The End of the 365 Day Project! A Paper Doll Marathon

For reasons probably best lost in the sands of 2019, I decided to draw a paper doll piece of clothing for every day in 2020, not realizing it was a leap year at first, which is why I called the 365 Day Project when 2020 had, you know, 366 days.

I am super excited to announce you can now purchase this set of 43 printable paper doll as coloring pages or as a color printables from my Etsy store.

The Black and White 365 Project Bundle

Over the course of the year, I’ve posted on Patreon everything from sweet Lolita inspired fairies, a bat masquerade costume, and a lot of contemporary clothing. It has been so much fun! I’m a little sad to wrap it now that 2020 is over, but I also don’t know if I’ll do it again!

There is something interesting that happens when you have to draw a lot of something over a short period of time. It forced me to think creatively and I confess I created some sets I am super proud of and some that I am befuddled by (my short foray into sea-life masquerade costumes comes to mind).

The 365 Project Bundle in Color

Once a Patreon exclusive, there’s 43 sheets of cute paper doll coloring pages or color printable ranging from a fairy to lounge wear and 1960s mini-dresses to a ninja. There’s a total of 23 dolls and over 330 pieces of clothing spread across the 43 total pages.

I will confess openly that the collection is eclectic. But I think that makes it more fun, myself.

I’ll be creating some smaller sets of out the larger collection for purchase as well, so if you aren’t sure you want the WHOLE collection, you can grab just the masquerade pieces or something. I haven’t decided exactly how to slice and dice this creation yet.

By the way, I don’t know yet what I am going to do for 2021, but once I do, I will let you all know. Patreon is on a hiatus for a bit to give me space for my Newsletter which will be going out for the first issue next Friday, the 6th!  Sign up here if you’d like to.

Ninja Paper Doll for the End of 2020!

It’s the end of year and I am happy to wrap up with this little cute ninja warrior. You might be wondering- why a ninja paper doll? There’s nothing winter thematic about a ninja?

And you are right! There isn’t.

However, I have a new logo which I love (see top of the site) and I want to start putting it on all of my printables and that means some reformatting. So, rather than try to make something wintery to end out 2020, I decided to use my last finished piece and then have a clean slate for 2021.

Hence the ninja paper doll, who has been sitting quietly in my “to be posted” folder for longer than I like to admit. Poor Diamond deserves better than that, but these things happen.

A ninja paper doll coloring page with six mix and match pieces to print and color. Her accessories include a sword, throwing stars and some other fantasy weapons.

Download Black and White PDF | Download Color PDF | More Jewels & Gemstones 2.0

I originally planned to do this a very traditional ninja set with lots and lots of black, but in the end, I concluded that it was sort of boring. So, I guess my ninja is just really into the color blue. I don’t see why ninjas have to wear just black. The origins of which I think have to do with Noh theater, but I’m not 100% positive. If you know, feel free to correct me in the comments.

A ninja paper doll with mix and match pieces, weapons and fun style. Great indoor play for kids!

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As 2020 comes to an end (and thanks goodness for that), I am so pleased to say I will be taking a few days off to rest and recoup. Patreon will be on pause during January (no content, but no one is being charged either, a feature I love of Patreon), but feel free to join us to check out the wrap up for the 365 Day Project!

Okay, it was 366 days, because when I named it I forgot that 2020 was a leap year.

Also, it will be available as one huge download on Etsy once I get it all combined. It’s um… pretty large.

My big new project for 2021 is an email newsletter. I am so excited! Sign up here if you’d like to or read more about it, if you’d like. There will be a paper doll coloring page in every issue and links to neat stuff and ramblings from me.

Cut Out This Super Cute Superhero Paper Doll with Pearl!

Superheroes seem to be in style right now and therefore make a good paper doll topic. I think I read last year that superhero costumes outsold princess costumes for Halloween. That surprised me, but it’s sort of neat to see the change in culture that’s taking place around superheroes. I have no idea the Halloween costume sales in 2020, given the whole- there’s a pandemic thing.

We did get tricker-treaters, but it was WAY fewer than we get normally. Our neighborhood is a prime tricker-treater location and usually gets swarms of kids.

I digress as none of this has to do with today’s superhero paper doll.

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When it came to colors, I wanted to make sure this set felt like the pieces came from the same world, even though jumpsuits are not a high mix and matchable thing. My partner helped me brainstorm ideas for the paper dolls superhero names, but feel free to rename them as you desire.

Today’s paper doll was created from some old old content, a new doll and some Patreon only pieces. I like the idea of themed superheroes, but I confess I don’t really know what other then natural forces to use as icon symbols. I figure people will decide for themselves what powers the superhero has.

