The Tale of the Haunted Dress Form

(Or: What Frightened Us in the Attic)

   Recently, I completed two 35 inch versions of what I call "haunted dress forms." These creations are centered around two nicely made dress forms that I found on one of my buying trips. I'm never one to leave well enough alone, so the dress forms were completely altered... decorative painting, arms and hands, dresses, and jack o' lantern heads were all added. Please take some to enjoy the story behind them in the following text and photographs.

   Mama couldn't help but notice how frightened we children were of the old dress form. She decided to do something about it, then and there.

   Into a ragged cardboard box marked "Hallowe'en," she reached and with a flourish produced a grinning old papier mache jack o' lantern.
   "This lantern was such fun at Bogey Parades in the past," Mama explained. "I think now, it will make a perfect head for our dreaded dress form." With that, she plopped the lantern down where a head belonged.

   In another corner of the attic, Mama lifted the creaking lid of an enormous old trunk. After a few minutes of sorting and searching, out came a long dress all black and orange and flounces.

   "This old fashioned frock served Granny well at a Harvest Ball when she was but a girl," Mama exclaimed. "It's the perfect touch to finish off what we've started!"

   Mama took a few minutes to unfasten the many hooks and buttons contained in that old dress. Before too long, it was draped on the form, all buttons and hooks done up again. Mama gave a few adjusting tugs to the skirt and fluffed up the sleeves with her hands.

   She stood with her back to us for a moment, admiring her work. Then slowly. Mama turned and pointed a finger. Calmly and quietly, Mama declared ", I don't want you children to ever be frightened by this old dress form again. It's now touched with Mama's love and Granny's love and why, just look at it... she couldn't be a more jolly figure to run into, in the corner of an attic, could she?"

Best We Can Do Spring Sale

   All over the country, Spring is in the air and that can mean only one thing...

   It is time for the first Best We Can Do web sale of the year! This time around, the artists of Best We Can Do will be having a "little house" challenge. Whatever could that be, you might be wondering? Well, Spring is the time to open up the house after a long dark winter... airing out, sprucing up, and generally making ready for the beauty of the season to come. Come see how we  incorporate a "little house" in each of our creations.

  No FOOLING! April 1rst at 8:00 pm (est)

Don't be late... all items offered are first come, first served.

For more inf0, click: thebestwecando.com

A Little Teaser...

Join the jolly Gentleman Bunny and

the merry Milliner Maid

On April 1rst for the Best We Can Do web sale!

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