Patter from Patti

Fun Dolls

Today I'm going to share some really beautiful dolls made from my patterns and books.  First, though, I'll show a couple of my dolls that are looking for new homes.

Arien was created for my first book "Creative Cloth Doll Making".  She's 18-inches in height and is made from 100% cotton that has been hand-dyed by myself.

Her clothing is created using several techniques.  Her velvet skirt was colored using Shiva Paintstiks on nappy liners (diaper liners) that was then heat transferred to the velvet.  The bodice is made from silk chiffon with sleeves hand-knit.  Her wings, shoes and wrist cuffs are free motion machine lace work and Tyvek beads finish her embellishments.

If interested, contact me via email and give me your phone number.  I'll call you and arrange payment and shipping.

Arien is $500.00, which includes mailing and insurance.

The other doll looking for a new home is Calypso Caly.  She's also 18-inches in height and made from 100% cotton batik.  Part of her body and clothing are made from collaged fabrics that include Angelina, silk fibers, yarns, lace, trims, etc.  Her face is a combination of water colors and applique.  Hand embroidery and beadwork add to her embellishments.

Caly was created for a cruise I taught on 6 years ago.  She's been a .pdf pattern, but that has been retired.  When my patterns are retired, the sample dolls go to new homes.

Caly is $350.00, which includes mailing and insurance costs.

One final thing regarding PMC Designs and that is my Dazzling Daze 2010.  It will be Jan. 11-14 and will be held at Angel Landing in Julian, CA.  This is a fabulous Inn set on 53 acres of pristine land.  A very special place to create and relax.  For details contact me.

As you know, I love it when people send me photo's of dolls they've made from my designs.  Here are a few I'd like to share with you.
Barb Tomczak made this wonderful doctor doll from various body parts from several of my books.  I love the expression on the face and how it reflects the real person.  Barb had a photo of the doll and a picture of the doctor the doll was representing, but I couldn't get it to transfer well.

The doll on the right is a first doll.  Sheridan purchased my Frances Elizabeth, Mary Belle and Davey Bob pattern and this is her version of Frances Elizabeth.  I love the colors used and the dress is darling.  I also think her face is really good.  Especially for a first doll.

The photo to the left is of a friend and her family.  Valerie (the mom in pink in the front) used to stay with our girls when they were little and she also taught them piano.  Valerie, at a very young age, has been diagnosed with colon cancer and has had surgery removing, they believe, all the cancer.  She's undergoing chemo treatment to make sure no cancer cells are lurking elsewhere.  I'm adding her blog to my favorite blog links.  Valerie wants to make sure we all have regular screens for all kinds of cancer.
Soon, I'll be adding another blog created by a freind battling breast cancer.  So, all of you, do get regular check-ups and eat healthy.

Doll Making Classes

The weekend of June 27th I was with the Sisters of the Cloth: Order of the Flying Needle.  This is a dynamic doll group in the Manhattan Beach area of Los Angeles County.  Their members come from all over the county and meet in Manhattan Beach.  They chose my Penny Cassandra pattern as a class.  It was terrific seeing all the different fabrics chosen for this sewing caddy doll.  But, what I loved was their challenge.  They received a packet of fabric and were to make a doll with the theme My Inner Juanita.

The variety of dolls is truly unique to this group.  You can see a sock monkey at the far left, along with more "normal" cloth dolls.

With the heritage of southern California being Mexican you can see why this theme was chosen.  And, the colors are my favorite - primaries and bright.

The Sisters had asked me to judge the challenge.  This was extremely hard for me to do as each doll was beautifully made.  So, everyone was a winner.  Along with the prizes pulled together for the challenge we found enough other goodies to give to each person who participated.

To see larger images just click on the photo's.

The 3 phases of Freda Kahlo's life was a true work of art. 

Looking at the dolls you can see why it was hard to judge.

This shows a few of the members working hard on the beaded flower for Penny Cassandra. 

The Sisters of the Cloth have a retreat each January at a beautiful place in Temecula, California.  This next January Cyndi Mahlstadt will be the teacher.  I'm going to have to join the Sisters so I can be guaranteed a spot at the retreat.

While in Manhattan Beach our daughter and son-in-law arrived from Belgium.  Raphael had a conference he had to attend in Anaheim.  Heidi flew on down to San DIego.  She and her dad had a good weekend of catching up before I arrived Sunday night after the class.  Monday we went to the Del Mar Fair.  One of our favorite things to do in the summer.

Each year the fair has a theme.  This year it was Music Mania.  The robot you see with Heidi (on the left) and Laura (on the right) was one of the attractions.  Actually, one of the attractions promoting the many celebrities performing at the fair.

If you are ever in San Diego from the middle of June to the weekend of July 4th, do go to the fair.  My favorite exhibits are the gardens and the Home Arts.  But, I do hit the vendor areas, too.  My kitchen is full of gadgets purchased each year at the fair.

Everyone have a safe and fantastic 4th of July.

Happy Birthday America!