FIRST EVER Maplelea FAMILY Model Search!

It's a family affair! Have you ever thought about how much fun it would be to have your whole family in matching pajamas, from oldest to youngest, including your Maplelea doll?  Even your pet pooch can match.  Well, Maplelea is making unisex pajamas and we need a family to model them! 

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR? 

A Canadian family who is proud to rep the Maplelea brand.  Moms, dads, toddlers, teenagers, grandparents, brothers, sisters…whoever you consider to be your family.  Ideally our Maplelea family will be comprised of 5-7 members so we can sufficiently show the range of sizes, and the universal appeal of the very Canadian pajama design. Having a dog in the family is not necessary, but is a bonus!  

HOW TO APPLY: 

1.  Take or select 3-5 recent photos of your family.  At least one photo must have all family members together in one shot. At least one photo must include a family member with your family’s favourite doll. Professional photos are NOT required.  Phone photos are fine. If you have a well-behaved, mid to small size dog who could model a matching bandana, you are welcome to include him/her in your application.

 2.  Open the application (PDF) < click to open.  Save the PDF to your hard drive.  Fill out the application.  Be sure to save to your hard drive when you are finished. 

3.  Create an email, and attach the completed PDF.  (Double check that all your information was saved in the PDF.

4.  Attach your 3 to 5 photos to the email. (Ensure that when photos open, they are right side up!)  

5.  In the email subject line, please include  “Family Model Application - _______________ Family” (put your family surname in the blank.) 

6.  Send the email to castingcall@maplelea.com.  This must be submitted by May 27th, 2018.  

7.  Alternatively, you can print out the application, attach printed photos and mail it to Maplelea, 1145 Nicholson Road, Unit #3, Newmarket, ON L3Y 9C3.  It must arrive no later than May 27, 2018.

There is no cost to apply.

THE SELECTION PROCESS:

1. Maplelea will select a family based on their submitted photos and application. The family will not be required to attend a casting call. However, the whole group will need to be available during the day June 28th, 2018 to travel to Newmarket and participate in a Photo Shoot with a professional photographer. 
2. A dog is not necessary but all members of the family must be comfortable with a dog being part of the Photo Shoot.
3. The Photo Shoot will last approximately 3 to 4 hours.  We will be taking both group and individual shots.
4. The family chosen to model will receive a $400 Maplelea Gift Card at the end of the Photo Shoot. There will be no further compensation unless retained to model again for Maplelea at another time.
5. Applications not accepted for the June 28, 2018 Photo Shoot will be kept on file for 12 months.  One or more families may be contacted at a later time if a further need arises for a family to model for Maplelea over the coming year.

PLEASE NOTE:

1. Maplelea will have the right to use your first names publicly with the photo, along with a general geographic description.  Ie. Family pajamas are modelled by Neal, Chris, Riley, Taylor and Jordan of Toronto, ON, or Modelled by …….of York Region, ON.  You can choose how your location is identified
2. Photos taken in Maplelea’s Photo Shoot may be used for any and all marketing purposes by Maplelea (Avonlea Traditions Inc.) including in digital and print advertisements and editorial.
3. Photos taken of models at a Photo Shoot may be used an unlimited number of times by Avonlea Traditions Inc., in perpetuity, without further compensation.
4. Maplelea may select a sub-set of the family submitted in the application.  We will discuss this with you before you accept the modelling assignment.
5. There is no guarantee that a Maplelea model’s photo will be used in marketing campaigns even if a Photo Shoot is done.
6. The selection of models and photographs used for publication are at the sole discretion of Maplelea.  

Thank you for considering this opportunity! 

It's that time of year again! March Break is upon us and we know that sometimes it can be difficult to plan new and interesting things to do, so we have compiled a fun list for you.

1. Hold your own Mini Doll Olympics.

    You and your friends can dress your dolls up in their sports gear and have competitions. Skating, hockey, ringette, karate, soccer or whatever! Use different sizes of boxes, or stack books, to make a three-level podium for the winners.  If you have the Maplelea Winner’s Circle Set, you can use the ribbons, awards, trophies and flowers to award after the competition at the podium ceremony.

2. Go skiing or snowboarding.

   If you are lucky enough to have a ski hill within driving distance, take a quick day trip and enjoy the slopes. Most ski resorts will have lots of fun extra activities going on over March break as well, so get outside! Never been on skis or a snowboard before? This is a great time to try something new and active with the family. Maplelea dolls love travelling in your Maplelea backpack when you are cross country skiing!

