Paper Doll Studio Issue 118 Preview

So....this has been in the works for a while.

I'm the featured artist in the next issue of Paper Doll Studio magazine!  It's such a thrill to be among the ranks of such talented artists & such a devoted community of enthusiasts.  It's also really, really humbling and makes me feel like a "real" artist.

Creatively, I've been in a bit of a funk.  It's hard to create something for such a niche market.  People inevitably ask, "What do you do?" "I'm an artist." "Oh yeah, what do you make?"  "Paper dolls."

Then...silence.

Not always, but a lot of the time.   Having been asked to do this has really helped re-inspire me at just the right time.  I couldn't be happier!

I love making paper dolls.  I love sharing my paper dolls.  And I'm really, really excited to share this! If you're already a subscriber, this issue will be heading out soon.  If you are not, well, you should be! Or you can grab an individual issue (back issues are here and this one will be listed soon). 

Paper DollCollaboration 2017 - Historical Fashion

First and foremost, I feel terrible about my sparse posting this summer.  It's been incredibly busy, which sounds like a really lame attempt at an excuse.  The good news is 1) school starts for my oldest on the 29th 2) school starts for my youngest September 5th and 3) I've reorganized my office/studio to be more efficient.  Hopefully, I'll spend more time in it!!

Today's post is supposed to be our favorite historical periods.  I can't say I have a favorite, so I used a recent field trip with my kiddos as inspiration: Old Sturbridge Village.

Download the Paper Doll Collaboration - Historical Fashion pdf here

For all of you outside New England (or inside of it and unfamiliar), Old Sturbridge Village is a living history museum focused on the early 19th century, approximately 1790 to 1840 or so.  Last Friday (and the reason I missed my post) was the Highland Street Foundation Free Fun Friday at Old Sturbridge Village.  So the boys and I drove out there and spent the day.

They loved it. I loved it.  A good day was had by all!

And because of that trip, I have two dresses from about 1830, based on image from OSV's collection of artifacts.  The dress on the left is based on this one and the one on the right is based on this one.  I included only one bonnet, mainly because of space.

Be sure to visit Paper Thin Personas, Pop Culture and Paper Dolls, and Miss Missy for more outfits in this ongoing project!

Summer Fun - Coloring Sheet 2

At the moment this posts (sometime around 5am, Friday), I'll be loading up my car and heading on a roadtrip to Pennsylvania. My husband is attending his graduation at Penn State and I could not be more proud! He just wrapped up a Master's degree and spent a ton of time working on it (while also working full-time and being a generally great dad).

So congrats! I'm ready to celebrate!

Right-click to download and print

Grab the doll here

For today, I have another coloring sheet for the Summer Fun set.  I'm still working on coloring this one and assembling it into a book.  Speaking of... I decided to make the At The Beach paper doll available on Amazon, etc. As soon as that's all live, I'll let you know.  For now, it's still available on Lulu.com.  It's a really cute book and I'm eager to add the Summer Fun paper doll to this fledgling series...

...hopefully in September, when I have time again!!!

I'll be traveling for a bit and I'm leaving my computer at home.  Til then, enjoy this set!! 

Summer Fun - Coloring Sheet 1

I didn't get a tween paper doll set completed for today.  Every time I start a post lately, it starts with "I haven't had time....".  And that's true.  But it feels lame.  September is coming soon and I *should* have more time then to devote to projects.

I've got whiteboards for organizing them and everything.

So today (and the rest of the month), you're getting coloring sheets!

Right-click to download and print

This is a coloring sheet of the companion doll I'm working on to go with At The Beach.  I love these paper dolls! I'd really like to make a whole series around them. 

Anyway, enjoy coloring this and the other pages in this set.  If you're anything like me, August is going to be crazy busy & we all could use some downtime coloring!

The Eclectic Wardrobe of Joesphine - Page 19

First, can you believe that this is the 19th (actually, 21st, if you count the Paper Doll Studio pages) Josephine?! I'm just about finished with a book of Josephine's contemporary fashions so there will be more on that soon.  And then I want to do a fantasy book, maybe a historical fashion book.... we'll see.

Second, happy August! How did it get to be August?!  We have lots going on in August so I already did most of the back to school shopping for the boys.  We have a soon-to-be Kindergartner and I am very exited about that!

Right-click to download and print

I saw an off-shoulder top and crazy print pants on Pinterest, so that was the inspiration for most of today's set.  I really want to print and cut all of Josephine's sheets & see what the mix and match options are! Autumn aspirations :)