Patti LaValley Designs

Susie O Stash!

2012-01-21T09:43:00.000-08:00

Recently jean Peters from the Stitchin Times Doll Club in Eugene, Oregon came into possession of the bulk of Susana Oroyan's odds and ends stash to distribute to her club and charity. She was so kind as to send me a box of some of Susie's stash from her studio which included a doll! And a couple of clay masks too! I will probably hoard the items, but may make a tribut doll with some of the fabrics and trims someday.

Roxie and her Sock Monkey

2012-01-21T09:39:00.000-08:00

This is a doll I made for Dollstreet Morgue Challenge. We were to make a doll from our body parts we had on hand, reject heads, legs, arms, etc from other projects. The head and body I had from prototypes for a commissioned doll. I found a pair of arms, and very skinny legs which I added some paperclay to for bulk. Yeprz, she does indeed have a very large head!

Katie the Kiter

2012-01-21T08:27:00.000-08:00

This is a whimsical little doll t hat I made from my Imperess pattern. Actually the head and body were from some of the prototype pieces I made. I created this coll for a kiting event in January, there is a dinner and raffle after the indoor fly. Sadly, we were snowed in and could not attend. Well, she will visit with me until next year.

Maori Warrior

2012-01-21T06:42:00.000-08:00

This is a doll that I created for the Male Doll Challenge on FOCD. The piece is titled Maori Warrior. He wears traditional costume and accessories, and is positioned in a stance depicting the Haka (war dance) of the Maori People. the extended tongue is part of the Haka. He also has traditional tattoos.

Semperviren, New Workshop

2011-07-05T08:16:00.000-07:00

This is Semperviren, which means everlasting. She is the gaurdian of the forest. Semperviren is eternal: she has always been with us and always will.
This is a new workshop class that is available for hands on teaching, available as of July,2011.
This multi-technical and mixed media piece uses a variety of techniques including creating a full body armature, drip-wash painting, free-form ink drawing on a stuffed body, creating a clay mask, and more!

A body is sewn from a template.

Full body armature is created for attaching doll to base.

Special painting techniques are applied to stuffed body

Designs are drawn onto the body with ink, incorporating the drip wash into the designs.

Partially drawn design onto the doll's stuffed form

Doll is attached to base, clay mask is created and painted and driftwood is added for interest. Bark, spanish moss, acorns and alder bark are added elements in the finishing.

Zentanga

2011-06-21T09:01:00.000-07:00

This is Zentanga, created for the Dollstreet Zentangle challenge. I have always loved to doodle, and created many pen and ink abstract designs in the 60's using similar techniques. I prefer to draw free-form designs, but did adapt some of the designs I found on the internet. I first drew the front and back on paper using my Tsunami Butter fly pattern as a template

I then printed it out onto fabric after scanning into my computer, using freezer paper backed muslin.

Printed on fabric

Upper body is attached, and body front and back sewn together.

Finished doll, front view

Finished doll, back view

I spent a huge amount of time on this doll, considering I don't love her!!! LOL! Sure was fun though, and next time I think I will draw my designs directly onto a stuffed form.

This is a design I drew in the 60's (Yes, I am OLD!!) I did many many of these, and this is the only one that survived, and it has some water damage and is only part of the picture.

This is a doll I made using my own drawn designs onto paper, printed onto fabric and then fused with Timtex. She is a flattie I created for Woman challenge sponsored about 7 years ago by Dianne McDonald.
She is one sided, and the designs are of a rather personal nature, and tell a story.

Doing these kind of designs is not new to me, but doing it in a structured manner is. I still prefer to use a free-form style, which beats to my own drum.

Me^Ladee, Hoffman 2011 Challenge doll

2011-05-30T19:52:00.000-07:00

Me^Ladee is my Hoffman 2011 challenge doll. She is a Renasiance era lady, with an ample bosum! To create her "assets, I applied paperclay over a cotton woven cloth body and added an outer skin of a stretch knot fabric. Working with woven cloth is out of my comfort zone, so it was a bit of a challenge for me. She balances on one leg, with a full body armature that extends through the straight leg.

The flowers for her costume were created from long strips of organza, clipped and burned, tthen gathered and drawn together to form the flower. Her hat is lined and coated with Paverpol to create to permanent form. She balances on one leg, the other is bent slightly and she has cooridinated blooms gathered at her ankles. Me^Ladee's features are dwawn with water color pencils and sealed, and her hair is Tibetan wool.

