blue

I have been just a little bit blue lately & have neglected this blog for so long. It must be the gray rainy skies that have overwhelmed me with self doubt. Or it could be the hours of work being constantly on my feet which are now whining for me to take them to the Podiatrist. Or it could be this big project that is consuming my brain. Or it could be that I'm just burnt out after AFIC. Or it could just be I haven't the energy to put myself out there.

But this afternoon when I woke up, there was Sun shining. The grass is almost over the dogs' heads because we've had about 10 days of non stop awful weather. I'm going to grab onto those warm cheery rays & pull them inside me to warm up my Soul and hopefully wake up my Muse.

Doll Street Dreamers Steampunk Challenge

Here are more pictures from AFIC's exhibit. Cyndy always has doll clubs from around the globe send in pieces for display at AFIC. These are from an online doll makers group called Doll Street Dreamers. I've been a member for about three years now and enjoy the sense of community there. This year, Judy Skeel announced the challenge would be steampunk inspired dolls. As you can see, there were all kinds of different ideas popping out of people's head. Please excuse some of the pictures as the lightening where our display sat was limited. So sit back and enjoy a few photos from Steampunk Challenge.







If you'd like to see more pictures from the AFIC conference of the first night called "Hats and Heels Banquet" then please check out Leslie Molen's wonderful blog. I got to sit at Leslie's table where she was our "CEO". We had a challenge to make a doll out of a Bendi that would eventually be given to Children's Services here in Columbus. We had a Buyer (Pam), a Runner (Linda), Seamstresses , and I was the Speaker (but I sure did do a whole lot of hand sewing on that doll). We made a bear named Bernard who originally was a Steiff bear purchased at FAO Schwartz in NYC....he had seen better days & met two friends at a thrift store...okay enough with the story. We had a blast & see more about it on Leslie's blog which I warn you is charming and full of so much talent.

AFIC Challenge-Look Ma, No Stands

Whew...what a blur the last two weeks have been. I spent so much time down in the studio trying to play catch up with all the things I needed to get done for AFIC. I can't believe that last week at this time, I was at the hotel helping out getting things ready for the opening. I did a little of this and that, but the main thing I got to do that was wonderful was help check in the dolls for the exhibit hall. I can't believe all the wonderful pieces coming in. When I got to personally handle so many of the challenge dolls, I was just blown away by all the talent coming in.

Cyndy let Chris & I take some pictures in the exhibit hall Sunday morning when it was very quiet. I'm going to be showcasing some of those dolls in the next few weeks. There were so many lovely pieces that it is difficult to just pick a few. I'm starting out today with nice pieces from the challenge "Look Ma, No Stand". So please sit back & enjoy pictures of some truly remarkable Art.