fantasy Archives • Page 16 of 33 • Paper Thin Personas

Marisole Monday & Friends Masquerade: Mia as a Loon

May 28, 2020November 4, 2016

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Loons and… well, Loons. That’s actually all I got.

Of all the dresses I designed for this week, the only one I was really worried people wouldn’t get was this one. Loons are beautiful birds for which I have always had a fondness, but they are hardly as well known as the Raven or the Flamingo. Interestingly enough, the Loon is the state bird of Minnesota, where my mother grew up. As a child, I had a puzzle my grandfather made featuring a loon, so I have fond associations with the birds.

Wig instructions are available if you’re not sure how to attach the back piece here.

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Well, now that the week of bird masquerade gowns is wrapped, I am curious which one people liked the most. So, let me know in a comment. Was your favorite the Owl, the Flamingo, the Raven, the Hummingbird or today’s Loon?

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

Marisole Monday & Friends Masquerade: Monica as a Hummingbird

May 28, 2020November 3, 2016

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Today’s Printable Paper Doll Inspirations: Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds, Chokers, and Yellow Hibiscus Flowers

This was the only dress I based on a specific bird subspecies. I knew I wanted to so the Red Throated Hummingbird from the start. Hummingbirds come in so many color combinations, I really felt like I had to pick just one to focus on with this paper doll masquerade gown modeled by the wonderful Monica.

Of course, the choker is red to match the red throat of the hummingbird. The flowers decorating the wig and the gown are yellow hibiscus which are a hummingbird friendly flower. If my Raven masquerade gown was a gothic fantasy, than this gown is much more romantic and soft.

I have some wig instructions if you’re not sure how to make the pocket by pasting on the backing piece. Read them here.

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Tomorrow will be the last bird masquerade gown- a gown based on the Loon.

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

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.

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

Faye in the Woods: Fantasy Folkloric Paper Doll Fashions

May 19, 2020September 30, 2016

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This is the last of Faye’s Folkloric Fantasy Fashions (say that ten times fast) and I am pretty pleased. I love the tulip circular border patters and I think every printable paper needs a blouse with checkerboard sleeves and flower design over her cleavage. Actually, this is probably my favorite blouses of all of them, I only make fun of what I really like.

Still, this has been a long week. Ever have one of those weeks when you hit Friday and you think, “Oh, I am so ready for this weekend!”

The funny bit is that I didn’t really have a super busy week. I got an oil change, vacuumed daily to work on the Flea Removal Project (FRP for short) and got addicted to the show Penny Dreaful on Netflix. Not really the most intense week I’ve ever had.

And yet, perhaps because I’ve been living in my new place for less than a month or perhaps because, well, fleas, but I am bone tired. I am ready to go home, watch a movie and eat popcorn while I don’t do anything. Of course, I will have to do something. I have to sort out what paper doll content goes up next week. 🙂

Faye’s Folkloric Fantasy Fashions: A Paper Doll to Print and Color

Normally, this is the point where I’d offer some kinda preview like, “Next week there will be…” But as I have no idea what there will be next week, I fear I am going to have to let this one go.

Anyway, I would love to hear what you all, my readers, thought of this week’s theme and paper dolls and everything, so leave a comment and tell me what you think of this week.

Faye in the Woods: Accessory Thursday With a Cape & Boots

May 19, 2020September 29, 2016

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Happy Accessory Thursday! One of my favorite features of this new paper doll blog format is Accessory Thursday. I am finally at the stage where I am designing paper doll sets specifically for this new format and I find I always have to think about what I should post for Thursday.

Now, the cape with the hood is maybe my favorite piece from this set of paper doll accessory pieces. I love the pattern and the shape. It is the piece that made me think of Little Red Riding-hood. It’s floral motifs were in part inspired by Jacobean floral embroidery designs. I’ve always loved that style.

And of course any paper doll I create is going to have shoes. So, Monday’s paper doll is getting two pairs of boots, all designed to go over the leggings she’s gotten. She also has some tulip patterned stockings and slippers. I really had fun making all these tiny patterns up and I wanted to show them off. I actually had a few more pattern motifs that never made it as far as these paper dolls.

So, if you missed this week’s paper doll, she’s in Monday’s post. I used Faye, my Asian Mini-Maiden this week.

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

Faye in the Woods: Another Fantasy Maiden Paper Doll Outfit

May 19, 2020September 28, 2016

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Continuing our folkloric fantasy week, today’s printable paper doll outfit is leggings with another lavishly decorated blouse. I decided to go with leggings, because I feel like fairy tale woodcutter’s daughters need practical clothing to hike through the woods in.

Or at least as practical as anything I design for paper dolls ever gets.

