The True Meaning of Christmas.............

Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of the season, we forget the true meaning of Christmas. So many times we look at Christmas as a time to receive when we should look at it as a time to give. Just as God gave us the most wonderful gift of all, his son Jesus.

But from the time we are very small we think of Christmas as a time to get all the things we want. I remember as a child planning exactly what I wanted to ask Santa for. You know the list had to be perfect; as you only had one shot to get what you wanted. Then Christmas morning I would wake up with much anticipation (most of the time awoken by my little sister, who I swear didn't sleep at all Christmas Eve night:) as I just knew Santa had brought me all the things on my list. It wasn't until I was much older that I realized that wasn't how it worked for many children around the world. But not only children around the world, but children in our own neighborhood. Many children wake up to nothing or very little on Christmas. Some children don't know what it is like to even have presents under their tree.

For the past few years my mom and dad have started a place for under privileged children in Enoree, SC. My sister and I along with our husbands have the privilege of helping out with these amazing children. Kidztation offers these children a safe place to go on Friday nights, but most of all a place where they can learn that there is someone who loves and cares about them. Sometimes I think these children teach me more than I teach them. The real life lessons that I didn't know existed until much later in life are these kids reality.

This Christmas is Kidztations third year of giving Christmas to these amazing children. We started with about 15 our first Christmas; and this year we gave Christmas to over 53 children. Thanks to the help of some wonderful volunteers of both their time and money:)

While collecting the trash, I came to this little girl. The most precious child you will ever meet. I was going to take her paper, and she asked me if she could have it. Of course, I said OK without thinking much about it. It wasn't until I came back by her that I realized she had saved the tape as she opened the presents and was wrapping them back up. Not sure what she was doing, I explained to her that the presents were hers' that she could take them with her. She simply responded, "I am wrapping them back up, so we have presents under our tree.". It was this moment that impacted my life for ever.

The joy of a child is unspeakable. I would like to think that these children will remember this Christmas for the rest of their lives. But even if they grow up and forget, I will never forget the look on these children's faces as they opened their gifts. It was as if we had gotten them everything on their Christmas list. I am so grateful to have been a part of bring Christmas to children who otherwise might not have had a Christmas.

I hope each of you had a wonderful Christmas. Thanks for stopping by to check on us.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

~Chrissy~

A Birthday Outfit for Kyleigh.............

A Miracle Baby Turns 4

Kyleigh Alexis Pace

Kyleigh like most little girls loves Hannah Montana. She is quit sure that she wants to be just like her when she gets bigger:) Getting bigger in itself is a miracle for Kyleigh. See Kyleigh was born 3 months early and only weighed a little over 2lbs. She would fit in the palm of your hand. Kyleigh's first crib was in the PICU where she stayed for almost 3 months. Four years later, Kyleigh is a perfectly healthy little girl who suffered none of the side effects they originally predicted from being born early.

Kyleigh had her 4th b-day party at Pump It Up in Greenville where she was treated as a princess. Kyleigh's birthday was celebrated in true Hannah Montana style:)

Kyleigh's b-day outfit consisted of a long-sleeve white shirt with an appliqued present with red with white polka dot cloth. To Kyleigh's specifications her shirt red Birthday Girl in light blue. The bottom of the shirt was decorated with lime green rick rack. The pant was a wide legged pant made of red and white polka dotted light weight material.

Kyleigh the B-day Princess
Kyleigh on her throne

Kyleigh had a wonderful birthday, and DSL Kids was very grateful to be a part of that day. Kyleigh is a very special little girl and we wish her all the happiness in the world:) May Kyleigh always be a Rock Star!!!

As always thanks for stopping by to check on us. Don't forget to check out my store at http://www.dottiestripelayne.etsy.com/ .

Happy Holidays,

~Chrissy~

New Line From DSL........

DSL KIDS Winter Wardrobe

Photos taken by Patton Photography

The Winter Models from Left to Right....Alivia, Kyleigh, Kylan, and Emily

This past Sunday, we had our winter photo shoot!! I was so very excited to finally have pictures of all the new things DSL has to offer. Patton Photography did a wonderful job capturing the true essence of each outfit. You can check out her other work by visiting http://pattonphotography.shutterfly.com/. I would defiantly recommend her for all of your photography needs if you are in the upstate.