3. Go ice skating.

   Indoor rink, outdoor skating pad, your friend’s backyard rink…wherever. Play a game of shinny with your family, cousins or friends or try out some new spins and turns. If you live in Southern or Central Ontario (or anywhere, really, if you are up for a road trip!) check out the Rideau Canal in Ottawa – the largest naturally frozen skating rink in the world (as designated by the Guinness Book of World Records). Or the Arrowhead Provincial Park Skating Trail, Ontario's longest man-made ice trail. Live in or near Edmonton? Try out the famous Victoria Park IceWay, a three-loop skating trail wrapping through the majestic forests of Victoria Park. St. John’s? Try the loop in Bannerman Park. Just make sure to check the outdoor rinks & trails’ websites before heading out as weather conditions dictate if they will be open or not.

4. Book an overnight getaway.

   Is there an interesting little town you have been excited to check out, but haven’t had the time? Check in to a hotel and enjoy a mini-break. Getting away for even just one night is a great way to explore and keep it affordable. Pick a new place you haven’t yet visited…bonus points if it has an indoor pool so you can pretend summer is here already!  Don’t forget to take along your Maplelea doll, her PJs and her bedding.  The Maplelea sleeping bags/comforters, covered mattresses and pillows can be used with or without the bed so they are great to take along for sleepovers.

5. Go to the Movies.

   An oldie, but a goodie! Pick a movie that you and your family have been talking about and grab some popcorn. Try out a 3D experience or even go all out and go to an imax if you have one nearby.

6. Make your own movie theatre experience at home.

   Don’t feel like trekking to the theatre? Make your own! Pick a movie and make it feel like a theatre.  You need popcorn (of course), drinks and tickets! Close the curtains and turn off the lights. Have the kids show the adults to their seats using a flashlight like a real usher. Click here to download our movie theatre ticket craft, print them out, colour/decorate them, and use them for admission to your family theatre. Don’t forget to make a place for your dolls to sit so they can enjoy the movie too!

7. Try a new sport.

   Check out your town gym’s drop-in sports schedule, and pick something new to try  – basketball, badminton, skating, swimming class. Or get outside and try out snowshoeing!

8. Write in your Maplelea doll’s journal.

   Now’s a great time to read or re-read your doll’s journal.  And, you can fill in all those blanks that have been waiting for you.  What to write on the blank pages?  It’s up to you.  You can make up stories featuring your doll, or you can keep a record of all the things you do, or places you go, with your doll.  Some day when you are older you will love looking back to see what you have written.  Need a replacement journal, or more blank pages?  Check out this section of our website.

9. Visit a local museum, science centre or art gallery.

   All local museums, science centres and galleries will have some cool events and activities over March Break. Science World in Vancouver is featuring interactive drop-in activities in the Tinkering Space, pop-up demonstrations by Parks Canada, and The Science of Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Or channel your inner Maud Lewis with a March Break art class at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. Check out your local museum, gallery or science centre websites for what they have going on.

10. Bake something and have a tea party with your dolls.

    March Break is a great time to get busy in the kitchen! Dust off those measuring cups and find a new recipe to try. For a doll-size cake, make a cupcake or use your smallest cookie cutters to make doll-size cookies.  Just make sure that your doll watches from a safe distance because you don’t want any sticky stuff getting in her hair or eyes. For a full tea party, grab your Time for Tea Set for your dolls, and your favourite cups and saucers. Don’t feel like baking?  The Maplelea Set has the “cake” already made! Plus all the cutlery, plates and napkins you need for a great tea party or celebration. 

11. Go tobogganing.

    If you still have snow where you live, find a local hill and participate in one of our favourite Canadian pastimes. Don’t forget your helmet! Or take your doll tobogganing indoors with the Maplelea toboggan.

12. Celebrate St Patrick’s Day.

    End or start March Break, depending on your school’s schedule, with a St. Patrick’s Day parade on March 17. Get some friends together and dress up in every bit of green clothing they have!  Don’t forget to dress your dolls all in green too!  Be crafty and make a doll-size pot of gold, or how about a Leprechaun’s hat?  You can do that by covering a single size yogurt container with colour-fast green craft paper.  Put a black band and create a buckle using tin foil.  Craft Note: How do you tell if your craft-paper is colour-fast?  Put a little bit of water on it and blot it with a white paper towel.  Is there any colour on your paper towel?  If so, don’t use that paper for doll crafts.  If your paper towel stayed white—you are good to go.  Get crafting!

13. Dance party at home.

    Dress your doll and yourself in dance gear, crank up your favourite dancin’ songs and boogie the day away! Kids can try to choreograph a show for parents, or try to create funny dance moves or a routine for you and your dolls! Bonus: Moms and dads can teach kids the best moves from their childhood! Moonwalk or Running Man anyone?  Or grandparents, how about that Mashed Potato or the Twist?

