A New Year Upon Us

As we end the year 2009 , 2010 is just a few days away. As I look back 2009 wasn't a bad year just different from all the rest. I noticed this economy slump much more than previous years our country has incurred. Maybe because I am in business for myself and the orders were slower than in previous years.
I do know that Americans still have their sports and hobbies even though the money is tight. It helps us keep our sanity so ladies and gentlemen " CRAFT ON " I know it takes me miles away from any problems just sitting down and sewing my baby dolls.
We keep our hopes and dreams for a fantastic new year in our inner vision with high expectations for all.

HUGS IN SOUTH CAROLINA

As we approach the month of December the HUGS project is getting ready to distribute the Babies and Bears by Dinky Baby Pattern's designed by Vicki Riley. We are excited each year to see our group of Volunteer Doll Makers grow and add to this cause. If you would like to read about the HUGS Project there are links to follow and the patterns for these dolls can be found on my website http://www.barefootannie.com/  To read stories written by Dinky baby lovers go to this blog and enjoy. There are women and men all over the world that love making these adorable dolls and these stories tell what they mean to them.
http://www.welovedinkybabies.blogspot.com/

Free Doll Patterns

I know sometimes you want to try different type dolls but with the economy money is limited. Here is a link to numerous free doll patterns to print and try. Some you may want to use as Holiday Gifts for those special little ones.
http://www.clothdollconnection.com/FreePatterns.html

I personally want to try the Waldorf dolls they have a simplicity about them that make them appealing. Try one and send me photos to add to the Blog of any of your work. My email is norastockman@yahoo.com
Isn't this doll just adorable.

Here is a link to a small Waldorf Bunting Doll, really simple to make   http://thesilverpenny.homestead.com/waldorfbuntingdollfreeproject.html

Here are links to the larger Waldorf type dolls
http://thesilverpenny.homestead.com/FreeProjectDollHeadDirections.html  for the head

http://thesilverpenny.homestead.com/FreeProjectDollBodyDirections.html  for the body

Doll to get Approval

I have made the prototype Annie style doll with the Hospital gown it should hopefully get approval and those that had rather make this type doll for HUGS will be able to do so. It is a basic 15 inch Annie but the legs and feet are joined as one piece all the doll is done in one color. The joints of the arms and legs are sewn across (at elbows and knees) to give it a soft hugable effect. The gown is a one piece and takes less than 1/8 of a yard of fabric to make. I will post photos on my Piccasa Gallery. Be sure to take a look to see how easy this one will be. You may have 1/4 yard of fabric in this doll  and maybe less for wider fabrics. They will be stuffed with polyfill and later a PDF or a link will be provided for the doll and gown pattern.

Dolls For HUGS

In talking with my daughter I think what she has in mind is making these babies from Muslin fabric in different skin colors then letting the children use Crayons to add faces and hair styles to their own doll giving them an activity to do while in the hospital. Maybe even a Raggedy Ann type doll .So basically all you will do it cut out the fabric , sew , stuff , close the body and mail all your babies to her.
All the names of contributing Doll Makers are put in our local newspaper and on a note inside the bag with each gift. An easy way to give smiles and a gift to a sick child. She was hoping to include a Childrens Burn Center this year but we don't have the helpers this year to be able to do that. Hopefully that HUGS will grow and be able to touch many more little lives.
She also needs small Fleece blankets 18x18 inch and any Crocheted or Knitted caps in Preemee sizes for these babies.
The parents I have talked to during this year that had a child in the hospital and received one of our babies and bears were eternally grateful and told us how special this was to them. Any questions just email me norastockman@yahoo.com or my daughter's email can be found on her My Space HUGS page. The free patterns can be found on the post before this one. The final pattern will be announced once it is approved by the Hospital.

Simple Doll Patterns for Charity projects

Finding a doll or bear that a novice sewer can make and get a good number finished is sometimes challenging to find. I have a few that you may like to try. Here are a few links to go to and see if these fit your needs.

http://www.nonidolls.com/bearhow.html

http://www.nonidolls.com/dollyhow.html

For those that Crochet and make Baby Doll clothes and need accessories here is a cute Floppy Hat Pattern

http://www.miracleshappen.us/patterns/ChildsFloppyCrochetHat/

If you want a more detailed Doll Pattern "Wide Eyed Wendy" can be found on Judy Ward's site and printed for free

http://www.judisdolls.com/   (look for Wendy under free patterns)

Welcome Doll Makers

 My name is Nora Stockman and I am a Doll Maker , Welcome and we hope you will be able to find lots of valuable information here. I want you to feel free to use information you find here it is free and made available for helping those that help so many others in their lives.
My Daughter does a Charity Project for our local hospital called "HUGS" and she needed babydolls and bear patterns that were simple and easy enough for a novice sewer. I have found a few of those and will provide the link or PDF's for printing the patterns and instructions out. Below is the link to her HUGS on My Space


http://www.myspace.com/hugsnow2008   she can always use more hands making babies and bears.

You will also find a link to my Dear Friend Lynne Lee's "LinniePies" Blog, all her sites and Blogs are worth the read. Check out her sites you will love her as much as I do. When ever I get stuck on my crazy computer and don't know what to do Lynne saves the day.