a big thank you to Scott Publications

A big thank you to Scott Publications for their donation of three copies of the issue of Doll Collector magazine that has coverage of PUDDLE 2011 and the 2011 photo contest. The magazines will be prizes at the 2012 Pullip and Dal Doll Lovers Event.

Thank you to Kemper Dolls

A big thank you to Kemper Dolls (http://www.kemperdolls.com). A new sponsor this year, they donated two wigs, two pair of shoes, and two pair of boots. Here is the darling pink pair!

Another really nice article on PUDDLE 2011 has been printed, in the Winter 2011 FDQ (Fashion Doll Quarterly). The article mentions winners and sponsors by name and has a really nice layout. So far there have been articles in Dolls, Doll Collector, and FDQ, and I'm still hoping we'll see babelglyph's article in Doll Reader. Please show your appreciation to the doll magazines by buying copies!

story in Dolls online

A story on the 2011 PUDDLE is online at Dolls Magazine:
http://www.dollsmagazine.com/events/553-pullip-and-dal-doll-lovers-event.html

Tokidoki plush from PullipStyle!

A big thank you to PullipStyle for their donation of two Tokidoki plush!

Thanks to the Ruby Red Galleria

The Ruby Red Galleria has signed on again as a sponsor of the Pullip and Dal Doll Lovers Event. Thank you!

You can visit the Ruby Red Galleria here: http://rubyredgalleria.com

Thank you to Hegemony77!

A big thank you to Hegemony77 for a generous donation to PUDDLE!

Visit Hegemony77's etsy shop here: http://dollclothesstore.etsy.com

New sponsors

I have updated the list of sponsors (so far) for the Pullip and Dal Doll Lovers Event 2012. Please check it out and patronize our sponsors!
http://puddlestyle.com/sponsors.html

New sponsors this year include Hegemony77 and dncnllama.

If you would like to be a sponsor, please contact TrueFan!

Dolls November 2011

Another story on the 2011 Pullip and Dal Doll Lovers Event, this time in the November 2011 issue of Dolls magazine. The story is accompanied by a large group shot and smaller photos of the costume contest, the customization workshop, and the custom doll contest.

The November 2011 issue of Doll Collector magazine has a three-page spread on the Pullip and Dal Doll Lovers Event. I've attached some small photos, but I encourage you to buy a copy of the magazine if you are happy to see the coverage.

The first page is a story on and photos from the event, while the second two pages cover the photo/art contest. It lists the three winners chosen by gogojimmy and the three fan favorites and 17 of the entries are shown, along with the names of the photographers and artists. (I sent all of the entries, but some of them had been resized to be too small to print in a magazine).

Enjoy, and keep an eye out for upcoming issues of Dolls, Doll Reader, and FDQ.

Hi! I'm Astrophel! WellerMade donated me to the Pullip and Dal Doll Lovers Event 2012 to be raffled off to raise money for charity. I don't have a star-themed outfit yet, but TrueFan is on the lookout. If you would like to donate a star-themed shirt or outfit for me, please let TrueFan know!

PUDDLE 2012 logos

Thank you to everyone who submitted a logo for PUDDLE 2012: kirakira, maines, mrsmarks, and krista. The winners are kirakira and mrsmarks. You can see the new banner on the website that incorporates kirakira's entry. We hope to use the mrsmarks logo at Cafe Press or a similar site.


If you would like to create something for PUDDLE 2012, feel free to use any of the logos.
http://www.puddlestyle.com/images/pullip_banner_mrsmarks.jpg
http://www.puddlestyle.com/images/puddle.lowercase_kirakira.JPG
http://www.puddlestyle.com/images/puddle.uppercase_kirakira.JPG
http://www.puddlestyle.com/images/puddle5logo.jpg
http://www.puddlestyle.com/images/puddle2012_maines.png

Thanks to Asashi!

