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Marisole Monday & Friends Masquerade: Marisole as a Flamingo

May 28, 2020November 1, 2016

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Flamingos, 1980’s Prom Dresses, and Spiky Hair Cuts

There is something really silly looking about flamingos. Still, I love their color and I wanted to do something a little playful for one of the masquerade gowns, and who doesn’t want to dress their paper doll up like a flamingo?

I was trying to research flamingo folklore and I didn’t find much. I did however find a great history of the pink plastic lawn flamingo, should anyone be curious. I also learned, though I haven’t been able to confirm this through a really reputable source, that in Ancient Egypt Flamingos were considered sacred to the sun god, Ra.

The over-skirt of the gown is meant to mirror the fuller body of the flamingo. Originally, I had a very narrow skirt attached to the bottom, but later I altered it to fit in better with the rest of the gowns. Due to the very low neckline and decorate edging, I think the dress will work best with floating tabs, so I positioned two on the page. You may need to add some longer floating tabs for the skirt.

Our printable model for the flamingo costume is Marisole. I thought her light brown skin-tone would be set off really beautifully by the pink gown.

If you’re not sure how the wig works, here are instructions. Also, I would recommend adding some additional tabs to the skirt as needed. It is a very wide skirt.

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Need a more outfits for today’s Marisole Monday & Friends Paper Doll? Find More Clothing Here.

Marisole Monday & Friends Masquerade: Meaghan as an Owl

May 28, 2020October 31, 2016

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Owls, Victorian Ballgowns, and Platform Sandals

Happy Halloween!

Halloween always feels like it is a holiday ripe for paper doll activity. It’s all about costumes, after all. So, while I abandoned themes last week, I will be returning to them this week. Each day this week there will be a different Marisole Monday & Friend’s doll and her bird themed masquerade ballgown.

Meaghan is starting us off with an owl themed paper doll masquerade dress which was the first of the dresses that I designed. The sketchbook page of this gown on Instragram went up a few months ago, but it can take a long time for things to be finished. My goal was to capture the idea of an owl without being specific to species, so the buns on her head are supposed to be like the owl’s ears and the layers in the skirt give a sense of wings.

Due to the width of the skirt, I would strongly recommend adding some floating tabs to the back of it. Her wig is designed to work with my usual method of pasting the back to the front and leaving a pocket for the dolls head. Here are the full instructions. I really should do full instructions on floating tabs, but I haven’t gotten around to it yet.

Now, tomorrow there will be a flamingo and after that, I haven’t decided which ballgown will go up next.

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Need a more outfits for today’s Marisole Monday & Friends Paper Doll? Find More Clothing Here.

Sprites: Some Norse/Viking Inspired Fantasy Outfits

May 19, 2020October 28, 2016

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Viking Dress, Medieval Clothing and Celtic Knots

Now, I’ve done a historical viking paper doll before for the B&B paper doll series and I suspect I’ll do one again, but that is not happening today. Today, I decided to play with viking clothing in an entirely fantasy realm.

I tend to do my laundry in the evenings. I never seem to remember to start it before I go to work, so I am writing this post to the rhythmic noise of the washer cleaning clothing for tomorrow and the dryer doing the same.

The truth is that I designed these outfits so long ago, that I don’t really know what to say about them and listening to my washer is not very inspiring on the blog post writing front.

I guess what I’ll say is this: One of the most interesting things about doing the Sprites is getting to think about what to draw for a boy and then what to draw for a girl. That’s also one of the more challenging aspects of the process. These two outfits are really tied together more by their color scheme than by their design motifs.

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

B&B: Some Casual Street Clothes, Cause Every Girl Needs Jeans

May 28, 2020October 27, 2016

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Skinny Jeans, Mid-Century Modern Shapes and the Color Yellow.

I originally drew these printable paper doll clothing pieces to be part of a modern B&B paper doll set which, frankly, was pretty uninspired. Most of the paper doll clothing pieces were boring and simple. So, I picked out my favorite pieces and put them together into this little mini collection for the B&B paper doll series.

Can I be blunt? I like you all, so I feel like I can be blunt.

I am totally enjoying getting to post whatever I feel like. Don’t get me wrong, I can’t really call this week “random.” I carefully picked out which designs would go up and in what order. These things do matter a rather lot to me. Never the less, I like the variety in my printable paper doll designs and I hope all of you do as well.

This doesn’t mean that when the mood strikes that there won’t ever be a weekly theme ever again. For example, next week there will be, but more on that when we get there. It’s not like I could ignore Halloween completely.

Today’s set of printable paper doll clothing for the B&B series has a pair of jeans, two blouses and a matching purse. I would wear both of these blouses. The teal one would have to go under a cardigan, as I am not too keen on exposing my upper arms to the light of day.

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Tomorrow, we’ll be closing the week with a viking inspired set of fantasy clothing. Who doesn’t want that?

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

Retro Suit from 1954 for Paper Dolls

May 19, 2020October 26, 2016

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: 1950s Suits, Obviously

When you think of the 1950s, there are really two common silhouettes. The first is the nipped in waist and the full skirt. That look is pretty flattering on myself and one I enjoy drawing, but there is another look that was equally popular.

