Doll Clothes Book Author?

A sneak peek at a trio of the designs from a latest book

I never imagined myself as the author of five books and seven patterns all about doll clothes. Why not, I must ask myself however as I was one of those kids that preferred at times to stay home and  create something from scraps of fabric, yarn and cardboard as apposed to running off to a pick up game of baseball like my sister. One of my favorite activities involved cutting up the old Eaton's catalogue. I would only get one after the new issue was received and okay-ed my Mother, but when I did I made good use of it. I carefully cut out people, fashions, furniture, appliances and more from the pages and then glued them to cardboard, creating a complete household filled with family.

My first set of patterns

How did I get started in the doll clothes business you might ask? Well, I was creating and selling designs too DRG, House of White Birches and Annie's Attic and the buyer for the Clotilde catalog asked if I might be interested in designing doll clothes for a doll they were selling in their catalog. I had never done that but thought that it certainly could not be much different that designing, drawing patterns, writing instructions so why not give it a try. Well after years of stuffing patterns into plastic envelopes to fill orders I can say it is possible and I did it. 

My first book on doll clothes

The patterns sold quite well and I was on my way to becoming a doll dresser of sorts. Next step was that I was asked if I would be interested in designing clothes for the popular 18 inch doll. Once again after a little research and asking myself why not I jumped in with two feet and a sewing machine. I decided quite quickly that I needed something to make my books a little different. That difference was born through my concept of every outfit must be able to be constructed from a fat quarter of fabric. I wanted to make things as simple as possible and not having to stand in line at the fabric cutting table was the answer. 

My latest book

I have written three books using the 18 inch doll as my base and each has done quite well I am proud to report. My latest book however takes me right back to my doll clothes dressing roots as it is for the Lots to Love® dolls where I started. This latest book is not available just yet but will be very soon. 

I guess that is the story in a nutshell, it is funny where life takes us.....

Lorine

Family Vacations & Picnics

Family Vacations Canvas by Lorine Mason

Family vacations for my husband, our two daughters and myself centered around camping and visiting relatives once we moved away from everyone. One place we returned to over and over again was a campground called Pancake Bay which is actually a provincial park in Ontario. It was almost halfway for all concerned and we were able to camp directly next to the lakefront. It was a wonderful experience, that we were lucky enough to repeat for three years. 
I created this canvas as a Father's Day gift for my husband to hang in his home office. 
I painted a 14 x 16 inch canvas and decoupaged two pieces of scrap booking paper to the front. I then cut three opening through the canvas and decoupaged papers for my pictures to peek through. Cutting down the middle of the intended openings allowed me to roll back the edges of the canvas to create the windows. With the addition of some paper weaving and single accent strips the canvas was almost complete. I did not want to add a frame so I glued twine over the frames' sides to finish. Viola - a handmade tribute to camping, family and most of all Dads'.

DAD: Thanks for all you did and who you were.  

Henry Adam Schlamp November 1923 - May 2012   

Love Lorine