Linda Walsh Originals Blog Pages

Thursday, June 30, 2016

Art Doll #1 From My Artful Gathering Class - Florence



I've had a delightful time the past few weeks making the dolls for Hally Levesque's"Romantic Rosabella" class in Session 1 of Artful Gathering.  I was only going to make 2 dolls but could not decide which color I wanted the base to be so I ended up choosing seven different colors from solid color fabric my sister had given me.


I figured at least one or two of the dolls would come out nicely and was pleasantly surprised when they all did. Even though the dolls are all similar looking they all ended up having their own little personalities. To no surprise most are "Diva's" or at least they think they are.


This is the first doll I made from that class.  She has a handmade with hand sculpted paper clay face, arm, and bonnet. She also has handmade silk ribbon flowers as well as painted flowers down the front of her dress. Handmade silk ribbon flowers are also used for her bouquet and to decorate her bonnet.


I had been saving the green, white and black flower lace in her overskirt for several years and finally had a chance to use it here.  Gathered tulle is underneath her lace overskirt which adds to her romantic look.


She has light pink and light green merino tencel hair which has been braided into an 8" long braid.

I decided to name this art doll "Florence" after my great, great aunt.

Art Doll #2 From My Artful Gathering Class - Lena



I've had a delightful time the past few weeks making the dolls for Hally Levesque's"Romantic Rosabella" class in Session 1 of Artful Gathering.  I was only going to make 2 dolls but could not decide which color I wanted the base to be so I ended up choosing seven different colors from solid color fabric my sister had given me.


I figured at least one or two of the dolls would come out nicely and was pleasantly surprised when they all did. Even though the dolls are all similar looking they all ended up having their own little personalities. To no surprise most are "Diva's" or at least they think they are.


This is the second doll I made from that class. She has a handmade with hand sculpted paper clay face, arm, and bonnet. She also has handmade silk ribbon flowers as well as painted flowers down the front of her dress. Handmade silk ribbon flowers are also used for her bouquet and to decorate her bonnet. Her gathered overskirt is made from white lace.


I had been saving some of the beautiful hand dyed and batted alpaca fibers my sister had given me over the last two years and was thrilled I would be able to utilize some of it here. This dolls hair was created from a handmade alpaca batt combination of some of my sister's black alpaca fiber and blue angelina fibers. Her alpaca fiber batt worked beautifully in creating my dolls 8" long braided hair.

If you would like to see more of my sister's alpaca fibers she sells her alpaca fiber products in her Rock Garden Alpaca's Etsy shop.


I decided to name this art doll Lena. She's definitely a "diva" or so she thinks.

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

A Delightful Time With Romantic Art Dolls


I finally finished the art dolls that I was making based upon the Romantic Rosabella online class that I've been taking during the first session of Artful Gathering 2016.



2016 - Hally Levesque - Romantic Rosabella - A Ribbons & Roses Doll Project 

The online class was taught by Hally Levesque who is an exceptional art doll artist, photographer and a bit of a history buff. This was my 2nd class with Hally. Last year I took her Bonnets and Beaus: A Regency Doll Project Online Class and loved it. My review of that class is here.

Hally Levesque, is an amazing art doll artist that I greatly admire. She makes the most beautiful historical cloth, primitive folk art, and character original art dolls. If you would like to learn more about Hally her Creative Doll Works website is here and her blog is here.

For this class I was only going to make 2 dolls but could not decide which color I wanted the base to be so I ended up choosing seven different colors from solid color fabric my sister had given me.

I figured at least one or two of the dolls would come out nicely and was pleasantly surprised when they all did. Even though the dolls are all similar looking they all ended up having their own little personalities. To no surprise most are "Diva's" or at least they think they are.


I had been saving some of the beautiful hand dyed and batted alpaca fibers my sister had given me over the last two years and was thrilled I would be able to utilize some of it here. Her alpaca roving batts worked beautifully in creating my dolls long, braided hair. If you would like to see more of my sister's alpaca fibers she sells her alpaca fiber products in her Rock Garden Alpaca's Etsy shop here.

Each of the dolls is handmade with hand sculpted paper-clay faces, arms, and bonnets. Each has handmade silk ribbon flowers as well as painted flowers down the front of the dolls dress. Handmade silk ribbon flowers are also used for their bouquets and to decorate their bonnets. Each doll also has lace and tulle gathered overskirts in the back which combined with the silk ribbon flowers makes the doll very romantic and very elegant looking.