Download Black and White PDF | Download Color PDF | More Jewels & Gemstones 2.0

I confess openly I am both not a huge superhero comics fan, nor do I really enjoy shows or comics commenting on superheroes with the possible exception of Deadpool. After being introduced to Deadpool in college, I think I read everything that existed at the time. Truthfully, I haven’t kept up with my comic’s reading.

I hope everyone is having an amazing holiday season and staying safe. Hopefully the end is in sight for this pandemic based year, but I have no idea what the future holds. Stay safe everyone out there.

For 2021, I’ll be creating a newsletter of paper doll content! I’m super excited! Sign up here if you’d like to or read more about it, if you’re unsure.

Victorian Sports Paper Dolls: A Review

So, the moment I learned Brenda Sneathen Mattox had a new paper doll book from Paper Doll Review of Victorian sporting outfits, I was in.

If there’s one myth about the Victorian era which won’t seem to die, it is the myth that women couldn’t do anything wearing a corset. The problem with propagating this myth is that it suggests women’s lack of agency in the 19th century European world was due to their clothing, rather than the patriarchal system that didn’t allow women a variety of basic rights.

So, anyway, Victorian Sports paper dolls got me excited, because women in the 19th century did lots of sports. We know this, because there’s extensive documentation. Tailoring magazines wouldn’t have published articles and patterns for women’s riding habits, hunting or hiking clothing if women weren’t out riding, hunting or hiking.

To start with the basics, the book has two dolls and 14 costumes. It measures 8.5 by 11 inches. The sports represented are Riding (1840s), Gymnastics (1850s), Croquet (1860s), Bathing (1860s), Hiking (1870s), Skating (1870s), Tennis (1880s), Baseball (1880s), Shooting (1880s), Fencing (1890s), Archery (1890s), Basketball (1890s), Cycling (1890s) and Golf (1890s). The costumes are beautifully rendered in colored pencil. I was particularly impressed by the tennis dress, because white is not an easy color to render.

The layout is great from the placement of the labels to the pairing of the costumes. There’s a subtle gradation to the pages that highlights the style of the art (which I think is colored pencil or watercolor? Not 100% sure). Additionally, a nice little bio in the beginning of Victorian Sports Paper Dolls tells about the artist, Brenda Sneathen Mattox. The book closes with a write up about Victorian sportswear by Lorna Currie Thomopoulos. The historian in me would have preferred something a little more in-depth about the topic, space was probably limited.

This is a book that feels really intentional and I love that.

The two dolls have wonderful faces that somehow feel very “healthy outdoors woman of the 1890s” to me. Their underwear is generic “19th century-ish” with the doll on the right looking more early 19th century and the doll on the left seeming more later 19th century. I did miss some indication of which costume went with which doll, even though they are facing different directions.

Some of the costumes had very wide skirts or a bicycle in the background which I suspect would benefit from a floating tab. The book doesn’t give an explanation or suggestion of floating tabs. That surprised me, because I learned about the handiness of floating tabs from a Brenda Sneathen Mattox book many years ago which had 1860s costumes. It’s a small thing, but paper doll functionality is important.

All in all, I was super pleased with Victorian Sports Paper Dolls and would certainly recommend you pick up a copy if you share my love of historical clothing, sporting or otherwise.

Actually, there’s several Victorian paper doll books from Paper Doll Review I love including this wonderful Worth book I own and should review someday and this book of non-white wedding dresses I don’t own, but want.

The Newsletter is Coming…

The new paper doll in progress

Back in the early days of blogs, there was a delight that came from checking on your favorite sites and seeing something new, even when unexpected. That was part of what I wanted to create when I started PTP 12 years ago.

(Wow, it really was 12 years ago, dang.)

Anyway, I have been thinking a lot about what gives me that feeling now. I don’t find I enjoy social media in that same way, but I do love newsletters. I look forward to my favorites every week. So, I have decided to start the PTP newsletter!

I know nearly nothing about starting or running a newsletter, but I knew nothing about running a blog in 2008 when I started this one, so I’m not about to let that stop me.

And I bet you’re wondering… What do I get if I sign up for this newsletter?

Listen, I get it! I guard my email tightly too! But I love the surprise that I get when I get my favorite newsletters, so I am going to try to translate some of that surprise into the PTP Newsletter.

Right now, the plan is:

  • A printable paper doll coloring page
  • A collection of links to interesting things on the internet like fashion history resources, news about new paper doll books, news about regular dolls and whatever else I’m finding inspiring at any given moment
  • A little ramble from me
  • A link to whatever I’ve gotten on the blog that week
  • Some highlights from the archives around a theme like fairies, pirates or high heeled shoes or holidays

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If you’re not interested in subscribing, not worries! The coloring pages will be available on Etsy in a different format whenever I get around to reformatting them.

