Christmas Stories

December is a time for giving, both of yourself and with gifts. So many of you have given unselfishly this season, here are two totally different stores.

Please take a look at a very unselfish act by Dinky Baby Distributor Nora Stockman and her daughter Haven Brown. They truly know the gift of giving. I know this project will be even more successful next year and every year after. Thanks to you both and to all those who participated in this effort, please read the story in the Index Journal. If anyone is interested in helping with Project HUGS for 2009, contact hugsnow2008@yahoo.com.

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Making a Christmas Wish come true!

Another story is from my bank. My business was highlighted in the month of December at my bank. One of the employees called and said that the manager told her of a story of when she was a child.

The manager had asked Santa for a Raggedy Ann doll for Christmas and never received one. When she saw the one on my website that is when the manger told the ladies who work for her the story.

Even a grown up can have a Christmas wish come true. Needless to say, she was quite happy when she was presented a Dinky Baby Raggedy Annie doll made by Angie Paturzo (Dinky Baby Distributor).

Looks like Santa finally delivered!

Two different stores, but both show in a small way the gift of giving touches many people.

I told Angie how her doll touched this grown woman and this is what she had to say.

Awwwww.....that makes me so happy! Vicki, I have made lots and lots of things over the years, but nothing else has brought so much joy as these dolls. Thanks for being so talented and making your patterns accessible. I have a sense of accomplishment after I have made a doll. I have never had that feeling with other things I have made. You have really made a lot of Christmases across this country and the world brighter for lots of kids.
Angie

Christmas Under the Stars in Costa Mesa, California

It was a beautiful night in California as the booths were lit with so many lights. Christmas music played and the children were so excited. I even had my picture taken with Santa.

Yes, I have been good!

I met some new Dinky Baby lovers and even some current customers stopped by my booth.

My booth was lit with Chirstmas lights

If you have never gone to Piecemakers Piecemakers Country Store, you need to plan a trip. This store has it all!

My Washington State Adventure

As many of you may know I went to Washington State for two shows this month and to visit my youngest son. I must say it held a lot of surprises for me.

On my way to Puyallup Washington I encountered rain. It was not just a little rain, but a down poor. I like rain but not while I am driving down a mountain side in the dark and fog. I found a motel to spend the night and started my journey early the next day.

I finally got to my show destination and set up my booth. The show and people were wonderful in Puyallup. I really enjoyed the new friends I made.

After three days in Puyallup I began my journey to Burlington where my son’s girlfriend and daughter lives. It was a very special visit and with them all. We went out to dinner every night and watched a million movies or close to it. I was such a relaxing time.

Chris and Angela

Becca, Angela's daughter

But all good things must end and off to Vancouver (Washington). It only took about four hours to get to Vancouver. I was one of the first to set up my booth. I again met some very wonderful people and enjoyed the show. I met Angela Fletcher and her lovely children. We had a nice visit and she brought her doll for certification. She passed with flying colors. Great job Angela!

Angela Fletcher and me

The show ended on Saturday at 5P.M. and I was anxious to get home to my husband after being gone over two weeks. I missed my kitties and my puppies and my home. I had my booth packed in about two hours and started the long drive. This is about a 23 hour drive, so I thought I could cut off some of that time if I started now. I drove about 6 hours and it was late and I was tired. I did not find a place to sleep so I pulled off to a rest stop and thought if I could sleep just a few hours I could start out early and find a motel if I needed to.

It was dark when I began driving again at 5 A.M. The sun was not due up until after 6A.M., but I got my second wind and knew I could drive all day. Only stopping for gas, food and bathroom breaks I could make good time. I entered northern California as the sun was rising. How beautiful! A layer of fog rested on a body of water as I rounded the mountain side. The sun was as large as I ever saw it just peeking over the fogs edge. My truck hugged the edge of the mountain road as I gazed at God’s beauty.

My day was spent driving and stopping for gas and taking bathroom breaks. My last stop in a small Nevada town was not so uneventful. I filled my truck with gas and drove off. I felt the dreaded bumping that only a flat tire can make.. I was only about 100 yards from the gas station so I walked back. They phoned a 24 hour service station and I got my tire changed.

The good news it did not happen along the deserted highways and I did not have an accident because of it, so I was happy to pay the $75 to get my tire changed.

Renewed vigor, I knew I could make it home. I had been driving since 5 that morning on just a few hours sleep, it was now 9 P.M. My GPS said my arrival time should be 2A.M.; I can make it I told myself. It was just a few more hours of driving.
As I drove the dark highways, I began to see little bunnies hopping towards my windshield. When my husband called, I told him this, he suggested I stop. I only had about two more hours until I would be home. I was so close but I was so tired. I soon found a spot to pull over so I could sleep for a couple of hours. I made it home at 4A.M. safe and sound. A shower never felt so good. I don’t think I will drive like that again. It was an adventure and will not soon be forgotten.

Marie Osmond loves my dolls!

International Quilt Festival 2008 Houston, Texas

Outside of convention center in Houston

They come by the bus loads!

The red carpet runs up and down the aisles.

Partial view of the festival floor from above.

What a special day!

Marie Osmond was so beautiful!

