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Ms. Mannequin: Running Away to Join the Circus

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations:  My Circus Pinterest Board and my Love of Boots

A circus inspired paper doll outfit for the Ms. Mannequin series from paperthinpersonas.com. Free to print in color or black and white.

I have this odd fondness for vintage circus art. While I can’t really explain it, I mostly think I like vintage posters in general and old photos. By far the strongest influence on today’s paper doll outfit was my circus Pinterest board. Also, like my Ancient Greek fantasy gown from Tuesday, I realized I haven’t done much Circus inspired stuff since my Marisole Monday & Friend’s set from 2014.

Several years ago, my National Novel Writing Month project involved a circus. I never finished it, but that’s okay. Is anyone doing NaNoWriMo this year? I usually do, but I confess I’m not this time.

Anyway, I think this is the sort of circus outfit that is probably worn more often by burlesque dancers than actual circus performers, because I don’t think you can do trapeze in those boots, but then again, I don’t know much about actual circuses or their performers. Let’s be honest, here.

Still, I think there’s a lot of interesting things you can do visually with circus imagery.

Meanwhile, what do you think of today’s paper doll outfit? Let me know in a comment!

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Need a paper doll to wear today’s outfit? Pick out a Ms. Mannequin Paper Doll Here

Sprites: Flower Fairies Can Be Boys!

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations:  Flower Fairies, Nasturtiums and the Book, Fairie-ality

Fairy paper doll clothing for both boy and girl paper dolls. Free to print form paperthinpersonas.com.

So, when I was doodling this fairy paper doll clothing, I said to a friend, “Can flower fairies be boys?”

And she was like, “Of course, don’t be sexist.”

And I was like, “Well, in that case…”

Here today we have flower fairy clothing for both boy and girl paper dolls. I also have fairy versions of two Sprites dolls in the works, but they aren’t ready for prime time yet, unlike my flower fairy outfits.

So, I own a lot of serious costume history books and I own a lot of books of fairy tales and folklore. I own only one book that combines the two. That is Fairie-Ality, an amazing collection of fairy outfits made from natural materials and beautifully photographed. It is a book I use when I am looking for fairy inspiration.

Other than that, this set of fairy paper doll clothing was inspired by Nasturtiums. I love Nasturtiums, because they taste spicy and they grow best in poor soil. Anyway, they are most often yellow, orange or red flowers, hence the yellow, orange and red color scheme.

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So, my question for all my readers today is, what is your favorite flower? I confess nasturtiums are some of my favorites. Let me know in a comment!

Looking for some Sprite paper dolls to wear these outfits? Pick out Sprite paper dolls here.

Acorn Pixie Pants and a Stuffed Owl Paper Doll Outfit

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Unisex Children’s Clothing, Fig & Me Dolls, Untied Shoes, and Twig & Tale Sewing Patterns

poppet-modern-unisex-blue-color

When I was in middle school, I never tied my shoes. I wore hiking boots all day. Whenever people told me, my shoes were untied, then I would tell them that, “It’s okay. I like living dangerously.”

The truth was that I was just forgetful and they had a tendency to become untied.

So, I was thinking of that when I drew this set of Poppet paper doll clothing.

I was also thinking about gender neutral children’s clothing which seems to be a trend. I think the pants could be worn by a boy or a girl, though all the Poppets are girl paper dolls. They are based off this pattern from Twig and Tale. I wanted to stick with the nature theme, so her pants have acorns on them and she has a stuffed owl. I don’t know why I’ve been on such a stuffed animal drawing kick. I did a bunny last time and an owl this time.

I guess I just like drawing stuffed animals and that is probably okay. Her owl is purple.

After this, the next two Poppet pieces in progress are both historical. I have a bunch of 1920s stuff in the works for them and some Edwardian looks too. I think today’s outfit would go well with last week’s explorer outfit and this one from 2014.

As usual, if you love the blog, then think about supporting it on Patreon and I always love to hear what you think in the comments.

Need a paper doll to wear today’s outfit? Pick a Poppet Paper Doll Here.

Ancient Greek Fantasy Gown Paper Doll

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Ancient Greek Dress, Corsets, Lyres and Pale Aqua

A ancient greek inspired paper doll fantasy gown with a corset and lute.

So, I have been spending some time with my big paper doll index and I have noticed there are a few tags with very few items in them. I don’t think everything has to be even, but I was surprised at how few Ancient Greek Inspired pieces of paper doll art I have posted. The last one was back in 2013. So, just like I created an Astronaut and a Ninja recently to try to flesh out those areas, I decided to dabble in the world of Ancient Greek inspiration.

