Newsletter August: Building in Haiti

No news on the dolls arriving yet however, I wanted to share with you, all the amazing building going on by Free The Kids in Haiti. What a positive message it send, and how safe the children must feel.

First off they have been making walkways  in the children's village. “These walkways will allow the children to get into and out of their homes without getting their feet wet and without bringing in loads of mud into their homes during the rainy seasons.”

All the money for this project was raised by Dimitri (above left), a Scout and this is his Eagle Project. Here he was with his construction team!

Donald Stevens of REACH organized volunteers to get creative and paint the inside of the kindergarten school run by Free The Kids, doesn’t it look beautiful!

Masons are hard at work finishing the foundation for the new kitchen and dining room to house all the children.

"Because of all the re-construction going on these days, building materials are costly ... (costing almost) ...... twice what (they) did just two years ago."

And here’s the really exciting part ……

Construction of the new Girls House is underway!! REACH building teams made up of young men from the The Free The Kids Hope Village work hard hoping that their efforts will lead to permanent construction jobs.

 

“The challenge has always been: what happens to the children after they age out of our residential program? Unemployment is up to 80% in our area so, even if one has a skill (carpentry, plumbing, masonry...), jobs are extremely difficult to come by. This training is sponsored by Cross International.”

 

 

Almost done!  How exciting! 

 

I think it’s just amazing what they are doing for the children, and I am sure you do too!

Watch this space for a lovely big post of your latest dolly photos that you've been sending in!!

Take care and Happy Sewing!

Source: pwojeespwa

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Newsletter July: Blogs to Love!

Free Patterns From Sue!!

Sue from Miracles Happen contacted me a while back and offered to share with me some beautiful patterns for us all to use here at Dolly Donations. They are wonderful and great additions to our growing collection!  Sue uses them to model items for her charitable free patterns on her website Miracles Happen for a newborn baby's early needs.  Please drop by and check out all the wonderful things she and her friends have been making for babies in need.

Here are a few of the fabulous crochet ones I posted recently!

Thanks Sue, you’re a Star!

...And Another Blog to Love!

I stumbled across this fabulous blog, The Toy Society. I am sure some of you have already heard of it, but I was in the dark, and I just LOVE what they are doing!

“The Toy Society spreads love throughout the streets of the world. Nothing to it really just a bunch of handmade toys looking for a nice home.”

That’s it … people from around the world make toys and ‘drop’ them off in places where children will find them. What a lovely idea! Spreading a little love to kiddie winks you’ll never meet ….. ♥

The blog is wonderful, filled with’ drop off’ photos/stories and then some ‘found’ stories as well! Why not check it out!


.... oh and Everyone likes Free Tutorials!

My Dolly Donations Tutorial was featured on the fabulous blog, Totally Tutorials! Horay!

I love the blog, it's filled with great free tutes & ideas from very crafty clever people all over the web.

Rhythm of the Home's Free Waldorf Inspired Doll!

A lovely Blog, Rhythm of the Home, filled with fun crafty tutes with the the themes of Warmth, Celebration, Play, and Connection, has come out with a very easy Free Waldorf Dolly. She has such sweet accessories too! A doll bonnet and dress.

Have you joined in the Party?  - Blog Link Parties!

Thank you to everyone who has been sharing your finished dolls in Link Parties around the web!
It really helps spread the word!

Another Blog Award for Dolly Donations!

Dolly Donations has been given the Sunshine Award from Agnes at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom!

Horay! Thanks so much! I am very chuffed!

I hope everyone had a fantastic month!

Take care and Happy Sewing!

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June Newsletter Part 2

Another month crossed off the calendar! What’s going on with me, well I have a New Happy Little Blog : Dolls And Daydreams

After much ado I have decided to start my own happy little craft blog. I love sharing all the free patterns I find and of course all my tips and tricks. You’ll be able to see what I am up to (arts, crafts, sewing and jewelry making) and find out a bit more about my everyday life. Feel free to pop by anytime: Dolls And Daydreams

UPDATE 9/8/2010 : I’m very sad to report, but due to continues copyright infringements … and some very naughty people using this pattern for profit I am no longer offering the advance pattern for others to use.



If you have already downloaded this pattern please enjoy using it for non profit, but please do not share it without my written permission.


The Advanced Dolly Donations Doll Pattern is Here!! Horay!

It is with a ton of excitement and joy that I share with you our Advance Dolly Donations Pattern! This beautiful pattern was drawn up by a very talented seamstress and friend. I am very grateful for all her hard work. With removable skirts, cute sewn in shorts and sleeves these dollies are a delight, but don’t worry if it seems beyond you, the pattern is Advanced :)

Happy Sewing!

(N.B. This doll pattern is not for resale or commercial use.)

Start Your Own Dolly Donations Drive

I had the pleasure of meeting Jen (USA) recently (via the internet of course!). A wonderful woman with a big heart who is extremely excited about adopting her son from Haiti. Not wanting to leave the other children out at the orphanage when she travels there to meet her son at the end of the year, she has found the perfect gift for them all.

Yup, you guessed it, each of the children will receive a doll made from the dolly donations pattern! And to top it off Jen is hoping to make 50 dolls for our drive also! All this while moving house with her other two kiddy winks! Busy is an understatement…..

If you start your own Doll Drive, please let me know!

Congratulations on your upcoming adoption Jen! The dolls you are making are fabulous and we all wish you a safe trip (and move!)! Stay in touch and tell us how you’re doing!

Mariane from Australia stumbled across DD the other day and chose us for her next crafting project! Thank you so much Mariane your dollies are beautiful!

I’d like to finish off the newsletter with a big Happy 4th of July to everyone here in the US. Have a wonderful weekend to everyone else around the world ...... 