I was looking forward to taking this class as it would be the second time I would be sculpting the doll's faces and arms and then painting them with acrylic paints. Also, the bonnet was to be sculpted as well with paper-clay. Acrylic painting of any sort is not my strongest skill - so I knew this would be very challenging. At the very least it was going to be interesting if not comical.


Hally is an amazing teacher and every detail in her doll making process is well documented and explained. She takes you through every detail of her handmade process in a manner that works for both a beginner doll maker to experienced doll artist.

Last year I created a cheat sheet of sorts that took me through the face painting step by step process using colored pencils. Painting the faces requires multiple steps and several layers of blended paints so my crude cheat sheet from last year was very helpful along with the class video's. This year I was happy to see that Hally included a colored sheet of the step-by-step process for painting Rosabella's beautiful face in the class handouts.

Rosabella's dress also includes handmade silk and satin ribbon flowers and painting flowers and leaves around the silk ribbon cluster. Hally takes you through this process in a very detailed manner. Between the class illustration printouts and class video's you had no doubt how to paint the flowers around the silk cluster and how to create the handmade silk ribbon flowers.

Rosabella's bonnet is a handmade paper-clay beret. I made one of my dolls with a beret and had no problem adapting Hally's process to make different bonnets for the remainder of my 6 dolls.


I have learned a great deal in both of Hally's classes and so love taking them that I've signed up for her Wee Winter Whimsies - Primitive Folk Art Dolls for the Holidays online class in Session 2 of Artful Gathering.


2016 - Hally Levesque - Wee Winter Whimsies - Primitive Folk Art Dolls for the Holidays  

I absolutely LOVED Hally's "Romantic Rosabella" class and I'm looking forward to her "Wee Winter Whimsies" class in Session 2. This class teaches you how to make 6 different little primitive dolls which are made as tree trimmers and stand alone stump dolls. They're cloth sewn and cloth painted so that should be a real challenge for me.

If you are interested in learning how to make art dolls you should take one of Hally's classes. You won't be disappointed

This year as I scanned the classes in Session 1 and Session 2 my eyes were immediately drawn to two classes in particular and I knew, after looking at their descriptions, that the decision was out of my hands. "Dollie's" always win and Hally Levesque was teaching two doll classes: Romantic Rosabella in Session 1 and Wee Winter Whimsies in Session 2.

Session 1 runs from June 6 to July 17 and Session 2 runs from July 16 to August 26.

Sunday, June 26, 2016

Gotta Love Patriotic, Americana and 4th of July Home Decorations Free E-Books


It's the start of the summer season in the U.S. and for crafters thoughts turn to the 4th of July, patriotic, and  Americana home decorations. With that in mind I thought you might enjoy a few free e-books showing you how to make some adorable woodcraft decorations for your home.  They're all very easy to make and include a firecracker trio, birdhouse, stars, USA cube decoration and flags.

I hope you enjoy making your patriotic USA woodcraft decorations.












For more information on all my free e-patterns, e-printables and e-books please CLICK HERE.

Please respect My Terms of Use:  All patterns, e-patterns, printables, e-printables, e-books, graphics, tutorials, how-to's, articles and other e-products © 2004-2023 Linda Walsh Originals-Designs by Linda Walsh. All rights reserved. Commercial selling or reselling by any means prohibited without the written consent of Linda Walsh.

Patterns, e-patterns, printables, e-printables, e-books, graphics, tutorials, how-to's, articles and other e-products are for personal use only. You may not modify, photocopy, download, upload, post, transmit, display, perform, publish, license, reprint, create derivative works from, mass duplicate, re-sell, digitize, and reproduce in any other form (print, digital or electric) or commercially apply, embed, share, Email, or redistribution in any other means. Use of any of the above is prohibited without the written permission of Linda Walsh.

However, you may link to my website(s)/blog(s) and the individual page(s)/blog post(s) (including 1 picture) but do not copy, reprint or duplicate my website(s)/blog(s) or individual page(s)/post(s ) without my permission.

Items made from Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns are intended for personal use for fun or small scale personal and business profit as long as you credit us with the design. Large scale commercial use (i.e. mass production) of items made from Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns are by permission only.

Please see my Terms and Conditions for additional information.

Copyright © 2004 - 2023 - All Rights Reserved - Written By Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals and Linda's Blog. Linda is a doll maker and doll pattern designer.