More amulet bags

2011-03-25T05:44:00.000-07:00

BEADED ON VELVET, CLAY FACE

BEADED WITH CLAY FACE

Pattern by Elise Peeples

Amulet Bags

2011-03-25T05:41:00.000-07:00

I have not updated my blog in ages! So thought I would sahre some of the ittle amulet bags I have made to sell at AFIC conference where I will be teaching2 classes April 29-May2, 2011.

Penny Drinkard

2010-02-23T14:09:00.000-08:00

Penny Drinkard is a commissioned piece I made recently. the customer wanted a doll that she can travel with and promote a teen age image that embodies healthy living, good choices, with somewhat imperfect features. A Barbie doll type she did not want! She sent me a collage she made of Penny, and I must say I was very challenged by the thought of even attempting to put this into a 3-dimensional figure.
She wanted Penny to have a small but athletic body, very oversized head, one eye larger than the other with rose petal shaped iris. I must say I had a very hard time making they eyes asymetrical, it was so against my my artistic values when doing faces!
Penny was to have red capris, black and white tennies, and turquoise top. Also she wanted her to have red hair, a hat, and holding a cat.
So this is what I came up with, and never have I had a customer so pleased with a commissioned piece.
This was a bit out of my box, and not the type of doll I generally make, but she was fun, I must admit, to bring to life!

I attached the collage the customer made and then the finished Penny drinkard doll.

2010-02-23T13:58:00.001-08:00

Penn

Mixed media gourd piece

2010-01-23T07:53:00.000-08:00

I felt like being creative this week so I wokred on a mixed media gourd piece with a tribal theme (my favorite) The clay mask is from my own original sculpt mold, and the gourd is decorated with leather, beads, feathers, wrapped wire and fibers.

Alice

2010-01-23T07:44:00.000-08:00

This is not a new design, but one I created for Doll Crafter and Costuming magazine in 2008. I sold the ones I had in my inventory during the holidays, so needed to make one for a pattern sasmple. she is all felt and holds paitned Cheshire cat.

Halloween Challenge

2009-10-17T10:04:00.000-07:00

We are having a challenge for our next meeting at the Reining Dolls and Bears doll club. the challenge is to make a Halloween themed doll from a vintage 1948 rag doll pattern. I did not like the head, so that determined the direction of the doll, sho needed her head painted and covered. lol

It's been a logn dry spell for me as far as dolls are concerned, so hope my muse is back.

Her name is Ghoulie.

Kitchen remodel- Before pictures

2009-07-19T03:44:00.003-07:00

Herer are a few pics of our kitchen before we started the remodel.

To see the after pictures, visit my Picturetrail album:

ttp://www.picturetrail.com/pattidolls

Kitchen Remodel-History

2009-07-18T10:09:00.000-07:00

After years of living with a fairly primitive kitchen, we are finally on the road to a remodel! Yeah!!

Don't get me wrong, I did have running water, a fridge and range, lol. It's just that my vintage ranch house did not have any modern amenities. And the cabinets were old, old! They had been painted over many times, the latest being my hunter green.

Our house sat on Hiway 30 South of St. Helens and was built in the 50's. Oregon Dept. of Transportation wanted to put a weigh station in where my house sat, so they purchased the propery and offered the houses for free for anyone who was willing to move them.

A man named Bob Harris moved our house. Local knowledge says that he was known for his hairbrained schemes. Bob decided he waanted to move the house to his 5 acres of pristine property in the Goble Hills outside of Rainier, Or.

So he cut the house in half and barged it down the Columbia River to the Port of Longview, wehre he put the halves onto a flat bed trailer.

The houses was then hauled up a tiny one-lane twisty turvy country road . There is was reassembled onto the lot where it stands to this day. Even the fireplace and outside brickwork was reassembled.

You cannot tell that the house was devided except in the hallway, where the hardwood floor meets the wall, it is slightly discolored.

Doll for kite festival

2009-07-08T11:17:00.000-07:00

This is a doll I made from deanna Hogan's doll Harvest Moon, featured in this month's doll Crafter and Costuming magazine. I will be at the Windriders Kite Festival at Grey's Harbor this week end, and needed a doll quick to make for the raffle at the awards dinner. She was fun to make, and I especially like the trapunto face and tab joints.

I was in a bit of hurry to get a pic, and too lazy to set of the light studio, so the pic is not that great. I hate setting up all that equipment for just one doll! Wish I had a photography room, as the light studio stuff takes up most of my work space in here.

