Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Cruising To Wonderland Feb 25, 2011

Cruising To Wonderland - Leaving from Ft Lauderdale February 25 - March 5, 2011
Come and join the fun!!!! Take class from all three teachers and go home with three totally different dolls.

Monday, September 13, 2010

Southern Grasshopper!


He loved having his picture taken...

Bellingrath Gardens Mobile, Alabama



Beautiful gardens at Bellingrath Gardens. Nothing like being home and seeing these wonderful oak trees dripping with spanish moss. Swee Home Alabama!

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Organizing My Books

I thought I would share this book organization project

For the last several months I have been a busy beaver cataloging all my books that have seem to multiply. Of course, if I would stop ordering, this would not be the case. So, it was time to catalog and stop ordering the same book twice or not finding them at all within the masses of books.

I would like to share with you how I went about doing this. I first categorized all the books. For example: Beading, Bead Embroidery, Jewelry, Wire Works (Green), Crafts (Black), Doll Making (Purple/Blue), Dover Books (Yellow/Blue), Drawing (Red/Purple), Fashions (Yellow/Red) etc. I can tell you I had books everywhere. I didn’t realize how many books I had and had several doubles too.

I also color coded all the books according to the category with large adhesive dots which I cut in half when there were two colors for the category. Now, from there I set-up a “Home Library” folder in Excel and logged all the books within their own file. I set-up the file with these headings: Title, Author, Category, Cover Type, Condition, Notes. You can go further and add the ISBN# but I had so many books to enter that I felt this would be enough for me.

Now I can go to my computer and check before I order a book and if I pull a book out I just have to look at the color dots and they go back into that section. I generally don’t lend my books but if that would happen I can make a note for that book on my computer plus put a post it note in that grouping to remind me one is missing.

I know this seems like a big undertaking but I just set it up that I would do so many over a weekend. It feels good to have the books in order and in place. I hope this helps someone that is dealing with lots of books to keep in order
Until the next time….

Art Within Art Calendar Project

The Gift


A Fish Tale
I have come to the end of my commission project. "A Fish Tale" is the cover for the calendar. Now to work on the next calendar which will be a larger format. I hope you have enjoyed the posting.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Isabella with her birthday dress



Isabella is her new name. She is now finished with her hair and body painted. To celebrate her arrival she is wearing her new birthday dress.

It is all about the heart...

Heart n' Soul
Well, I guess you know what month this one is going in. I am almost at the end of my journey for the 2011 calendar.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Artistic Doodle Journey

Entangled
I am on a roll right now trying to finish my 13 images for a calendar. Enjoy!

Artistic Doodle in Color

Kaleidoscope

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Artistic Doodle Summer Drawings

Fantasy Garden
I am now using a different paper for my drawings, which is giving me some really clean lines.
More to come...

Sunday, July 11, 2010

My Artistic Doodle Journey

My journey continues...

My New BJD - Painted



I just had to share my new BJD all dolled up. I sent her to get her face painted, nails and toes french manicured and to give her body a blush. I can't wait to get her home to start making some outfits. Yes, it is her in all three pictures. Amazing what wigs will do.

Artistic Doodle - Color

Color in motion through my artistic doodle.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Montreal Zoo




I took these pictures last year at a Montreal zoo. Aren't they magnificent animals? I can't wait to go back to the zoo this year.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Artistic Doodle Journey #5

Here is my 5th one completed. When I start one of these little "jewels" I never know were they will take me. I am always surprised at the end. I think one of the most exciting thing for me, besides completing the piece, it to achieve a good balance with the different patterns. It really becomes a challenge.

My Artistic Doodle Journey

The best part of this journey is that I am able to start each piece and finish it within 3 days. Yes, it does take hours but it is very rewarding when I see the finised piece. There will be more to come. Actually I need 9 more to complete my commission.

Blast from the 60's

I never thought I would see these again. May daughter did a great job of keeping them safe.



Blast from the 60's

I was recently visiting my mother in Alabama and my daughter, who is now 38, said that she had come across my old Barbie's. I could not believe that she still had them. They are over 45 years old and in wonderful shape. It was tons of fun sitting looking through all the clothes and accessories. It really brought back many memories. My grandkids, 16 and 9, really got a big kick out of seeing the clothes that I had designed and made. Yes, I really played with them!




Saturday, June 12, 2010

My Artistic Doodle

This is the first one of a series of 12. I still have to do the shadowing and it will be done.

Sitting Pretty Waitng For Her Dress


I just could not resist to take her without any clothes. I am in awe of how beautifully she has been sculpted.

Friday, June 11, 2010

My First BJD - Its Arrival

I ordered my BJD from Korea on April 24th and have been checking weekly to see if she had shipped. Finally, Monday I got the notice that she was on her way. IT ARRIVED TODAY!!!! I am so excited and she is as beautiful as I had pictured her on the Dollstown site. She came in a cardboard box which was protecting the pretty blue doll box.

She was packaged beautifully in bubble wrap and they had her laying on a pretty white pillow, which I thought was clever. What was a surprise is how heavy she was.

From Montreal she goes to Toronto to get her face, hands and feet painted and when she returns she will get eyes, hair and an outfit, which are waiting for her when she makes it back home. I will continue to post progress pictures of her journey.











Thursday, June 10, 2010



Come join Patti Medaris Culea, Cyndi Mahlstadt, and Adele Sciortino on an exciting 11-day, 10 night doll-making cruise. We’ll sail to the southern Caribbean destinations of Labadee, Haiti; Cartagena, Colombia; Colon, Panama; Limon, Costa Rica; and Grand Cayman on Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas.
February 25- March 7, 2011
Departing from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Cruise Itinerary:
Day 1 Depart Ft. Lauderdale

Day 2 Cruising

Day 3 Labadee, Haiti

Day 4 Cruising

Day 5 Cartagena, Colombia

Day 6 Colon, Panama

Day 7 Puerto Limon, Costa Rica

Day 8 Cruising

Day 9 George Town, Grand Cayman

Day 10 Cruising

Day 11 Ft. Lauderdale

Package Includes:11-night Royal Caribbean Cruise Food & Entertainment Workshops with any teacher
Doll ChallengeShow & Tell evening event
Extra afternoon activity with a special guest
Group photo Mad Hatter Hat Night

The cost of the cruise starts at a little over $1500.00 per person, which includes the cruise fare, port charges, government taxes and fees, gratuities and workshops with any teacher. For companions not interested in the workshops that fee is deducted. They can attend any of the social functions if desired.

Our theme this year is Alice in Wonderland. Cyndi,Patti and Adele are creating dolls based on their love of the new movie and the books. And, as you saw in the listing above, we will have a Mad Hatter Hat contest, so put your thinking caps on for the type of wacky hat you’d like to wear.

Pre and Post night hotel stays, airline reservations, hotel/ship transfers, will also be arranged based on your specific requirements. Other fun activities will be announced at a later date.

Our wonderful leader is again Barbara Roby. She’s worked her magic and blocked the best cabins on the ship for our group.

Space in classroom sessions are limited so CALL NOW and confirm your spot.
Barbara can normally be reached by phone between 10:00A and 5:00P pacific time weekdays. And you may email me at anytime barbara@brtravelservices.com
Barbara Roy 925-246-5707
BR Travel Services 1989 Santa Rita Rd St
Pleasanton, CA 94566

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

My Artistic Doodles


My Artistic Doodles Enjoy!!!