My How To Make Patriotic and 4th of July Primitive USA Cube Decorations Free E-Book



It's the start of the summer season in the U.S. and for crafters thoughts turn to the 4th of July, patriotic, and  Americana home decorations. With that in mind I thought you might enjoy a few free e-books showing you how to make some adorable woodcraft decorations for your home.  They're all very easy to make and include a firecracker trio, birdhouse, stars, USA cube decoration and flags.

I hope you enjoy making your patriotic USA woodcraft cubes decoration.




To view and download my free e-book please CLICK HERE. 

For more information on all my free e-patterns, e-printables and e-books please CLICK HERE.

Please respect My Terms of Use:  All patterns, e-patterns, printables, e-printables, e-books, graphics, tutorials, how-to's, articles and other e-products © 2004-2023 Linda Walsh Originals-Designs by Linda Walsh. All rights reserved. Commercial selling or reselling by any means prohibited without the written consent of Linda Walsh.

Patterns, e-patterns, printables, e-printables, e-books, graphics, tutorials, how-to's, articles and other e-products are for personal use only. You may not modify, photocopy, download, upload, post, transmit, display, perform, publish, license, reprint, create derivative works from, mass duplicate, re-sell, digitize, and reproduce in any other form (print, digital or electric) or commercially apply, embed, share, Email, or redistribution in any other means. Use of any of the above is prohibited without the written permission of Linda Walsh.

However, you may link to my website(s)/blog(s) and the individual page(s)/blog post(s) (including 1 picture) but do not copy, reprint or duplicate my website(s)/blog(s) or individual page(s)/post(s ) without my permission.

Items made from Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns are intended for personal use for fun or small scale personal and business profit as long as you credit us with the design. Large scale commercial use (i.e. mass production) of items made from Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns are by permission only.

Please see my Terms and Conditions for additional information.

Copyright © 2004 - 2023 - All Rights Reserved - Written By Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals and Linda's Blog. Linda is a doll maker and doll pattern designer.


My How To Make An Americana and 4th of July Birdhouse Decoration Free E-Book



It's the start of the summer season in the U.S. and for crafters thoughts turn to the 4th of July, patriotic, and  Americana home decorations. With that in mind I thought you might enjoy a few free e-books showing you how to make some adorable woodcraft decorations for your home. They're all very easy to make and include a firecracker trio, birdhouse, stars, USA cube decoration and flags.

I hope you enjoy making your patriotic primitive birdhouse woodcraft decoration.


To view and download my free e-book please CLICK HERE. 

For more information on all my free e-patterns, e-printables and e-books please CLICK HERE.

Please respect My Terms of Use:  All patterns, e-patterns, printables, e-printables, e-books, graphics, tutorials, how-to's, articles and other e-products © 2004-2023 Linda Walsh Originals-Designs by Linda Walsh. All rights reserved. Commercial selling or reselling by any means prohibited without the written consent of Linda Walsh.

Patterns, e-patterns, printables, e-printables, e-books, graphics, tutorials, how-to's, articles and other e-products are for personal use only. You may not modify, photocopy, download, upload, post, transmit, display, perform, publish, license, reprint, create derivative works from, mass duplicate, re-sell, digitize, and reproduce in any other form (print, digital or electric) or commercially apply, embed, share, Email, or redistribution in any other means. Use of any of the above is prohibited without the written permission of Linda Walsh.

However, you may link to my website(s)/blog(s) and the individual page(s)/blog post(s) (including 1 picture) but do not copy, reprint or duplicate my website(s)/blog(s) or individual page(s)/post(s ) without my permission.

Items made from Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns are intended for personal use for fun or small scale personal and business profit as long as you credit us with the design. Large scale commercial use (i.e. mass production) of items made from Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns are by permission only.

Please see my Terms and Conditions for additional information.

Copyright © 2004 - 2023 - All Rights Reserved - Written By Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals and Linda's Blog. Linda is a doll maker and doll pattern designer.



My How To Make Americana and 4th of July Primitive Patriotic Star Decorations Free E-Book


It's the start of the summer season in the U.S. and for crafters thoughts turn to the 4th of July, patriotic, and  Americana home decorations. With that in mind I thought you might enjoy a few free e-books showing you how to make some adorable woodcraft decorations for your home. They're all very easy to make and include a firecracker trio, birdhouse, stars, USA cube decoration and flags.

I hope you enjoy making your patriotic primitive stars woodcraft decoration.




To view and download my free e-book please CLICK HERE. 

For more information on all my free e-patterns, e-printables and e-books please CLICK HERE.

