Gathering of Friends...Come One, Come All!

   Well, my my...so much for tending to this poor neglected blog. According to my last entry, it was due for some attention four months ago! Well, at any rate....

       Have you had enough of the dismal weather?
       Are you  ready for a little early Spring-time fun?

   Join me in southern California for a day that is sure to set things right. I will be returning to the land of milk and honey, after a five year absence, to take my place in A Gathering of Friends. Jody Battaglia, Paul Gordon, Pat Murphy, and Leslie McCabe will also be attendance. There is sure to be fine merchandise offered as well as a lot of fun and merry-making. If you can, please stop by for a visit...

A Gathering of Friends

March 17th  10 am - 2 pm

            Mill Creek Restaurant  103 N. Lincoln Ave.

Corona, CA   92882

(Lincoln exit from 91 frwy)

 In the bunnies' garden,

Any day at all~

You'll find her dressed as Queen Anne,

Playing with a doll.

Garlands of flowers are ever so grand,

When dear Miss Milliner makes them by hand.

My Poor Neglected Blog!

     I've been absent for awhile, but for good reason! In the last few months, I have dealt with a leaking roof, a health scare, filled a 65 piece order, and been to both Detroit and Orlando and back...phew! I think I'll have to do a year end "wrap-up" post, as I did a couple years ago. I have one more show in November... Paul Gordon's "Friends in Christmas" open house. I will post more information on that, SOONER than later! For those interested in my work, but fast running out of surface space, I may soon be returning to painting/illustration work. It's been several years since I did any of that! Right now, I actually have some odds and ends up for sale on my website and blog. Even if you don't plan on purchasing, please have a look and enjoy!

dollsbyallenwcunningham.com (click link)

etsy.com/shop/allenwcunninghamdoll (click link)

Until Later.... Happy Hallowe'en!!!

The Best We Can Do Hallowe'en Web Sale

"Of Trickery and Magic Spells

    And things you cannot see,

  The tales we will regale you with

    Upon this Hallowe'en..."

(Just a hint of what's in store...)

     Come join the official kick-off to the Hallowe'en season. Yes, you read that correctly, the KICK-OFF to the Hallowe'en season. For a holiday so filled with frivolity and mirth, I do believe we need a little more than one single day of celebration. Start your celebration, in the most appropriate way possible, by attending The Best We Can Do artist group's "Of Trickery and Magic Spells" web sale. Tricks, treats, and wonderful little surprises are in store and you are bound to have a delightful time perusing the work of six talented artists. Mark your calenders... the party starts August 14th at 8 o'clock p.m. (eastern time) at thebestwecando.com

Golden Glow Christmas Convention July 21-31

   Come one, come all!!! The North Pole will be temporarily set-up for a short time in New York. Rye Brook is the location of this year's Golden Glow Christmas Convention from July 27 - 31. If you are unfamiliar with this organization, please refer to goldenglow.org and do what you can to attend one (or more) of their spectacular conventions. During these 5 day events, there are lectures, themed dinner and luncheon parties (complete with favors), a market of new Christmas creations, a sales room of antique Christmas items, and the true show piece of the event, the museum room. In the museum room, the finest in antique Christmas-related relics is displayed. Things that you could not even imagine...feather trees, Dresden tree ornaments, putz houses, Christmas dolls, antique toys, 19th century Santa costumes...WOW!

   Once again, my creations will be at an event but I will be there only "in Christmas spirit." Collins Gifts will have a select assortment of my work, so stop by to see Wendy in the Christkindlmart, if you have the opportunity.

 ***Show Schedule Update: Due to a slight financial set-back, I will not be attending Halloween and Vine this year***

This jolly trio will be making an appearance at the Golden Glow Christmas Convention

Santa found this lovely antique toy in his attic and will show it to you at the Golden Glow Christmas Convention

This little snowman is ready to deck the halls at the Golden Glow Christmas Convention

Santa and his hobby horse dolly will be rockin' the Christkindlmart at the the Golden Glow Christmas Convention

     

UFDC National Convention July 25-29

     Well, well, can the year be better than half over? Time flies when you're having fun... AND when you're busy. I don't have much in the way of news for myself, but my little creations certainly are making up for that fact. A small assortment will be traveling cross-country in the company of Diane's Doll Shoppe for the UFDC Convention in Anaheim, CA.  The convention takes place July 25th to 29th and if you are in Southern California (or can get there), you should stop in. You'll find everything in dolls...both new and antique. If you are an antique doll lover like me, you'll be in hog heaven! For more information on "public admittance," refer to ufdc.org.

   

     UFDC is certainly the "word of the day," here in the studio. I am also working on a 65 piece order for the Lady Baltimore Doll Study group. They will be hosting a Halloween luncheon in October and my dolls will be a party favor for each guest. I can't say or show too much now, as I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise. I'll show you more after this sure to be fun-filled event...

Until  later,

Best Wishes...

This Jack  O' Lantern Man and his marionette are dancing their way cross-contry with Diane's Doll Shoppe for the UFDC Convention in Anaheim, CA   July 25th-29th

Santa and this little Christmas Queen Anne doll will also be making an appearance with Diane's Doll Shoppe at the UFDC Convention in Anaheim, CA   July 25th to July 29th

The Quinlan's Doll and Teddy Bear Convention

Thinking Christmas is such an awfully long way off?

Need a little gifty pick-me-up?

Why not visit Philadelphia for the Doll and Teddy Bear Convention?

If you are interested in the finest in art dolls and soft sculpture creations, make the journey to Philadelphia and see the magnificent convention, hosted by Susan and Terry Quinlan. Artists from all over the world will be exhibiting and selling some of the best work you will ever see. The festivities take place May 12th to the 14th at the Airport Ramada, just outside of downtown Philadelphia. For more information, please refer to quinlanmuseum.com/convention. I do hope to see you there!

The Secret Lives of Bunnies

Berniece the "Spot of Tea Bunny"

   From the old hollow tree trunk, two bunnies carried a tiny table. You see, this was no ordinary tree trunk because nestled inside was a cozy well-kept home. The two bunnies, though not sisters, were as close as sisters and on that particular day they decided to have a tea party. Coquette, the taller of the two girls, brought along her favorite dolly to enjoy the affair. Berniece, the smaller of the two girls, followed along with her toy pot, cups, and saucers. As the table was set, a surprising sight appeared. It was Jimmy Rabbit riding upon a racer fashioned from an enormous orange carrot.

   "Would you care to join our tea party, Jimmy Rabbit?" called Coquette as Berniece looked on in amazement.

   "Aw, shucks no!" cried Jimmy. "Tea parties are for GIRLS! You should join me for I am off on a great adventure..."

   Always at this time of year, the spotlight shines brightly on our little bunny friends. They are ever busy upholding their Easter-time traditions. By the score, bunnies all over the world are dying eggs, sewing toy self-replicas, and assembling fantastic presentation baskets. Schedules are set for the "big day" and this tiny legion works as efficiently as a favorite clockwork toy.

   But, do you ever ponder the every day life of bunnies? Surely there is more to their lives than Easter preparations! If we could silently part the forest brances to reveal the proper clearing, what might we find? I imagine a miniature village... tiny houses formed from tree trunks, a town square, the post office, and a theatre. Every morning, Papa Bunnies set off to tend the fields of carrots and cabbage. Mama Bunnies shake out the rugs and keep their homes and the child-bunnies find no end to the pleasures of frolicking in the sunlight...

for more information on the bunnies pictured, refer to collinsgifts.com

Coquette the "Bunny and Her Favorite Dolly"

Jimmy Rabbit is "Bun on the 4th of July"