A big thank you to Asashi! She donated some stock items to PUDDLE and I have sold enough to pay for shipping of the photo contest prizes (five of the winners live outside the US) and to buy a bait Dal, currently in the hands of myufish to be customized. And I am close to having enough for a second bait doll!

2011 Gallery updated online

I have updated the gallery with photos from 2011:
http://puddlestyle.com/gallery.html

PUDDLE 2012 date and location

Decisions have been made! The fifth Pullip and Dal Doll Lovers Event will take place on Saturday, June 9, 2012, at the Holiday Inn in Elk Grove Village, Illinois.

Thank you very much to everyone who voted in the survey or gave me feedback on the date. The votes for June 2 and June 9 were very close, but June 9 got 10% more votes. (The Saturday of Memorial Day weekend had a fair number of votes, but it also had as many “anti” votes from people who said they could not come Memorial Day weekend.)

Going into this year’s event, I really thought we’d be moving next year to a new location. However, overwhelming feedback (from the survey and given to me in person and online, from event-goers, people who have never attended, and people who live closer to both coasts) was to stay in the Chicago area. I especially appreciate the offers from those located near Boston to help with the planning if we held the event there. (Perhaps we can hold a small satellite PUDDLE in Boston!)

We will hold off on choosing a charity group until closer to the event. Send along your suggestions at any time.

The number one feedback suggestion was more vendors for next year. I wholeheartedly agree – if you know of a vendor you would like to see at PUDDLE, please feel free to invite them.

The theme for 2012 is STARS with five points representing the five years of PUDDLE. This should be an easy theme for use in the photo/art contest, custom dolls, and doll clothing and accessories. I expect lots of creativity!

Speaking of which, there is still time to submit a PUDDLE logo. I’ve already received a few entries but would love to receive more. We also need a new banner for the website. Contact me if you are interested in submitting one. I have photos of my Dal Puddle and a Pullip in some star-themed dresses that can be used.

Also, a reminder that there is a facebook group:

http://www.facebook.com/groups/149743208427307?ap=1

2012 theme chosen! And a logo contest

The theme for the 2012 Pullip and Dal Doll Lovers Event has been chosen! It will be *stars* with five points representing the five years of PUDDLE. Stars got 60% of the votes in the poll. (Owls came in second with 20%, so we may want to consider that for 2013.)

We are looking for a logo - would you like to design one? If you would, create it and send it to me as soon as possible. If we receive multiple entries, we'll have a contest.

The logo should include the word PUDDLE (either in all capital letters or all lowercase letters) and at least one five-pointed star. It should not include the words Pullip or Dal, or anything else copyrighted. The entry needs to be a high-quality image that could be reproduced on t-shirts if desired. It will also be used online on the website and on various PUDDLE promotional items (like bookmarks).

I should know the date and location of PUDDLE 2012 within the next week. Once all that is determined, I will want to update the website with the information and the logo as soon as possible.

The Willowbrook Wildlife Center has posted the following "thank you" on their website:

A Special Thanks

Willowbrook Wildlife Center would like to extend a special thanks to Pullip & Dal Doll Lovers for their generous $500 donation.

***
See it online here:
http://www.willowbrookwildlife.com/content.asp?pageID=THANKS

Take the PUDDLE 2012 survey!

Thank you to everyone who has given feedback on PUDDLE 2011. If you are interested in PUDDLE 2012, please take a few minutes to fill out the following survey:

http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22CKH9TSH9Y

Some of the feedback received so far:

- Most people requested that PUDDLE stay in the Chicago area and at the Elk Grove Village Holiday Inn specifically. However, there is a chance to vote formally on the survey.

- There were requests for more vendors with a greater variety of items for sale. I agree! The vendors we had were great but the Doll Peddlar was certainly missed. If you know of a person or a shop who might be interested in selling at PUDDLE, please tell them about it once the date is set. (We did have several individuals and one doll shop who were going to sell this year but had to cancel.)

