Logo Sets are coming....

I have just finished designing some cute little blanket sets that include a hat and booties. These sets will come in pink and blue and complete with the Dinky Baby logo. What a great way to keep your Dinky Baby warm or any cloth doll. Go to my website or my eBay store for more information.

You will soon see the Dinky Baby logo on my little onesies and other items.

Three NEW patterns will be comeing out soon.

Making cloth dolls that are soft sculptured are fun and seem to be making a resurgence since the China toys are so dangerous. If you would like information on a Dinky Baby business please just e-mail me.

How many days till Christmas?
No, I do not have all my shopping done! As I get older I think more about the true meaning of Christmas and wonder how it all got to this point.

I remember being a young mother and wondering if I bought enough presents for each child and if my dinner was going to be special enough. I wore myself out making sure no one was going to be disappointed on Christmas day.

When it all came down to it, everyone was happy just being together. The presents were opened and sitting idle as we all watched Christmas movies on the T.V. Later we would play a game as a family and eat homemade fudge. It was always a perfect Christmas even if I didn't buy all the gifts I wanted to give.

After all Christmas is about family and spending time with them. I hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas with your families. Enjoy them, they are the true gift.

Busy, Busy and busier...............
This is the time of year we are all so busy. I have just added some knit fabric to my eBay store. These knits are perfect to make cloth doll clothes with. I have specially selected these knits for color and quality and have put them together in sets of three. Each set has three 1/2 yard pieces along with 1/4 yard of ribbing to make your cloth doll clothes look professional. Your Dinky Baby will have hats, booties and wonderful buntings when you use these knits. These knits are about 60 inches wide each.

Visit my eBay store for a great selection.

Have you been naughty or nice this year?



Only you know, so tell me. If you have been a good girl and want to get a FREE pattern for my Booties and Hat for your Dinky Babies, let me know. Post a comment and then send me your request for your FREE pattern.



Santa's Helper

Help From the Blogging Goddess

Suzanne from Let's Talk Organizing came over tonight and we had a wonderful time indulging in beverages and goodies from the local corner restaurant. Our main focus, aside from enjoying each other's company, was to get Dinky Baby's blog up and running smoothly!

Not only did we have a few good laughs, you are now seeing us in our new Dinky Baby digs for the new year!

If you have any comments, suggestions, or if you just want to add your two cents worth in on our new look, please feel free to comment! Also, take a look up to the top of the side bar and don't forget to sign up for your free bootie and hat pattern!

It's our special gift to you!

Happy Baby Making!

Vicki from Dinky Baby

The Dinky Night Before Christmas

by Sandra Wheeler

'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, except Mary-Ann mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that Santa soon would be there;
The Dinky’s were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of gumdrops filled their little stuffed heads;
And Ms Vicki in her 'kerchief, and Angie in her cap,
Had just settled down for a much needed nap,
When out of no where there arose such a clatter,
They sprang up from their nap to see what was the matter.
Away to the computer they flew with emotion,
Checked out yahoo and saw all the commotion.
On this night before Christmas sewing machines were quiet,
But some one was causing a very loud riot.
"But I did see him" they watched Gumbi write,
He was standing right here, but he slipped out of sight.
"Who did you see?" was Carrie’s reply,
"I saw Santa" wrote Gumbi and let out a sigh.
"He had something to tell me, but I couldn’t hear,
Please, every one look and see if he’s near"
"Wait" typed Ms Vickie, "I hear something outside"
"It is a big red sleigh and a man taking a ride"
"He just spoke" said Ms Vickie "and here’s what he said"
"I can’t use the toys, they are all filled with lead"
"I need toys that are safe for the children so dear,
I need Newborns and Belles! And even a bear’"
I need Tommers and Chloe and sweet little Sassy!
I need toys for the lads and especially the lassie.
Please all you Dinky makers, unite.
I need all these toys and I need them tonight!
Check in your closets, check and then tell.
You must have some dolls left that you didn’t sell!"
All over the world Dinky makers went hunting,
They all found some dolls, even one in a bunting!
They packed them all up and got them ready that night
They wanted to help Santa make everything right.
They made Santa so happy that he gave Ms Vicki a hug,
"I knew they could do it" said Ms Vicki with a shrug!
"They are the best doll makers that could ever be,
And to think that they learned it all from me!"
Emmett helped Santa load up the sleigh,
They loaded things on and were soon on their way.
But I heard them exclaim as they drove out of sight,
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Dinky good-night."