14. Have a Maplelea Doll Photo shoot.

    Grab your Maplelea Girls and Friends and have a photo shoot! Take photos of what you are doing this March Break with your dolls and enter it in our upcoming Annual Maplelea Photo Contest. Or, dress your dolls and pose them in interesting scenes and submit the photos to our Fan Photography page.  
    
    Note: The Annual Maplelea Photo Contest is for photos of children and dolls doing things together.  The Contest will open later in the Spring but you can start taking photos now.  See the guidelines here.  The Fan Photography  section of our website is for photos of dolls only, posed in interesting scenes and can be submitted at any time to submissions@maplelea.com.  Check out the photos currently in the Fan Photography section for inspiration.  Please also note that for both the Photo Contest and the Fan Photography, only photos of Maplelea dolls dressed in Maplelea clothing can be considered.

15. Make a stop action movie.

    Older kids will enjoy dressing up and posing their dolls to act out stories. By moving the doll just slightly between each photo taken, and putting them all together in a movie-making program, the doll will appear to be moving. Add titles, credits and voice-over and you have a mini movie starring your dolls!  There are lots of examples on You Tube of kids doing just that.  If your movie features Maplelea dolls wearing Maplelea clothing, consider sending it to submissions@maplelea.com.  We may be able to feature it in our Fan Photography section of our website.  Or post it on YouTube for the world to see!

16. Take a hike!

    Check out a new local trail, bundle up and get walking. See some interesting sights, birds and enjoy the fresh air. Don’t forget to bring along your pooch if you have one, or your Maplelea doll in her Maplelea Backpack or Tote Bag.

17. Learn about Maple Sugar.

    Do you live in a part of Canada where sugaring-off is an early spring ritual?  If so, visit a Maple Sugar Festival or a Cabane à Sucre (Sugar Shack) to learn more about how maple sugar is made and to sample some of Canada’s famous sweetness.

18. Visit the Maplelea Store.

    If you are in southern Ontario during March Break, drop by and see all the Maplelea dolls and outfits on display. Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 4:30pm on all weekdays except statutory holidays at 1145 Nicholson Road, Unit 3, Newmarket, ON, around the back. 

19. Check your local town’s website for festivals and activities.

    Every town (or nearby town/city) has a town website that should have a calendar of events put on over March Break. Pick one (or 10!) and have some fun. And don’t forget the library. Most public libraries will have some fun events like family music classes, art classes, puppet shows or crafts going on all March Break. Make sure to check out a new book while you are there.

20. Make a fort.

    Grab some sheets, pillows, chairs and get building! Use clothespins to hold your sheets in place.  If adults say it is OK, add some string lights inside or get a flashlight. Get that book you got from the library, snuggle up inside your fort and read a story out loud to your Maplelea doll.

Whatever you decide to do, HAVE FUN this March Break!

Valentine's Day is a great excuse to get crafty. Print out these fun Maplelea valentine's cards and get creative!

Maplelea fans, young and old, love to take pictures of their dolls in action, amid our beautiful Canadian scenery.  To submit your photos or short videos for consideration, see the instructions at the end of this Photo Gallery.

Shannon G. and her husband looked out to find a beautiful blue sky day with sparkling snow and just knew they had to take Charlsea out to enjoy it.  They had a wonderful day atop Cypress Mountain in Beautiful British Columbia while many people stopped to admire her very Canadian doll with her very Canadian outfit.

Hannah F. captured a portrait of Saila in her traditional Amauti and Pang Hat as a light snow gently fell in Sudbury, ON.

A curious fox photo bombed Saila and Taryn’s photography session.  He looked and he sniffed, but he didn’t touch. Submitted by Kimberly K. of Redditt, Ontario.

Charlsea enjoys a quiet moment in the sun on a beautiful Salt Spring Island fall day and just hangin' out! Submitted by Marjorie B. of Washington, USA.

Jenna joined Charlsea on a magical forest adventure and found this charming feather windmill and fairy door! Submitted by Shannon G. of BC.

At this bountiful time of year, Jenna and Charlsea have much to be thankful for. Submitted by Shannon G. de Langley, CB.

In Celebration of Canada 150, Jenna and Léonie cheered on Taryn and Charlsea on as they re-enacted the historic adventures of the Voyageurs on BC’s Fraser River. Submitted by Shannon G. of BC.

Oh dear! Jenna and Charlsea are stranded on one of the BC Gulf Islands!  Will anyone see their frantic waves? Submitted by Shannon G. of BC.

