Official Site Here

OFFICIAL 2010 CONVENTION WEBSITE

DAWN IN DENVER
September 26,2009

A perfect weekend in the Mile High City.  Good friends, good food, cheap booze!  and of course.. Dolls Galore!

I arrived midday Thursday and had a lovely lunch with several of the gals who arrived early.  Friday some of us took a tour of the Rocky Mountains that included Redrocks, The Continental Divide and Buffalo Bill's Burial Ground. Colorodo is absolutely beautiful!  The music lover in me could not resist posing on stage at Redrocks...but only slightly regretted it when I had to climb all those steps back up... (not yet adjusted to the altitude).

Redrocks

The Amphitheater

INFO ON REDROCKS

Continental Divide

Buffalo Bill's Burial Site

Tour Group

Saturday, Convention Day!  We all met up around 8:30 for a lovely breakfast and registration.  Doors open and we marvel at the room done up in MOD splendor!  Gena, our hostess, did a lovely job.  Everything was perfect.

Group Photo

Games. Prizes. Contests.  Raffles.

Prizes

One of A Kind Contest

The day ended with the distribution of Convention Dolls and Grand Prize Dolls.

Convention Doll

Another successful convention and a truly great time!  I miss everyone already!

The following is a peek at some previous Convention Fun!

First let me begin by saying it was an absolute HONOR to host the Tenth Annual Dawn Doll Convention.  Many have taken on this tremendous task and now I am proud to include myself amongst you.  HATS OFF to you all, for without you, this wonderful tradition would not continue to grow and get better and better every year. 

On our way.... the first hurdle.. getting all that "stuff" in the cars.

Lorra helps pack the car! 

Two cars were needed to deliver all the necessities to pull off the biggest Dawn Doll Convention in it's 10 year history.

We finally arrive in Atlantic City, New Jersey!

SIX hotel luggage carts and two happily tipped bellhops later, we enter our gorgeous suite at the Sheraton Convention Center Hotel!

We begin getting ready to "receive" our guests.

Welcome Bags are put out, filled with “Contestant” Name Tags, room snacks, maps, etc.  Soon the first guests arrive.

Shari, Pam and Peggy (members of “Team Atlantic City”) come take a sneak peek at my Sales Table Items. A team “perk”

The telephone doesn't stop ringing... I've never been so POPULAR. I loved it. The room was a-buzz all afternoon and Dawnettes stopped by to meet and greet each other.... It was so much fun.

Hours swirl by like seconds and it's now time for Shari's "DAWNTINI" Party. Wow! First of all, not only does Shari know how to throw one hell of a party, she created one KILLER drink! This one needs to be marketed.... It was perfectly pink and ohhhh so delicious. Dawnette Tested and Dawnette APPROVED! Way to go Shari, you KICKED it. I could go for one right now... I think a new tradition has begun, with it's own SIGNATURE DRINK!     mmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Being the very responsible and devoted hostess, I took my leave around 10:30 and was tucked in my VERY comfortable bed by 11pm... Needed some zeds so I could be at my best for Convention Day!

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I am so excited I am awake at 5:30... Stumbling in the dark, trying very hard not to wake my snoring “staff”, I head to the kitchen to watch the morning break with my first coffee. The butterflies quickly turn into bats as I sit in the dark kitchen thinking of the magnitude of the day that will soon begin.... Soon enough Lorra, wakes. She is almost as excited as I am. We order room service.. I LOVE ROOM service, don't you? We were able to get into our Meeting Room at 8 a.m. to begin decorating. Tick tock tick tock...

Once again, in a flash it's time!

Team Atlantic City arrives in the Steel Pier Meeting Room!

The magic and transformation begins....

DAWN!

Centerpieces....

Red Roses are the official flower for the Miss America Pageant, how could we not?

Dawnette Laura Craig created the wonderful welcome banners!

Our very own "MISS CONGENIALITY", Carla (who has attended ALL TEN Conventions) is ready to welcome the attendees!

Prize Table items, contest entries and GOODY BAGS start to fill up all the empty tables.

PRIZE TABLE-ROUND 1

The Kiddies even had their own Prize Table!

GOODY BAGS!

The fun begins as we oogle over everyone's dollies, contest entries and Prize Table booty!

The Shoe Parade

Evening Wear Competition

Swimsuit Competition

..more Swimsuit Competition Entries

and still more....!

Next... the Fashion Frenzy Contest!  Here each table is given the same kit filled with fabric, sewing bits and bobs and a doll... you have 15 minutes to create something SPECTACULAR as a team!

