One World One Heart 2011! A Drawing! A Giveaway! A Discovery!

Come join the journey! One World One Heart 2011 is in full swing and after seeing so many wonderful and creative posts I just had to join in the blog hop fun!  So what's it all about?  It's a chance to take a creative journey and discover talented artists throughout the world and just by flying by, leaving a comment it's also a chance to win some awesome giveaways.  So I'd love if you joined me here for a chance to win my inspired entry into the One World One Heart Blog Hop. An original, hand signed and framed Pop Art Mini

"Bear-ing A Heartfelt Gift"

This little guy has a heart shaped world in his hands!

Here's a little about me

I love creating...anything! I turn even the simplest task into an artistic and creative endeavor. So I would definitely say that I have an artsy side that sometimes takes over in all aspects of my life...and I LOVE it! I've always got sometime buzzing around in my head that just can't wait to materialize on paper, canvas or even a wall or two! I love creating fun and fantastical themes in bright, bold colors and expressive lines . . . almost in an illustrative style! I also have a softer side that sometimes comes out in my pastel paintings, although with my Pop Art Minis "art-venture" the softer side has been somewhat subdued by the more bold and colorful side of my artistic personality! :) Oh, and when I'm not creating my oil pastel drawings you can find me dipping candles, crafting and creating with anything that sparkles and working on the product development of some amazing dollies. Or as I like to say, "I'm the stylist to the dolls".

So what do you have to do to be entered for YOUR chance to win?
A. It's open to all active bloggers worldwide

B. Leave a comment and please make sure there is a way for me to contact you if you win.
C.  Please leave your blog so that I can visit you as well. 

D. The winner will be announced Feb. 17th and the lucky person's name will be posted on my blog and I will contact you via your blog or email as left on your post. 

Want to join in the fun...check it out by clicking on the pic below!

Thanks so much for stopping by...I'd love if you would follow my blog and I'll be sure to fly by your blog and follow you back!

Looking forward to discovering lots of new talent!
You can view a complete list of artists participating HERE!

Gotta Love A SWEET Treat...Always ROOM for a Bright IDEA!

I'm a sucker for a sweet treat! hehehe!

I love The Idea Room! It's an awesome blog and you can bet you'll always find some creative, crafty and super bright ideas when you drop by!  So with the kick off to that sweet treat month that hosts that heartfelt holiday we call Valentine's Day I just couldn't resist sharing a sweet treat idea that I found in the The Idea Room!  

I definitely think this little heart of mine is in love with this idea! How about YOU?

Bright, Colorful, Creative FUN! Daisy Doodle Days...Adora-Belle and IDEX!

Today is the last day at the IDEX Doll andTeddy Bear Show and we've had an awesome time "playing with dolls" plus a whole lot more...

"Twitter Time" with all of our amazing dolly friends...YOU ALL ROCK!

Seeing all of our Dolly Retailer's and collector Friends that were able to attend the show! (Wish YOU All could have been here...maybe next year when the show moves to Sea World...FUN! Yeah, let's all plan on coming...hehehe)

(Judy from Judy's Dolls with "It's Been a Hoot" and her "hoots" DOTY! Hooot-hooot!)

Dolly Signings and GREAT Dolly Giveaways

Artist Jen Printy with Lil' Cowboy...hehaw...what a giveaway dolly!

And...we can't forget those awesome SHOW Specials...The Colorful and Crazy Mop Top Bags and Our darling IDEX exclusive Adora Belle Daisy Doodle Days!

What a Face! Adora-Belle

When you collect ALOTA dolly's you need ALOTA Mop Top Bags!

Adora Belle Daisy Doodle Days!  Limited Edition of only 50 dollys! Crazy Cool!

So with only a few more hours left before we pack up the dolly's for their trip to the New York Toy Fair and head back to California I'm signing off with a wishes for you to have a Daisy Doodle Day!

Live Bright, Colorful and creative...oh, and remember you're never too old to play with dolls!

Whooohooo! 8 DOTY'S...Walking On Sunshine!