Topaz & Her Workout Clothing

Athleisure has grown as a fashion phenomena in the last few years and so today’s paper doll is a celebration of all things athleisure. If I’m going to draw some paper fashion dolls, I figure they deserve the latest fashion looks. Plus, I don’t know about you, but I’ve been really needing to make sure I exercise these days. Winter and the pandemic have made me very much in need of breaking into a sweat pretty regularly.

Paper fashion doll coloring page with workout clothing. She has a fantastic 12 piece wardrobe of cute gym mix and match clothing.

Download Black and White PDF | Download Color PDF | More Jewels & Gemstones 2.0

Of course, my workout clothing isn’t nearly this cute. Maybe I should invest in something much cuter to exercise in. If I am going to draw paper fashion dolls, it seems like at minimum they should get cute work out clothing.

Super cute paper doll and she has a fantastic 12 piece wardrobe of cute gym mix and match clothing.

Download Black and White PDF | Download Color PDF | More Jewels & Gemstones 2.0

This version of Topaz was first created way back in 2019. I am recycling her here, but all the clothing is totally new. I still super love her hair. It’s like a 1930s glamour look, but for the gym. Hmm…. maybe not the most practical option.

By the way, have you seen Lane Bryant’s workout line? I haven’t gotten any yet, but their leggings are super cute. I love this floral one and this color blocked option. Living in Alaska means I pretty much 100% shop online, unless I’m in the lower 48 and then I can actually buy things at real stores.

As the year begins to wrap up, I am nearly done with my 366 Day paper doll Project over on Patreon! Now would be a great time to jump in and see the last few weeks of paper doll creations. Then I am taking off January (no charges for anyone on Patreon) for a little vacation and to get my Newsletter up and running smoothly (I hope.)

By the way, you can sign up for the Newsletter here and there will be more information about it in coming weeks.

The Make Believe Issue of Paper Doll Studio Magazine

  • Paper Doll Studio Issue 128 Cover by JM Tolman
  • My Fairy paper doll underneath art by Melissa Pepe

I got the most wonderful surprise in my mailbox last week- Issue 128 of Paper Doll Studio Magazine. The magazine, for those of you who don’t know, is merging with Paper Doll Review. I’ll talk more about this later in the post, promise.

The featured artist was JM Tolman. I was slightly familiar with her work from stumbling across her from her Etsy store and I always enjoy reading the interviews with the featured artists in the magazine. Her art style is super unique and unlike anyone else in the paper doll world right now.

The theme of the issue was Make Believe. Personally, I can’t think of a theme that I wanted to read more than this one. I mean, princesses, sci-fi, all things nerdy, this is was so what I love that I don’t even have words. I used some content from my Patreon project and reformatted it into this cute little fairy.

And seriously, every page of this issue had paper dolls on it that I wanted to photograph. Every page.

A few of my other favorite pieces from the issue were a Dungeons and Dragons paper doll by Dorta Meeiling Nielsen, because I have totally drawn paper dolls of my rpg characters. There was also a great article about cosplay by Tracy Williams with some of her beautiful paper dolls featured. Sylvia Kleindinst did a dress up cat with art inspired costumes. I’m biased, because the cat does look a bit my own furbaby Dewey.

  • Sylvia Kleindinst’s Cat Paper Dolls
  • Dorta Meeiling Nielsen’s DnD Paper Dolls

There has been some sadness over the merger between Paper Doll Review and Paper Doll Studio Magazine. Personally, I super excited with this new chapter for the Original Paper Doll Artists Guild and our magazine. The world of paper doll lovers and artists is a small one and given the current climate for print publishing, having a magazine at all is amazing. I wish Jenny nothing but the absolute best as she continues into this new chapter for her paper doll publishing world.

By the way, if you have a subscription to Paper Doll Studio, you should get the merged magazine in 2021. If you don’t have a subscription, go grab one!

Speaking of new projects, there will be a whole new chapter for PTP in 2021. You might notice some small changes (like my new logos) around here as that happens, but there will be more changes in future. I’ll keep you all posted and if you’re a Patron, you’ll get even more info and some input. Join us!

Rose and Ivy Paper Doll Book Review

  • Rose and Ivy by Julie Allen Matthews
  • The dolls- Ivy and Rose- from the back of the book.

Julie Allen Matthew‘s new book Rose and Ivy paper dolls published by Paper Doll Review press is what I am writing about today. I know both Julie and Jenny (who runs Paper Doll Review), but this isn’t sponsored or anything. I bought it with my own 13 dollars and thought I would share what I liked and didn’t like about the book, because I do like writing up my thoughts on various paper doll books.