Here Shelley is deep in thought! She was on my team at Table 1.  Shown giving expert fashion advice is Pammy J (L) and Laura C. (R)

Here Wendy, GloriLori and Phyllis have their game faces ON!

FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER... here are some of the incredible results

Love the “Euro-Split” Gown

THE WINNER – Table 3

We lunched, we shopped and we all posed for a group photo on the lovely staircase in the Sheraton's magnificent lobby, where the world's largest collection of MISS AMERICA memorabilia can be viewed.

Here we all are!  Amazing!

Goody Bags were distributed and then ROUND TWO of the Prize Table! So many people went away with lovely, wonderful things! The generosity of the Dawn Doll Collecting Community never ceases to amaze me.

We took an afternoon break around 4 p.m. and reconvened at 6 p.m.

First order of business....Contest Winners Announced.

Here were the results:

Shoe Parade Winner: PENNSYLVANIA by Suz (HEY! that's me!)

Photo Shoot Competition: Laura Ghosn

Swim Suit Competition Winner: Pam Santry

Evening Wear Competition Winner: Shari Krapp

Talent Competition Winner(s): THREE WAY TIE: Shari Krapp, Laura Craig and Elaine Meldrum who all treated us by singing beautifully! 

Here is a photo of My FIRST PLACE Entry for the Shoe Parade Competition. YIPPEE!!!

FINALLY!!!!! CONVENTION DOLLS

A N T I C I P A T I O N...... It's keeping we wa aaa aaaa iting.....

Jo, gets her dollie!!! No Peeping!










OK, finally EVERYONE has their Official 2008 Convention Doll!

Here she is....MISS AMERICA!

Deidre (a.k.a. Awsumgal) created a splendid ensemble, Box design by Gena and Julieanne created the Official Convention Doll Certificate! What do you think... pretty special, eh? What a team effort!

A very special and touching presentation was made in honor of Carla and Fredd's 10th Wedding Anniversary. Our Phyllis made a set of dolls in their likeness, celebrating their devotion, not only to Dawn but to each other! CONGRATULATIONS Carla and Fredd!


They are truly made for each other!

Here is a shot of those dolls! And how about our handsome Master of Ceremony in that tux! Bert Parks had nothing on you, honey!

CONVENTION FUNDRAISERS – Raffled items will benefit 2009's Convention.

GRAND PRIZE DOLLS!

Dolls donated and restored by the one and ONLY Mary Saign. Costumes created by AMBER! Amber is a young talented artist, who is also my very good friend. I hope you don't mind the nepotism, but I know you'll agree, this young lady has serious talent!

Miss Universe

Benita Schwartz won this doll (well, she won it for her daughter Farin) lucky girl!  Enjoy her, Farin. 

Miss World

CARLA WINS MISS WORLD!!!

Here she is on the telephone with Amber.  Carla was overwhelmed! CONGRATULATIONS, Carla. We are so happy you won her!

“Angel” our Victoria Secret Angel was donated to raffle for Breast Cancer.

Over $300 was raised for Breast Cancer patients!!!!!

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR GENEROSITY.   Laura G. won “Angel”! YEA!

GRAND PRIZE RAFFLES

I don't have a photo of the other grand prize raffle items... I didn't take one photo. My " Event Staff" did their best, but they were running the webcam and webchat!  (Which I hear was a HUGE hit!)

I will tell you, some WONDERFUL things were available, including a Beauty Pageant Cape, Montgomery Wards Orange Haired Dawn, and a RAVEN Dawn!

I WON RAVEN DAWN!!! Wooo hooo! Can you believe it? I still cannot, but here she is!

The rest of convention is a whirl winded blur.. I was totally intoxicated by Dawn treats and Dawn Friend Love!

We all met up after in my room for an after party, but I am afraid I just sat there in my “Dawn Drunken Stupor” glassy eyed and smiling....

I am sure I've left many gaps... I am counting on everyone else to fill them in!

THANK YOU ALL FOR MAKING THIS WEEKEND ONE OF MY MOST MEMORABLE WEEKENDS EVER!

LOVE TO YOU ALL!

xxx Suz

P.S. Have an oogle over some new friends who have come home with me...

My brand new Michelle C. doll came to Convention '08 looking for fashion! Now she would NEVER consider looking into just anyone's “reject” bag... but if it's Jamie's rejects, she is all over it...! Look at this incredible ensemble.... PERFECTION. No one ever need know what she spent... shhhhhhhh!

Britt came “All the way to America” as a birthday present for me from Jo! How wonderful!




Britt promptly went shopping in Jodi's (of Topper Towers fame) Room. She happily settled on this retro mod look by Louise, of Decadence Boutique!