- Someone requested an art contest, so this is a reminder that there is an art contest. It's at the same time as the photo contest. This year we only had two art entries; as soon as we receive more, the photo and art entries will be judged separately. The photo/art contest is held online before PUDDLE (1) to give people who can't come a chance to participate and (2) because we only had a few entries when we held the contest at the event.

- Several people requested chocolate on the tables! If we have a little leftover cash next year, that's a possibility. :-]

- Someone requested a two-day PUDDLE. I think that's an intriguing idea, but it would mean raising twice as much money! Feel free to comment on this idea on the survey.

- There were requests for more workshops. I'd love to see that too, but it does mean we need volunteers to lead them. If you are interested, please let me know.

PUDDLE 2011 a great success!

Another PUDDLE has come and gone, and I think this year's event was the smoothest yet. As some of you know, I wasn't feeling my best Saturday morning and it was wonderful how, with just minimal direction, everyone just took care of getting everything set up. A big thank you to everyone who helped make the event a success. We raised over $500 for the Willowbrook Wildlife Center. I also got a wonderful number of nude dolls for my housing authority doll programs. I should be set for at least two years.

There are threads on a number of doll forums where you can post comments or photos of PUDDLE to share with others who were there and those who weren't able to make it this year.

I will be writing up stories to submit to doll magazines in the next day or so. If you'd like to contribute photos, please email your best five to ten high resolution (right off the camera - no resizing) photos to me as soon as possible. (It is much easier for me to submit photos if you email them to me.) Please include your real name to be listed as the photographer.

Planning is already underway for PUDDLE 2012. If you filled out a survey at the event, thank you. If you have any comments on (1) where next year's event should be held; (2) what next year's theme should be; (3) what organization we should raise money for next year; or (4) anything else, please email it to me. Also, we are looking for bait dolls or heads to be turned into next year's customs!

One good bit of news - the hotel told me they had raised the meeting room rates when I booked the room last June. To my surprise, when I got a receipt, they charged us the same rate as last year! So that saved us over $100 which can be used as seed money for PUDDLE 2012.

I've created an event thread for PUDDLE at the PullipStyle forum. Please feel free to post even if you aren't coming!
http://pullipstyle.com/resource/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=36634

Spotlight on: charitable opportunities! Money from the raffle prizes will go to benefit the Willowbrook Wildlife Center: http://www.willowbrookwildlife.org/.

The Center is about 10 miles from where PUDDLE is taking place. The Center is a wildlife educational and rehabilitation center that is home to 80 native Illinois animals, including permanently disabled eagles, songbirds, owls, racoons, and foxes. Last year they had sandhill cranes, which inspired the theme for this year. Everyone is invited to visit the Center on Sunday, probably shortly after lunchtime. We'll work out the details at PUDDLE. We are likely to get a behind-the-scenes tour by staff. Last year we raised over $250- let's try to beat that this year!

Also, I am collecting new or gently used naked fashion dolls for an after-school program at my local housing authority. Around the December holidays, each girl in attendance will receive a free doll and then we'll spend an hour making clothing. If you have naked dolls looking for a home I'd be happy to receive them at PUDDLE.

Less than two days until PUDDLE!

need a ride? a rider?

Anyone need a ride to PUDDLE, or a rider? Look for one at the forum:
http://puddle.forumotion.com/

spotlight on the group photo, and we need a tea kettle

PUDDLE is almost here! I hope everyone who is coming is getting ready. Gifts from sponsors continue to arrive - this week I received some darling knitted dresses and tops from Louise Caroline, an adorable dress from applecandy, and three doll carriers from Debbie (salukimom).

Babelglyph is hosting the Friday night tea party at the hotel - can anyone who is driving bring an electric tea kettle? She is flying on Sunday and would rather not drag her tea kettle along for the ride. (Also, a reminder that everyone is invited to the Friday night events, even if you aren't staying at the hotel or can't come to PUDDLE on Saturday).

