First Place Winner at AFIC 2009

YES!!!! Imagine my surprise when I found out that my piece for the 2009 AFIC Challenge was picked first place original design. When I entered this piece & saw some of the other entries, I knew I hadn't a chance. The exhibit hall was opened Friday night at 8 pm for the conference attendees. Cynthia & I were late getting into the hall because we were "visiting" (or yakking away with everyone). I was only about 20 steps in the exhibit admiring all the teacher's dolls, when Cyndy's sister Patti comes up to me & asked if I'd seen my doll yet. I told her "no", and then she told me I had to "go see". I looked at her with a question & she just pointed me to the back where the last of the challenge dolls were hung up. Cynthia told me she'd go look first. I stood & watched as she went to check out what Patti had steered me to. Then I saw Cynthia pointing & holding her hand over her mouth. I walked back & there on the wall was a first place ribbon next to my doll. I jumped for joy! I never thought my spider rider would get chosen as first place. Everyone came up to me then & congratulated me. When I saw Rosie who was one of the judges & thanked her, she told me I deserved it. You can't imagine how proud I was at that moment. Four years ago back in 2005, I attended my first AFIC conference in awe of the talent. Now, my piece got chosen best. What a distance I've come in those years.

This is part of my recycle theme. The whole piece is mounted on a 78 record which has been covered with black wool from an old skirt. The vest and wings of the doll are from a piece of lace I got from a fabric salvage shop in Barberton Ohio.

The spider is the first doll I made. He is called Winston. At first, I just was going to have only a spider on a web, then I sewed up a doll trying my hand at using limbs. I loved this wee guy & just to see if the size was right for a beaded doll, I placed him on Winston's back. Winston looked surprised, but welcomed Holsume. So they became partners. Winston was leery about leaving his web, so Holsume found a fly to entice him to move. Therefore, "Finding Motivation".

Winston & Holsume will be traveling later this summer. They are going to the Ugly Bug Ball in Maine.

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