Dotee Dolls

2009-03-19T18:17:00.000-07:00

Well, I am afraid my Dotee dolls will deviate a bit from the norm. LOL

The first one just grew and grew, being a free-form piece from some home made chenille fabric scraps I found. hey, the body is 6"! Judy said 3" to 6" for the body, and this one is 6" body length. We are not talking about tail here. lol

2nd one is more "traditional" Dotee, or is there such a thing?

somebody out there will like my tribal Dotte thing, I think.........

Or maybe I should just keep the thing and not send it for the swap?

Best Friends Class

2009-03-05T16:08:00.000-08:00

In the first week of March I had Mary Catherine from Castle Rock, Washington here for a 3-day workshop. We really had fun in my little studio and this was Mary's first cloth doll. She was a very enthusiastic student and funny to boot! Anyone who can make you laugh is all right in my book!~

Mary was such a quick learner, and she had a nearly completed doll at the end of three days!

Her doll and her 'stuff" stayed here when she went home at night. When I came out into the studio one morning, I saw that her doll had been having too much fun out here with all the other bad influences in here.

Mary's doll is to be a gift for her 84 year old mother, who loves cats. The doll will have her knitting to pass the time, but by her side will be her gardening catalogues as she is dreaming of May 15th, time to plant corn and tend the roses. Hence, this lady's name is Rose Maycorn. (Mom loves to get the corn planted in May and her favorite flowers are her roses). and Mary loves to garden. She has named her doll Rose Maycorn. Don't you just love that name?

GINGER

2009-01-11T06:30:00.000-08:00

Ginger is my newest project created for a luncheon in April, the Joint Meeting of Doll clubs in Eugene Oregon. The theme for the event is Hats Off to Madame and will be a tribute to Madame Alexander dolls.

I created a mold from a Madame Alexander look alike doll head and made a mask for a cloth over clay head. Then I designed a body to fit the mask.

I chose ivory doe suede for the doll's body as I wanted a porcelain look for her.

Ginger's dress is from vinage cotton print fabric and vintage lace trim.

She has really been a fun and challenging project!

CUPID PATTERN

2009-01-11T06:21:00.000-08:00

Cupid is my newest pattern and is available on my website at my pattern page. He is the perfect Valentine's Day doll to make as a gift or for your own Valentine's Day decorating! Very detailed instructions include great graphics and color photos!

Click on title to link to his page on my website!

Arctic Storm in Shilo Basin

2008-12-15T09:40:00.000-08:00

Here in the Shilo Basin, the Portland area and SW Washington we have had an unusual artic storm that brought snow into our area. this part of Oregon and Washington does not get much snow and when it does happen, the media loves to make a huge thing out of it!!

I could not resist taking some pics as it will probably be gone next week and really wanted to capture the beauty of my own front and back yard in the snow.

KWG 8 in Portland was asking for viewer pics to be sent in and the one of Bear in the snow was aired on Saturday. He does not even know he had his 10 seconds of fame!

Best Friends Gypsy

2008-12-08T06:19:00.000-08:00

As many know Pamela Armas of Treasures of the Gypsy carries many of my patterns. For each of my patterns in her line, she sends me the fabrics and I make a sample doll for her booth.

the latest of my patterns to be added to her line is Best Friends, so I have been working on her sample for Pamela.

I am accustomed to the rich and very textured silks she carries and have learned to use a lot of fray check and zig zag as soon as you cut.

But the body fabric used in this doll could not stand up to the dollmakers stress test, and dart and side seams blew out after the piece was completed. (of course!)

We have to be resourseful as dollmakers so I welded the seams together with Fabri-tac, used fray check around the sites and then ironed the area with my little Clover iron for strength. All the sites were then cleverly hidden from view by the doll's accessories. You cannot see any of the blowouts!

If this were a doll for sale I would have had to start over or at least take her apart entirely and make a new body.

I do LOVE Pamela's fabrics!

Sunrise in Shilo Basin

2008-11-16T07:33:00.000-08:00

This morning I was gazing out my window and the whole sky was ablaze with the most stunning sunrise! It played out over the entire sky as far as the eye could see, with a fog bank below and t he Shilo Basin in the background. I just had to grab my camera and run out to take some pictures! Just in time too, because the painted sky was just a flash in the pan, and minutes later it had faced to a muted gray.

Here at my home in the Shilo Basin, Oregon I rarely see any sunsets because the entire west facing portion of our property is bordered by about 300 acres of Longview Fiber forest and blocks our view of the setting sun. but we do get to see some beautiful sunrises, especially in the winter season.