Spotlight on the group photo: Around 10:30 am we'll gather for a group photo of people holding dolls. If you are uncomfortable appearing in the photo that’s fine, but please stick around – you can take photos, and the door prizes will follow the group photo. Here is one of the photos from last year, which appeared in a couple of doll magazines.

Spotlight on the BST

Do you have a doll in need of a wig? Or do you have more wigs than you know what to do with? If either or both of these apply to you, you are not alone. The wig and chip buy-sell-trade event at PUDDLE can help solve your problems. Shortly after PUDDLE begins, we'll find a spot where everyone with extra wigs/chips can display their items. It's a perfect opportunity to try a wig style or color on a doll before committing to purchasing the wig, or to examine some chips in real life instead of on screen. This opportunity is for everyone looking for wigs or chips, even if you don't have anything to sell or trade.

If you are bringing items, it's a good idea to get organized before PUDDLE and to price everything in advance. Separating the items into baggies is also a good idea, as is labeling them with your name. Also, identify any dolls you have that need new wigs and bring them along to PUDDLE and to the wig/chip BST. So far as I know, there will not be any vendors selling doll wigs this year, so the BST is your best chance to find the perfect wig or chips.

There will be informal selling and trading going on throughout the day, but this is a great opportunity to catch everyone all at once. Also, be sure to bring some cash, as that's the easiest way to handle purchases at PUDDLE!

last day for the hotel convention rate!

Today is the last day to get the convention rate at the PUDDLE hotel. The group code for reserving a room is PDS. You can book online or by phone. You can choose a king, a queen, or two doubles. The room rate is available for June 10 and June 11.

Phone numbers: Hotel Local Phone: (847) 437-6010
Toll-Free: (888) HOLIDAY
Website: http://www.hielkgrove.com

Also, the first 60 attendees to pay the registration fee will receive premuim gift bags, and they are almost gone. If you are definitely attending and haven't yet paid, I recommend you pay soon if you want a premium bag. (There will be standard gift bags for 20 additional attendees.) The registration fee is $13 per registered attendee. Disinterested parents/spouses/relatives do not have to pay the fee (and will not receive a gift bag.) Contact TrueFan for information on how to pay. Payment at the door is $15 per attendee.

Only two weeks!

Spotlight on the Dress Like Your Doll Parade

Spotlight on the Dress Like Your Doll Parade:

Anyone can enter this contest! You can enter with any kind of doll – not just a member of the Pullip family. You do not have to wear a fancy or expensive costume. You and your doll can dress in matching jeans and t-shirts if you like.

Each person who enters will walk across a riser. Babelglyph will introduce you and your doll, and say somethng about your outfits. Keelyvh will judge the contest and award prizes from her shop. Audience members will also vote for their favorite. Everyone who enters will receive a coupon to use at Keelyvh's sales table!
Here is a link to her etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/keelyvh

There is no advance registration for the contest. The parade will take place about 3:30 and you can decide to enter any time up until about 3:25. So start looking for your matching outfits!

Spotlight on Friday:

If you are arriving for PUDDLE on Friday, join us for dinner at Mitsuwa Mall around 5:30 pm. You can go early to shop and meet up with us there or meet in the lobby to head over. Mitsuwa is Chicago's premier Japanese marketplace, with authentic Japanese (and Korean) restaurants as well as a fabulous bakery. You can also check out the gashapon (capsule toy) machines for little items for your dolls! (Sometimes there is Rement for sale, but there hasn't been much lately.)

After dinner there will be informal outings to the hot tub/pool (make sure to pack a swimsuit). A tea party will start around the same time if you prefer not to get wet. Bring your doll decked out in her party finest. You can wear your party finest or your pajamas (or your swimsuit!) to chat with other collectors before the big day. We will probably watch some episodes of Rozen Maiden series while we sip our tea.

If you live in the area but can't make it to PUDDLE on Saturday, you are welcome to join us Friday night.

