Back From The IFDC!

Ahh yes, it's fun to travel but it's more fun to be home again!
This year marked the 10th anniversary of Jim Faraone's IFDC held in Las Vegas at the Orleans Hotel and Casino.
It was packed with lots to do and in my offtime I played a lot of slots (which I love!) and drank a lot of hot chocolate from the new Java Coffee at the hotel.
Yah, hot chocolate...I gave up coffee 6 months ago when I started getting too jittery and signed my name like a doctor.

The lunches and dinners at the convention were fun and filled with table gifts of all types.
The first day was the "freebie big bag of goodies." A huge paper bag is placed on each table and when Jim says "GO" you rip into the bag and dump it out on the table and take what you want.
I have never seen so much horde in my life!
You name it, it was on the table; old doll heads, doll pieces, arms, legs, clothes, etc.
It was like an epsiode of CSI filmed in the Matel basement.
Then people are allowed to visit the other tables and pick through what they want.

Here's where it gets ugly and unfortunately, I couldn't get any pictures of the craziness.
I actually had to tightly grasp my camera and table gifts in my lap for fear someone would take them.
I swear if I had false teeth they would have held me down, pried my mouth open with a doll stand and before I could say "Polygrip", they would have been out my mouth and into someones purse.

The costumes at the convention were great. My favorite was Kevin Kilmer as Marilyn;

The picture doesn't do him justice, his makeup was impeccable!

Wednesday was also the competition day.
About 50 or so entries into all the different categories ranging from OOAK's to dioramas.
The theme was music through the ages.
I entered my OOAK Saturday Night Fever and my Dogboy rocker.
Dogboy won first place for his category;

I was going for monochrome of black and white, then after taking the picture, realized I forgot to paint his cue stick white...oh well.

After seeing Dogboy win first place I went over to my SNF and found he not only won first place for his 70's category, but won Judge's Choice!!!
I was absolutely shocked, then started jumping up and down as if I had won the California Lottery.

I was overwhelmed on Friday night when I found out I won People's choice for my doll as well!
Thanks to all of you who voted for me. It makes all the time and effort well spent.

Saturday night was the last night of the convention and three dolls were introduced from the new FR line "Shake Rattle and Roll." Two were "payfer" dolls and one was the convention doll.
I loved the convention doll aptly named "Long Cool Woman" a song from the Hollies;

She was a long cool woman in a black dress
Just a 5'9, beautiful tall
With just one look I was a bad mess
'Cos that long cool woman had it all

And yes she did!

A couple of battleaxes were overheard commenting that she was "showing too much cleavage."
I don't think so at all.
I have admired breasts since I was a baby.
She even had a "boob cake" made for me to celebrate my 18th birthday.
Um...thanks Ma!


A wonderful friend of mine, well known in the doll community as "Ovaz" was at our table.
He helped with the table decor for the Friday and Saturday night banquets.
He makes the most beautiful gowns and repaints I have seen.
Here is a (crooked) shot of the table and a gown he gave me-wow!

I freaked when I saw his girl  version of Saturday Night Fever, just awesome!
Check him out if you haven't already;
www.ovazdesigns.com

I want to thank Winfrey K., John B. and my Mom for being so supportive of my work and helping me get through the competition without having a nervous breakdown.
I would also like to thank my table host Mike and Jimmy for the fun and being such a gracious host.
A big thanks to Jim Faraone for the entire convention and also recognizing my hard work.

I leave you with "Creepy Doll of the Month."

                                                    I think I was bit by this in my sleep once