I was mystified!

See what Marie wrote to me, "she loves my dolls"!

I gave Marie my newest pattern, Alexa Rose, she said she was definitely going to make it. I was thrilled. As you all know Marie is a crafter and loves to sew.

She told me about sewing with her mother and grandmother. She asked me for information on my dolls and said how much she loved the pattern I gave her. What an honor!

Marie and I discussed doll making.

I asked Marie about Dancing with the Stars.

(see the pattern I gave her on the table)

Houston Quilt Market Oct. 25-27

This is my space....

This is my stuff....

My stuff in my space......

Front view.....

This is a BIG place.....

View of some booths.....

Pomona Show, October 2008

The Pomona Show was wonderful, the people were super and Dinky Baby was well received. I made some new friends and met up with some current customers. Even with what is going on in this world, doll making is alive and well. This is a time when people begin crafting and others want those American hand made dolls.

Fitting everything into a 10 x10 booth takes some work!

Sample dolls everywhere.

A customers view of the booth...

Pocket dolls to temp buyers!

Patti and her doll for certification-she passed with flying colors!

Paula Hook paid me a wonderful visit. I always love seeing and meeting everyone.

The Tucson Show was terrific!

So many new friends were made and current customers paid a visit, it was a wonderful time. I took a few pictures of the booth for you all to see. I have a new banner coming soon so will take a photo of it when I do the Pomona show next week end. For those of you that already chat on the yahoo chat site, you will be having some new friends very soon. I have been telling everyone what a great group you are.

Side view of the booth

Front view of the booth

Sign up sheet and check out table

Rhonda Jolly and her family

San Diego was so nice!
It was wonderful in San Diego, a nice change from the heat. We met a lot of wonderful ladies and got lots of inspiration for new dolls and more. Some of the ideas I am working on, a snowman named "Flake", a vintage baby named "Lilly Rose", and a layette for the Teenee Preemee. You will love these patterns!

Lots of shows on the horizon for Dinky Baby. In September a show in Glendale, Arizona called Kids Faire, take a look at the website.

October is going to be a very busy month, Oct. 2-4 I will be in Tucson, AZ with Rusty Barn Promotions, and the following week end, Oct. 9-11 I will be in Pomona, CA with Rusty Barn
Promotions.

The final two week in October, I will be Houston for the International Quilt Market and then the International Quilt Market following the market show. I am excited and if you are in the area, please stop by and say hello.

I am alos going to be on the radio, details to follow.

The Denver Trip

We started out to Denver for the 2008 Quilt, Craft & Sewing Show put on by Rusty Barn Promotions on July 9, 2008. Along the way we had to make a few stops, my sister snapped this photo as we stopped to smell the flowers. We stoped at a few other places but we we won't talk about those!

I love Hollyhock flowers!

We finally made it to the show just in time to get set up, here are a few of the booth photos.

Check out all those patterns.

Bobbi watching my video, I bet she has seen it about a 1000 times!

I am ready for busiiness.

We had some wonderful visitors to our booth and I snapped a couple pictures, the first picture is of Marsha Altman and her wondful family. It was so nice meeting her and all those girls.

The next day Donna Arellano decided to pay a visit, she brought her beautiful dolls for me to take a look at. They were all so cute. Donna wants to start selling her babies but did not know how to start. I told her to go to our great group of doll makers on the Dinky Baby Yahoo Group.

Shhhhhhh, Donna, don't wake Angie Baby!

I did not get a photo of a wonderful miniature bear designer, Stephanie Sarsfield. You must take a look at her website, Sassy Bears and Fabrics. She carries eveything you need to make the most adorable miniature bears and she even carries Dinky Baby miniature doll patterns.

I want to thank all of those wonderful ladies we met while in Denver, and welcome all those new Dinky Baby customers who will soon be making babies. I could not have done any of this with out my incredible sister Bobbi, she does all the work and welcomed everyone who came into our booth. My sister is the greatest!

Bobbi & me

Squirt came along on this trip and all he could ask is "Are we there yet?"

Squirt standing on the dash. Why aren't you wearing a seat belt Squirt?

As we got into Arizona, it began to rain! It was a nice change, but it caused a few accidents and about a five mile back up. As we crep along we were so near home, but it was taking forever. I dropped my sister off and pulled into my driveway and Squirt saw our house and was so happy!

Finally home!

Nora Stockman

Dinky Baby Distributor Nora and her Dinky Babies

My name is Nora Stockman I live in Greenwood, South Carolina and have most of my life. I have been a doll maker for seven years and have been involved with Dinky baby since August of 2006 and have loved every minute.

Doll making is my passion, I love the creativity it brings and anything that fabric is involved in I'm usually up for giving it a try whether it's dolls, quilts or Purses. I make many different type dolls from Primitive Annie's and Folk Art animals, Traditional Raggedy Ann's, Art Dolls, and of course Dinky Baby Dolls. I have designed a doll pattern of my own this past year but haven't gotten it to where I want it for publishing to the public.

I sew in my spare time as I run a Vinyl Graphics Design business full time. If I could sew as much as I wanted I probably would never even come out to eat, just push me a sandwich under the door.