Little Phart

2008-10-31T06:38:00.000-07:00

Little Phart is 2nd in line to the throne of the ruling line of the Gasheous Elvin society. They live deep in forest of Phlatulence and are hunter gatherers. While Little Pharts grandfather, the King Old Phart was away on a hunting party, he decided to try out the Royal Phart throne for size. Little Phart is quite full of himself, even though his legs are too short to touch upon the forest floor.

This piece was inspired by a piece of ivy that was cut from a tree used for firewood. After it had dried and the ivy leaves were gone, it left a woody root system that came away clean from the tree. I sanded and stained the piece, added a chair seat of grape vines and embellished it with silk leaves and fabric wrapped wire.

Little Phart was created from my I Dream of Flying pattern, which is my first original design.

Primoria

2008-10-05T08:53:00.000-07:00

At the beginning of time, on a moonless night, the Goddess Terra, ("Of the Earth") dropped her seeds of life into carefully chosen nests. These seeds were germinated and nutured by the spiritual essence of the Earth. From such a nest has emerged the Goddess Primoria, her time has finally arrived.

Stuffed!

2008-07-27T09:28:00.000-07:00

I saw this in the comics t oday and just thought it was too funny!!

Flossie

2008-07-27T09:19:00.001-07:00

This is my Hoffman doll for the 2008 challenge. Flossie will be traveling with the exhibit. she is 18", has bead ball jointed elbows and button jointed at hips and shoulders. Her hand painted face is needle sculpted and sealed. the challenge fabric, a large peacock motif print, is in her skirt and around her shoulders as a wrap. Her shoulder wrap is paverpol treated as to hold its shape. Molded felt hat with lining and trim. Chair is all fabric and adapted from Barbara Willis's chair pattern.

Our wine theme meeting in June

2008-06-10T09:20:00.000-07:00

Our June meeting of Reining Dolls and Bears was held at Roxanne's house and winery. WRoxanne extended her home and hospitality to all of us, and what a beautiful home and grounds she has! A view from every window in her lovely hisside home overlooking Hillsboro, Oregon. We were wined and dined and got a tour of the winery by her very accomodating hubby Ed. The wine theme dolls and IW dolls were displayed around the large dining room where we were served lunch ala Roxanne. Her upstaris studio is so organized and clutter free, with natural light and ample space to display her dolls.

We also brought our Izannah Walker style dolls that we are working on for a project. Some of us had finished dolls, others brought their DIPs to share.

My wine theme doll pictures did not turn out well as there was a large window lighting the background, and my camera did not like that at all. but Idid get some winery pics, lol, and some of the IW dolls and DIPs.

Altered Astrid stump doll workshop

2008-06-10T09:12:00.000-07:00

In May I held a one on one workshop here at my studio in Rainier, Oregon. rosie was an RV traveler from San Diego area who was going to be coming up the Oregon coast, so we scheduled a class for her. We had a fun filled 3 days where we covered a variety of technques including making and painting the mask, using an armature and making tiny articulated hands, wire wrapping, use of Apoxy sculpt on art dolls, pryo enhanced techniqes for embellishing, free motion embroidery, and more! Rosie left with a completed doll she was very happy with!

Lorna Mae, a doll club project

2008-05-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

This is Lorna Mae and she is a project for our doll club, Reining Dolls and Bears where we are to create and Izannah Walker inspired Early American style doll.

I used Sherry Lutz's techniques from the Fall 1998 issue of the now defunct cloth Doll Magazine. I really miss that magazine, it was the one that featured my very first design and cover doll, Dixie Belle.

This doll has a clay sculpt mask over cloth , and cloth skin added which is hardened with modeling paste. It is then painted with acrylics. I used the modeling paste for her applied hair as well. I aged the face a bit and sealed head hands and legs with gel medium, with a final brown paper bag buff.

I am thinking that her head is too round and hands need to be reduced, so this first attempt is just learning some of the techniques.

Jester Tyme

2008-03-24T09:24:00.000-07:00

Our doll club Reining Dolls and Bears has a bag of fabrics and goodies that is donted by a member for each meeting. We draw names to see who will take it home with the challenge of creating a doll from the contents. Last time I won and so Jester Tyme came into being. There was also a little plastic scarecrow in the bag that did not make the cut so was not used, as Jester Tyme took her own direction as our dolls often do.

since I got caught holding the bag last time, I am to bring the bag of fabrics to the next meeting for the next lucky recepient whose name will be drawn. the little scarecrow thingy went back into the bag. lol

Annies Kittens

2008-03-24T09:15:00.000-07:00

In the fall of 2007 a stray female tabby came in through the cat door. She was emancipated and obviously starving. I fed her and she eventually adopted us and thrived. We named her Annie after the character in Little Orphan Annie. Annie repaid our kindness by becoming pregnant thus solving the question whether or not she had been spayed. lol

I have two adult female spayed cats and have not had the experience of kittens in about 15 years, so I decided to document them here in my blog.

