2016 #5 PaperDolls {by Debs Wainwright}

2016 Topic 5: Art Dolls

Hi everyone Debs here. 

Tonight I'm sharing a paper doll and some clothes I have made. I still love dolls very much and creating this project, took me right back to childhood. I would sit for hours making new clothes for the paper dolls, I had cut from comics. Of course Art dolls come in many guises using a variety of materials from clay, cloth, glass, plastic and like mine tonight Paper.

My doll was die cut from one of Julie Nutting's dolls. I have used JOFY stamps to create my background, and the detail on the clothes. I have created three outfits, but to be honest I could have kept going and completed a whole wardrobe of clothes. Again, this appeals to my child within, and brings back so many memories of projects in school where fashion through the ages was always my choice. If I wasn't drawing and cutting them out I was stitching some for my Tressie doll, anyone remember her?

Step One: I made my background using a Grey/whiteboard 8x8 cut down, and Fresco Acrylic Paints in Teresa Green, Tinned Peas, Pixie Dust and Cherry Blossom. I used a piece of cut n dry foam and smooched the colours together; blending until I had the look I wanted. I then stamped and painted the flowers, using stamps from JOFY26. I used Fibralo water Soluable Pens to paint in the colours, giving them several coats. I activated the colours with a watered down Fresco Acrylic Paint in Chalk, which blended the colours lovely. Once dry, in a White Gell Pen I added some doodles and flowers and dots. To finish I added a couple of coats of spray Vanish to get a nice shine.

Step Two: I cut out the dolls x4, as I wanted to create a sturdy doll. I stuck them together and waited for the them to dry. I added colour to the doll with a mix of Gelatos and Caran D' Ache Neocolour II and Buff Fresco Acrylic Paint.

Step Three: Now that she was ready, yes I even gave her a name, Jackie! I moved on to her clothes. Her first outfit was stamped from the set that came with the doll. I stamped it twice and cut part of the frill off on one piece. I painted these with Fresco Acrylic Paints in Pixie Dust and Lavender both blended with Chalk. Then stamped my patterns using JOFY32 and JOFY33

Step Four: I cut a dress out by using the doll as a template. I gave it a coat of Fresco Acrylic Paint in Chalk and once dry, created using JOFY14 and 24. I coloured the pattern with the Fibralo Pens. I think the colours give a retro feel to this dress. You can see here that I have also given her some hair. I also painted some boots on her using Little Black Dress.

Step Five: For her final outfit I again used the doll as my template but went for something different. She had a dress, skirt and top, so this time I made trousers. I painted them with a mix of Concrete and Slate, and for pattern I chose the stitch line from JOFY26 and Fibralo water Soluble for the jumper.

I used repositioning glue so that I could put them on and take them off without damaging the doll, which worked well. My favourite outfit was the first. I love how Jo's details worked so well.

This is an easy project to do, and could be a fun thing to do with children, or if like me you are a child at heart you could create that wardrobe full of clothes! All with different wacky styles. I chose a flowered background, but of course you could choose what suits you. Or you could make several so that your doll has some variety. I would love to see what you come up with.

Thank you for joining me this evening, you can see more of what I create on my blog and on my Pinterest page. Take care for now hugs Debs xx

Wow Debs, I have seen a lot of the types of dolls that you dress around lately, and this is such a fun idea! I used to love doing this as a little girl, how cool to have a bespoke option!! ~Leandra

We would love to see how you interpret this Image Art Dolls topic by linking what you make to our 2016 Challenge #5: Art Dolls, on this page HERE.

All of our bloggers love to see your twist on their ideas, particularly if you were inspired directly by their post. 

All links go in the draw to win a £50 voucher to spend on products of your choice from the PaperArtsy online store. The Art dolls link will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday, March 20th. The winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00.