This is the last photo I took and I think it's my favorite. Tom Tierney and I, both trying to look our best. I had a chance to talk to Tom for a few minutes during the Artist Showcase. He was looking at everybody's work and he said that he just loved seeing all the different styles and techniques. "But then," he laughed, "I just go back and do my same old thing."
On Saturday night Lori was able to show a little more "skin" than I was. After all, her skin IS 20 years younger than mine. But we both had fun glitzing it up for the banquet. Earlier that afternoon we had purchased some gaudy necklaces from a street vendor down on the strip. My necklace had great big dollar signs on it and Lori's had a silver disco ball. Fun!!
Sorry for the glare on this one, but of course my relatives want to see the original art, and plexiglass doesn't photograph so well. "Baby Sarah" won a 2nd place ribbon in the category, "Original Art, Professional, Done by Competitor." Of course I'm NOT a professional artist, I'm a teacher by profession. But since I have received $$ for my work I have to compete as a professional. Baby Sarah is slated to appear in Contemporary Doll Collector in their April/May issue.
"Let's Play with the Baby" received a 3rd place ribbon in the category, "Babies and Children Paper Dolls, uncut, 1900-1950." The artwork was done by Louise Rumley. The set was published in 1948.
Joan and Bobby received a 3rd place ribbon in the category of "Babies and Children Paper Dolls, cut, 1900 to 1960." Queen Holden was the artist and the set was published in 1928.
David Wolfe gave a workshop on making headdresses or masks for the Saturday night banquet. Here we see a lively group totally immersed in the creative process. David passed out oodles of materials....feathers, sparkles, glitter, etc. Then he told us to "go crazy." It was an anything-goes kind of workshop and as you can see, we had a great time!
Meet Catherine Dobson, age 8. Catherine and her sister Isabella were special guests of their grandmother at this year's convention. And like me, they got to skip three days of school!! I met Catherine and Isabella during the Artist Showcase. They are both artists, too, and were interested in how I go about creating my paper dolls. On Friday morning Catherine came to my sales table and told her mother that she wanted the "ice skater" paper doll. Her mother made a mental note and Catherine came skipping over to my sales table later that afternoon with a big smile on her face, waving a $20 bill (my sets were $15). Let this remind us that sometimes paper dolls really ARE meant for children. Thanks, Catherine. You made my day!
Beverly Micucci and Elaine Paulson at their sales table on Friday. Elaine had a bunch of Betsy McCalls priced very reasonably. But of course I had left my list at home and didn't know which ones I had/needed. Hopefully we can get together via email and I can take some of them off her hands. 
Kwe-lin looks up from her sales table for a moment. It was exciting to see her first Dover publication, "Day of the Dead," which I purchased, along with her PD deck of cards.
Jan and Sam McKay are a special paper doll couple. Jan is an avid collector and we can always expect to see something unique from her in the competition. Sam is the ever supporting husband. He is known to load his van up with Jan and her PD friends and haul them all off to an antique mall or craft store. We love you, Sam!!
Pamela Brittenham has been to many conventions and PD parties, but I had not met her before. She is sweet and fun and is one of my newest paper doll friends. I had fun with you, Pam!
Lori is rooting through the crates on Friday in the sales room. Lori and I walked through several casinos on Saturday afternoon. We realized that we are exactly 20 years apart. She's 33 and I'm 53. But of course age doesn't matter when it comes to paper doll collectors.