Earth Bound

2008-01-28T07:53:00.000-08:00

For our March meeting of our doll club Reining Dolls and Bears, we are to create a doll that represents our muse. I have a variety of interests and several muses so this was not to be an easy tassk forme. but as I wqs cleaning up from recent storm activity on our 5 acres, I started collecting some natural items such as wood, bark, acorns, pine cones and moss. So Earthbound started to evolve and depicts my love of the natural world. she has a cloth over clay mask, fabric body and paverpol accents. she is quite different from anything I have done.

Christmas Cards

2007-12-07T07:20:00.000-08:00

Some of you have requested the pattern for the Santa Clause ornament, so here it is and enjoy!
I have received quite a few emails requesting the pattern so here it is. enjoy! its never to early to start on next season's ornaments!
SANTA CLAUS ORNAMENT
By Patti Lavalley
Trace body and face onto freezer paper to make templates and cut out. Iron the body template onto wrong side of a 9”X7” fabric rectangle, folded lengthwise with right sides together. Iron face template onto right side of small piece of flesh colored cotton fabric and fuse Wunder Under onto wrong side. Set aside for now. Sew around the Santa body, trim closely and slit one side only to turn and stuff. Turn right side out; define points with end of paintbrush. Iron the piece and then iron the face onto front of Santa, fused side down. Use feature guide to draw face with fine point black micron pen. Use fine paintbrush to paint eye corners white, iris blue and then use pin head to paint a black pupil. Use other rend of pin to add a tiny dollop of white for pupil highlight. Blush cheeks and seal with matte finish acrylic spray sealer. Stuff firmly and close. Paint the tips of hands flesh, and the tips of feet black. Loop white yarn around two fingers to make beard loops and wrap yarn around 1 finger to make hairloops. Sew onto doll’s face where indicated. Glue trim around sides of face, glue micro beads. Add beaded or other trim around top of hat and sew tiny bell to tip. Sew a loop of cord for hanging at top of head back. Sew tiny buttons to the front, add glitter. This cute little 4” ornament makes a great gift for make several for yourself. You can insert the Santa into the chimney of homemade card as well! Enjoy!

This year my annual ornament making sessions have doubled as cards. Each 4" Santa Claus i ornament is removable from it's chimney.

Play Day!

2007-12-07T07:12:00.000-08:00

When I find myself in a slump I likce to create art dolls just for fun. I use a simple body shape so I am freed from design issues to experiment and play. These have a basic triangular bodys with seperate arms. A surface design is created on the fabric with free motion embroidery. Faces can be stamped or drawn, or use an art doll clay mask. Allowing yourself to play can really unlock your creative muse.

Sarah Jean

2007-11-04T07:40:00.000-08:00

Sarah Jean is a doll I made refering to the article by Deanna Hogan in the December Doll crafter & Costuming magazine, called Alabama cover-Up. She has a cloth over polymer head and is painted with acrylics.
The pattern for the body is my own and the head mold came from a porcelain doll head. It was a very difficult project and I could not get the top of head seam looking nice so I ceated applied hair with paperclay medium. I learned alot from this doll and will attempt to make another without the flaws. lol

Fabric leaves

2007-09-20T20:23:00.000-07:00

Today I was raking leaves and the thought occured to me that some of the leaves would make interesting shapes for fabric leaves. I made freezer paper templates and cut them out from fabric, added some snippets of contrasting fabric and used orange thread to create the veins with free motion embroidery. I cut out some shapes in the fabric leaves to suggest decomposing areas of the leaves.

Now what to do with these! I may just have to make a fall theme doll and incorporate these into the dolls costume. Stay tuned to see what materializes!

Fabric Leaf project

2007-09-19T09:26:00.000-07:00

I found just the right fabric for this project, hidden deep in the bowels of my studio. i suspended some snippets and fibers between the fabric and some fine netting and did a surface design using free-motion embroidery.

I decided to use my Altered Astrid stump doll body pattern. I love using a stump doll body as a canvas for embellishing, as it lends itself to surface design very well.

Here is the fabric after the surface design has been stitched and the sewn and unstuffed doll body.

