2022 UFDC Convention in St. Louis, MO - Timeless Treasures: Day 1

 Tuesday was the first official day of the convention. Kelsey, my travel doll, and I went to the mini-office for our 9AM-12PM shift. Being the first real day, there were lots of questions on where the rooms were for the seminars, workshops, and meal events; as well as the competition room, helper room, and sales room, and when they would open.

I had a lunch event that afternoon: Merrythought - A Boy and His Bear - Forever Friends. 

The table centerpiece. It was surrounded by little bottles of honey for each attendee.

Kelsey brought her teddy bear - Shellie May to the luncheon.

I was impressed with the healthy lunch that was served. It included a baby kale and blackberry salad,

salmon with green bean over grains, 

and a carrot cake with more berries. It all tasted soooo good.

John Port gave a sweet program about himself and his stuffed bears, Christopher Robin and his bear - Edward Bear, and various stuffed bears through the years based on Edward Bear/Winnie the Pooh.

Our souvenir is Little Edward Bear by Merrythought. I like that he just came in a bag, much easier to pack than a cardboard box.

Table favors included a red vest for the bear and a Merrythought passport.

After lunch, I walked through the ODACA sales room, bought Helper tickets, and checked out the Helper room. There were so many lovely items in there.

We had dinner, again, in the bar, and due to the looooooooong wait, missed the opening ceremonies. I was sad about that. It was my first time ever to miss them. And then we waited for the grand opening of the Sales room with 700+ other doll people.

It was a long and busy day, but a great start to the convention.

2022 UFDC Convention in St. Louis, MO - Timeless Treasures: Pre-Convention, part 2

 Monday morning, Kelsey and I once again headed to the Arch.

It was a beautiful, sunny day.

After taking some photos outside, I went inside and toured the Museum at the Gateway Arch. What is neat is that the museum has completely new and different exhibits, than when it was the Museum of Western Expansion (which I visited in 2010 or 2011). Doing some research, I found out that the museum was renovated, starting in 2015 and opened in 2018.

After exploring the museum, I checked out the gift shop (of course) and then had lunch at the Arch Cafe. I was... disappointed. If I was just expecting tourist site fast food, I would have been OK with it, but the online write up about the cafe had me expecting great things. Oh well. At least I got out of the hotel... it would be my last time until the convention ended.

That afternoon I checked into the convention and got my bag and packet and worked the first shift at the UFDC Mini-Office. It was a busy shift. Lots of convention attendees signing up for events, workshops, and seminars. And lots of confused people too. Luckily, the Mini-Office was there to help them.

After an invigorating 3 hours, I met up with my roommate, and we ended up at the bar, again. This time, Kelsey got to hang out with a friend too.

Then it was time for the Pre-Convention At Your Service Ice Cream Social and Fundraiser.

We were able to see and mingle with the other attendees who had already arrived and catch up with those we haven't seen in person in quiet a while. A low-stress way to prep for the next day.

2022 UFDC Convention in St. Louis, MO - Timeless Treasures: Pre-Convention

Last week was the 2022 UFDC Convention in St. Louis, MO - Timeless Treasures! If you have following my blog for a while, you know that I Looooove convention. 

This year my travel doll was Kelsey - a Siblie by Ruby Red Galleria. Here she is sitting on my backpack at the airport as we waited for our flight to St. Louis.

After a few delays, we arrived  and headed to the hotel. I am pleased to say that we had a decent view of the Arch.

Once I dropped my bags in the room, I knew I needed to get some dinner, so I decided to check out the Arch Cafe. When I got to the Arch, I discovered that the cafe was closed for the evening. I was a bit disappointed, but took advantage of the quiet evening to snap some pics.

Kelsey and Thomas Jefferson.

Kelsey in front of the Arch.

The Arch.

Kelsey in front of The Old Courthouse.

Having decided that I had sweltered in the summer heat enough, I headed back to the hotel to eat at the hotel bar - Brewhouse Historical Sports Bar. What makes it historical? I don't know. Maybe it refers to St. Louis's history of brewing?

Being pre-con, I only had a short wait to be seated. Kelsey kept me company, since otherwise I'd be on my own. Right after my dinner was served, more doll friends joined me for the evening. The food was OK, and the portions were large.

The beer was decent and refreshing after a long hot day.

Then back to the room I went to unpack and get a good night's sleep in preparation for the next day.

Ruby Red Galleria - Siblies

 The one doll I bought in the UFDC Convention Sales Room is Kelsey, a Siblies doll by Ruby Red Galleria.

The Siblies are 12 inches tall and are meant to be the younger siblings of the Ruby Red Fashion Friends.

There are currently 5 Siblies dolls.

She is so very cute and comes dressed in a great outfit. Her orange hip-pack opens and has space for her to store small items.

I think her face-mold is the same as, or really close, to Merry's (a Little Darling doll) face-mold (in the yellow).

Many of the Ruby Red Fashion Friends have Dianna Effner molds, so I wouldn't be surprised.

Unlike my Little Darling doll, Kelsey has joints at her elbows and knees. This allows her a bit more flexibility in her posing.

Kelsey and Merry are ready for the first day of school - tomorrow. And so am I.

Dolly & Me By the Sea: UFDC 72nd Annual Convention 2021 - Baltimore, MD - Part 6

 Wednesday, July 21st.

Like Monday, I made my way straight to the UFDC Mini-Office after getting up in the morning. While we were swamped by a crowd upon opening on Monday, it was much calmer on Wednesday.

In the afternoon I met up with the other members of our Little Darling Outfit Exchange group, and we gave each other the outfits we made. (Most of them, two were still WIPs.) It was so much fun to actually be able to hang out with each other in person.

Another convention friend took a photo of us all together and let me post it here.

We then all went to the Region 11 Gathering. Our Regional director welcomed us and went over some information, and then members told us about upcoming club events. There were even door prizes - everyone present received one. 

That evening I was a table host at the one paid event I signed up for this convention, the Ruby Red Galleria "Love on the High Seas" dinner. 

The table hosts arrived early and set up the centerpieces, companion doll, and table gifts.

The tables looked perfect.

The table gifts I gave to my table mates were crocheted sweaters that fit the Ruby Red Galleria Lia doll.

Merry accompanied me, as usual, this time in her new sailor romper that I sewed especially for the convention. She felt so chic.

After a delicious dinner of crab cakes and a cute and entertaining program, the event was almost over.

The centerpiece was given away to a lucky attendee at each table, and chances to purchase the companion doll were raffled off. Most attendees who wanted one were able to purchase them, since we had 19 available.

Then it was that time - time to pass out the boxes and reveal the souvenir doll.

She is absolutely adorable in her Lolita Sailor outfit. I think that everyone was pleased with her.

The shoes are awesome and next level!

At the end of the evening I got a photo of Merry with her new friend, "Love on the High Seas" Lia.

Table gift swag - everyone was very generous.

A better look at my sweaters.

Finally, I said good night to the dolls and went to bed.

To be continued in Part 7.