It's been an amazing and fun time here at the Doll & Teddy Bear show in Orlando, Florida. We debuted all of our new collections of dolly's, met with some of our wonderful retailer's, conversed and twittered with our fantastic collector's and the icing on the cake...the cherry on top that makes all of the hard work to get to this point even more special...we were awarded 8 DOTY (Doll of the Year) Industry Choice Awards at the IDEX Debut of Dolls Ceremony last night!  WOW! We were "walking on sunshine" here in sunny Florida for sure!  So here's a share of the winning beauties that took home one of these

And a shout out to the artists that we work with to make our dolly's make you "wanna play dolls"!  THANKS to Doll Reader Magazine and our fellow doll maker peers for recognizing our beautiful dolly's! 

For the Marie Osmond Doll Collection

Little Lovey by Artist, Lorella Falconi

Charming, sweet and absolutely lover-ly!

It's Been A Hoot by Artist, Karen Scott

Whoooo could resist those big green eyes?

Journey by Artist Karen Alderson

Paisley prints and golden curls...a journey of fantastical fun!

Adora Bitty Belle Lively Lucy by Artist Marie Osmond

A bitty bit of cuteness with unruly Adora-belle hair! :)

For the Adora Doll Collection

Black Velvet

Raven hair, big brown eyes, velvet and polka dots...irresistable!

Wizard of Oz - Cowardly Lion

A courageous vinyl toddler officially "good witch" approved!

For the Paradise Galleries Collection

Bundle of Joy by Artist Pat Moulton

A fully articulated ball joint doll...the first of it's kind!

Baby Red Riding Hood by Artist Kathy Smith-Fitzpatrick

An adorable vinyl toddler doll with an expression oh, so sweet no big bad wolf could ever take advantage of her! hehehe

And that my friends is why we are "walking on sunshine"!

Next stop for the dolly's...Toy Fair! Wonder what adventure awaits us there!?

Set UP Day At The Doll & Teddy Bear Show...Wanna Play Dolls?

Today was the official "set Up" day at the Doll & Teddy Bear Expo in Orlando, Fl. which is being held at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort.  I'm happy to report that we were able to get a pretty early start and the day seemed to move along quickly...maybe in part because our helper-friend, Misty brought us some awesome homemade chocolate! 

Everything seems to be better, quicker and easier when chocolates involved! hehehe!

Before long we had all the dolly's out of the boxes, crates, bags and paper...the IKEA display (which sometimes can give us fits) went together in record time and the Adora Dolly Collection was proudly displayed on the shelves.

The Mop Top Crate display "zipped" together and the "wild-hair" Adora-ble cuties were playfully posed and ready for action.

The Emerald City graphic was wisked out of the box and put in position...why you'd almost think that it was time to ease on down the yellow brick road with all of the officially licensed Adora Wizard of Oz characters...too fun!

Peggy working a little "stylin' magic on our friend Dorothy!

The debut collection of the all new 4Ever Friends Collection were posed

 and positively too cute as they stood in front of the new logo (@sanclemenTbetty rocked the graphics!)

 

The Adora Playtime Babies "gondola" display was a perfect fit for all of the fun-size baby dolls. 

Celebrating 20 years of dolls the Marie Osmond beauties were cool and collectible in front of the "warholized" graphic of Marie herself!  Breathtaking!

All in all the booth went together pretty quick and easy!  We're ready and waiting to get the dolly show off and running bright and early tomorrow morning!  I'll be posting pix and tweeting live from the show floor so be sure to follow along or stop by our booth #600 at the IDEX Doll and Teddy Bear Show so you can join in all the dolly fun! 

Wishing you a day of jolly teddy bear and dolly fun!

Diet Coke, Lorna Doone's and Blogger!

First night in Orlando, Florida after traveling from Cali for the IDEX -Doll & Teddy Bear  Show! We arrived late this afternoon and are just taking it easy tonight in preparation for tomorrow...the big set up day!  There will be lots of careful unpacking of the adorable dolly's that made the journey via crate...I'm sure they're gonna need some major styling after that ride.  So, for now I'm spending a cozy night in my room with a Diet Coke, Lorna Doone's (a fave) and Blogger!

Stay tuned and follow along as we unveil all of our amazing new dolls from Charisma Brands, Marie Osmond Dolls, Adora Dolls, and Paradise Galleries and we ask the question "Wanna Play Dolls?"

Oh, and I'd love it you followed my blog...just click and join the rest of the "cool peeps"...yeah, right there on the right hand column...come on...it'll be fun! hehehe!

I WON! I WON! Take A Look At My Awesome Blog Candy from Artist, Lisa Griffin!