Please respect My Terms of Use:  All patterns, e-patterns, printables, e-printables, e-books, graphics, tutorials, how-to's, articles and other e-products © 2004-2023 Linda Walsh Originals-Designs by Linda Walsh. All rights reserved. Commercial selling or reselling by any means prohibited without the written consent of Linda Walsh.

Patterns, e-patterns, printables, e-printables, e-books, graphics, tutorials, how-to's, articles and other e-products are for personal use only. You may not modify, photocopy, download, upload, post, transmit, display, perform, publish, license, reprint, create derivative works from, mass duplicate, re-sell, digitize, and reproduce in any other form (print, digital or electric) or commercially apply, embed, share, Email, or redistribution in any other means. Use of any of the above is prohibited without the written permission of Linda Walsh.

However, you may link to my website(s)/blog(s) and the individual page(s)/blog post(s) (including 1 picture) but do not copy, reprint or duplicate my website(s)/blog(s) or individual page(s)/post(s ) without my permission.

Items made from Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns are intended for personal use for fun or small scale personal and business profit as long as you credit us with the design. Large scale commercial use (i.e. mass production) of items made from Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns are by permission only.

Please see my Terms and Conditions for additional information.

Copyright © 2004 - 2023 - All Rights Reserved - Written By Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals and Linda's Blog. Linda is a doll maker and doll pattern designer.


My How To Make Americana and 4th of July Primitive Patriotic Flag Decorations Free E-Book


It's the start of the summer season in the U.S. and for crafters thoughts turn to the 4th of July, patriotic, and  Americana home decorations. With that in mind I thought you might enjoy a few free e-books showing you how to make some adorable woodcraft decorations for your home. They're all very easy to make and include a firecracker trio, birdhouse, stars, USA cube decoration and flags.

I hope you enjoy making your patriotic primitive flags woodcraft decoration.


To view and download my free e-book please CLICK HERE. 

For more information on all my free e-patterns, e-printables and e-books please CLICK HERE.

Please respect My Terms of Use:  All patterns, e-patterns, printables, e-printables, e-books, graphics, tutorials, how-to's, articles and other e-products © 2004-2023 Linda Walsh Originals-Designs by Linda Walsh. All rights reserved. Commercial selling or reselling by any means prohibited without the written consent of Linda Walsh.

Patterns, e-patterns, printables, e-printables, e-books, graphics, tutorials, how-to's, articles and other e-products are for personal use only. You may not modify, photocopy, download, upload, post, transmit, display, perform, publish, license, reprint, create derivative works from, mass duplicate, re-sell, digitize, and reproduce in any other form (print, digital or electric) or commercially apply, embed, share, Email, or redistribution in any other means. Use of any of the above is prohibited without the written permission of Linda Walsh.

However, you may link to my website(s)/blog(s) and the individual page(s)/blog post(s) (including 1 picture) but do not copy, reprint or duplicate my website(s)/blog(s) or individual page(s)/post(s ) without my permission.

Items made from Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns are intended for personal use for fun or small scale personal and business profit as long as you credit us with the design. Large scale commercial use (i.e. mass production) of items made from Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns are by permission only.

Please see my Terms and Conditions for additional information.

Copyright © 2004 - 2023 - All Rights Reserved - Written By Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals and Linda's Blog. Linda is a doll maker and doll pattern designer.


My How To Make An Americana and 4th of July Firecracker Trio Decoration Free E-Book



It's the start of the summer season in the U.S. and for crafters thoughts turn to the 4th of July, patriotic, and Americana home decorations. With that in mind I thought you might enjoy a few free e-books showing you how to make some adorable woodcraft decorations for your home.  They're all very easy to make and include a firecracker trio, birdhouse, stars, USA cube decoration and flags.

I hope you enjoy making your patriotic primitive firecracker trio woodcraft decoration.




To view and download my free e-book please CLICK HERE.

For more information on all my free e-patterns, e-printables and e-books please CLICK HERE.

Please respect My Terms of Use:  All patterns, e-patterns, printables, e-printables, e-books, graphics, tutorials, how-to's, articles and other e-products © 2004-2023 Linda Walsh Originals-Designs by Linda Walsh. All rights reserved. Commercial selling or reselling by any means prohibited without the written consent of Linda Walsh.

