Patter from Patti

New book and dolls

This past week the editors at Rockport/Quarry emailed me a copy of the cover of my new book,  "Creative Cloth Explorations".  It is beautiful!

As an author working on a book you really have no idea what the end result is going to look like.  Through the years working with my publisher I've learned that they know what is best and have trusted them to create a cover that truly shows what the inside is all about. 

I think this book is the best yet, as far as the lay-out and cover.  We've finished the final editing and I hope the book will be released in early January.  You'll be able to order it from all the usual places - DollmakersJourney.com;  Joggles.com;  Amazon.com;  Rainbowsilks.com (UK); Annesglorybox.com.au (Australia), etc.

Going through my files in Photoshop I've found pictures of dolls people have made from my books.  This is a photo from Jayne of her version of Franalizia in my Creative Cloth Doll Beading book.

This is a beautiful doll.  Jayne's talent really shines through.  Especially on the face.  Absolutely perfect.  I love the beadwork and the treatment on her hair and bodice. 

Wilma Simmons in New South Wales (Australia) teaches beading classes at Anne's Glory Box in Hamilton.  Recently Wilma has been using my rubber stamps and creating beautiful mermaids.

Most of Wilma's beadwork are necklaces and you can see how she's used two different face rubber stamps of mine then created bodies and neck straps from fabric and beads.  Stunning.

Over the next few days I'll be going through my files and finding more photo's you all have sent.  I love sharing your work with those who come here to read what's new at PMC Designs.

New doll

Welcome to my answer to the popular BJD's (ball-jointed dolls).

Mikaela is an 18-inch all-cloth doll.  She's holding a wee 7-inch cloth doll.  I felt she needed a little friend.  You'll find her pattern on my website under Patterns.

This was a fun doll for me to create.  I had a great time drawing and coloring the large eyes that are often found on the commercial ball-jointed dolls. 

My version uses wooden beads that are hidden inside her limbs.  This creates a smooth look, plus ease in movement of the arms and legs. 

The pattern includes many step grey scale photo's along with drawn illustrations to help in the making of the doll.  There is also a color close-up photo of her face to help you create the same look as I did. 

As time goes on I'll be designing more clothing for Mikaela.  The clothes in the pattern are all removable.  I've decided to add her to my growing fashion doll patterns.  One of my favorite things to do is design clothing.  I can't design for myself, but I can for my dolls.

Stay tuned for more fashions.

The other newest item on my website is a rubber stamp for Queen Jorinda.  As many of you know my stamps are pressed by Ready Stamps, a division of the United Cerebral Palsy Foundation.  I love the fact that they are here in San Diego so I can go visit often.

This stamp comes from my other new pattern that is an art folder.  Queen Jorinda is on the cover of the folder, but is also a scissor case.  But, the rubber stamp can be used for anything you want.  You'll find the stamp under Rubber Stamps on my website.

Hope the Summer has been good for all of you.  We've had drop dead gorgeous weather here in San Diego.  Maybe that is why I've been in the design mode.

Toodles,
Patti

Learning about Widgets through a book

As you can see, I added a Widget to my blog.  I had no idea what that would do and am blown away at how easy it was. 
I've finished reading Stephenie Meyer's first book "Twilight".  When I went to her website I saw a movie will soon be released.  Went to that website and saw I could add a Widget and Typepad was listed. 
Living with a family who's roots are from Transylvania I have been fascinated with vampires.  This surprises many of my friends at church.  But, it's just like any other fantasy story.  Stephenie's books are charming and very sweet.  Yes, there are bad vampires, but the ones you get to know in "Twilight" are good ones.  Mostly.  I'm not saying another word.  Just go buy the book and read it.

Movies

New doll and family stuff

We've had some of the best times lately.  Heidi's fiance', Raphael, came to meet John.  We took the opportunity to have a party so as many family and friends as possible could meet our future son-in-law.

Bob Hirsch, our friend and photographer (who takes all the photo's for my books), took these photo's. Bob says our backyard is perfect for photo's and this photo of Raphael and Heidi is beautiful.

We had Jack, my sister's husband, read the Banns of Marriage.  This is a tradition that goes way back to the 9th Century.  Generally, after the engagement is announced the Banns are read during a church service 3 consecutive Sundays 3 to 4 months before the wedding date.   Heidi and Raphael will be married in October, so July was exactly 3 months before the wedding.  It really is a wonderful tradition.  Too bad it isn't done much anymore.

I had to include this photo.  That is me in between our neighbor Tom and his son, Kyle.  Kyle is going into his Senior year in high school.  I used to take care of him when he was a little guy.  Yes, he was once shorter than me.  What's sad, is I do have heels on and I was standing on a bump in our yard.  Oh, well.  Not all of us can be tall. 
   
John and I are very happy for Heidi.  Raphael is a delight.  And, he's the IT guy at her school so he was able to upgrade my iPhone!  We're excited to have someone who understands computers in our family.  But, that isn't the only reason we like him.  He's smart, funny, interesting and mostly loves our daughter.  Raphael, we're so happy you will be a part of our family.

As mentioned in the Title of this post, I've been working on a new design.  Now that my new book is in its final editing  mode I have some time to work in the studio on ideas that have been floating around in my head.

I'm in love with the Japanese ball-joint dolls, but I can't afford one.  I love the fashions they wear and the fact that you can change their clothes.  So, I've come up with my own version, but made in all cloth.  She's got ball joints which are wooden beads hidden under the cotton fabric in her knees, ankles, elbows, wrists and shoulders.

Her clothes can be changed, just like the porcelain ball-joint dolls, and she's got the large eye look of the Japanese dolls.  But, she's uniquely mine.

She still needs her gloves and something to hold, so she's not quite finished.  I'm in the process of writing the pattern and hope to have her ready for doll makers out there next week.   My plan is to create various outfits for her, just like the Japanese dolls, only mine will be patterns and a lot less money.  She also needs a name.  I've been throwing around - Rebecca,  Evangeline, Madeleine, Noel.  When she's finished I'll know what her name should be.  So, stay tuned.