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

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

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!

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

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.

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

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

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

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!

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!