That is the narrow skirted silhouette, like today’s suit from 1954 for the Mini-Maiden paper doll series. This design is featured in the Complete Fashion Sourcebook by John Peacock and is identified as being from 1954. My major problem with Peacock’s works is that he rarely states where he found the images he is illustrating, so it is very hard to know what the context of the suit is.

However, very similar designs can be found in many other places including the Everyday Fashions of the Fifties As Pictured in Sears Catalogs book from Dover publishing. Dover has a series of these books, one for each decade, and I could not recommend them enough.

A few more examples of this style from the 1950s can be seen in this vintage pattern cover, this vintage pattern cover and this vintage pattern cover. More 1950s fashion fun can be found on my 1950s fashion Pinterest board.

Sometimes, I think I wouldn’t mind wearing suits very day, because I love how they look. I don’t want to go back to the 1950s though, because as much as I like the clothing, I also like living in a era where the Civil Rights Act exists.

We’re on day three of our variety week and I want to know what you all think, so please let me know in a comment.

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

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

Ms Mannequin: Layered Fantasy Gown with an Underbust Corset

December 6, 2020October 25, 2016

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Victorian Garters, Folk Art, and Layers, Layers, Layers

Sometimes when I draw a paper doll outfit, it is really an excuse to explore something artistically. In today’s fantasy paper doll gown, I wanted to practice drawing drapery and layers. One of the things I am always thinking about when it comes to paper doll designs is how different pieces will layer over each other. Clothing, after all, has bulk and drape.

I previewed today’s fantasy paper doll gown way back in June and I actually drew the design back in December of last year. So, this has been a long long time coming, clearly.

There’s a second similar fantasy gown for the Ms. Mannequin series over on my Patreon page that everyone, not just Patrons, can download in color or black and white, so check that out over on my Patreon page and consider joining. It’s a great way to support the blog.

The corset designs are based on folk art designs which I love. I’ve always liked folk art florals and traditional crewel embroidery designs. The garters are, as I said above, based on Victorian garters which often closed with a clasp.

Meanwhile, please let me know what you think of today’s paper doll gown in a comment.

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

Marisole Monday & Friends: A Retro Astronaut Paper Doll

May 28, 2020October 24, 2016

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Retro Sci-Fi Magazine Cover Art, Krylorians and Lavender Hair

Sometimes, I feel like drawing a different sort of paper doll, so today we have a little pink skinned retro alien astronaut paper doll, because why not?

Over the course of the year, I have continued to move closer to my roots. And today, I am moving there even further. When this site started, before the whole thing went down in flames in 2009, there was just one series and that series updated with whatever the heck I felt like. Later, I added the first Curves series, but continued to post whatever I felt like.

Starting today, I am going to abandon weekly themes, except when I feel like there is a real reason I want to do one.

For example, I have only one astronaut paper doll until today. For several years, I’ve wanted to draw a really retro inspired, pin-up inspired sort of astronaut, but I’ve never wanted to make a whole set like that. But during my short hiatus I had an epiphany, I realized that I didn’t have too. There was no reason I had to do a whole week of retro-astronauts. I could just do one!

And on the next day, I could do something else entirely.

So, today enjoy this “Friend of Marisole Monday” and her retro inspired astronaut suit. I also gave her a pair of somewhat impractical shoes, because I thought she might want to wear something other than her space suit and with her pink skin, burrowing shoes might be straight out, unless they were boots.

Thoughts on the new plan? Do let me know in a comment. And if you love the blog, than think about supporting it through Patreon.

Need a more outfits for today’s Marisole Monday & Friends Paper Doll? Find More Clothing Here.

Poppets: Floral Border Printed Vintage Inspired Paper Doll Dress

May 19, 2020October 21, 2016

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Bow-Tie Blouses, Mary Engelbreit’s Flowers, Colorful shoes and the November 1954 Betsy McCall Paper Doll.

Personally, I can’t imagine putting a child in a cream colored dress and not expecting a disastrous spill/stain or something to happen to that dress five minutes later, but part of the pleasure of paper dolls is that reality doesn’t actually have to enter into it. Plus, the Poppets are based on ball-jointed dolls and not real children, so presumably pieces of resin are capable to keeping out of trouble.

One of the things I really love about this dress is the floral border. It was a later addition to the design. Originally, I was just going to do a wide stripe, like I did on the coat-dress from Tuesday. However, I didn’t want to repeat myself so soon, so I decided on some Mary Engelbreit inspired flowers along the hem.

The November 1954 Betsy McCall paper doll had two dresses with ties around their necks, but I’ll confess that I spent a lot of time looking at different Betsy McCall paper dolls and they all start to flow together after a while. Each page also has a little story on it. I tried to read a few, but stuff written for children in the 1950s, just isn’t that compelling to me.

So, next week will begin my first week of different pieces from different series posting. I am nervous and excited. We’ll start the week out with a Retro inspired astronaut and continue from there.