If you’re thinking, “But I need a doll to wear this stylish getup.”

Than I would recommend popping over to Monday’s post and picking up Faye there; however, any of the Mini-Maiden dolls can wear these outfits which is kinda fun. I think the Hazel paper doll from Beauty in Bloomers would be really cute in these outfits, plus I love her glasses. Alternatively, Faye paper dolls from Runic Adventures or Meet Faye would be alternatives to Monday’s Faye paper doll. Not to leave Greta or Isadora out of the picture, I think Greta from her Steampunk set would be fun or Isadora’s Medieval Fantasy or when she went to a ball would also work well.

A big part of why I create paper dolls who can exchange clothing is because I remember being a kid and having a favorite paper doll from a set and being super annoyed that my favorite paper doll couldn’t wear my favorite outfit.

Plus, I tend to think versatility is always best practice.

So, thinking in terms of versatility, what would you think would be the best paper doll to wear this outfit? Monday’s doll or is there another Mini-Maiden you would like to see rock some of these outfits.

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

Faye in the Woods: A Fantasy Maiden Paper Doll Dresses

May 19, 2020September 27, 2016

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On Monday, I posted Faye and the first of her folk art inspired outfits. Continuing our folk costumes inspired theme for paper dolls this week, today we have a fantasy paper doll outfit featuring a blouse and skirt. The blouse is decorated with a tulip inspired pattern and abstracted tulip decorations on the sleeves.

The skirt has a stencil inspired rose motif. Every paper doll needs a skirt covered in roses.

Both of these designs remind me a little of rosemaling. Rosemaling is a Norwegian technique of painted curves, spirals and floral designs. Back home in Alaska, there is a town called Petersburg which is very proud of it’s Scandinavian heritage. I remember some of the buildings having rosemaling on them.

So, I’m trying out Instagram, but I’m not that good at it. Still, follow me if you want. And there’s always Patreon if you want to help support PTP.

The blog is also on twitter @paperpersonas. I am sometimes reminded that my Blog is better at Social Media than I am.

Oh, well.

So, what do you think of today’s outfit? Would you wear it? I think it’s lovely, but I probably can’t pull off the skirt or the blouse.

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

Faye in the Woods: A Fantasy Maiden Paper Doll

May 19, 2020September 26, 2016

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This week we have Faye dressed up in some fantasy clothes.

Some paper dolls are easier to write about than others. Often this has to do with how long ago I drew the paper doll and how much I remember about the original conception. I confess I try to make notes, but I don’t often succeed at that.

I seem to remember thinking of Little Red Ridinghood when I designed these garments, but really it could have been any maiden in the woods. It seems to me there’s always in fairy tales, a young woman who lives in the woods and then there’s a woodcutter or something else.

Often there’s an evil stepmother eventually who sends the maiden out to find something and we all know how that goes. Or she is kind to an old woman and then gets something like gems every time she speaks.

I think a bit part of the pleasure of black and white paper dolls is coloring them in. I wasn’t much into coloring books as a child, but I liked details when I did color. In these costumes, I tried to add details that a person would like to color.

Plus, I’ve always loved how lavished embroidered folk costumes looked.

Bodacious & Buxom: A Curvy Fantasy Paper Doll’s Purple Gown

May 28, 2020September 23, 2016

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Every week I seem to end up with a favorite dress. I sometimes like to save those dresses for Friday as a way of brightening up at the very end of the week.

Today’s dress is based on Mia’s Garden Ballgowns, a set I did in 2014 based on Wa and Qu Lolita fashions. The color scheme was a little challenging, as it was based on a kimono. I wanted to see how the same colors worked on a totally different dress style. Big fluffy ballgowns vs a simple medieval inspired one.

When I was thinking about Monday’s paper doll, I found myself thinking a lot about color. I tend to do these medieval inspired dresses in a more sedate color schemes, as I did with Phillipa, Marcus as a Warrior, Court Alchemist and In the Land of Dragons.

This time I wanted to do something more vivid and vibrant which is why I went with the rich purple for the body of the over dress and accented it with the undresses cloud blue. The “black” is actually a very very dark red and it’s a subtle thing, but I think it softens the look.

A Curvy Medieval Maiden and her Fantastic Fantasy Wardrobe

So, I am super hopeful I will get a set done for next week. I confess that it is Friday and nothing is done yet, but I want to make something for Monday. Things have just been very busy this week, so if I end up having to go on a short Haitus, I’ll make the announcement on Monday.

Meanwhile, follow the blog on Twitter @paperpersonas and if you love the blog, think about becoming a Patron. There’s a Patron only dress this week, if that’s a lure for anyone.

I hope you all have a great weekend. I’ll be spending mine vacuuming a lot. Stupid fleas.