On a beautiful sunny West Coast day, Charlsea waves the Maple Leaf to show her Canadian pride while Jenna and Charlsea were thrilled to be the parade leaders on the occasion of Canada’s 150th birthday! Submitted by Shannon G. of BC.

Ferry boats and fairy doors—Charlsea’s Salt Spring Island has both! Submitted by Shannon G. of BC.

Jeanna is wearing her Mahone Bay Sailor outfit, and that is exactly where she is in this photo—Mahone Bay, NS! And what better place for Jenna to wear her Anne costume than the Green Gables house in PEI?  Submitted by Marjorie B. of Washington, USA.

In the city of Toronto, the CN Tower features prominently on the horizon, and on Alexi’s shirt! Photo submitted by Marjorie B. of Washington, USA.

It is May 24th and time to celebrate the birthdays of both Charlsea and Queen Victoria! Submitted by Shannon G. of BC.

Please include your name, the location and a one or two sentence explaining the photo.  Remember, we can only accept photos of Maplelea dolls wearing Maplelea outfits!  Please send them as a jpg attachment to your email.  Do not include people in your photo; for photos of children with their dolls, please see the annual Maplelea Photo Contest which happens in the Spring of each year.

To submit your photos, please send them to: submissions@Maplelea.com with "FAN PHOTOS" as the subject line. 

 Submission of photos to this email constitutes permission for Maplelea to use the photos as they deem appropriate, without compensation, in perpetuity.

Here are our amazing winners from the 2017 Photo Contest! These wonderful Maplelea fans also appeared in our 2017 annual catalogue. Do you want to enter our next contest? Check out rules & tips here.   

If you want to submit a photo of just dolls (no people), refer to our Fan Photography section here.

 

THANK-YOU to all of our wonderful winners! 

Want to learn how to make a doll-size campfire, s’more and marshmallow stick just like Taryn’s? Come join us as we get crafty! Follow thes step-by-step instructions below or check out our cool "How-to" video here, or click the link at the end of the tutorial.

For the campfire you will need: Piece of cardboard Pencil Scissors Small rocks (about 20) Glue gun Glue sticks Sticks (7-8 that are approximately the same size as a glue stick) Red, orange and yellow tissue paper

 Directions:

1. To prepare for this craft, beginning by washing the 20 or so small rocks you have gathered. They need to be clean and perfectly dry before you start gluing. Heat up your glue gun while you do this step so that it is ready to use when you are done.
2. Take your piece of cardboard and cut a circle that is about 11 cm in diameter. An easy way to create this circle is to trace around a lid off a yogurt container.
3. Place your rocks around the perimeter of the cardboard circle, on top of the cardboard. Place the rocks so that they go slightly over the edge of the cardboard. Make sure you have all the right sizes and number of rocks before you start gluing.
4. Slide the rocks of the cardboard, and begin gluing one rock at a time. You can do this by putting glue on the cardboard and then pressing the rock into it. You want to do one rock at a time to ensure that the glue is hot when pressing the rock into it.
5. Glue each rock as close as possible to the rock beside it, and continue working your way around the circle.
6. Next, you will need the 7-8 small sticks. The best way to get these sticks is to find dry branches from the ground because we don’t want to hurt any living trees. These sticks will probably be bigger than the size that you need, so measure along the branch with a glue stick, and break the pieces into the right size.
7. Now we can place the logs on the campfire. Begin by finding a place between two rocks to nest a stick in. Glue the stick into place, angled so that the top of the stick is in the centre of the circle. Hold down the stick while the glue cools.
8. On the opposite side, nest another stick in place and angle it so that the top touches the top of the first stick. Put another dab of glue where the two sticks meet at the top.
9. Now you have a structure that you can lean the other sticks against. Continue to place the rest of your sticks around the campfire in a similar manner.
10. To create the fire, take pieces of tissue paper and rip some pieces. The ripping creates a nice natural edge. To place the tissue paper in the fire, make a circle with one hand, lay a piece of the tissue paper on top, and then poke it with a finger.
11. Stick the pieces between the logs. You can alternate with the three colours to make it look like a real fire. Continue doing this until you have the amount of “fire” you’d like.
12. Enjoy playing with the campfire!

For the marshmallow stick you will need: White pompom 1 stick slightly longer and thinner than the ones used for the campfire Directions: Take the long and thin stick you’ve gathered and glue the white pompom on the end.