Therefore today’s fantasy gown was inspired by Ancient Greek clothing, particularly the peplos which was women by women and fasten at the shoulders. Because I have a fondness in my heart for corsets, I added one over the top and her accessories are a scroll and a lyre, because everyone needs a lyre, don’t they?

Plus, they didn’t have codex format in Ancient Greece, so scrolls it is.

Other paper doll light tags include Russia inspired, cyborgs and ballet. Which one of those should I work on next? Let me know in a comment if you have an opinion, just remember: I always reserve the right to ignore suggestions and, of course, things take a long long time to go from idea to finished paper doll.

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Need a Marisole Monday & Friends Paper Doll to wear today’s outfit? Pick One Out Here. 

Faye in Fall Fashions: Printable Paper Doll

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Fall Fashions 2016 and… Well, not much else

An elegant contemporary outfit based on the Fall fashion magazines with a black and white Asian paper doll. Free to print.

I love September fashion magazines. It’s when all the fall fashion magazines come out and it such a great time to see what is currently “on trend.” I am a huge believer in classic dressing, but I also believe you can’t start to understand fashion unless you know what is going on in it.

So, today’s Faye paper doll of the Mini-Maiden series is based on the September fashion magazines.

There is a real trend this year for romantic blouses. To go with that, I created a pair of skinny trousers and some ankle boots. I tend to think a person can’t have enough pairs of basic ankle boots.

My question for all of you is this: What is your favorite fall fashion item?

I am a sucker for tweed trousers and getting to pull out my oxford shoes.

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Need a more outfits for today’s Mini-Maiden Paper Doll? Find More Clothing Here. 

Explorer’s Outfit with a Bunny Companion

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Fig & Me Dolls, Stuffed Bunnies, Oliver & S Sewing Patterns and Adventures

Poppet paper dolls are off exploring with her faithful bunny companion. Free paper doll clothes to print in color or black and white.

I have fond memories of exploring as a child. I was lucky enough to live in a small town in Alaska with lost of wilderness around me, so it wasn’t hard to just hike back into the woods and feel like you were in some secret place where no one had ever been.

So, the Poppets are off exploring today in this outfit designed for the occasion complete with a bag to carry back treasures in and a bunny companion.

I had a stuffed bunny as a child named Mr. Bunny (I still have him) and so I have always had a fondness for stuffed bunnies.

Today’s paper doll’s shirt is based off an Oliver + S sewing pattern called Hopscotch Skirt and Knit Top. I’ve always had a fondness for Oliver + S, because they used to use paper dolls in their pattern packaging.

Her shoes were inspired by this Fig & Me doll’s shoes.

So, my question to all of you is this- Did you have exploring adventures when you were a child? And where did you go to have them?

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Need a paper doll to wear today’s outfit? Pick a Poppet Paper Doll Here.

An Evening Paper Doll Dress with Shoes

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: 1930s Evening Gowns, Brooches and Strappy Shoes
A 1930s inspired printable paper doll evening gown with strappy formal shoes in black and white for coloring. Free to print from paperthinpersonas.com
Not every paper doll outfit I draw has some great origin story. Some are just the result of needing to draw something. Today’s printable paper doll evening dress I fear falls much more into that category than any other.

I will confess that after I drew the dress, I did end up thinking that it reminded me a little of 1930s evening gowns like this one and this one. There’s something so slinky about 1930’s bias cut evening wear. But I’ll admit that inspiration source is a bit of a stretch for today’s printable evening dress.

So, I created this gown at the same time to created several other Mini-Maiden paper doll sets. I was trying to create a diverse set of outfits, so I just felt like I “needed” a gown.

It feels a little strange trying to write about a gown that I don’t have much to say about. I suppose I could talk about the weather instead.

Alabama is in a drought. It has been hot and dry here, but it is finally getting cold. Actually, I broke out one of my fall cardigans today. Very exciting.

See, no much their either?

Well, not very paper doll dress post can be perfect and thrilling.

In the meantime, happy Thursday!

And, as always, if you like the blog, consider supporting it through Patreon.

Need a Mini-Maiden paper doll to wear today’s outfit? Pick a Mini-Maiden Paper Doll Here.

Ninja! Paper Doll Ninja!

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations:  Ninjas, Obi Belts and The Lack of Ninjas On the Blog. 