So, let me start by giving the basic info. The book is a 8.5 by 11 inches staple bound. It has a light weight satin cardstock cover and the most beautiful interior paper. I didn’t cut into mine, but the feel of the paper is lovely. I think cutting up this book would be a dream.

The book has two dolls on the back, Ivy and Rose, who are each about 9 inches tall. There are 8 plates, so 16 pages. I counted 47 mix and match clothing pieces and 16 wigs, though I am not good at counting. So, I might be off. All in all, a pretty extensive wardrobe for these two girls.

The style is a neo-Victorian fantasy with lots of ruffles, floral patterns and cute hats. One thing Julie has done really well in this book is that the mix and match pieces color coordinate and the wigs often have flowers or other things, adding interest. I would have had so much fun with wigs as a kid.

  • Some of the lovely patterns.
  • A few of my favorite wigs.

Some of you may recall Julie’s 100 Day Project back in 2019. Three of us started, but (much like the Thunderdome) only one of us was left standing. That was Julie and her beautiful black and white creation. Julie is really good (much better than I am) at taking things she does for one thing and then refining them into something else for sale. So, this book is colored versions of those black and white illustrations.

Now, no paper doll book is perfect and this one is no exception. There are no stands or instructions for making stands with the book, nor is there any bio information about Julie or the concepts behind the paper dolls. It’s a small thing, but I think it would have been nice to include some of those details.

Also, there’s no identification on the clothing indicating which items are for which doll. A letter on the tabs would probably save some headache in that regard. Usually, I could tell by layout, but a few times I had to really think about it. I imagine if the pieces were cut out, it would be even more useful to indicate whose was whose.

All in all though, Rose and Ivy is a beautiful book in warm vivid color. The dolls are lovely, the clothing is fun and I think, in these Covid-19 times especially, it would make a wonderful afternoon toy for a child who likes paper dolls with pretty dresses. I would have adored this set as a child and drawn many more outfits for Rose and Ivy myself. I just know it.

You can pick up your own copy direct from Paper Doll Review.

A Pair of Halloween Paper Dolls! One Bee & One Fairy

I’m not super into scary Halloween stuff. I like the occasional well written ghost story and will watch horror movies if my best friend watches them first, provides me a summary, and warns me if I can handle it. Then I watch them at noon with the lights on and quickly watch something like the Great British Baking Show afterwards to keep myself from feeling to scared.

Yes, I am pathetic in this regard.

A pair of Halloween paper dolls on this fun coloring page! Super cute bumble bee costume and a fairy for these fun printable paper dolls.

Download Black and White PDF | Download Color PDF | More Jewels & Gemstones 2.0

So, to do with the Ghost and Frankenstein’s monster of last week I wanted to end October with another set of Halloween inspired paper dolls. Sometimes, when I draw Halloween paper dolls they are clearly a person with costumes and other times they are meant to be the actual creatures.

This set I think falls somewhere in the middle. Ruby could be fairy or she could be a person in a wig with an ear prosthetic. Sapphire is probably not a bee (clearly), but she could be somehow. I’ll need to think more on that one. I paid the bee with the fair, because I knew I could draw one set of wings for them to share.

A pair of Halloween paper dolls! A bumble bee costume and a fairy costume for these fun printable paper dolls.

Download Black and White PDF | Download Color PDF | More Jewels & Gemstones 2.0

For this set, I stuck with a pretty narrow color scheme, as I wanted the wings and other pieces to be somewhat interchangeable between the two dolls. I’ve always felt like paper dolls are best when they have more options.

I hope everyone has an amazing Halloween, but, most of all a safe one.

If you want even more paper dolls with costumes, I just finished doing a bunch of Masquerade dresses for my 5 dollar patrons. Join us over on Patreon to see those and get more paper dolls each week.

Happy Halloween: Ghost and Frankenstein’s Monster Paper Dolls

Like I did last year, this year I wanted to celebrate Halloween with some super cute paper dolls. I created these two paper dolls last year, so you can grab them in the new size and the new format. So, settle in for a nice evening with this super cute Halloween paper dolls printable. Also, I am never sure if the word “printable” should be a noun or an adjective. The questions pondered by English majors.

Pearl is a ghost whose gown is based on the chemise a la reine of the 18th century. Diamond is Frankenstein’s monster with a lab-coat mini-dress.

A black and white halloween paper dolls printable to color and play with featuring a ghost and a frankenstein's monster.