In my full time job I do everything from Police and Fire Vehicles to Banners and signs and also Dye Sublimated T-Shirts, I have a lot of local business but our website brings in orders from all over the world. I also have a website for my creative items as well.

I have been married for seven years to my husband Stan and it has been a journey with mixing two families and lifestyles. I have three children of my own and two step children, they range in age of 14 years to 33.

I sew in my spare time as I run a Vinyl Graphics Design business full time. If I could sew as much as I wanted I probably would never even come out to eat, just push me a sandwich under the door. In my full time job I do everything from Police and Fire Vehicles to Banners and signs and also Dye Sublimated T-Shirts, I have a lot of local business but our website brings in orders from all over the world. I also have a website for my creative items as well.

I can say that I love reading all the postings on the Dinky Babies Distributors Group and also the Making Cloth Dolls with Dinky Babies groups, there are some exceptional artistic women here. It makes my day to go to the groups with kindred spirits that love dolls as much as I do. Much admiration goes out to Vicki for her hard work to make her company so successful and all the wonderful things she has accomplished since I have met her.

Visit Nora's website for more information on her and the dolls she makes.

http://www.barefootannie.com

http://www.rcdecals.com

You can e-mail Nora at : barefootannie07@yahoo.com

Angie Paturzo - Dinky Baby Distributor

Angie & me

My name is Angie Paturzo and I have been making Dinky Babies for over two years. I was the first distributor to become Dinky Baby certified and was lucky enough to be taught soft sculpture techniques by my Aunt Vicki herself.

I live in Fuquay Varina, North Carolina with my husband of 17 years and our 16 and 15 year old sons. My 16 year old will be graduating next year. Vicki's Lil Anthony doll is named after him. My 15 year old has autism and is in the 8th grade. Zac the Special Bear was named after him Neither boy is the least bit interested in the dolls I make, but they think it is cool to have a doll named after them. :-)

Ever since I was young, I have loved "making stuff", doing something creative with my hands. Over the years I have made soap, jewelry, glass beads, handmade cards and the list goes on and on.....

My favorite doll to make is Sitting Chloe (pictured)

I have been selling my dolls on ebay and more recently my website. I have gotten so many kind words about my dolls and it makes me so happy to think that some child is going to be playing with something I made!

My email is : Angie@ilovetomakestuff.com
my website is: http://www.ilovetomakestuff.com/

Visit Angie's website and drop her a note. If you need a custom made doll she does great work.

It's Fast Approaching!
The Original Creative Festival
Tucson Convention Center
April 17, 18, 19, 2008

I will be at this show, if you are near come and say hello!!!!!!!

For more information -
http://www.pcmexpo.com
775-856-3224 / Fax 775-856-3531 / 800-472-6476

Give me your Million Dollar opinion of my logo.

Here is my logo as seen on the Big Idea. Let me know what you think.

Lynne S. Lee-Dinky Baby Distributor

I have worked in customer service and administrative fields for over 30 years and while I have loved doing this type work, I have always had a yearning to make dolls. During the early 90’s I made and sold dolls after I was laid off and this was such fun and I truly enjoyed it. With 3 boys at the time and a need for more income I gave up that venture and went back to doing admin work. In the past few years as the Web has become more popular and accessible I have become obsessed with dolls again and when I first saw a DinkyBaby on another site I was hooked. I can’t look at any one of them without smiling and I have one on a chest at the foot of my bed and he makes my happy every time I see his little bald head. I have a web site that I have been working on for quite some time and I sell patterns for DinkyBabies and hope to become certified soon. I love all things Baby!!! Now I have 4 boys and they are almost all grown up and the Babies are something I do for me and I truly enjoy them!

Please visit her website at www.linniepies.com and her blog site (found on her website). If you would like to e-mail Lynn her e-mail address is lslee@sc.rr.com

(Every month around this time a Dinky Baby Distributor or Demonstrator will be featured)

Button Basket Contest 1st. Place Winner- Chrissy Lowry
and the second place prize goes to Victoria Graves. Great Job everyone and thanks for participating.

Button Basket Contest Entry
by Lena Thiel


I have used the fleece and floss from the kit, some doll body and fur fabrics. I had very fun doing it. I like to win this competition so I can be an inspiration to other what the can do with a pattern, some cloth, fantasy and a happy mood. Lena Thiel-Sweden

Button Basket Contest Entry
by Victoria Graves
Not having money to spend, I used gingham and the kit’s fleece to appliqué musical notes and hearts on the basket. Because the baskets are to house the Mel-O-Dee Babies, I feel these decorations reflect the spirit of the dolls. That’s why I feel you should vote for my basket. Victoria Graves-CA

Button Basket Contest Entry
by Sherry Harrison
This basket was made with coffee and cinnamon stained fleece, handstitching “my button baby” on the front, and trimming with a piece of old lace from Granny’s sewing stash. A Button Baby face and matching lace collar is attached to the front. I thought this primitive style basket would look neat holding a Button Baby wearing an old fashioned Betsy-Ross style bonnet and antiqued off-white minky chenille (I’m still working on that baby). Sherry Harrison-NV