Patter from Patti

Playing with stamps

I'm always looking for fun gifts to make for people. Time is always a bit short around PMC Designs, so I like to come up with something that is quick to make, yet pretty. And, it always has to have some "bling".
As mentioned in an earlier post, I've made postcards, ATC's, journals, altered bags using my rubber stamps. While in New York City I met a delightful artist and she was making unique bookmarks from left-over scraps of fabric from her quilts. A light went on and when I came home I started making bookmarks.

Audine is inside a small book - 7-inches. Oh, and the book is by an artist I met at ComicCon this past Friday. Be sure to check out her website: http://www.christykane.com
Christy makes really unique more primitive dolls.

My "bookmarks" range from 8-inches to 9-inches depending on the face stamp I used. This grouping shows Audine, Jilianna, Valandrial and Banbury Cross Beth.
At my website I have a new offer. If people buy two, or more, of my rubber stamps I'll send the pattern to make the bookmarks.
Making the bookmarks is really easy. I used Pelmet Vilene, but Timtex, Peltex, Craft Pellon are all good choices. I appliqued the clothing, colored the faces and hair with a combination of Copic Markers (both Ciao and the large square markers) and colored pencils. I did learn to stamp the face first, then trace the bodies. Much easier, believe me.
How long does it take to make one of these? About 2 hours, tops. Of course, it depends on the amount of bling you add. I just used the hot-fix crystals and a few bits of fabric and lace here and there.

Family and dolls

Thursday, July 19, our youngest daughter, Heidi, and I drove up the highway to meet with some other family members. One of the hardest things for me was giving up my maiden name - Medaris. I come from this incredible family. So, those of us who are out here in California try to get together as often as we can. Which isn't often enough.

The picture shows, from left to right, me, Aunt Willie, Heidi, Bob(Aunt Willie's husband), Don and Brenda in the wheelchair. Brenda had her ankle rebuilt and has the most amazing hardware attached. She' s truly the Bionic Woman.
As you know, I love showing pictures people send me of dolls they've made from my patterns. Here's a couple more.

Debra Durkett made this stunning doll in pinks for a lucky young lady. And, this is Debra's first doll that she's made. This woman has major talent.

Jane McGowen, from New Zealand, interpreted some of the patterns from my books, but Jane has definitely found her own style of doll making. These are stunning pieces!

Please do send me photo's. I love seeing what you do with my patterns and books.

The Grandchildren

Our daughter sent more pictures of our two granddaughters. They are simply the cutest two on this earth!

Kayleigh will be one year old August 1. Big sister, Kieran, is 3 1/2 going on 25. She's quite the little fashion queen.

Kieran loves her little sister and especially loves helping her walk. Kayleigh is walking some and one of her favorite two word combinations is "All done!"

Heidi's adventures

Heidi arrived home for a short visit after spending 9 days on Corsica. She, and her friend Raphael, hiked part of the famous GR20 trail. I'm just glad I didn't know how much mountain climbing there was.


Heidi said it is beautiful with many waterfalls, pristine pools of water and breathtaking views from the mountain tops. I'll take her word for it.

Our oldest daughter found a picture of her at 7 mos. and had to share how closely Kayleigh looks like her at 7 mos.

I'm not sure why some of the photo's won't enlarge when you click on them. I'll have to find out from Typepad.

Cincinnati & Second Hand Lions

The Creative Festival is becoming one of our favorite places to catch up with friends. Barbara Willis, elinor peace bailey and myself continued our Flat Day on the Silly Side of the Sea. Betts Vidal and Sally Lampi couldn't join us in Cincinnati so we invited Karen Shifton and Judy Skeel to complete our fun group.

elinor is shown here sharing her quilt that is a memory of her life with Gary. Many of you know that Gary passed away last November.

Along with our presentation we each had a booth where we sold patterns, fabric, tools, etc. Most of the fabric you see in elinor's is Heather Bailey's new line. It is beautiful.

Barbara had fun sharing her love of all things vintage and fairyish.
My booth reflected my love of color, although I must make curtains to add more pizazz.

At each Creative Festival local doll clubs are invited to share their love of dolls. Here, the Doll Gatherer's exhibited dolls and sold patterns and doll pins.

After the show I drove to my home town and visited with my dad and uncle. One of their early evening pasttimes is picking off rabbits that wander near the garden. If you've seen the movie "Second Hand Lions" you'll appreciate this photo.

Correction to the June Happenings

One of the pictures didn't post. Of course, it was an "operator" error. In my excitement in sharing my trip to Connecticut and New Jersey I chose the wrong photo for the Garden State Artisans doll group. Here's the proper photo:

While I'm sharing, I'll show a couple dolls made from the class I taught at Carol Mitchell's in May. The Manhattan group chose Franalizia from my new book "Creative Cloth Doll Beading". Here are two beautiful dolls from that class:

June happenings

June was quite a busy month. I was able to go back to New York City and catch up with Carol Mitchell and see a couple more stores I missed in May. B&J Fabrics was magic! I fell in love with some of the most exquisite fabrics. Afraid all I could do was look. The ones I loved were over $600.00 a yard! I did find some interesting fabrics I bought. Nylon Web Organza was one I couldn't resist. That and some crinkle silk.

After shopping I went to Carols and Marilyn Halcomb, Lyn Huggins (from Australia) and Gloria Winer (from New Jersey) were there. We had a great evening talking dolls and fabrics.
The next day I was collected at the hotel and driven to Edison, NJ to a quilt show where I saw some fabulous dolls on display and met Beryl Taylor. More on that another time. Then it was off to Connecticut where I spent two terrific days with the Dolls with an Attitude doll club. We laughed, ate, sewed, stuffed, ate, drew, painted, ate....you get the picture. Dolls were almost finished.

Sunday evening I was whisked away and taken back to New Jersey. This time I was with the Garden State Artisans doll club. Another fun two days.

Both groups made me feel at home. I fell in love with everyone and every place. I can't wait to go back in January, although that time I'll be in New York City at The City Quilter. Hopefully, I'll get to see some of my friends.
Many people ask me if my dolls are hard to make. I tell them if they can sew, they can use most of my patterns. Here's a prime example of that. Doreen is with the first doll she ever made. She used my Dominique & Lesley pattern. I think her doll is perfect.
Until next time, keep making dolls, and quilts, and wearables, and journals, and.............