Patterns, e-patterns, printables, e-printables, e-books, graphics, tutorials, how-to's, articles and other e-products are for personal use only. You may not modify, photocopy, download, upload, post, transmit, display, perform, publish, license, reprint, create derivative works from, mass duplicate, re-sell, digitize, and reproduce in any other form (print, digital or electric) or commercially apply, embed, share, Email, or redistribution in any other means. Use of any of the above is prohibited without the written permission of Linda Walsh.

However, you may link to my website(s)/blog(s) and the individual page(s)/blog post(s) (including 1 picture) but do not copy, reprint or duplicate my website(s)/blog(s) or individual page(s)/post(s ) without my permission.

Items made from Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns are intended for personal use for fun or small scale personal and business profit as long as you credit us with the design. Large scale commercial use (i.e. mass production) of items made from Linda Walsh Originals E-Patterns are by permission only.

Please see my Terms and Conditions for additional information.

Copyright © 2004 - 2023 - All Rights Reserved - Written By Linda Walsh of Linda Walsh Originals and Linda's Blog. Linda is a doll maker and doll pattern designer.


Saturday, June 25, 2016

Let's Hear It For The Red, White and Blue


To say I just love dolls would probably be an understatement based on the number of dolls I've made during over the years. It's got to be close to 2,000 now if not more. So, of course, I've made dolls for the 4th of July holiday season. Since they're also patriotic they're out during the Summer months.

I don't always make my dolls exactly like the patterns call for. In fact, most of the time they are entirely different.


The dolls shown in the picture above and below were adapted from a bunny and angel pattern I had seen in a March 1996 Crafts N Things magazine and was designed by Donna Newman. I thought they'd look cuter as as patriotic dolls and hope you would agree.


Other Americana and 4th of July Craft Decorations For The Summer Months


Now I know what you're thinking, "You've never met a wreath you haven't loved. Yeah, right Linda.... you love everything crafty. In fact, there isn't any craft you've met that you haven't loved!" Well, that may be true but wreaths certainly are one of my favorites. I love making them and love decorating with them.

So, of course, I made a patriotic wreath that hangs in my kitchen during the Summer months. I made the wreath shown in the picture above in 2002 and it was made based on a Pretty Primitives pattern.


I also love decorating my front door for the various holidays and seasons. My house is painted a colonial burgundy color so the big Uncle Sam woodcraft, shown in the picture above, looks great on the front door all during the Summer months. He was also made in 2002 and was based on a TLC Crafters pattern.


I had seen an adorable Uncle Sam ornament by Mary Ayres in a June/July 2000 Crafts magazine and just had to make one. He's totally adorable - don't you think?

So, what do you decorate your house with during the Summer months?


Thursday, June 23, 2016

My BIG Uncle Sam!



What would summer be like without all our Americana, 4Th of July, and Uncle Sam decorations. Well, it certainly would be boring color wise. The red, whites, and blues are always so festive and cheery looking.

One of my favorite BIG dolls and woodcraft is a self-sitting Uncle Sam that resides in the corner of my kitchen for the entire summer. He just sits there and every time I look at him I can't help but think of the role New England played in the history of this country. In particular he makes me think of the American Revolution and Paul Revere, etc.

My Uncle Sam is 32" tall and was made based upon a TLC Crafters design. He's so cheery sitting in his corner that I decided to name him "Firecracker Sam."

"Firecracker Sam" was made from 3/4" pine wood and was painted blue. Painted black stitches outline the edge of his face, beard, and mustache. Painted white stars adorn his hat and white stripes run down his pant legs. He is holding a painted wooden flag and set of firecrackers in his lap.

So, all summer long he just sits atop his pedestal. He did have one request this year and that was to know when we would be showing his favorite movie - "Yankee Doodle Dandy." I told him I wasn't sure, but I would try to make sure we showed it for him.

Gotta Love Americana and 4th of July Decorations


It's the start of the summer season in the U.S. and for crafters thoughts turn to the 4th of July and Americana decorations. If you love 4th of July, Americana, and primitive home decorations you'll love our Americana dolls and 4th of July patterns.

Our Americana and 4th of July e-patterns are all Linda Walsh Originals designs. Some of our handmade Americana and 4th of July dolls were made based on our own designs while others were made based on other designers patterns.










Uncle George - Designer Linda Walsh





Adam - Pattern Designer Sparkles N Spirit


Santa - Pattern Designer Angels Attic


Uncle Sam Bear - Body Pattern Designer - Mulberry Street Clothing
Clothing Designer - Linda Walsh

Enjoy! It's hot fun in the summer time.