New PUDDLE sponsor KerriaRosette has a fun Decorate the Dress contest going on, with some terrific prizes. Details here:
http://kerriarosette.com/

More sponsors - Jackiekie and KerriaRosette!

I've received the lovely donations from Jackiekie! Dresses for Dal or Byul, mini dresses, and caps for Dal, Byul, or Pullip. Thanks, Jackie!
http://www.artfire.com/users/Jackiekie/

Also, KerriaRosette has volunteered to be a sponsor! That's exciting news - her outfits are gorgeous too. Thank you!
http://kerriarosette.com/

Thank you to Caroline Louise!

Caroline Louise is now a sponsor of PUDDLE 2011! You can see her darling outfits here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/LouiseCaroline

http://www.carolinelouise.fr/

New Facebook PUDDLE group!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_149743208427307

PUDDLE is only four weeks away!

This year's Pullip and Dal Doll Lovers Event is only four weeks away! PUDDLE 2011 will take place on June 11 in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. The theme of this year's event is CRANES. There is still time to register! The registration fee is a low $13 per person. Check out the website for more information: http://www.puddlestyle.com/

A number of custom dolls will be raffled off to raise money for charity.

Johanna, a complete custom by Mioshu; Puddles the Clown, a complete custom by Requiem with outfit by Keelyvh; and Whoopie, a Lala modified by me.


Tickets for Puddles can only be purchased at PUDDLE, but tickets for Whoopie and Johanna are available to anyone. Tickets are $5 each or three for $12. Please contact me if you are interested. Proceeds benefit the Willowbrook Wildlife Center for their work with Sandhill Cranes and other wildlife. View their website here: http://www.willowbrookwildlife.org/

You can see Puddles here:

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5061/5623144220_53223ab0d7.jpg

Thank you to myufish!

A big thank you to Myufish! She drew an adorable paper doll for this year's PUDDLE. I'm keeping this year's doll as surprise for the day of the event, but here is last year's for you to admire.

Today I got an email from Yosuke Oba at Jun Planning USA. He is sending me "Pullip Sticker, Puzzle and Poster for PUDDLE Events." I don't know what he'll be sending exactly, but I'm excited!

Thank you to Dolls Magazine!

Thank you to Dolls Magazine for donating recent issues to be distributed at PUDDLE. Dolls Magazine always contains fascinating articles and beautiful photos.

Check out their website here:
http://www.dollsmagazine.com

Vote for your favorite entry!

The entries are up for the photo/art contest, at the PUDDLE forum. Please vote for your favorites! (A judge will be picking the official winners, but we'll have a fan favorite as well.) Please vote for no more than three.

View them at the link below, then vote in the poll!

http://puddle.forumotion.com/t47-2011-entries

Thanks to everyone who entered!

PUDDLE gift bags and effiethedal outfits

Check out one of the adorable outfits made by effiethedal and donated to PUDDLE. The fabric featuring paper cranes was custom designed especially for PUDDLE. Each of the 60 premium gift bags (given to the first 60 paid registrants) will contain one outfit. If you want one, make sure you are one of the first 60 to pay the PUDDLE registration fee! And a big thank you to effiethedal for all her hard work and creativity.

The 60 premium gift bags are each a work of art. Here are some photos from Delightfulfreak's flickr stream showing some of the bags she is working on and others already finished by Myufish.

Just a reminder that the deadline for this year's photo/art contest is May 1 at midnight (no matter what time zone you live in). I have posted the entries so far on the forum:

http://puddle.forumotion.com/t47-2011-entries-so-far

New event: WIG SWAP!!

If you are like me, you have a box of extra wigs and one or more dolls that need wigs but not the ones you have. We will have a new event at this year's PUDDLE (thanks to babelglyph for the suggestion).

At a specific time, we will have a wig buy-sell-trade. Bring any wigs you are willing to sell or trade along with your bald doll(s) and meet up with others in the same boat. The dolls can try on any of the wigs available and the humans can work out a swap, a partial swap, or a sale. It's the perfect way to try out some new wigs without buying them first. (And if you need help removing your doll's wig, someone will help you!)

