Carnival Venezia ~ It's Party Time!!

The Christmas gifts have been unwrapped, eggnog has been consumed, *hiccup* and many of us will be eating ham sandwiches for days. So what's next? If you thought Valentine's Day, that's a nice enough holiday alright but might I suggest something a little less traditional and perhaps infinitely more fun? How about a masque paper doll ball.


February marks carnival season in countries around the world. From Venice to Rio to our very own New Orleans, you won't find a shortage of celebrations to occupy your time.


It is in the spirit of Carnival that I offer up the idea for my newest online tutorial called Carnival Venezia in which we will create a doll similar to what you see here. Further details about this tutorial are coming.


Think elaborate costumes, piles of plumage, yards of fabric, rich, dramatic colors and you will begin to have an idea about the visual feast that carnival offers. If you absolutely must do something to satisfy your inner Valentine's Day lover, why not adapt this exciting theme and use pinks as your color scheme. You could even turn her into the queen of hearts!

Christmas Dreams and Holiday Wishes

Sending warm holiday wishes to you and your loved ones. May all your Christmas dreams come true and may the coming new year be filled with wonderful surprises. Have a Merry Christmas from Mandy and me, with love.

Paper Craft Ideas: Let them eat cake!

"Let them eat cake," she said. Although Marie Antoinette never actually said that, what she meant was if you don't have what you are looking for, why not use a suitable substitute?



I needed an image of a cake for a Marie Antoinette paper doll I was making. I, an artist (dare I say it) went looking for a piece of clip art at Dreamstime in order to save myself some time. Oh, I can just hear the collective gasp now!



I was not able to find an image of a cake that I liked much less one I thought would work for my purposes so I set out to make one. The video will show you the process for making your own paper cake.


The story has a happy ending though. My paper cake turned out even more beautifully than I could have hoped to find someplace else and works most perfectly in my project. So, the moral of the story is that what you seek can not be found outside of you. believe in yourself and the universe will provide you what you need.

Paper Hair and Paper Dresses: Marie Antoinette Style

Marie Antoinette was well known for her extravagant dresses and her towering hair. This art doll creation pays tribute to a great lady with a divine paper dress fit for a queen and a stunning paper hair treatment.


Marie's dress is made of crepe paper that was embellished with ink pens and stamps to create an elegant, brocade pattern. The video below is a quick tutorial of the pattern making process used to make the dress.



Marie's hair may have been tall but we secretly admire and appreciate the artistic expression found in that glorious coiffure. She was rather restricted in many ways. If she were living in today's world, she might have rebelled by dying her hair purple and piercing her tongue. I think I like her way better.


This paper hair treatment gives a very unique look to this paper doll. Not only is paper hair fun to make but it is also very easy. Look for new tutorials on The Artful Paper Doll network that will not only cover this lovely technique but will show you how to make the entire doll! In the meantime, please enjoy.

Marie Antoinette: The French Art of Coquettish Fleur

I would like to start by thanking our lovely hostess, Beverly of How Sweet the Sound for all of her work each week. ((((applause)))) Today, I am just thrilled to feature the lavishly decadent French art of Patricia and Coquettish Fleur. If you have not yet found Patricia's Marie Antoinette ATC cards, you might want to pop over for a peek. In a word, I can best sum up my visit as nothing short of dreamy!


Wait . . . these are not pink. Ahh! You noticed that too eh? Haha! Not to worry, the pink is coming but I couldn't resist. If you love Marie Antoinett I know you will enjoy these gorgeous ATC cards Patricia makes for the group she belongs to called Marie Antoinette Mail Art. I love the color green anyway so these beauties appealed to me instantly. Look! They are all different but fit within the same theme. Well done Patricia!


Don't you just wish you you could reach right into your screen and touch these beauties?


Now this is intriguing and leads perfectly into my announcement. I have been hired as a freelance writer for Suite 101 which will give me the opportunity to promote other artists, events, products and more through my articles, something I have been wanting to do for over a year so this is quite exciting for me. To learn how you can contribute and see your name in print, scroll down to the next article.

I get to Write About What I Love: Blog Reviews Coming Up!

I am pleased to announce that I have recently become a freelance writer for Suite101.com, an online magazine based in Vancouver, B.C. I can't tell you how exciting it is to write about my passion for paper crafts. On that note, let me give you the "skinny" on what kinds of articles I plan to write and how you can be part of it!


Blog Reviews of your Favorite Bloggers
Do you have a favorite blog you feel the world should know about? I am interested in promoting other artists by writing blog reviews about them and their work. Not only does this benefit the artist being featured, but you will also receive credit and a link to your blog as the source of the referral. How great is this?