Smashing!

Another Jodi purchase:




Daphne with alternate hair and a lovely custom gown.

Custom Dale by Jo......  MINE!

Classy and Elegant Custom by the Classier and even MORE elegant, Jude!




LUSH!

Pretty Angie and exquisite custom mini by Sally!

And last, but by NO MEANS least.... this SPECTACULAR custom doll by Deidre --

Morticia Addams -  WOW!!!!!!!!

The Thistle Hotel, Liverpool was our dolly destination.

It was a dream come true to attend the Pippa Convention in Liverpool.

Dawn's British cousin Pippa (and friends) REALLY know how to throw a party!

The room was crammed full of lovely things for sale/trade

This little lady came home with me. A gorgeous Marie transformed into "Lady Aintree". This is a custom design by the wonderfully talented (and lovely) Mandy.

My entry, for the Beatles Song Diorama - "She Came In Through The Bathroom Widow" -  got the "quirky" vote!

Other contests included a Nautical Theme and Hippie Love.

This GORGEOUS custom by Jo placed 1st. Isn't she incredible?





(Note: Jo is so sweet!  After convention she presented ME with this doll! I was moved to tears and will treasure her, and Jo always!)

We had a fashion frenzy contest and a Pippa Quiz. I didn't think I stood a chance with the Quiz, being a Dawn girl, but I did pretty well!

Prizes, Prizes EVERYWHERE

Some of my winnings!




Marie as a Rocker! (by Jude)

..and a "FAB" custom fashion by AWSUMGAL!


"Lovely Rita Meter Maid"

CONVENTION DOLL TIME!   The Grand Finale

"Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds"

Tracy F, (and her team) once again astound us all!

It was a fantastic and brilliant afternoon of Dolly Fun! I can't wait to do it all again next year!

Until we meet again.... BIG PIPPA LUV!

The gorgeous and sophisticated Sutton Place Hotel in Vancouver, British Columbia was the setting for the 9th Annual Dawn Doll Convention.

Convention Day was greeted with magnificent weather, cool and crisp.  A lovely change from the heat and humidity in Philadelphia.

As always, the Dawn Doll Community exhibited extreme generosity. The prize tables (above) were loaded and the Swag Bags, overflowed!

Here we all are, happy, flush with excitement and anticipation!

After meeting and greeting all our Dawn Friends, we played games, entered contests and of course awarded prizes. One of my entries for “Canada's Next Top Model” came in FIRST PLACE! I placed second in the Diorama contest to Pam's Rik Toreeia's Beauty/Horror Salon. I conceded defeat as soon as I saw her entry, it was absolutely BRILLIANT!

First Place Entries!

The highlight of this year's convention was meeting some of the ladies from Topper Towers, Pam (I knew I'd love you instantly), Shari (we knew each other in a previous life!) Peggy (you are a sweet and very classy lady, and SO MUCH FUN!!) and the EXTREMELY talented MaryS. Mary was the belle of the ball as were all of the dolls she donated! There was a mad frenzy. Her Grand Prize Doll Donation, “Ann Margaret” simply GORGEOUS!  I managed to win one of her dolls and purchase a few others.....this lady is SERIOUSLY TALENTED!

MaryS  Doll

Another Roaring Success! Thanks to our “Director” Melanie! xxx

MY FIRST CONVENTION!  The 8th Annual Dawn Doll Convention was held in Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love (and Sisterly Affection!) on October 14, 2006.  Being a resident of the host city, I was excited and proud to show off my beloved city to the conventioneers!

Philadelphia Art Museum.  Yes, these ARE the steps Rocky climbed!

Attendees arrived on the 28th floor of the Embassy Suites on Benjamin Franklin Parkway at 9:30 am.  Upon entering the room we were able to view vendor sales tables.  Gorgeous items were available to purchase and drool over.

Within seconds, Dawn Dolls were everywhere!  Pippa too!

I stopped at the first table when I spotted the most incredible restored Pippa Dolls.  Here is where I met, new friends, Jules and Jude who traveled from England to attend! Fantastic ladies with an incredible collection.  I decided right there and then that I was attending the Pippa ’07 Convention.  I also decided right then and there that I adored J & J (as they will now be referred) at first sight.  I am afraid they were stuck with me for the remainder of the day!

New friends, Jules and Jude!

 

 

 

 

 

(Dale is going to live England!)

FOR MORE CONVENTION PICS CLICK THE LINK BELOW

Julieanneland's Pics

Contest Entries were just so amazing!  I felt completely out of my league as I looked upon the entries.  I entered an Ann Rice Vampire Vixen, in the Bewitched Contest and a custom doll in the Candy Corn Contest.   The entries were just wonderful!  The talent is really fierce!  Later we would vote for the winners!