I hope to be "finalizing" the event schedule in the next week or so. I hope you are as excited as I am!

Just a reminder about the convention code for reserving a guest room at the Elk Grove Village Holiday Inn. The group code is PDS. You can book online or by phone. Only 10 rooms are guaranteed at the convention rate, so book early! You can choose a king, a queen, or two doubles. Ask for a room with a refrigerator if you want one - most of the rooms have them.

The room rate is available for June 10 and June 11. Room reservations must be made by May 27, 2011 to get the convention rate.

Web site: http://www.hielkgrove.com/

Phone numbers: Hotel Local Phone: (847) 437-6010 Toll-Free: (888) HOLIDAY

Don't forget to email me your digital photo or artwork for the online photo contest. The deadline for that is May 1.

Thank you to AintThatCunnin!

A big thank you to etsy seller AintThatCunnin! She donated three adorable aprons to PUDDLE.

Visit AintThatCunnin here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/aintthatcunnin

Pullip Complete Style book from WellerMade!

A big thank you to WellerMade, who donated a copy of the Pullip Complete Style book to be raffled off at PUDDLE to raise money for charity.

I've spent the day sorting through the many things I've got for PUDDLE. We have some terrific items once again this year, for raffle and door prizes, for contest prizes, and for gift bags.

In other news, etsy seller AintThatCunnin has agree to become a sponsor! http://www.etsy.com/shop/AintThatCunnin

If you are considering donating anything to PUDDLE that you haven't already told me about, I just want to mention that what I most need are items that can be used as contest prizes or items for the gift bags. At past PUDDLEs, each gift bag included a special item unique to that bag, normally worth between $5 and $20. I'm particularly short on items that fall into this category right now, so if you sew, knit, crochet, etc. and would like to donate a few doll items, please let me know. Thanks!

Also, because PullipStyle is preparing to move, they will not continue to replenish stocks as we get close to PUDDLE. If you are sure you want to buy a particular doll at PUDDLE, they'll need to know by May. Otherwise you may be disappointed. They will have dolls on hand for last-minute, unexpected purchases, they just won't be able to guarantee that every doll will be in stock on June 11.

Keely prizes!

I met with Keely yesterday and she gave me the three wonderful doll outfits she is donating to PUDDLE to be used as prizes. (She will be judging the dress-like-your-doll contest and the original doll outfit contest.) Check out the photos - aren't they gorgeous!

And visit her shop here:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/keelyvh

thank you to the Sleeping Elf!

A big thank you to the Sleeping Elf for two gorgeous mohair wigs to be raffled off at PUDDLE. I know they will be very popular, as they have been each year. We appreciate the generous donation! Visit the Sleeping Elf here:
http://littlebloomers.tripod.com/thesleepingelf/id33.html

Thanks to the Mimi Collection!

Today I received from the Mimi Collection (www.mimiwoo.com) 60 copies of Dolly Whisper magazine - one for each premium gift bag. This issue includes an informative comparison of obitsu body comparisons. A big thank you to the Mimi Collection for this wonderful donation!

Thanks again to RubyRedGalleria.com!

Thanks again to RubyRedGalleria.com! Their donation to PUDDLE arrived today - a very cute complete moon-cake festival costume and piles of jewelry and hair accessories. Their generosity is very much appreciated!

Only 12 weeks until the Pullip and Dal Doll Lovers Event – can you believe it?

Don't forget to:

- Register and pay the registration fee

- Make or buy matching outfits for you and your doll so you can enter the Dress Like Your Doll Parade and contest (you can enter with any kind of doll – not just Pullip and family)

- Take or draw a photo of your doll from the Pullip family and enter the online photo/art contest (anyone can enter this – you do not have to attend PUDDLE)

- Customize or modify your dolls from the Pullip family and bring them to PUDDLE for the customization contests (the doll does not have to be fully customized to be entered)

- Put together items for a gift swap bag, gather up your items to sell or trade, start saving money for all the great things that will be for sale, and get ready to have fun!