A paper doll ninja outfit for the Marisole Monday & Friends series. Free to print in color or black and white from paperthinpersonas.com

Sometimes, your paper dolls just want to be Ninjas. To solve that problem, today’s outfit is a free printable paper doll ninja outfit. Everything I know about ninjas I learned from watching Kung Fu movies in college which means I really don’t know anything at all. Mostly, I tend to think that ninjas fall into the “vaguely Asian feeling assassin/spy territory” and I can live with that.

Part of my decision to draw a ninja outfit for the Marisole Monday and Friends paper doll series came from the realization that I hadn’t done very many ninjas over the years. Last time I did one was 2014 and she was less ninja and more scantily clad Asian warrior chick.

The general idea of creating an all black paper doll outfit doesn’t hold much interest for me, so I brightened up my Ninja paper doll outfit design with some red trim.

I did seriously consider making the outfit all white, because the color white is associated with funerals in China. However, I didn’t think white would be a very logical color for a sneaky stalker of the night to wear. Along with the outfit, there are some accessories. I did some throwing stars and knives, because they are cliche.

And a kusarigama which translates to “chain-sickle.” I omitted the chain for both space and practicality when cutting out the pieces. So, I guess mine is just a sickle.

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Well, what do you think of today’s paper doll ninja? Let me know in a comment.

Need a Marisole Monday & Friends Paper Doll to wear today’s outfit? Pick One Out Here. 

B&B: African-American Fantasy Maiden’s Second Gown

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Athena- Goddess of Wisdom, Renaissance Faires, and This Paper Doll I drew in 2013.

A fantasy paper doll gown featuring owls and puffy sleeves and trim and things. Free to print from paperthinpersonas.com.

Yesterday, I posted my big beautiful brown skinned fantasy maiden B&B paper doll with some rockin’ boots and I explained how that paper doll set was inspired by a project to look again at older sets on the blog and use them for inspiration for newer sets. Yesterday’s paper doll and today’s gown were both based on a Pixie paper doll set called Dionisia.

Athena, goddess of wisdom in Greek mythology, inspired the trim on the bottom of her dress. Owls were the symbol of Athena and I wanted to give a nod to the goddess in this gown. In the Renaissance era, which was a minor inspiration for this gown, ancient Greek myth and legend was super popular, so the owl motif is also a nod to that.

Plus, it was an excuse to draw some owls and who doesn’t want to do that?

My natural instincts told me to make the undergown cream as I did with Monday’s paper doll gown, but I fought those instincts and went with a deep gold instead. Since the gown is trimmed in a nod to Athena, I decided that this gown was worn by a woman of education and distinction.

Therefore, she got a pot of ink, a scroll and a book as her accessories. Seriously, that’s why. It has nothing to do with my love of drawing books. Honestly.

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Tomorrow, there will be a ninja!

Also, I hope all my USA readers take the time today to go vote. Super important.

Need to get a Bodacious & Buxom paper doll to wear these fabulous clothes? Pick one out here.

B&B: A Curvy Black Princess & Her Amazing Boots

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Pageant Hair, The Toddler Paper Dolls of Paper Doll School, A Pixie Set Called Dionsia, and Boots Made for Walkin’.

A brown skinned fantasy paper doll to print with some dark rockin' boots and an elegant gown. Free from paperthinpersonas.com.

Can I confess that my favorite part of today’s curvy paper doll to print are those amazing boots? I want them. I don’t know where I would ever wear them, but I would find a way.

For a while, Julie of Paper Doll School was making Toddler Paper Dolls inspired by some of her older paper doll sets. Like this toddler paper doll set named Riley is based on an older set named Ruby.  I thought this was a really cool idea, but wasn’t sure how to develop it my way.

On occasion readers have asked if I could redraw something from one paper doll series for a different series. I’ve always said no. Drawing the exact same outfit again sounded boring. But watching Julie’s process, I was inspired to look back at my own work and see what ideas were sparked.

So, today’s curvy paper doll to print from the B&B series is based on a Pixie paper doll named Dionsia.  The paper dolls share a color scheme and Dionsia’s clothing inspired both today’s gown and tomorrow’s gown- both for my curvy B&B paper doll series.

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Tomorrow, there will be another fantasy gown inspired by the Dionsia paper doll set and owls.

Love the paper doll? Hate the paper doll? Just wanna tell me something? Leave a comment!

Need to get some more clothing for this Bodacious & Buxom paper doll to wear? Pick out some clothing here.