Download Black and White PDF | Download Color PDF | More Jewels & Gemstones 2.0

I am still super proud of how Pearl’s hair came out! I really wanted that whole “blowing in a wind that isn’t there thing.”

Diamond’s hair still kinda reminds me of a skunk, but hopefully in a good way. 🙂

A halloween paper dolls printable to play with for indoor halloween fun featuring a ghost and a frankenstein's monster. Super cute, not at all scary!

Download Black and White PDF | Download Color PDF | More Jewels & Gemstones 2.0

Honestly, I have no idea how halloween is going to go this year. Normally, we get a lot of kids. My plan is (if lockdown isn’t happening) is to pass out candy wearing a mask and with kitchen tongs so I don’t touch the candy packaging. But who knows? Things are so strange.

Even if we get no kids, we’ve decorated our porch with lights and a pumpkin and a skeleton on the door. My big rule for Halloween decor is nothing too scary. I was an easily scared kid and I don’t want to ever scare anyone.

Meanwhile, there will another Halloween paper dolls printable later this month with totally new designs- a fairy and a bumble bee. Additionally, if you want even more paper dolls, check out Patreon. My 5 dollar folks have been getting masquerade gowns based on ocean creatures for the last few days.

As Winter Comes, Here’s a Viking Fantasy Paper Doll

Occasionally, I create a paper doll outfit and I know I want to continue for another outfit in another style. For this paper doll set, I wanted to take this Viking Woman Warrior inspired outfit from last January and create a whole Viking fantasy paper doll collection around it. The original design was inspired by this drawing, but I didn’t look at it until I was finished with these new designs.

Today’s paper doll outfits were based on Viking clothing, such as apron-dresses, but I also just had fun with the motifs on the first tunic inspiring motifs on the other pieces.

A printable black and white paper doll coloring page of a Viking fantasy woman with outfits, weapons and accessories.

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The paper doll’s hair was pretty much inspired by stereotypes of Viking hair. I wanted it to feel fantasy, but not be overly elaborate. Actual Vikings were very into personal grooming and took care of their appearance. We know this from the number of combs, tweezers and other tools found in the graves of Vikings. This is Viking fantasy, but I object to the whole idea that they were scruffy.

Printable Viking fantasy paper doll page with a mix and match wardrobe and some fun accessories.

Download Black and White PDF | Download Color PDF | More Jewels & Gemstones 2.0

I did a lot of research on Vikings a few years ago back in 2015 and wrote up a quick over view if you want to read about actual Viking dress. I really enjoyed learning when I did that research. Though I openly confess that I don’t really go with historical Vikings very often. I know enough to know I don’t know enough.

But since I love playing around with different historical periods and creating fantasy paper dolls based on them, I don’t feel too worried about the historical accuracy here.

Meanwhile, if you’re a fan of the blog, than consider joining us over on Patreon. There’s ever more paper doll content. And who doesn’t want more paper dolls?

Retro-Beach Summer Paper Doll with Ruby

One of the interesting things about switching over to Jewels and Gemstones 2.0 has been getting to gather up related pieces from other sets and make them into new sets. I had fun collecting some of the summery clothing I’d drawn over the last year and transforming it into a new set for Ruby, though any of the dolls can wear the clothing. To my patrons, I’m sure these pieces look familiar, but I don’t think most of them have shown up on the blog before.

So, that’s kinda fun.

Paper doll coloring sheet with mix and match wardrobe from paperthinpersonas.com

Download Black and White PDF | Download Color PDF | More Jewels & Gemstones 2.0

I went through several color schemes with this set. Before I finally settled on one that I reminded me of a retro 1960s surf movie poster color scheme. Of course, I didn’t actually look at any retro surf movies for inspiration, but that was my concept. Ruby basically has my hair color here, because I don’t see that color in paper dolls much.

Brunette printable fashion paper doll dress up page with 8 mix and match clothing options.

Download Black and White PDF | Download Color PDF | More Jewels & Gemstones 2.0

In other fun news, I’ve got a published magazine paper doll. If you go grab the current issue of Doll Castle News, you’ll find my paper doll dedicated to “Doll-O-Ween” (shout out to my partner Adam for the title) in there. She was inspired by both BJDs and vintage Ginny dolls. Drawing dolls and not having them come out creepy is super hard. My respect for Diana Vining’s art grew immensely in that project. You can also see some pics on my Instagram.

Anyway, I keep meaning to do a longer post with photos of my sketches and such. However, in case that doesn’t happen (and who knows if it will) I wanted to share.

As always, if you love the blog, want to support it, and want more paper dolls every week- join us on Patreon. This is a one woman show, so any level of support is super helpful to keeping things rolling around here.