Wasn't that just the cutest poem. I have such creative distributors. Hope you season is going well and you are making lots of cloth dolls from my Dinky Baby patterns.

It’s the Pay It Forward Exchange, Just for fun.
(I got this idea from Linda’s Blog)

It’s based of the concept of the movie “Pay it Forward” where acts or deeds of kindness are done without expecting something in return, just passing it on, with hope that the recipients of the acts of kindness are passed on.So here’s how it works: I will make and send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment to this post on my blog requesting to join this Pay It Forward exchange. I do not know what that gift will be yet, and it won’t be sent this month. I'll probably send it next month or the month after. It will definitely be sent and that’s a promise! More than likely I'll get it made after Christmas and sent out early in the New Year.What YOU have to do in return, then, is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog to 3 different people. Unfortunately this is only possible for those of who have a blog.So the first 3 people to comment to this post on my blog and join in will get a handmade gift from me....(sign your name with your e-mail address)Ready, Set, GO!

You would think that would be such a wonderful thing to do on a rainy day in Arizona. Not if you have the flu. I went to bed on Friday night not feeling well, thinking I was just getting a cold. NOT!

I woke up during the night to chills and a terrible head ache. I was going to die! I am not one to get sick, but I sure was.

My husband confused by my behavior came to check on me twice that I knew of. Once to ask if I was going to stay in bed all day. The second time when I told him I was thirsty (probably the high fever). He brought me a small (I mean small) glass of 7-Up with more ice then 7-UP. He was also determined that I eat. He brought me in some soup. It was not chicken noodle; it was a spicy southwestern bean soup. The smell almost made me barf. Being a good wife I sipped a little. Nothing is worse on an empty sick stomach then something spicy. He tried.

During my delirium I had thoughts of Dinky Babies, new cloth doll patterns I wanted to make and design. They were spectacular! I was so impressed with my dreams and ideas. Alas, I woke up this morning able to move, with just a headache and shaky hands. I made it to the kitchen to make some coffee. What did I find? A sink full of dirty dishes and a trash can over flowing. I politely asked him if he knew how to use the dishwasher? He said he did but was not sure about this one. (They are all so different you know. ) I opened the dishwasher and put the dirty dishes in, bagged up the over flowing trash and made my coffee. He asked what we were having for breakfast. I turned my pale face towards him and said, “you are on your own”.

I tried to remember my new cloth doll pattern designs, but they must be locked away only to return the next time I am ready to die.

Is it really the end of November?

I have been so busy with business that sometimes I have to make myself take time to enjoy what is truly important in life. My four year old granddaughter spent the day with me. It was through her eyes that I again saw why I made my first doll so may years ago.

She undressed and redressed my sample dolls, put them to bed, took them for stroller rides and just had a wonderful time. Every time she comes over she asks where are the babies? I allow her to pick out three to play with and it is interesting to me that she always picks the same three. She loves Paloma, Addison and the large ballerina. She wants her very own Paloma for Christmas, I told her I would talk to Santa.

By the way, have you seen my newest cloth doll pattern, Emmett the Elf? This is a wonderful and easy cloth

doll that you will enjoy making. I have him listed on my website http://dinkybaby.com/ and on eBay as a kit.

Make your little one an Emmett of his very own and start a holiday tradition.
Emmett is pattern #055 and requires just 1/3 yard of light pink craft velour for his body. He is fun to decorate and has the cutest face and elf ears. He requires little sculpting just on his face.

I have had so many ideas sent to me for new dolls and different ideas. Some of the things that will be coming soon are a monkey that is about 10 inches with a wardrobe of cloths, a new bunny for the spring, my version of the ever popular "Bitty Baby", a toddler and so much more. How about a wardrobe for Tommer and Chole? This and more will be released in the coming months. I love to design and I am having the time of my life. Thank you all for the great support in purchasing my cloth doll patterns. If you have any ideas of what you would like to see, please e-mail me at vicki@dinkybaby.com. Don' forget to join my e-mail list to receive updates and specials on new cloth doll patterns.

