Halloween

Witchtober- The Sea and The Kitchen

Printable paper doll coloring page with two dresses for Halloween 2022. Witch themed for October! One dress is a sea inspired and the other dress is Kitchen inspired

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So, Julie let me know she might be a day or two late with her designs which is 100% cool with me. As she once said to me when I was fretting about something, “We draw ephemeral paper toys for a hobby. Don’t worry about it.”

And truer words were never spoken.

On that note, let me just say, October has been a lot. September was a lot, but I kept naively thinking it would get better in October while somehow forgetting that my work always get bananas in October. Forward motion, though right? Right…

You know, it’s funny, I really wanted to add Sea Witch to our concepts for this, but not because I was thinking Ursula of the Little Mermaid or something. It was because I really really wanted to draw a cute witches’ hat covered in sea shells.

But once I’d drawn a cute witches hat covered in sea shells, I realized, I have no idea where to go with the outfit.

So, I settled on a sort generic sailor dress which was like version 7 of this.

The other dress came to me much faster. I really liked the idea of a “1950s housewife retro thing” and I designed the little skull and crossbones to look like that poison warning. I almost drew a very similar witches hat to the one I did for my Bones design, but then I thought there should me more witches hat variety.

I can’t wait to see what Julie has done with these themes and I’ll be sure to link her’s just as soon as I see it. Being that we are in two very different timezones, it might will probably go up before I see it. So, check out Paper Doll School over the next few days and keep your eyes out.

Julie has shared an amazing sea and kitchen witch. They are both super cool! Go check them out here.

Witchtober- The Bones & The Birds (Or Bird Bones in this case.)

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So, the first two themes, Julie and I chose were Bones and Birds…. Well, actually, Julie chose the themes, because I saw the list and I had immediate decision paralysis.

My capacity is super limited once the school year starts, plus October is National Archives Month. So, my job tends to decide that we’re going to do “all the things” and I am left feeling a little dazed. It’s fun, but.. it is also a lot. Needless to say, October is never the easiest time of year for me.

And it snowed yesterday… which I am sort of bitter about. Sure, I live less than an hour from the Arctic circle, but that doesn’t mean I want it to snow.

Anyhow, the “bones” dress was inspired by 1950s pinups and the dress on the right- the “Birds” dress was inspired by 1930s slinky evening gowns. I was nervous about drawing a raven skull, but I think it came out pretty well, all things considered. I thought the back drapes of the gown felt a little like wings.

If you missed the doll, you can grab her here. If you need more additions to this wardrobe, Julie Matthews is my partner in crime here and you can check out her contribution over on Paper Doll School. It’s lovely.

Tune in next Monday for another set of gowns for our Halloween witch.

Welcome to Witchober: A Paper Doll Project with Julie Matthews!

A witch Halloween coloring page printable paper doll with one dress and accessories.

Download the PDF to Print | The Rest of This Project

It seems obvious to me that there’s no better holiday for paper dolls than Halloween. So, I am happy to share this Halloween coloring page featuring the first of what will be a month of paper dolls featuring this stylish witch and her stylish wardrobe.

I was super psyched in my planning for the month of October when Julie of Paper Doll School reached out and suggested we go back to our paper dolling roots and do some sort of joint project. The last time I attempted a collaborative project was in 2019 and I lost steam around September and never finished it. Of course, that was also around the same time I was diagnosed with some pretty serious medical stuff, so I guess I shouldn’t be too hard on myself.

So, this year, Julie suggested a Witchtober theme. She drew a super fantastic paper doll. I played Dr. Frankenstein in photoshop and put a head I drew on the doll and we are off to the races. The first dress, we both decided would be a basic “witch” dress.

Then we agreed on 8 different themes from this list by Juan Joltaire of witch themes for October. The idea is to post two outfits on a page and share them once a week on Mondays.

I’ll be totally honest- I am not confident I’ll get through the whole month. I’ve already discovered that with the size of the doll and my tendency to draw gowns… layouts might get creative, people! I may need to stop including the stand in the dresses… I did that for my first few pages and it adds a lot of space…. thinking…thinking…

Anyway, I figure even if I don’t get all 8 outfits done and posted on the Mondays of October, it’ll still be a fun distraction!

And a big thank you to Julie for not only designing the doll, but also making the super cool frame around the doll! Her version is also super neat.

Happy Halloween! Printable Paper Doll Fun!

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

Every year, I try to do something Halloween themed. Valentine’s Day and Halloween are, I think, my most consistent paper doll pieces. I like the colors and I like corsets and Halloween seems like a corset heavy holiday.

Her hair is supposed to have a widows peak and I wanted a sort of elegant feeling with these. Some of it is recycled, but I am 100% okay with that. It gave me a place to start. With this set, I had a lot of fun designing patterns. There’s a cute little ghost dresses, pumpkins, and skulls.