Spirit of Autumn

2007-09-18T15:31:00.000-07:00

I am very pleased with the way she turned out. The finished doll is very textured with the free-motion embroidery, surface design and additon of the fabric leaves. I had hoped to capture the look and feel of the fall season, with the natural colors of decomposing leaves blowing in the wind.

I have called her the Spirit of Autumn.

Play time at doll club

2007-09-16T14:02:00.000-07:00

At our last meeting of Reining Dolls and Bears I taught a mini class on Apoxie Sculpt. I used my Atered Astrid stump doll body for demonstration and others applied the medium to wood boxes, doll bodies, metal objects, etc. Everyone had a grteat time playing with the medium and of course great food was enjoyed by all as well.

Hoffman Doll 2006

2007-09-13T19:23:00.000-07:00

This was my Hoffman 2006 entry, and she wa untitled for the traveling exhibit. She was returned to me today and I have named her

Bella-Rena. . She has an armature in her leg which allows the doll to pose. Bella-Rena has fabric hair, cotton fabric body, hand painted features and delicate beading on her dres which is from the Hoffman fabric.

The Boss Man and Foot Warmer

2007-06-09T13:54:00.000-07:00

Foot Warmer is always ready to oblidge the Boss Man on those cold winter days!

Hoffman 2007 challenge doll

2007-06-09T08:34:00.000-07:00

this is my entry for the Hoffman Challenge, 2007. She is adapted from my Molly and Her Button Dolly pattern. Her arms are inside bead jointed, a technique I learned in Deanna Hogan's Averill class. Her hair is braided cording made from cool yarns and I applied a chenille making technique with yo yos to her dress.

Judi Ward's visit

2007-05-08T17:08:00.000-07:00

Our last meeting of Reining Dolls and bears in April we had a special guest, our founder Judi Ward. She was on a US visit from Germany and was able to attend the meeting.

We made ATD's for a project, and great food as always! We really miss Judi and the ever present inspiration she brought to our club. A great time was had by all who attended!

Pin Dolls

2007-03-16T11:01:00.000-07:00

I belong to a list caled Pindoll Alley, it is a yahoo group where we swap monthy themed pindolls with a partner. Here are a few of the pindolls I have made.

Wrap dolls

2007-03-16T10:52:00.000-07:00

I have been making wrap dolls for a swap on Fabri-holics list. This is a very freeing artistic expression where you are not adhered to the same rules as for a traditional doll. the mermaid has bucco layers and Tyvek fabric tail.

Rain Dance has air dry clay mask and hands and feet.

Each doll has a thin spool in the center and wire body armature is threaded through this. After the armature is in place, it is wrapped with floral tape, then batting is added. Strips of fabric are then glued and other embellishments such as yarn, beads, etc. are added. It is very easy to "erase" the previous layer with new additions! I try to leave a bit of the surface showing on each layer.

Artist Trading Dolls

2007-03-10T15:54:00.000-08:00

These ATDs are for sale at http://www.pattidolls.etsy.com/

Have been having lots of fun playing with dolls this week. On one of my dollmaking forums we re making ATD's or Artist Trading Dolls. They are flat, a bit like paper dolls with Timtex or cardboard as a base and you cover them with fabric or paper. Then you embellish, accessorize or whatever your creative impulses drives you to do. Little limbs are attached with small scrap booking brads. These are just too much fun! Spring ATD is from a template by Sherry Goshen and the foldy ATD is from a template by Judy Wellnitz.

Trip to Sewing Expo

2007-03-10T15:36:00.000-08:00

Last week I went to the Sewing Expo with a couple of friends. We took a charter bus from Fabric Depot, the largest fabric store in Portland. So cool, no driving! There were over 1000 vendors there, cutting edge and new products to see and demo, seminars, fabrics galore and awesome trims. Pamela Armas of Treasures of the Gypsy was there as always, as well as Barbara Willis and Karen Shifton. I did the worst damage of Gypsy booth of course! She has the most exotic fabrics from India, and stunning trims and blings. When you see hr booth, it is like a rainbow came to town.

Got a pic of Pamela in her booth and also a pic of my favorite treasures that I bought. The fabric was $50.00 a yard! the photo just does ot do it justice. A very special doll awaits that fabric.

Joint Meeting in Eugene

2007-03-08T15:49:00.000-08:00

After Deanna's Averill class we went to the Joint Meeting luncheon in Eugene which was held the following Wednesday after our class. It was a Raggedy Ann theme and the program was given on the history of Raggedy Ann and Johnny Gruile, her creator. Very informative and interesting! We had sales tables and the highlight of the luncheon (besides the great food) was an awesome display of everything Raggedy Ann, old and new. Some very vintage dolls were displayed .