Building a Data Base

I was asked recently by one of my distributors about handing out business cards or brochures at craft shows. It seems that this distributor was getting lots of great comments on the cloth dolls she had made. People were spending time holding and talking about the dolls. They wanted to know if she could do this or add that. After spending time with these customers they would put the doll down and ask for a business card. She happily handed them a business card, but she never received a call or an order from those customers. She was getting quite discouraged. Why wasn’t she getting any call backs or orders from handing out those cards?

I realized that sometimes handing out cards is not a good idea unless someone actually asks for a card. Even then they may lose it or put it in their bag that is soon thrown away. There is nothing is more discouraging then to see your business card or brochure laying in the walkway of a show later. It almost feels as if someone has thrown you away. I am sure most of these people would have called, but they simply lost or misplaced your card.

I discovered I needed to take the control. I knew that people really did like my items, it might not have been the best time for them to purchase or perhaps they were short of cash that day, lots of reasons for someone not to purchase on the spot. This is what I discovered; I needed to be in control of getting back with that person. It was not the customer who needed to contact me. I needed to take this down a different route.

I wanted to create a data base. I needed to create a data base. Successful businesses pay big bucks to buy a data bases. If I am in business I needed a data base of people who would buy what I make. This is what a successful business has, they let this base of customers know about new products or promotions, sales and so much more. Most importantly they let this base of customers know who they are and that they are still in business and waiting to sell to them.

This is what led me to think about taking control when I do a craft show. This is how I started my very own data base. I offer a doll as a door prize at the show. This could be one that I can’t sell or one that I don’t like, any doll that you want to offer in perhaps a nice basket with a blanket. Have slips of paper for customers to sign up with, asking for name and e-mail address. Let them know this is how you will contact them about the winner. I would also tell everyone that there will be second place winners for everyone who gives this information. This could be a percentage or dollar amount off any special order or doll at future shows you may do. People are always looking for a bargain. If you give classes you could even have an area on the slip that might ask would you like to learn to make a doll for FREE. Now, you are collecting names and e-mail address, you are creating your very own data base. How easy is this? Now, something else remember those people who talked your arm off and then asked for a business card and never called, get their information. Ask them for their e-mail address. Tell them that you often run specials and you will keep them informed about upcoming shows or special offers. Most will give you this information, if they don’t how serious were they in the first place. Give them your card anyway and always be professional.

A data base can start with just a few e-mail addresses and build from there. Add people and ask them to refer others to you. Collect everyone’s e-mail address that you talk to and make sure that you send them a thank you email.

Send a bulk e-mail out to your customer list at least twice a month. Let them know that you are still in business and what you have to offer, if you have a website, refer them to it, if you sell on eBay let them know. The more you stay in front of your customers the more they will remember you and refer you. If you do not do this, they WILL buy from someone else.

Brand new from Dinky Baby

How would you like to make a cloth doll the fun and easy way? How you would like all the supplies you need included in the same kit?

This is what you get with our new 'Build-a-Baby". You will have success every time with this kit. The hard work has already been done, all you do is finish this 14 inch baby doll. This kit includes the doll head with face already drawn on for you and constructed body, thread, floss, needles, diaper, "Love Certificate" and a CD with instructions.

Visit www.dinkybaby.com to order your “Build-a-Baby”, making babies the easy way with Dinky Baby. Kit is just $25, priority shipping is $7.00

Forward this to a friend.......

If you have already purchased your "Paloma" pattern, you can now get any pattern for FREE. Forward this e- mail to a friend and when hey purchase Paloma and tell me your name, you will get any pattern of your choice for FREE. Do you have more then one friend? Each friend that mentions your name when they purchase "Paloma" entitles you to FREE pattern, this is unlimited. Are you game?

If you have not pre-ordered your "Paloma" pattern, do it today. You only have a few days left to have your name added to the gift card. I will be presenting the "Paloma" doll to the real Paloma on Aug. 26 along with a cash gift card. You can have your name added with all the others who have purchased a Paloma pattern. To order Paloma, email vicki@dinkybaby.com and type in Paloma offer. This pattern is just $11 plus $1 for shipping.

These are Michelle's real dolls. She said this photo was taken a few years ago. Aren't they just too sweet for words? Do you have any photo's you would like to share?