I think some fun could be had coloring these as a Halloween party activity. My grandmother used to send us Halloween greeting cards that were often paper dolls and I like to imagine someone sending this to kids or printing it out for them.

My niece is still too young for me to really be sending her paper dolls, but soon… soon.

Meanwhile, stay safe this Halloween and then enjoy!

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.

A Elegant Halloween Costume for the Paper Dolls!

A beautiful gothic corset and skirt set with Halloween flair for the Jewels and Gemstones paper dolls!

Black and White PDF | Color PDF | More Jewels & Gemstones Paper Dolls

Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
Happy Halloween everyone! I’m keeping my fingers crossed for some tricker-treaters this year. I don’t always get them, but I’m hopeful for this year. I finally live in a spot with lots of kids.

Anyway, it’s already super cold here, since I do live in the interior of Alaska. So, while it hasn’t snowed much, it is below freezing most days. Which basically means that while I enjoyed drawing this paper doll’s Halloween outfit, it would be way way to chilly to wear up here. I should have drawn a Halloween parka.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
Okay, so anyone whose been following this blog for any amount of time has probably figured out that I love drawing elegant gothic themed things for Halloween. I couldn’t not draw one for this Halloween. I ended up settling on a jack-o-lantern pattern for the skirt.

Specific Source Images: Again, no research!

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls & More Halloween paper dolls
Around the Internet: My gothic fashion Pinterest board is full of more clothing like this

Last Thoughts
I hope everyone has a super safe, super fun Halloween. I’ll be passing out candy and keeping an eye on my cat, who might try to make a run for it. Or she’ll hide under the couch the whole time. You never can be sure with her.

My Patreon supporters are getting their extra paper doll for the week a day early, because it’s also Halloween themed. Consider joining us! It’s a fun group.

Diamond as Frankenstein’s Monster: A Halloween Paper Doll

A fantastic printable Halloween paper doll featuring Frankestein's Monster and a stylin' lab coat.

Black and White PDF | Color PDF | More Jewels & Gemstones Paper Dolls

Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
When I was making my list of Halloween monsters to draw as paper dolls, I really wanted to do some I’d never done before and I’ve never done a Frankenstein’s Monster paper doll before. And what says Halloween paper doll more than that?

I chose Diamond as the model for today’s paper doll. I am pretty happy with how she came out, though part of me thinks her hair looks a little too much like a skunk, but maybe that’s just me.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
The original novel Frankenstein was published in 1818, though it is set in the 18th century. I sort of abandoned that source material pretty quickly and went more to the Herman Munster direction pretty quickly. I considered for about 15 minutes the idea of drawing historical clothing for today’s paper doll, but decided I really wasn’t that excited to draw 1818 or 1700s dresses.

Her “dress” was meant to look a little like a lab coat. One thing you might notice with all of my Halloween paper doll creations is a lack of source images. The truth is that part of the fun of this time of the year, is that I don’t do research. I just sort of draw and see what happens.

Specific Source Images: Nothing specific this time I can point to.

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls & More Halloween Paper Dolls
Around the Internet: More than you ever wanted to know about the Munsters!

Last Thoughts
When I was a kid, the Munsters played in Nick at Nite and it was one of my favorite shows. I don’t really recall much of the plots, but even then I had a fondness for supernatural plots. Something which later lead to my love of Buffy and continued affection for those sorts of TV shows and books.

Big thank you to all my Patreon supporters. With out you, the blog wouldn’t be around, so you’re all the best!

Also, I love this comic about Frankenstein.

A Mermaid Costume

A printable mermaid costume for the Jewels and Gemstones paper doll series. Can be printed in color or black and white.

Black and White PDF | Color PDF | More Jewels & Gemstones Paper Dolls

Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
I wanted to create a mermaid outfit that was a costume, not an actual mermaid. Usually when I draw mermaids, they are mermaids, not people dressing up like mermaids.

So, yeah, that’s a thing I think about sometimes.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
I wanted to think in terms of what would a dress for a mermaid costume look like. I thought about as mermaid shaped dress, of course, and then I remembered Liana’s beautiful mermaid paper dolls and that was one of my big inspirations to draw a mermaid at all.

Specific Source Images: This Mermaid Costume from Liana’s Paper Doll Blog

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls & More Halloween Paper Dolls
Around the Internet: Liana’s Paper Doll Blog is why this site exists. It hasn’t been updated in years, but the paper dolls are beautiful and the writing very funny. Check it out when you have a chance.

Last Thoughts
Tomorrow, my Patreon supporters who have signed up at a 2 dollar a month and more category, will get a super cute little Devil paper doll. She’s darling, if I do say so myself.

