Back to Back Conventions!

May 8th, 2013

 

 

Above some lovely ladies (Cyndy, at top left) wearing their cool creations for the

“Hat & Heels” banquet on opening night at AFICC

 

 

from top left: Emily, Anne,  (bottom) Katie and Nancy Jo who is taking a brake

 

Above from “Circus” class: Kathy,  Emelia & Gigi…missing are Judy & Gayle

Hi All,
I’m glad to have an opportunity to blog as these days it’s been tough trying to find the time. My medical assisting class is going great and I’m still loving it. I enjoy learning the terminology and looking up the corresponding pictures of the diseases. Is that creepy? Naw…just getting comfortable with what I might be seeing on a daily basis and looking forward to comforting and helping those in need. I’ve just returned from two back to back conventions:

First up was the AFICC (Artistic Figures in Cloth and Clay) convention in Columbus, OH.  AFICC is owned and operated by the hardworking Cyndy Sieving and her outstanding crew…whatever you need they’ll make sure you have it! I will be covering AFICC in the next issue of The Doll Club so that’s all for now…lol! I had such great students in my two workshops (see above).  I hope they had as much fun as I did! The middle set of pictures show the lovely ladies from my “Heiress: workshop. The next set are the great gals from my “Circus shadow box” workshop. Ladies, thanks for taking my classes and I do hope you’ll email me pictures of your finished projects so I can post them!
 

 

 

Just a few highlights from the fabulous doll display at AFICC: from top left, Sherry Goshon, a wonderful piece by Steven Allen Raush, center: Janet McMullen & Gigi Callaway, bottom: Kristen Morris & Katie Jones

Second was the Art Doll and Teddy Bear Convention in Philadelphia, PA. If you are a doll or bear collector or creator this is the place to go. This place has something for everyone! The atmosphere was lively and the food was great. this is a chance to buy the newest addition to your collection and to meet your favorite doll or bear artist…win-win!
Susan and Terry Quinlan and their great staff do a great job running this. I traveled with my doll club friend and fellow doll maker, Lexi, it was her first time attending. She wanted to get an idea of what to expect if she decided to vend her dolls next year…I think she’s going for it! She also was able to get a one -on -one critique with Diane Keeler, which, Lexi says, was very informative. This was my second time attending as a vender. My assigned table happened to be right next to Nancy Wiley’s. During the course of the day we chatted up a storm, shared many laughs and discovered we that we also shared quite a few quirky similarities in our lives…hmmm…twins separated at birth???! I got to catch up with some of my doll making friends, Colleen, Christine and Gwen and met many new friends. I for one will certainly be returning to the convention next year…hope to see you there!

 Lulu Tatum and her dolls

Marina Yax & Maggie Castillo-Bernard, below

 

Nancy Wiley at her table, at right: Anke Daneen, Colleen Athens, Christine Shively

 

Gwen Jackson and friends, Nancy & me

Still Creating…

April 14th

 

 

 

Hi all,

It has been way too long since my last post. I have been very busy at school and I’m thoroughly enjoying every minute of it!!!  Every Monday morning we have a test on all the information learned the prior week. I now know the medical terminology for just about every body function, diagnostic procedure and disease known to man. Here are just a few samples: Leukoplakia (pre-cancer of the tongue), choledocholithiasis (stones in the bile duct) and pediculosis (lice)….try saying any of those three times fast…lol!

Even with attending school, I am determined to find time for doll making. This Saturday, the Warwick Doll Crafters Guild held their monthly meeting. Our newest member, Karen, was scheduled to teach a workshop on needle felting to some of us who have had some experience with it and to those of us, like me, who’ve never tried it…it was really fun! We all made some headway on a small project and I managed to finish a gingerbread man…doesn’t he look good enough to eat!  Thanks Karen for sharing your felting experience with us! Top row: Heather & Elizabeth. Second row: Lexi & Denise. Third row: Karen, our teacher for the day & my gingerbread man. Last row: Group picture with Christine on the left.