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

Poppets: Heading to the Seashore in a Nautical 1950s Inspired Paper Doll Dress

May 19, 2020October 20, 2016

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Sailboats, Maritime Signal Flags, and Satchel Bags, like these

I grew up on the coast. On sunny days, which aren’t that common in Southeast Alaska, you could watch from the living room the sailboats as they whipped up and down the channel. I remember watching them as a child. There was a large marker warning people that there was a shoal, but people often ignored it during sailboat races and so, once in a while, a boat would end up stuck in the mud until high tide.

None of the boats on today’s paper doll skirt will likely have that problem.

The color scheme of today’s Poppet paper doll dress is based on maritime signal flags. When my father was studying for some sort of nautical exam, we spent time together looking through the signal flags and I’ll always think of those colors when I think of nautical inspired paper doll outfits.

When I was studying in England, I got a brown leather satchel, a lot like our paper doll’s red version. I carried it for many years, bit eventually the leather split. I’ve always loved how a nice satchel looks.

As always, I’d love to hear that people think in the comments.

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

Poppets: A Yellow and Blue Vintage Style Paper Doll Dress

May 19, 2020October 19, 2016

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It is easy, given that most photographs of the 1950s and 1960s are black and white, to forget that there was color back then. I really wanted to embrace color when I designed this dress. I was super inspired by a February 1959 Betsy McCall paper doll, but then I simplified things and changed some things too.

Along with the dress, I decided to do a journal and a piece of paper with a pencil as today’s accessories. I remember that all through Elementary and Middle School we had to keep a journal. I never really liked do it, but it was one of those things. I was once way to honest in my journal, called my teacher a name I won’t post in my family friendly blog, and got in trouble with her.

Oddly, I didn’t get in trouble with my parents. They were super understanding and were like, “Well, don’t do it again and remember, private isn’t always really private.”

So, that was a useful lesson at least.

Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations Include: Wanting Teal and Yellow Shoes, February 1959 Betsy McCall paper doll, and All those Journals I kept in School

Because these shoes have socks, they can be shared with any of the Poppet paper dolls, but Monday’s doll with her blond hair would look particularly cute in this dress, I think.

I clearly love drawing vintage and historical clothing for the Poppets, but I have been wondering if people feel like their Poppets need some modern duds.

So, here’s a poll!

[poll id=”20″]

Now, you are also totally welcome to tell me your thoughts in a comment as well. I always enjoy getting to hear from you guys.

Lastly, if you like the blog, think about supporting it through Patreon or just leave me a comment to let me know you like it. I always enjoy getting to hear from you guys.

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

Poppets: A Vintage Purple Paper Doll Coat Dress

May 19, 2020October 18, 2016

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In my original plan, today’s dress was red and had a Scotty Dog on the skirt. Then you know what I learned? Scottish Terriers are hard to draw.

So, after one too many deformed looking pups, I decided to go with a nice simple stripe along the bottom.

My mother told me once that when she was a little girl in the 1950s, she had one school dress for each day of the week. So, when I created Monday’s paper doll, my idea was for a week of school dresses. Each dress will have some school accessories. (Okay, mostly books. I like drawing books.)

Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations Include: Sport Socks, 1950s Coat Dresses, Children’s Vintage School Books and Failed Scotty Dog Doodles

In my head, I imagine this as a winter dress, probably made of a heavy wool. I went back and forth about the color, but settled on this dark grape purple, because I like purple. I also think purple is a fun winter/fall color without being totally an obvious choice.

Thoughts on today’s dress? Leave me a comment if you like.

Lastly, if you like the blog and want to support it, than consider becoming a Patron.

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

Poppet: Vintage Paper Doll with Her Lavender Dress

December 6, 2020October 17, 2016

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First off, I want to say thank you for all the kind words I got while I was taking my week off. It was needed and it let me regroup a little. I’ll admit openly that this last few months have been among the crazier in my life.

Secondly, this week’s theme is for a vintage inspired school girl look which owes a lot to the Betsy McCall dolls and paper dolls of the 1950s and 1960s. I have always loved vintage children’s clothing, so we are starting with our unnamed member of the Poppet family and continuing with four other dresses.

Thirdly, starting next week, there will not always be a weekly theme. I’ll get more into that next Monday.

Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations Include: Betsy McCall Paper Dolls, Two-Tone Shoes, Abby Glassenberg’s Soft Toy Designs, and The Color Lavender

Now, as I said, I didn’t name today’s paper doll. I just don’t know if naming dolls where I am never going to reuse the same face makes sense. Like it makes sense to me that maybe someone likes say 1830s Greta and therefore wants to see if there’s a Creepy Ghost Greta, but since I won’t ever use the face of this paper doll again, does it matter if she has a name?

I am thinking on this and I haven’t decided the future of naming the Poppets.

These are the questions that try men’s souls. Really.

Anyway, you can follow the blog on Twitter @paperpersonas and, if you love it, consider supporting it through Patreon.

Need more clothes for today’s Poppet paper doll? Find Additional Outfits Here.

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