If you have any questions, let me know, or visit www.puddlestyle.com. (And let me know your email address if you'd like to be added to the email news list.)

Ddung dolls!

One each of these adorable Ddung dolls will be available for purchase at PUDDLE!

Hip Hop, Versailles, Earplug Santa, Magica Angel, Alps Girl, mini Alice, and mini Little Red Riding Hood.

Each year at PUDDLE we raffle off custom dolls for charity. I'd like to introduce Whoopie, one of the dolls being raffled off this year.

Thanks to the donation of the doll by Wellermade and the rest by me, 100% of the proceeds will go to charity. The PUDDLE charity this year is Willowbrook Wildlife Center, which does great work rehabilitating Sandhill Cranes and other wildlife. (Visit their website here: http://www.willowbrookwildlife.org/ )

However, 100% of the proceeds from raffle tickets sold the next couple of days will be donated to the Red Cross for their relief efforts to the people of Japan and others affected by the earthquake and tsunami.

Raffle tickets for Whoopie can be purchased to anyone – you don't have to attend PUDDLE to win. Tickets are $5 each or 3 for $12. The drawing will be down the old-fashioned way – I will fill out a raffle ticket for you and the winning ticket will be drawn at PUDDLE on June 11.

The theme of this year's Pullip and Dal Doll Lovers Event is CRANES. Whoopie is a craniac – a maniac for Whooping Cranes. Her box has been decorated with photos from Volo Bog and Whooping Cranes.

Whoopie is a modified Lala with a fur wig from CanCan and CoolCat chips. (I'm not sure who made her outfit – if you do please let me know.) For modesty's sake she wears a pair of micro shorts under her dress. Her socks are from Sugarblocks. They haven't arrived yet but Whoopie will come with a string of seven paper cranes, for good luck in her new home.

"Graceful flight, haunting call, ancient bird, thoughts of peace…Feel Like So."

As a fun bonus, Whoopie comes with two Whoopie Pies, one for her and one for her significant other when they meet. The Whoopie Pies were made just for her by etsy seller MinnieKitchen.

If you are interested in buying raffle tickets before PUDDLE, please let me know!

I have noticed that many Pullip collectors admire Ddung dolls but don't have one. I have made arrangements with ddung.ca to offer a few Ddung dolls for sale at PUDDLE.

If there is enough interest, I was thinking of holding an inexpensive lottery - no more than $1 a ticket - for the chance to buy them. If you are coming to PUDDLE and are interested in DDung, please let me know what you think of this idea. The lottery money would go toward our charity, the Willowbrook Wildlife Center.

Thank you to cmair1202!

A big thank you to cmair1202! She donated a nice box of body parts for future PUDDLE customs.

Thank you to eTradersPlace.com

A big thank you to eTradersPlace.com! I received their PUDDLE donation of two Rement packages and two sets of Kabaya toys, along with eco bags to carry them in.

RubyRedGalleria.com is now a sponsor!

RubyRedGalleria.com is now a PUDDLE sponsor. They are donating the adorable moon-cake festival costume seen here as well as 100 hair and jewelry accessories. A big thank you to RubyRedGalleria.com for the generous donation!

A big thank you to WellerMade! Today I received a box of 11 adorable sweaters to be used as prizes at PUDDLE. (The photo is WellerMade's.)

Hello! It's time to think about entering the 2011 PUDDLE online photo/art contest. Anyone can enter. This is a great way to participate in PUDDLE if you can't make the trip!

Last year's winning entry, Kisses When Wet by effiethedal, appeared in Doll Reader magazine (as you can see in the attached photo). I'm not sure what the prizes will be this year, but the last two years the winner received a $50 gift certificate to online store Panik's Toy Box.