For the s’more:   Light brown, dark brown and white craft foam Shish Kebab skewer  Directions: Cut two 1 inch square from the light brown foam for the graham cracker. Use the skewer to poke holes on one side of each piece of light brown foam. Cut out an irregular shape from the white foam and dark brown foam. This will make it look like the marshmallow and chocolate are melted and smushed between the crackers. Glue the layers together.

Now your doll is all set to make s’mores around the campfire. If you have a Maplelea doll, the marshmallow stick and the s’more will fit perfectly in her hands, and she can hold them unassisted. Now she just needs a tent and backpack and she is ready to enjoy a great camping trip!

Dear Canadian Families, 

As a Canadian company whose goal is to help foster love and interest in Canada’s heritage, this year’s 150^th anniversary of our nation is something the Maplelea family can’t wait to celebrate. We hope you’re excited for Canada’s sesquicentennial too!

Whether you’re waving your flag from our nation’s capital, the family cottage, or your own backyard, be sure to capture some Can-tastic moments with your Maplelea Girls and Friends. Your photos allow us to see and share how Maplelea inspires young girls to explore this great country that we are proud to call home.

Which Maplelea Girl will be tagging along on your family’s adventures this weekend? Pack some blank journal pages with your doll and write down your stories and memories from this milestone celebration. You can get into the Canada Day spirit with our Real Canadian Girl Music Video!

With glowing hearts, our Maplelea family wishes you and yours a safe and playful Canada Day to remember!

Sincerely,

Kathryn Gallagher Morton

President, Maplelea

Every spring, Maplelea opens up the Maplelea Photo Contest—a perfect opportunity to show the world all the fun you and your Maplelea doll have! Our last photo contest closed on July 17, 2017, but you haven’t missed your chance! Now is the perfect time to stock up in photos for the next photo contest season opening in spring 2018.  We love to see photos from all seasons, so don’t forget your camera whether it is sunny, rainy, or snowy! Keep reading for more tips and tricks on how to take a winning photo. 

What makes a winning photo?  

1. Canadian content.We love pictures that show off this great country of ours, especially those that depict what is special about the community or area where you live. We want photos from every province and territory. Photos taken outside of Canada will only be considered if there is a strong Canadian connection.
2. Action! We want to see kids exploring, playing, learning, celebrating, helping, travelling, creating, discovering and just having fun!
3. Stories! We love interesting stories (a short paragraph) to go with the photo. Tell us about the child and the story behind the photo—what led up to the event, why the day was special, the significance of the location, etc.
4. Maplelea Products.Because we are using the selected photos in our catalogue or online campaigns, the clothing and accessories on the doll must be Maplelea clothing and accessories. The only exception to this is clothing or accessories made by the child. We prefer if the outfits/accessories shown with the doll are those that are intended for that character or those intended for all dolls (i.e. Taryn’s outfit on the Taryn doll, or an outfit intended for all dolls on any Maplelea doll. Outfits intended for all dolls have M as the second letter in their stock number.). Also, please make sure the doll's hair is neatly combed and/or styled.
5. Safety First! If the activity shown is a sport that normally requires certain safety equipment, then that safety equipment must be shown in the photo. For example, if the child is in a boat, then they must be wearing a lifejacket. If the child is riding a horse, they must be wearing a helmet. (We understand that your doll may not always have the same safety equipment). Where appropriate, if the child has paused their activity for the photo, the safety equipment need only be in the photo.
6. Diversity. We want to show Canada's diversity—diversity of children, of activities and of places. We always try to choose at least one photo from each province and territory. We strongly encourage families living in the territories and smaller provinces to submit entries.
7. Age. Because Maplelea dolls and accessories are intended for children age 6 to 12+, we tend to choose photos of children that look that age.
8. Variety. Each entrant can submit up to five photos. We like to receive photos from all seasons so keep taking pictures throughout the year, indoors and out.
9. Photo Quality & Specs. Because this is a photo contest, we also look for good lighting, proper exposure, creative compositions, etc. Photos must be under 5MB and in jpg or GIF format to be uploaded. Other formats are not acceptable.

Share your Maplelea moments with us! Winners receive a $50 gift card & have their photo published in a Maplelea catalogue or online campaign.

Calling all Real Canadian Girls!

In anticipation of Canada Day on July 1^st, we invite you to sing along with Juno award-winning Jessie Farrell to the Maplelea remake of Stompin’ Tom’s Canadian Classic, Real Canadian Girl.

This video was produced for Maplelea by Two Story Productions Inc., in celebration of what makes Canadian girls distinct and unique.

Let us know what you think in the comments!

Explore what makes our Pirouettes and Plies outfit so unique in this fun video, featuring Claire, a Maplelea fan!