A BIG THANKS to artist and Hive friend Lisa M. Griffin for the awesome Blog Candy package that arrived on my doorstep a few days ago.  If you haven't seen Lisa's work you really must check out her blog to see all of her "awesomeness".   She's a creative artist that not only can paint and draw, but does some amazing beadwork too!  And I was lucky enough to win won of her "Blog Candy" giveaway goodie packages that included a little bit of everything she does ! Just LOOK . . . WOW!

A beautiful 3x3 Original Watercolor Illustration...signed too!

An  "Emerald Rose" beaded book thong! Yeah, how cool is that!

A fun greeting card with the cutest bunny and fairy illustration...LOVE!

Thanks again Lisa for the SWEET Blog Candy! I am one Lucky Ducky!

They're DONE! Meet Billy, Buffy, Bruiser and Bucky...a Bunch of Colorful Characters!

"The Adventures of the Besties"

A colorful bunch of characters

whose names all start with B

Billy, Buffy, Bruiser, Bucky. . .

best pals for you and me.

Balloons held high up in the sky,

let the adventures begin

Cause when these four get together

the fun will never end!

From pencil sketch of 3

Oh, wait...where's Bucky...now that makes 4!

Now a perfect group of friends let the color adventure begin

Big eyes and stunning smiles! hehehe

A close up of Bruiser and Bucky hanging on to their balloons.

And not to be outdone here's a close up of  Billy and Buffy Smiling ear to ear!

I'm thinking these four characters just might show up again soon. 

Have an idea for their next adventure?  A story they could star in? hehehe

I'd love to hear your ideas!

D.I.Y. Makeover! From A $10.00 Flea Mkt. Find To My "Crafty-Station-Table Thingy"!

"The Crafty-Station-Table-Thingy"

I decided that it was time to create an official "Craft Station" within my nest.  So after hunting around the house for something that might work and coming up empty handed it was off to the local Sunday Flea Market.  After walking the entire grounds and still not finding what I was looking for we decided to make one last sweep and low and behold...there it was...tucked back in the back of a booth...covered with boxes of patterns, ornaments and other "junk", oops, I mean treasures!  I approached with caution, not wanting to seem to eager.  Gave it the look...asked the price and the answer came back $20.00! WHAT!?!  Ok, this was gonna take a little more "pointing out" the flaws of the piece to get it to the price I wanted to pay and after a few more minutes we were all in agreement the "crafty-station-table-thingy" was mine for $10.00! YAY! 

So we loaded up the truck and headed back to the house so that I could get the project started! Full steam ahead!

And NOW we get to the good stuff...the pix...the before and the "Happily Ever After"!  Ok, that might be getting just a little carried away! LOL  But, I am happy with the results and it fit perfectly into my studio "nesting" space.  So give it a "look-see" and let me know what you think.  I'm thinking..."Let The Crafting Begin!"  SMILES!

Home and ready for the make-over!

A little elbow grease for the clean up.

A little sanding to take off the shine and so the paint would stick better.

A light coat of the black spray paint to prime.

A little more paint...it's starting to look like a new table!

And some more...guess what? I ran out of paint and had to run out for more...eeeek! Took 3 cans. I totally underestimated. 

Almost done!

We've got COMPLETE!  YAY!!!

A couple sheets of 12"x12" scrapbook paper for a drawer liner. Perfect!

Now up to my nest and let the staging begin!

PERFECT FIT! But, looking a little bare! Not for long...

Filling some containers with my stash...Christmas goodies here! (the basket was a thrift store find for $4.00...what a bargain!)

An old hat box was perfect for my Valentine stash!

File folder holder for scrapbook paper and two paper totes I picked up at Big Lots for $.20 each (Christmas Clearance...can't go wrong for that price...hehehe)

12"x12" corkboard square...for tiny bulletins!

And there you have it...my ALL NEW "Crafty-Station-Table-Thingy" ready for some crafting fun to begin! 

Here's a few more pix of the rest of the room and how everything looks all put together.  Excited to get to crafting and creating!

View from the door..."wanna craft"?

A birds-eye view..."my nest"...get it! Ok, corny I know!

My drawing table...it's already made friends with the new craft station...I think they're gonna make a perfect pair! LOL

So there you have it...my $10.00 Flea Market Find that awaits it's first craft project...hhhmmmm...wonder what that should be.