The theme of this year's PUDDLE is cranes. You can represent the theme in your photo or artwork, but it's not required. What is required is that the entry be your own work, be new and taken or created specifically for the contest, and that it show Pullip, Dal, Taeyang, Namu, Byul, Isul, mini Pullip or Dal, or Angel Pullip or Dal. Photo manipulation is allowed, just tell me what was done to the photo when you submit it to me. If we receive enough entries, at the judge's discretion categories may be created and additional prizes awarded.

To enter, email a digital image of your photo or artwork to me by May 1, 2011. Complete rules here, or let me know if you have questions.

http://www.puddlestyle.com/contests.html

Also, I have uploaded photos from 2010 to the website.
http://www.puddlestyle.com/gallery.html

As you saw in the earlier post, Yosuke Oba of Jun Planning USA sent me an email about the new Dollte-Porte series, asking me to put a notice and some photos on the www.puddlestyle.com website. I was happy to do so since JP USA has supported PUDDLE with donations of dolls and cute items the last couple of years. (I've attached a photo.)

He also mentioned that he would like to come to PUDDLE one day to “visit and bring some new products sample to show.” He can’t say for certain that he will be able to come this year, but it’s a possibility. Wouldn’t that be exciting! Of course we already have PullipStyle and their wall of dolls for sale at PUDDLE, but it would also be fun to see display samples from JP USA. So keep your fingers crossed!

If you register and pay for PUDDLE by Valentine’s Day, you will receive two free raffle tickets. Also a reminder that if you are looking for a ride, riders, or roommates, post at the PUDDLE forum!
http://puddle.forumotion.com/

Dollte Porte

Yosuke Oba of JP USA sent me information about the new Dollte-Porte series. It's a complete line-up of the full-sized dolls in the Pullip family plus a tie-in to human clothing. (I hope the clothing comes in many sizes.) The release date is June - perhaps we will get some tie-in advertising at PUDDLE!


P-034 Pullip Dollte-Porte Henri

D-127 DAL Dollte-Porte Charlemagne

T-219 Taeyang Dollte-Porte Alfred

B-314 Byul Dollte-Porte Leroy

I-906 Isul Dollte-Porte Vesselle

"’Doll is an existing person.’’ If you are a doll user, no matter how small or big, uou must have dreamt once or twice that a ‘’Doll is an existing person’’ inside your doll-loving heart. Unlike personification, like ‘’Sister’’, ‘’Daughter’’, ‘’A woman that you admire’’, or ‘’A replica of yourself’’, this is a dream that wonders ‘’If it was only real person’’. Then if you could project yourself or someone in your life, then a part of your dream will come true….’’Dollte-Porte’’ is a project that will fulfill such a dream. Specifically, MANGO PARK, PULLIP’s designer, designed and produced outfits in your size that was originally developed for dolls. The doll apparel brand ‘’Dollte-Porte’’ is a human-size apparel brand.

- Doll Apparel Brand that has developed goods in human size for the first time in the Doll Industry.

- A model that will appeal to true doll fans.

*More detail for human size apparel brand information will announce shortly."

It's a new year, and PUDDLE 2011 is only six months away (June 11, 2011). Now is the time to resolve to attend! Just a reminder that there is a PUDDLE forum where you can look for rides, riders, and roommates:
http://puddle.forumotion.com/index.htm

Also a reminder that there are a number of contests at PUDDLE - start planning now so you can enter! Entries for the online photo/art contest can be submitted to me anytime. The photo/art contest deadline is April 1. (The other contests will take place at PUDDLE.) Anyone can enter the photo/art contest, even if you are not attending the event.

Full contest details can be found here:
http://www.puddlestyle.com/contests.html

Also, if you want to make items to put in the gift bags or to be used as contest or raffle prizes, now is a good time to get started. If you'd like to make your hotel reservations, find details here:
http://www.puddlestyle.com/location.html

If you have questions about anything, please let me know, and happy new year!