Deanna Hogans Averill class

2007-03-08T15:36:00.000-08:00

On March 5th and 6th there was a class in Eugene, Oregon hosted by the Stitchin Times Doll Club at the Goshen Grange. It was a great class, I learned a lot and really had to disipline myself to make the small eyes like Deanna does. lol! Deanna is a thorough and patient teacher. There were finished dolls in the class which had quite a few beginners, not an easy accomplishment for any teacher! This wqs my first cloth over clay class and I love the technique.

Deanna and I rode down together and stayed at Jean Peter's lovely country home where we were fed, pampered and spoiled with wonderful meals cooked by cook extroidaire Jean herself and gifted with their wonderful hospitality. We even got chucco, a well kept Italian secret. Don't ask! hehehe

the doll in blue and purple is mine and the ones lined up on the table are Deanna's sample dolls.

Tearing down the barn

2007-03-01T18:09:00.000-08:00

Recently Doug and I tore down our old barn and adjoining shed. It was old, rotted and going South. We needed to clear the site for a new pole barn we will build in the spring. the shed was a real pain, layers and layers of strange stuff was nailed to the walls for insulation. We had to strip all the walls and pull hundreds of nails. Inside the walls there were squirrel nests.

When it was stripped, Doug tied a rope to one of the supporting polse, hitched it to the truck and pulled it down.

the barn was another story! After we stripped the plywood walls from the stucture it decided to come down on it's own. The walls were what was holding it together. I heard a creaking noise, and it started to sway. Doug was still inside with his crowbar and I shouted at him to get out! Down it came, and he only had seconds to spare to jump out of the way. After we dismantled the roof, I found an owl's nest in the rafters. There was actually a smaller nest inside that built by an opportunistic smaler bird. I felt bad for the animals that called the old structures home, but they were dangerous and had to come down. One of my littl fairies decided the owl's nest looked like a great nest for herself and made herself right at home!

More Pincushions!

2007-03-01T17:58:00.000-08:00

Last week I was working on making a lot of pincushions. I will be attending the Joint Meeting luncheon in Eugene Wednesday, March 3. All the doll clubs in the city get together for one big party! We will ahve a very small sales space, about 2'X4" so I thought I would bring small items and some patterns to sell. These are from Dollmakers Journey Lady Chatalaine pattern. The one in white was a gift for Susie Oroyan who has been very ill and just returned home from the hospital. The mermaid pincushions are my design. I will be going down to Eugene with Deanna Hogan, and taking her Averill class on Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday is the luncheon, going to be a fun week!

Blooming Fabric

2007-02-27T09:22:00.000-08:00

I have been playing with making homemade chenille. It is a lot of fun to see what you come up with after the piece has been washed and dried. This piece did not bloom as well as I would have liked, it is a matter of experimenting with fabrics that will bloom for you. Wool works well, flannel and very loose weave wovens. It helps to wash and dry them with abrasive garments such as jeans or towels. Some fabrics will take several washings before they bloom. This piece I will wash a few more times I think.

Chenille - to make your own chenille, layer 4 to 8 layers of fabric (cotton, flannel, rayon or silk) with the brightest and boldest fabric on top. Do not prewash. Spray baste between each layer, or pin baste when you are done. Mark a diagonal line on the bias crossing the center of this piece. Using your walking foot, stitch all layers along that line, then stitch 1/4" to 5/8" on either side (alternating sides as you go) until the entire piece is quilted. Carefully cut between the lines, without cutting the bottom layer of fabric, using shears, a slash cutter, or a specially designed mat with your rotary cutter. Square it up if necessary. You can bind the edges or just stay stitch them and let the edges bloom. To make the chenille bloom once it has been slashed, throw it in the washer then the dryer. (Lint alert!) Be sure to stay stitch the edges first if the piece is unfinished. To vary things next time, try a wavy line or try placing a motif on the top layer. No need to appliqué it; the stitching will hold it in place.

Siren, my new mermaid

2007-01-31T18:28:00.000-08:00

I have been working on a new design, Siren of the Sea. This is the prototype and I still have some design changes to make . She is 19" stretched out, and it took me 2 days to sew all those shell sequins and beads on her lower body! Her upper body is velour and she has a full body armature.

Lady Chatelaine

2007-01-11T08:41:00.000-08:00

I am involved in several pincushion swaps so when I received this pattern from Dollmakers Journey, I just had to make one up!

Sunrise in the Snow

2007-01-11T08:38:00.000-08:00

A couple more pics of the early morning sunrise with the snow.