Let me start by first taking the time to introduce you to the two new models:) I am so very happy to have them and hope that they had a blast:) The little one is Kylan and the other little blonde is Kyleigh his big sister. They are the children of my cousin Misty and her husband Shawn Petras. I feel certain that Kyleigh had a blast, as she loved putting on all of the clothes.

All the little ones did great!!! They never cease to amaze me. I am very fortunate to have extremely well behaved models:)

Kylan wearing "Play Ball"

Kylan wearing "Gingerbread Man"

This outfit is perfect for the mom looking for a matching outfit for her little boy and girl. The girl version would be a brown and white gingham jumper set.

Alivia wearing "Santa's favorite Reindeer"

This outfit like the Gingerbread man can be made in matching little boy and girl outfits. The name on the boy longall would be in a royal blue and a stick font.

Alivia wearing "Turquoise Magic"

Alivia wearing "Bubbles"

Kyleigh wearing "Michael Miller inspired overalls"

Alivia wearing "Children Blocks Brown version"

Kyleigh wearing "Peppermint Christmas"

Emily wearing "Wholly Cow"

Kyleigh wearing "Birthday Girl"

Alivia wearing "I'm a Lit' Tea Pot"

Kyleigh wearing "A Whimsical Forest"

Emily wearing "The Crazy Elf"

Alivia wearing "Mellow Mushroom"

Kyleigh wearing "Brown Toil"

Emily wearing "Peppermint Princess"

Kyleigh wearing "Children's Block Blue Version"

Alivia wearing "An Apple A Day"

Emily wearing "Children's Block Pink Version"

Alivia wearing "A Colorful Day"

Kyleigh wearing "Lit'l Deuce Coup"

Emily wearing "Snow Princess"

Alivia wearing "Dottie Lime Version"

I am so excited about this winter wardrobe. I hope that you find something that you like:)

I would also like to take this time to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. Remember to take time to truly be thankful for the many blessings in your life. This time of year is very special to me, especially since I was sick. I now truly understand the meaning of being thankful. The thing I am most thankful for this year is a second chance at life. Not everyone is afforded that blessing. I am very grateful that God allowed me more time on this earth with the people I love the most. Thanks so much to all of them for all they have done to help me with DSL Kids. A special thanks to all of you as well!!!

As always thanks for stopping by, and Happy Turkey Day (as Alivia says:).

~Chrissy~

www.dottiestripelayne.etsy.com

Halloween 2008...............

DSL's First Halloween

Halloween 2008 was DSL's fist Halloween of making costumes. I would like to first take the time to thank my many customers that helped to make DSL's 1st Halloween a great success. I am honored that you allowed me to take a small part in your child's Halloween.

Me and My Little Minnie Mouse and Hulk

Halloween represents to me one of the few Holiday's when kids are allowed to be kids. A day when they can truly be anything they imagine. I am sure my Alivia is like so many other children in that she wishes Halloween was everyday. She loves to play dress-up and would wear it everywhere we went were she allowed to do so. .

The imagination of a child is facinating to me. I am so honored to have been able to play a small part in bring so many children's imaginations to life this Halloween.......................

My Little Minnie Mouse "Alivia"

Alivia had an advantage, I guess, in that she was able to dress-up consistenly for five weeks for Halloween. She wore a different one of my costumes to dance every week the entire month of October:) But when it came time to decided what she wanted to be for Halloween, Minnie Mouse won hands down. She loved every minute of being Minnie Mouse, especially getting her face painted:)

A sweet little witch "Kyleigh"

Kyleigh and me

Kyleigh is one of my little models who came by to trick-o-treat on Halloween. Kyleigh made the cutest little witch with her dark hair and eyes. Kyleigh's mom actually got two costumes from me. One was a spider, which was beautiful, but Kyleigh had different plans. After wearing all the costumes for the photoshoot she was dead set on being a witch. As you can see from the picture above, Kyleigh won:)

Our little Minnie with the "real" Minnie

DSL makes it's first appearance at Disney!!! This little minnie was not only Minnie Mouse for Halloween, she got to wear her Minnie Mouse costume to meet Minnie herself. What a beautiful little Minnie Mouse!!!!! Thanks for allowing DSL to be a part of your Disney experience:)

A beautiful little bumble bee "Emily"

Emily looks like she's ready to fly

Emily is another one of DSL's models. She already had a Halloween costume, but after our costume photoshoot she decided she liked those wings:) Emily is the daughter of Michelle Patton of the Dotted Deer Boutique (http://www.dotteddeerboutique.etsy.com/) and Patton Photography (http://pattonphotography.shutterfly.com/ ). Michelle makes beautiful jewelry and photos. She is the photographer of DSL Kids and we love her and our sweet little model:) Emily made a beautiful Bumble Bee!!!