Product Reviews and Where to Find Craft Supplies
Not all craft stores are equal. Although popular paper craft supplies may be conveniently available in some areas, others are not so fortunate and must look a little harder to find these items. I hope to be of assistance by providing online sources to help you find the craft supplies you are looking for. In such cases where ordering online is the only way to get the product short of making a flight reservation, it is helpful to read product reviews before purchasing. I know that if I can't touch before I buy, reading a few reviews and seeing photos of how the product has been used by others goes a long way in helping me make my decision.


Paper Craft Techniques
I find it very satisfying to be able to present short videos and tutorials of paper craft techniques I enjoyed creating. In fact, it would be nice to present the art world with techniques they didn't even know they wanted yet, such as my collage patterned crepe paper. Are you interested in sharing a craft technique? I would love to hear from you.


These are a few of the highlights of what you can expect to read in my articles. I hope you will find them informative, and helpful in more ways than one. I welcome your queries and referrals any time so please feel free to contact me if you have something you would like to share. You could see your name in print!

Collage Style Patterned Crepe Paper

I have yet to see anyone embellish their crepe paper before turing it into something beautiful like those rosettes you see gracing vintage and cottage style art work everywhere these days. After playing around with stamps and inks, I decided to draw rose buds on a butter yellow crepe paper I planned to use to create my fairy tale style paper doll dress.


I have posted a video on the technique which is simple and can give you some stunning results. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed creating it. If you like it, please link back to this post or leave a comment. I think it is nothing short of magnificent, if I do say so myself.

Pinkbuttercreme Delights for Pink Saturday

Just saying the words, I can almost taste the yummy goodness of buttercream frosting. Its silky smooth texture glides gently over my tongue and tantalizes me with its delicate, sweet flavor. Is your mouth watering yet? I recently paid a visit to Tami of pinkbuttercreme and found a world of tasty vintage delights that are sure to inspire you. I chose a couple of my favorites to show you here in order to give you a taste of what Tami has to offer.


Tami's blog is beautiful and charming right down to her cottage style signs and is a "must visit" if you have a weakness for anything made with vintage flair. Here you will find lots of pink, roses, tulle and plenty of sparkles to satisfy the bling lover in you. Tami's work can also be purchased by visiting her Etsy shop.



As part of the lovely Beverly's (How Sweet the Sound) Pink Saturday challenge, I have decided to take the idea one step further and make my entire Pink Saturday post all about an artist who is new to me. Each week I will choose a new blog to visit and review. This is my way of giving back to the art community. Please be sure to visit often as my next visit could be to your blog!

Beautiful Bella Rosa Gets Her Wings

The Traveling "paper" Art Doll Symposium's (TADS) Doll No. 1 aka Bella Rosa had a delightful visit with Amy Sperry Faldet in a Such a Wondrous Place this Fairytale Space called Wisconsin. Thank you so very much, Amy for the delicate beauty of this magical contribution.


How does a fairy get her wings? I have often pondered that myself. I used to imagine that if I could just reach the end of the rainbow, that place where earth and sky meet in dreamlike splendor, there would be my treasure also.


But as I journeyed forth upon my path, I discovered that the more I chased this brilliant spectrum of colorful light, the more she playfully eluded me until one day I just gave up. In that moment of complete surrender and acceptance of her true nature, she wrapped her loving radiance around me so completely that I too was flying with the clouds.

If you still wonder where your fairy wings await you, look no further than the center of your being. Your heart is where true beauty lives. You'll find the pot of gold is there within, waiting only for you to realize your own magnificence and radiate it outward to a world that loves you in return.

xoxo
~Kitty Kellie

To find out more about the Traveling "paper" Art Doll Symposium (TADS) project, click the link to go there. To sign up, leave a comment stating so on the TADS Official Sign Up

Pink Roses, Friends and Fine China

The Traveling "paper" Art Doll Symposium's (TADS) Doll No. 4 aka Queenie had a delightful visit in California recently where she was the guest of honor at a garden tea party. Becky of Rebecca Rose Designs contributes this visual picture of elegance that would make the Queen herself blush with pride.


What could be more heavenly than afternoon tea with your best girls, in a garden sanctuary? I hear there are still places where fall has not yet managed to take a firm grip and warm, summer breezes linger still. I dream of fine china, pink roses and the scent of nostalgia as we reminisce of the events that have shaped our lives.


Henry James once wrote, "There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea."


What better way to celebrate this moment with friends than with fancy hats, sweeping cotton dresses in floral prints and of course, our best bling. Come laugh with me over cucumber sandwiches, frosted cakes, and a spot of herb tea.