On a different subject: I am finishing up my workshop kits and getting the last minute details for the Artistic Figures in Cloth convention coming up next week. I look forward to meeting new friends and creating with like minded souls. And, lastly, just want to let you know that the second issue of The Doll Club e-zine is now available for purchase…check it out on my website: www.a-lil-whimsy.com. Below is a comment by Elaine who has purchased the issue”

Well Lillian,
     Another successful issue jammed packed with interesting
articles.  I loved the interview with Marijke.  I have never seen her dolls
before, simply stunning!  The Comfort Doll Project article with Brenda Hutchings
was also very informative.  And I loved your “Just 4 Fun” project.  What a great
idea!
      I am looking forward to the next issue.  Great job Lillian and a
super price too!  I appreciate all the work I know you put into it.
Thanks,   Elaine

Happy Doll Making!

Almost Spring!

March 2nd

Hi all,

It’s not exactly warm outside but I live in hope that spring is just around the corner. I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this before but I recently went back to school to become a Medical Assistant. I thought…why not, I’ve always enjoyed “ER” not just the romance but the interesting medical story lines and I have no fear of blood so why not give it a try…lol! So in-between creating, I’ve been very busy studying medical terminology…very interesting.

I’ve also been very busy teaching an on-line class at http://www.aforartistic.com/ for Adele Scortino and I’m getting ready to teach two workshops at AFIC (http://www.cyndysdolls.com/). I’ll also be selling my dolls at The Artist Dolls and Teddy Bear convention in Philadelphia …all coming up in the spring. I hope some of you will be there too!

I’ve just come across this wonderfully inspiring doll exhibit video (above) featuring Russian artists…like I always say, “there must be something in the water in Russia as I’ve never seen a Russian doll that doesn’t leave me breathless!” Enjoy

Lastly, don’t forget you can easily downloaded my new E-zine “The Doll Club” (http://a-lil-whimsy.com/doll-ezine.html)…I’ve been told it’s a fun and interesting read!

Happy Doll making!

Change your words

February 10th

Hey all,

I saw this video and was touched by it…I thought I’d share it! Enjoy!

February 4th,

 

 

 

Hi All,

*FYI, I’ll be teaching a fun “POPPET” workshop on-line this month. For the details, please visit: http://www.aforartistic.com/.  I hope you’ll join the fun!

Those of you who recently purchased and downloaded  my new E-zine “The Doll Club” (http://a-lil-whimsy.com/doll-ezine.html) will recognize this lovely “lady” (above) as the project idea I offered for the premier issue. I just finished this very  dapper top hat and decided it would look great on her. First let me tell you  that the top hat is…drum roll, please…a pin cushion!  The original idea has a flat bottom but I tweaked and made a few adjustments of my own in order to make the hat “wearable” as I show here. Where did the idea come from? Long story short: I joined Face Book last month and there I made many new artist friends including Paula Mcgee. Paula offers this nifty idea as a free tutorial on her FB page. I loved it so much I immediately contacted Paula to write an article for the next issue of “The Doll Club”…she agreed!

Paula owns and operates a clothing alterations/sewing arts studio in Arkansas. There she  runs several workshops to share creative fun with like minded free spirits!   Please make sure to check it out in the next issue of The Doll Club as Paula allows us into her inner sanctum.  It will be published in April. In the meantime you can check out Paulas free tutorial on her Facebook page for the details

In other news, The Warwick Doll Crafter’s Guild has recently displayed their fine craftsmanship at the Albert Wisner library in Warwick.  The show went well and we had some nice feedback from the public…well done ladies! Lastly don’t forget that registration is now open for the long awaited Artistic Figures in Cloth Convention in Columbus, Ohio. If your in the area or want to attend go to: http://www.cyndysdolls.com/ for all the details!

Happy Doll Making!

Another UFO completed!