A Devil and Angel pair of sisters

What a sweet little duo:)

What a wonderful idea... These little ones' mom had a custom request of these outfits for her daughters. The youngest was the devil and the oldest was the angel. However, they both look like beautiful little angels to me:) Our Little Angel and Devil went trick-o-treating at Kentucky Horse Park where the entered a joint Halloween contest and won 1st place. Congradulations to them on their win!!!

Little Minnie Katie and her dad

The night Katie got her costume

Katie made a beautiful little Minnie Mouse:) Katie's mom Lauren shared a story with me from the night Katie received her costume and I wanted to share it with all of you. Below is the message I received from Lauren........

Chrissy,

I just wanted to let you know how much I LOOOOVE this costume. I got home last night with such anticipation. The result was that I was even more impressed with the Minnie costume than I thought I would be. My daughter is in a phase of loving all things Disney, and I didn't want to go with the regular Minnis costumes from the stores because I knew they wouldn't fit so well. So, I was excited to find your listing (via searching Minnie Mouse =) Anyway, the tutu is so nice and full and wasn't wrinkled one bit from shipping.I asked my daughter is she wanted to try it on (mind you, she will be 2 next month), and I wasn't sure if she would go for it. I put the tutu on over her outfit, put the ears on and told her to look in the mirror... She squealed with a little MINNIE!!!!! And asked for me to play some Disney Music (an old cd I had that she recenly discovered) and said Dance. She 'danced' around our house for about an hour last night and didn't want to take it off. I had to hide the costume after she went to bed for fear of her wanting to wear it every day before Halloween!!!Thanks again! You really made our Halloween!!! I will try and send a pic from Halloween once the day comes!

Lauren

I am so glad that Lauren shared her story with me. I have shared this story with everyone. I am so honored to have been able to share in bring Katie's imagination of being Minnie to life. Oh, to be a kid again and find joy in the small things in life. To have the ability to dance like no one is watching in your Minnie Mouse costume. I hope that Katie continues to enjoy her Minnie Mouse costume, and even more than that may she always keep that childlike imagination and excitement and always dance like no one is watching.

My smallest Little Minnie

I met this litle Minnie's mom at a craft festival in Penndleton. She was my smallest little Minnie at 6 months old. She loved the ears once we put them on her, and didn't want to take them off:) Thanks for letting DSL share in your little one's first Halloween.

A sweet little ladybug "Lula"

Lula the ladybug took DSL all the way to England this Halloween. We had some complications with customs, but Lula finally got her Ladybug just in time for Halloween. Lula you made a beautiful Ladybug:)
A beautiful little Ladybug

What a beautiful little ladybug!!! If she is anything like Alivia, she didn't want to take her face paint off. Who can blame them though...the one time a year where they don't get in trouble for marking on themselves:) Her mom said that she loved her ladybug costume. I am so glad that she liked it:)

Another Little Minnie "Maggie"

Maggie made a beautiful Minnie Mouse with her long dark hair. From the looks of the picture Maggie is alot like my Alivia, in that she doesn't mind posing for the camera!!

Another Little Minnie

How cute is this little Minnie?!? She is so precious. It may have been this little Minnie's first Halloween as well (I'll have to ask). She made a lovly Minnie Mouse all the same. I love this photo too!!!

Little Minnie "Grace"

How cute is this little Minnie!!! DSL isn't responsible for this Minnie costume, but we did help accessorize:) Her mom already had her Minnie Mouse costume, but DSL provided the ears. We are so happy to accessorize:) This is a beautiful Minnie Mouse costume and a beautiful little girl as well:)

Another little Ladybug

Check out this little lady bug!?! How cute is she? I love the wings on the Ladybug costume. It makes me want to make one is my size:) I hope this little Ladybug had a great Halloween!!

Thanks again to all of you who allowed me to share in your child's Halloween this year, and for sharing pictures with us. As always thanks for stopping by and check out my listings at http://www.dottiestripelayne.etsy.com/ .

Always,

~Chrissy~