Send them to me at vicki@dinkybaby.com

Vicki

Hello Vicki,
I have been excited about your Raggedy Ann and Andy ever since I received your first email about them. I can't order mine until Tuesday but I will be ordering them for sure then. I just wanted to tell you that Johnny Gruelle (the creator of Raggedy Ann) was born in a little town called Arcola, Illinois, in the house that my mom and dad bought. They have a Raggedy Ann and Andy festival every year, and one year we got to meet the son (Worth Gruelle) and his family.
Marcella was his sister and she died from a reaction to one of the childhood immunization shots that all children receive today. It was very exciting getting to meet the family and learn more about Raggedy Ann.
I have always loved Raggedy Ann, now more so because of our family's connection to her. I'm not trying to brag or toot my own horn, I just thought that I would share a little about Raggedy Ann with you that I know about.
Thanks for listening.
Connie Gawel

I just love hearing stories like this. It is a pleasure to share this story. Thank you Connie.
Vicki

Karen's Babies.

Please say 'Hi" to one our newest distributors, her name is Karen Fox from Evergreen Park, IL . Karen became a distributor earlier this month and has taken off like a bullet. She has made tons of babies and is still going strong. I will post some of her dolls for you to take a look at. Karen is getting ready for the holidays that aren't that far away, if you want to have a good inventory, and she will.

Vicki,
Here is a picture of Zac from last Wednesday at the Special Olympics. He competed in the pentathlon, where he did the running long jump, the high jump, the shot put, the 100 meter and the 400 meter. He won the silver medal!!!!

He loves the Zac bear. He had to write to you when he saw it. He is feeling pretty good about himself right now. His silver medal win was announced at his school and it was announced in church. If he goes to state in June, he will have a large cheering section!


Love you!
Angie

This is who I named my new pattern, Zac "the Special Bear" for. He is my grand nephew and is very special. He is absolutely incredible and one of the greatest people I know. I am so happy to have him in my life. A portion of the proceeds from the Zac bear pattern will go to Autistic research.

Vicki

I went to the The Women's Expo here in Arizona on Saturday, it was a great experience. Going to an event like this is sometimes far too crowded for me to enjoy, but I did enjoy my day. My feet hurt and the crowd was overwhelming but I would go again. I have lived here in the valley for over 17 years and have never gone to this event. Maybe I was afraid of the crowd of people, I don't know. The Expo has been going on for 15 years. I am just not too with it I guess. I have been missing out on a great experience. I would like to be a vendor next year and I think that I will start to research my options. This would be a great opportunity to bring visibility to my Dinky Baby business and to offer the opportunity to some women locally. If you are interested in your own cloth doll business, now is the time to get started.
Vicki
vicki@dinkybaby.com
www.dinkybaby.com

Happy Friday the 13th, 2007.

So much is happening around here lately. New dolls are on the creation table, fur is here, new distributors are joining, DinkyBaby is growing.

Cloth dolls are coming back into their own again. As long as there are little girls, big girls and doll lovers, cloth dolls are always going to be around. I have been playing with dolls all my life and I have never tired of doing so. Just as men love there cars, women will always love their dolls.

This is a great time to join DinkyBaby and get your business rolling before the holidays get here. It may seem like a long way off, but before you know it you will be asking yourself why didn't you get started?

Learn to perfect your dolls this summer and stock pile them for the holiday bazaars that will be soon approaching. Make the doll clothes and get your little Dinky Babies dressed and ready to go. Take advantage of joining the team now and be ready for your business when the snow starts falling.

Just email me and ask for the details on how you can strat your own cloth doll business with DinkyBaby.com

Vicki@dinkybaby.com

One more cutie from Lee of Great Britian. Lee made this little redhead from the 14 inch pattern number 010. His dolls just keep getting better and better. Cloth dolls are becoming more popular everyday. If you haven't made one, this is a great pattern to start with. For ordering information visit my website at www.dinkybaby.com and order yours. -Vicki

The little boy is called Max, the little girl with the teddy is Matilda .

I just love it when my international customers send me photos of doll that they have made. I can only dream of going where my patterns are sent to. One of my favorite customers is a man. He has made some of the most fabulous cloth dolls from my patterns and I feel like a proud mother. Lee has once again out done himself. Lee is from Great Britian. Take a look at some of his new creations. -Vicki

Thank you Vicki! I would be honored to have her on your Blog. She and my future dolls are a 10 year dream come true. Were it not for your excellent step by step DVDs and your oh so simple patterns, it would not have been possible for me to do this.
I know this for a fact as I have purchased many books, patterns, videos and etc. without any success until now.
I am more then a customer, I am a customer whose dream you have helped come true. Thank you for your excellent work.
TmR

This is the LilBeth pattern number 002

Thank you for all your kind words. I am so happy that my DVDs and patterns are so easy for you to use and helpful. This is why I love this so much.