The Controlled Fabric Contest

This one got MY vote!

Next, J & J and I teamed up with Melanie and Gena for the 15 Minute Fashion Frenzy Contest!  Wow, 15 minutes goes by fast.. and GENA made STOCKINGS!!  We rocked, even if we didn’t win.  It was a blast!

Literally hundreds of prizes were up for grabs!  The generosity in the Dawn/Pippa Community is astounding!  I had the unfortunate “luck” of having Registration #13.  This number was your assigned number (based on time of registration) and was used for your raffle tickets….did I stand a chance at winning anything???  Hmmmm

Prize after prize was given out… in the first round I won:

 

A NRFB Petite Fashion and a cool Inflatable Doll chair.  I also won the Twin Pines Gift Set and a Premier Accessory Pack Cool!  Not bad! 

We lunched on pizza and attended workshops.  Denise did a Rerooting Workshop, Gena Scrap booking, Babs, Cello Wrapping and the one I wanted most to attend.. Jamie’s Sewing Workshop!  I sat fascinated and in awe as I watched him effortlessly create a ball gown, in literally minutes!  After his demo, Leandra created a ball gown of her very own!  GORGEOUS.  Jamie is an excellent teacher and I learned more from him in 45 minutes than I have in 6 weeks at a sewing class I’ve been taking (but that is another story, for another time!)

We played The Price is Right,  bought, sold, traded… We broke for dinner.  Team 5 of the Fifteen Minute Fashion Frenzy dined together in the hotel restaurant.  It was a very nice meal with very good company.  We had to eat and dash as those who were changing into their Halloween Costumes needed to get ready!   Convention would resume at 6:30. 

Those who dressed up were fun and some, brave!  Jude, a gorgeous witch, Melanie as Topper Seamstress, Golda Weiner, Leandra will forever be known as Pumpkin Girl and Jamie as a Nun was hilarious!  Elaine and her hubby were true to the Philly Theme and came as Betsy Ross and Benjamin Franklin.  Super costumes!  However, the show-stopper was Connie as PT Glori 30 years later!  What a HOOT! 

 

 
Jude, the prettiest witch, I’ve ever seen!

Melanie, Jude and Leandra a/k/a PumpkinGirl

More prizes… Jules I think won EVERYTHING in this round..  #5… #5… #5… I hear she pulled a similar coup at the DC Convention!  Melanie and Leandra got up many times during this round too!

Contest Winners were announced.  GUESS WHAT?  I won FIRST PLACE in the Candy Corn Contest!

 

I was thrilled and VERY flattered!

The evening is winding down…. Raffles to benefit next year’s convention were announced.  Cool prizes.  I hope they made out well on those! 

At this time, I pulled the winning ticket for  the “Glimmer” Raffle.  This raffle was to raise funds for Strides for Hope.  The winner of “Glimmer” was Jules! 

 
CONGRATULATIONS JULES!
 

Thanks to Jules and everyone else who participated.  $150 was raised!

GRAND PRIZE Table and GRAND PRIZE DOLLS!!

I won a gorgeous Custom Pippa!  I was so thrilled!  I also won a custom accessory pack (by Deborah and Carie) filled with purses, jewelry, shoes, etc.  VERY COOL!  I won 6 custom minis made by Carrie that I fell in love with.  I had such a pile of wonderful items!  I certainly would have gone home extremely happy… but.... All throughout the day my eye and my heart was on something sooo incredible… so gorgeous…. soo wonderful…

On the GRAND PRIZE Table she sat…… McPippa!  The Official 2006 Edinburgh Convention Doll!  I really, really, really wanted her! Since I first saw her picture online, I wanted one!  Who didn’t??

Now they are pulling tickets for the Grand Prize Table…The Seattle Goody Bag, MP3 Player, Cloak and Swagger… etc…. Christine is now holding McPippa… shhhh!  Did she just say 13????????????????

 

SHE DID!!!!!!!!!

 

I WON MCPIPPA!  LUCKY #13!

In my excitement at winning McPippa, I have NO idea who won anything after that including the Grand Prize Dolls!  

I drove home that night excited and happy.  I met wonderful people.  Wildly talented people.  Giving, generous people.  Generous in spirit and loads of FUNl!

Why do we stop playing?  

Thank you to the entire Convention Committee!  You did an outstanding job! I can’t wait until next year.  I miss you all already!

Until we meet again....Play on everyone!

Starlight Memories of Dawn

Email:  info@starlightmemoriesofdawn.com