Also, I finally live in a place where there are kids! I’m super exciting to get to maybe actually have trick or treaters this year.

A Ghostly Paper Doll!

A ghost paper doll with long blue hair, pale blue skin and bloody feet. Free to print and cut out an play with.

Black and White PDF | Color PDF | More Jewels & Gemstones Paper Dolls

Thoughts on Today’s Paper Doll
When I was brainstorming what I wanted to draw for Halloween, I worked out a list of themes for the Jewels and Gemstones dolls. I wanted to do a series of sort of cute monsters that were still a bit wicked. I settled on a ghost paper doll, a devil paper doll (for my patrons) and a Frankenstein’s monster paper doll for my set of three.

I’m super happy to be sharing the first- my blood footed ghost here.

I thought about designing all new faces for these dolls, since Pearl can’t really share shoes with the rest of the Pearl paper dolls, but I decided against it. Mostly, because I have such a nice range of Gemstone dolls, I didn’t really want to draw more faces just for the sake of it. I confess I was being a little lazy. No shame.

Inspiration for Today’s Paper Doll
Her dress is a nod to the Chemise A La Reine of the 18th century. Here’s another one I’ve drawn and here’s one in the real world.

Her feet are a nod to murder.

Specific Source Images: Nothing this time.

Learn/See More
On the Blog: More Jewels & Gemstones paper dolls & my other Ghost paper doll
Around the Internet: White Ladies and Some fun Victorian Ghost Stories

Last Thoughts
I love a good (and by good I mean creepy) ghost story. I just love them. I don’t know why they appeal so strongly, but they do. I hate horror movies, but I love ghost stories and therefore will watch a few IF they are previewed by my horror loving best friend and IF I can watch them at noon with the lights on and IF I can read a summary ahead of time, so I’m not too scared. The Others is a great ghost horror film I super enjoyed.

Tomorrow for most of my Patreon supporters there will be an additional paper doll outfit for the Jewels and Gemstones.

By the way, I really went back and forth about the toenails on this paper doll. I wasn’t sure if I should erase them. I couldn’t decide. Am I weird in that I really think toenails belong on ghosts?

Happy Halloween!

Printable Black & White PDF Printable Color PDF More Paper Dolls & Clothes
Just in case last Friday’s sheet ghost wasn’t your idea of a best Halloween paper doll ever. I wanted to create something else. So, here we have a bit more Gothic fashion take on the holiday. The only thing that really makes these “Halloween” is the color scheme, so you could recolor the black and white version if you wanted a more traditional Gothic fashion version.

I have been trying to do a paper doll for most holidays with the Dames and Dandies series, because I have such fond memories of my Grandmother sending me paper doll holiday cards when I was a child.

I have a Thanksgiving version planned and I want to do something for Veteran’s Day. I’ve never done a paper doll for that holiday before, but I think a World War 2 ladies uniform would be super fun to draw. (Or a World War I ambulance uniform, those intrigue me too.)

I digress.

So, anyway, the A pose paper dolls here are are getting corsets and long skirts for their Halloween attire.

What are people dressing up as? I confess I’ve never been a big Halloween person. I do like handing out candy, but ever since I moved into an apartment I don’t seem to ever get tricker-treaters.

It makes me kinda sad.

Anyway, it’s probably best I don’t have a big bag of candy in my house anyway. I would end up eating more of it than the kids, I suspect.

If you need a way to pass the time waiting for young ghouls or goblins, why not color or cut out Halloween paper dolls? It keeps up manual dexterity and is a lot of fun. You can see all the blog’s Halloween paper dolls in that tag.

Need a doll to wear today’s paper doll clothing? All the A Pose Dolls & Clothing

The October 2018 Paper Doll Collab: Halloween Costume

A ghostly paper doll costume to color for the paper doll collab project 2018.

Black and White Paper Doll PDF Paper Doll Collaboration 2018

October has turned into a rougher month than I expected it to be. I know Eliot argued that April was the cruelest month, but personally I have found this October to be brutal. There have been some upsides (I have been enjoying my Inktober paper doll creation), but I am pretty ready to slide into November, thank you.

So, when it came time for the collaborative paper doll theme of Halloween costume, I had no ideas. I tried. I doodled. I looked around Pinterest. And yet… nothing came. So, in the end, I decided on the simplest, most cop-out Halloween costume I could think of- A sheet ghost!

(All right, I do know this isn’t going down as one of my most inspired paper doll outfits, but not every one can be a fancy gown with lots of ruffles.)

If you want to see more “Halloween costumes” (and probably some that are more… interesting than mine) head over to Paper Doll School and Miss Missy Paper Dolls. I can’t wait to see what they’ve done with this theme.

Need a paper doll to wear these clothes? Grab her and more clothing here.