Vicki

Vicki, This is the newest addition of my collection. I made Cindi from your Leslie pattern & CD that you sent me this week. She was so much fun to make. Your PDFs are so awsome. The best I have seen!

Thanks again for your awsome patterns!
Carrie

I love Carrie's clown, she is just so pretty and look at those eyes. Great job on this little clown. You can make your own clown just like Carrie, this is made from the cloth pattern number 16. See my webiste for more information or to place an order.
Vicki

I am so happy that so many of you are enjoying my cloth doll patterns. I get emails daily telling me how easy the patterns are to make and how much fun they are. This has been such a long dream that began so very long ago. I even hate to count the years. My daughter was just about 3 or 4 and now she is in her early 30s. She was the reason for the first doll I created. I am working on new patterns all the time and I have a new release coming very soon. If you are seeing this post, you are one of the first to see a sneak peek. The newest pattern to be released is going to be called "My 3 Little Piggies", unless I change it of course. Here is just one of the three little guys and maybe there is also a girl. You will have to wait and see. This is Randy, he is French.

What a group!

A smile to die for.

Kids everywhere.
So many pretty girls.












Ready for school or a date?

Daddy's boy.

Does he look like me?

Twins.

I must apologize for not getting these pictures on here sooner. As you can tell Carrie has been very busy making babies. Vicki


Hi Vicki, i have really enjoyed making your dolls. I thought you might get a kick out of seeing them. I have had fun experimenting with different yarns and strings.

You can see i went a little crazy. I made one doll to represent my husband and i and each of my kids and then started in on friends LOL. I am addicted.

Thank you so much for sharing your patterns. You are amazingly creative!

Sincerely,
Carrie

Mary Ann sent these photos and I did not get them published. Hope you enjoy. Vicki

Here are some photos from Mary Ann Gies a distributor in Greeley, CO. She has had a lot of fun from the looks of it. Vicki

I finished my "winkie" baby and he is ready to go traveling to be "viewed." I think he's an extrovert so he won't mind showing off. I dressed him in lime green knitted hat and booties. The booties have a yellow bow and then I cut a onsie in half and satin stitched the neckline, sleeves and the bottom in lime green and added a bow. Just added his little diaper. He's such a lilttle hottie. i think the ladies will love him and hope to get some orders. He will start off Here in Greeley first then he will travel to Denver and then on to Texas. So we will see how is debut goes and will let you know. Mary Ann

I love getting photos of dolls that you all have made. Here is one from Italy, that Elisa sent to me. She did a wonderful job. -Vicki

Hi Vicky! I'm Elisa from Trieste ( Italy) and this is my first "My Kid" doll.I enjoyed a lot making and dressing her. I am mother of two children,two boys and this is my first "girl".I hope this will be the first but not the last!Thanks for your wonderful pattern,best regards,Elisa

Vicki, This is the newest addition of my collection. I made Cindi from your Leslie pattern & CD that you sent me this week. She was so much fun to make. Your PDFs are so awsome. The best I have seen!

I am so pleased to hear such comments. Your doll is so cute, look at that face! I love the pastel colors and the hair is awesome. LOVE this clown.

Vicki

I love to hear about how helpful the DVD is and Terra has proved so in this wonderful doll that she has made. - Vicki



Thank you Vicki. I would be honored to have her on your blog. She and my future dolls are a 10 year dream come true. Were it not for your excellent step by step DVD's and oh so simple patterns, it would not have been
possible for me to do this. I know this for a fact as I have purchased
many books, patterns, videos, etc without any success until now. I am more than just a satisfied customer, I am a customer whose dream you have helped come true.
Thanks for your excellent work.
Isn't she just the cutest?

Vicki,
Here is the Ballarena doll I made from your pattern. How Cute! I made this for my Husband's Daughter, she is a beautiful red head and has been taking Ballet, but she is also quite a tomboy, so I thought the camo ballet outfit would be fitting.
feel free to share with others...I love making your dolls!

Jennifer House

Such a cute little ballerina made by one of my wonderful distributors. She is doing a great job.
Vicki