January 22nd

Hi All,

 

 

I’ve finally finished my new version of the Princess and the pea called “Sleepless in the Sahara.” Here, I share just a few pictures of her. I really enjoyed working on her face and after completing I found that, even though her features are quite exaggerated, she looks  much like my mom did when she was younger. I’m very pleased by this as my mom died five years ago.  I also had a great deal of fun choosing the mix of fabrics and trims I used to make her sumptuous bed…I used a simple wood tray I found at Michaels’.  I’ve also just joined Facebook. I kicked and screamed against joining for years because I just can’t spare the time but it really has been a great place to make business connections and see what other artists and doll lovers are up to.

FYI: Registrations are now open for the wonderful workshops being held at Artistic Figures in Cloth. This cool convention, run by it’s founder Cyndy Sieving, takes place  in Columbus, Ohio every other year so take advantage of the workshops being offered this go-around! I’ll be there teaching two new workshops…to check them out and to find out what else is going on, go to: http://www.cyndysdolls.com/

That’s all for now!

January 4th,

Happy New Year!!!

  

 

January 4th 2013,

Hello All,

Hard to believe that another year has passed an a new one has already started…whew! I hope you’ve all had a great year full of creative endeavors and having your longtime goals achieved. I managed to finish the project that had kept me busy the last few months as I mentioned in my last post….“The Doll Club” E-zine! I have just uploaded it for sale on my website and have already had some positive feedback from several happy consumers This has been a blessing and I am already raring to get started on issue #2!

This week,  a few lovely ladies Elizabeth, Heather, new member Lexi and Carol from “The Warwick Doll Crafters Guild” joined me to set-up the our doll club group show at the Albert Wisner Public library in Warwick. The display really looks great! It was fun working together but…as expected…we got hungry and had a lovely time chatting over lunch   Our  group meets regularly at the library to work on projects or to teach various
creative techniques not just in doll making but in paper and other media-crafts. The “Art Dolls” will be featured in the glass cases on the lower level of the library throughout the month of January.  Please check out our wonderfully eclectic creative efforts if you find yourself in area. Anyone interested in joining the group or for more information about the artists please contact me.

Happy Doll Making!

Lillian Alberti © 2013

All rights reserved

Back again!

December 15th

 The annual show at Rockland’s Historical Society

  

Hi all,

It’s been a while. My computer glitch is now  distant memory and I’m forging ahead with catching up. First up (top photo) it’s that time of year…Joanne Potanovic of the Historical Society of Rockland County (www.rocklandhistory.org)  is curating their 37th Annual Miniature, Dollhouse and Art Exhibition in New City, NY. The Historical Society is a tiny museum but filled with tons of wonderful, fun filled facts about Rockland and the surrounding communities. Make sure to visit the Blauvelt historical house next door. Christmas is coming, make this an ideal spot to bring the kids and visiting relatives and spend a while enjoying the various displays!  If you happen to live in the area come on down and take a moment to enjoy the collective display of not just dolls and doll houses but the artwork of many eclectic artists.

Secondly, the next set of pictures are of a tree trunk I’ve constructed in order to complete my “Hope” doll…you may remember…she’s the enslaved mother holding her child. Anyway, The doll is now complete I’m now working on getting her base and it’s surrounding elements ready. I hope you check back again soon to see the completed doll

Finally, I’ve just finished publishing “The Doll Club” E-zine. It’s something I’ve been working on for a few months and I’m happy to say it’s now ready and up for sale on my website…$3.00 for the “PREMIERE” issue. If you have a minute…I’d love it if you checked it out   Go to: !http://a-lil-whimsy.com/

I wish you all a wonderful and Blessed Holiday! Until next year…Happy Doll Making!

November 29th,

Hi All,

I’m not sure if I had mentioned this before but my computer died. After the brief funeral service…lol…I ordered a new one online. Well, I just received it and got it set up only to find that it did NOT come preloaded with Windows 8 as promised…in fact, it came with NO program at all…ugh!!! I got on the phone and the Big Name seller agreed it was their error. Long story short: they are sending me out a new one, they also included free shipping to send this one back …phew!

Needless to say, my input on this blog, once again, will continue to be limited until I get the new one. It’s so hard to believe that such a simple gadget like a computer can really affect your whole life…ugh! I hope to be back mid December with a real blog post, until then…

Happy Doll making!