T. for Amanda (me), Ray (my brother), and Thom (my dad)
We hope you enjoy our blog and welcome comments!