January Snow!

2007-01-11T08:33:00.000-08:00

On January 10 we got 7" of snow in the Shiloh Bsin where i live! I had so much fun making snow balls for my dog Bear to chase that it inspired me to make a "Snow Dog" the sun reflecting off the snow is too bright for his eyes so he requested shades.

2006-12-13T12:13:00.000-08:00

I found this cute little Santa's workshop bench at our local dollar store and I immediately knew there was a little elf waiting to work in it. It is all wood, with wood tools and vise. I touched up the paint and sealed it.

Here is Elfie in progress, then finished. He is from doe suede, and is a 65% version of my Elton the Fairy Finder pattern. Elfie is working overtime to get those dolls out on time for Christmas!

Banshee the Studio Cat

2006-12-12T10:19:00.000-08:00

This is Banshee and she is my official studio cat. When she's not parked in front of my oil heater or psuedo nursing in my stuffing, she loves to sit on my printer next to the big picture window. She practically lives in my studio!

Mermaid Pincushions

2006-12-12T10:03:00.000-08:00

Ok, I am on a roll with thee mermaid pincushions! Can't seem to stop, lol! Actually they have been making good gifts for me to give for the Christmas season, and have sold some on ebay too!

Each one is embellished in her own unique way with a variety of techniqes which can include pyro techniques, Apoxy Sculpt and paper clay accents, free motion embroidery, beading, use of hand-dyed trims and more! I am sure I will burn out on them soon and there will be no more.

this will be a one-day class to add to my workshop classes that I teach.

Beautiful Sunrise!

2006-12-09T06:14:00.000-08:00

The first thing I was fortunate to embrace this moring was this awesome sunrise! I rushed to get my digital camera before it disappeared. I have a clear view to the east, but the forest blocks my western view so I don't get to see the sunset from my house. All the more reason I appreciate so much a beautiful sunrise!

RUMPLESTILTSKIN

2006-12-04T16:55:00.000-08:00

My doll club, Reining Dolls and Bears of St. Helens, Oregon is having a storybook challenge. We hope to have our dolls displayed with the books at the grand opening of the new Hillsboro Library near Portland. I chose Rumplestiltskin as a character to protray as a doll, as this was one of my favorite stories when I was a child. (And that was a loooooong time ago!)

The little wooden spinning wheel was the focal point for the inspiration for this doll. A real find at the ocal thrift store.

2006-11-29T08:28:00.000-08:00

We have had snow this week in Rainier, Oregon. everyone makes a really big deal about it in my neck of the woods as it is not an ordinary occurrence, especially in November!
although I enjoy the peace, tranquility and silent beauty of a snow covered landscape, it does have it's drawbacks. I have been house bound the past week, unable to leave here until it melts. No city snowplows here! Well, its a good excuse to stay inside my studio and create, warmed with a nice cup of hot chocolate. With whipped cream of course!
Here are a few pics of my winter wonderland.

Gingerbread Witch

2006-11-27T07:07:00.000-08:00

Here is Holly Scrogin's very inventive version of my Gingerbread Witch pattern that was published in Doll Crafter and Costuming fall issue. Holly has added ears and a cute face to create an elf from the pattern!

Patti LaValley Designs

2006-11-22T17:20:00.000-08:00

This is Jolene, and she is my Treasures of the Gypsy challenge doll for 2006. For $15.00 registration fee, you received a packet of goodies and fabrics from Treasures of the Gypsy, owned by Pamela Armas. The challenge was to create a doll from these items as well as items from your own stash. The dolls were displayed at Houston Quilt Festival.

Patti LaValley designs

2006-11-22T05:50:00.000-08:00

Here is a fairy I designed for Soft Dolls & Animals! magazine. She sits at 12" , has wings of organza.

My studio is located in the beautiful countryside in Rainier, Oregon. I have a beautiful view from my window of Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helens!

Recently we have had too much rain in Oregon and my studio was flooded. It is a remodeled garage which sits lower than the other structures on the property. The floor in one half of my studio became flooded and what a mess that was! Everything was moved to one side as the carpet and pad were pulled up. With two electric heaters and fans, after two weeks of drying and cleaning I was able to put things back in order. I really missed not having my space!

2006-11-05T09:54:00.000-08:00

This week I have been working on a submission for one of the doll magazines and thought I would share it here. This will also be a 1-day workshop doll. Her name is Fanta, and she has many faces. She has a full body armature, button or clay mask head, and three wing types not to mention the many embellishing possibilities!