Take care and Happy Sewing!

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June (Part 1) Newsletter

Thank you to Sian for her beautiful dolly photo!

Wow, I have so much to tell you already and we’re only half way through the month!

First of all, thank you to everyone who has already sent their dollies in! Wow how speedy are you!  I received this lovely message from Dee at Free The Kids and wanted to share it with you all,

“I'm receiving the most beautiful Dollies! Thank you so much, the children will love them!”

How fantastic! We don’t have a count yet as they are be collected at the local church, but as soon as they start piling up Dee has promised to get a count out to us. And remember, any extra dollies will find very loving homes with the local children who have nothing to call their own.

Look at Sian’s dolly’s shoes! She used our Dolly Donations free pattern and took it a step further with those adorable punches as shoe lace holes! So cute, so clever!

Tax Receipt Form

Ok just looking at my e-mail box & I realize I have managed to confuse a lot of people! Sorry! I keep getting questions about what is a tax receipt form  …. Well it is a simple form you can print out and fill in if you wish as your dolly is tax deductible (it’s considered a charitable donation) in the US. I have no idea about taxes related to other countries, sorry! At the end of the day you don’t have to have one when you send the dolls in, promise!
And here it is  Link to PDF tax receipt.

Connecting Crafty Women From Around the World!

I’ve always thought word of mouth was a powerful thing, a good recommendation goes a long way. But I am blown away by how far the internet reaches. I have been lucky to meet (in a virtual reality kinda of way) a lot of very craft compassionate women from Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Gibraltar, UK and Germany. And now I am very happy to say that Keren has found us and sent in 2 beautiful dollies. She lives in Israel. Wow, the internet it truly amazing! Thank you Keren, they are fabulous!

Free Crochet Doll Pattern!

Thank you to Sharon who wrote to tell me about this free adorable 7inch crochet doll   and how easily the ‘dress pattern can be changed to pants after the 2nd row.’ She has been making them to send to troops to give to children they meet overseas.

They are quick and easy to make, and small enough to squich a handful of them into a pocket when you're traveling …. But boy do they produce a big smile on a kiddy-winks face!

In The Press!

Yes it’s true! Dolly Donations had an interview by the ever so Green Website, My Zero Waste! We just love to recycle out scrap fabric into something loveable and cuddly ;) You can read the entire interview here :)

Children's Toy Review

I’m excited to tell you that I have been asked to do a product review by CSN Stores. As Dolly Donations is all about handmade dolls for children in need, what better product to review, than something doll related! It’s handmade here in the US…..  made of wood … I wonder if you’ll be able to guess what it is?

Love That Button Award!

Want to know more about how I made my Dolly Donations button and why? Well head over to 12 Crafts Before Christmas as the lovely Elizabeth just gave me a ‘Love that Button Award!’

“I like her button because it's message and purpose is clear. Then after I heard the story behind how the button came to be, I liked it even more. Amazing . . . read on to find out more.”

Thanks so much Elizabeth!

I have always dreamed of being able to do dolly drives for other orphanages around the world …… South America, China, Africa and India spring to mind …..

I’ll leave you with a preview of my button for when I find an orphanage in India to work with …. Cute no?!

Have a Wonderful Weekend & Happy Sewing!

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Newsletter: May

Apologies for any delays in my responses to e-mails and comments. I love hearing from everyone in the DD community!  I think having a Newsletter might just be the way to go so that i can stay on top of thing!  Let me know what you think :


My May’s Highlight: My little girl turned 1!  Wow how time flies!

DD Highlights: Some wonderful things have happened this month for Dolly Donations….

 

 
The most beautiful of all, I am sure you will all agree, was receiving the fabulous photos from The Abundant Ground Foundations Orphanage is Haiti Link

I’d like to thank everyone who made a dolly, The Abundant Ground and the drive sponsors Shellie Wilson of Craft Bits  /Craft Gossip .

Dolly Donations was given a 'Beautiful Blogger' award by the wonderful Clair over at FeltLikeStitches
Thank you so much, it means a lot to me (smiles and sends a hug!) If you haven’t seen any of Claire’s work you should pop over to her blog (I’m in love with her adorable toad stools!)

 

 
I love seeing your dollies! This little chap is modeled after the Haitian football/Soccer team by the talented Sarah at Cotton Kiwi who also runs The Devonport Craft Market, New Zealand.  I just love his little shorts :) and Sarah's already making football/soccer dolly number two!
 
 

 
Elizabeth and her sewing circle over at 12 Crafts Before Christmas are at it again! 10 dollies done and done!  They hope to host a doll drive sew-a-thon on a regular basics, a fabulous excuse to get together with other crafty women …. Sewing for good …. And eating cake!  Thanks Ladies!

 
Remember the cute teddy bears I told you about last drive? Well, I’m happy to tell you that the wonderful Suzie and her sewing friends are teaming up with us again for this drive!  “I currently have 15 bears ready to go and a dozen in process.”

 

Wow, that is brilliant!! They are so sweet and cuddly, thanks Suzi, keep up the good work!

 

 
Now comes the big heartfelt apology…. Sorry Claire, I totally misplaced your 7th birthday photo your Mom sent me… Silly Sarah! Your dolls are amazing and I know the children in Haiti love them with all their heart, Thank You!! Read Claire’s Updated Story 
 
Thank you to all who made a dolly last month, everyone is amazing … but then you all know that … right?! Don’t forget to send in your photos!
 

Horay! I’ve told you all the news and caught up on myself! I don't know about you, but I'm already looking forward to this months Newsletter!

 

Thanks for being a part of the Dolly Donations Community, keep spreading the word, have a wonderful week and Happy Sewing!

 

 

 

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