Thank you Becky for taking us on a guided journey to one of life's simple pleasures.

xoxo
~Kitty Kellie

To find out more about the Traveling "paper" Art Doll Symposium (TADS) project, click the link to go there. To sign up, leave a comment stating so on the TADS Official Sign Up

Dress Maker, Dress Maker Make Me a Dress

Can't you just hear that song from Fiddler on the Roof? You know the one I mean with the three sisters singing to the match maker to find them the perfect match. This, my most recent paper doll creation sings to me in the form of inspiration to bestow upon her the perfect gown.


"I dream of fancy, tulle dresses hanging in flirty style from fitted, corset bodices made of fine satin," she says. "Lavish me with silk ribbons, roses and pearls and laces while I whisper stories of romantic ages past. Can you see it?" She asks, with a twinkle in her eyes as she lovingly gazes toward heaven, becoming enveloped in another world it seemed.


Come learn how to turn 3 pieces of paper into this incredible dimensional dress form in my {Paper Doll • ology} tutorial. Embellish her and dress her to make her your own creative expression of paper doll beauty and elegance. Due to the amount of material being covered in this all inclusive tutorial, I have 5 spots left at the $50 price before it jumps to $100!





Wishing you all a Happy Pink Saturday. For more pink loveliness, please visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound

I Love You Challenge ~ Update

I stood in front of the mirror today as I normally do just before and after the shower and I studied myself. I studied my expression, my shape, how it felt to be me. I put my hands upon the bulge at my belly, I looked into my own eyes and smiled as I said out loud, I love every inch of you! I repeated the process with other areas of my body that I have wanted to change. As I spoke those words I noticed a peculiar thing. I felt relief as my body relaxed and tension eased. The child within felt nurtured and loved for who she is in this moment and not what someone outside of her thought she should be.



Try repeating some of the following affirmations in front of your mirror every day for 30 days and see what happens. You may not feel it at first but keep doing it. I also encourage you to write your own affirmations that feel good to you.

I love and approve of myself therefore I earn a living doing work that I love and feel passionate about, working with and for people who love and respect me, in a beautiful location and earning money beyond my fondest dreams.

I am worthy of the abundance of ______ and I openly accept it now.

I love and approve of myself, therefore I choose positive, uplifting thoughts.

I am willing to forgive myself and I set myself free.

I lovingly and easily forgive and release the people and limiting beliefs of my past.

I love you! =D
~Kitty Kellie

Shoppin' With Dem Wild Wimin

The Traveling "paper" Art Doll Symposium's (TADS) Doll No. 5 has officially been named Tille and was treated to a shopping spree with the wild wimin of Pennsylvania. Kim of Tabby's Place contributes this energetically visual representation of "girls day out" that fills the imagination with excitement and wonder. I am deeply appreciative for this thoughtful entry to the TADS project. Thank you, Kim for your participation.


"Whoever said money can't buy happiness simply didn't know where to go shopping." ~ Bo Derek


I know that thinking back to my own shopping adventures with "the girls" (mainly my sister) when I was able to let my hair down for a little while and just have fun, I realize it was not the money or the items from which I received the most joy. It was the experience of feeling inspired and nurtured by those blessed creatures I was with. Letting go of any emotional attachment to an outcome resulted in the most memorable experiences of my life.


I love money. Money brings freedom and there is plenty of happiness in that thought alone however, money is nothing more than paper and metal with no deeper meaning than that which we give it. Shopping with my sister just before our first trip to the Caribbean brings me joy even today when I look upon the items I still have from that adventure. Money can buy happiness but the extent to which it does rests entirely with you and your own thoughts about it. If you aren't happy in your mind, no amount of money could possibly purchase enough things to soothe your unhappiness unless you are willing to first change your thoughts.

xoxo
~Kitty Kellie

To find out more about the Traveling "paper" Art Doll Symposium (TADS) project, click the link to go there. To sign up, leave a comment stating so on the TADS Official Sign Up

Saying Good-Bye to Kitty

For the first time in my adult life, I put one of my beloved companions of 16 years to his final rest this past Wednesday. I thought I would be able to handle putting up a Pink Saturday post this week in spite of it all but I am just not up to it. I apologize to Beverly who works so hard in putting this together for us but I know she understands and I hope you will too. I will have some thoughts to share about what I have learned about this experience but I will save it for a later time. For now, I'll share a photo of my surviving kitty. Obviously she is not pink but she is keeping me in the pink during this difficult time.

Please enjoy your day and do be sure to visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for some chipper Pink Saturday posts.

xoxo
~Kitty Kellie

The "I Love You" Challenge

Today I implement a project for facilitating change in myself. I call it the "I Love You" Challenge. I am challenging myself to break out of my old beliefs that play like a broken record almost daily in the form of my own limiting thoughts. We all have them. The question is what is what are you willing to do now to let go of them? What would it be worth to you if you knew that the end result would be the life you always wanted but never allowed yourself to feel worthy of? Starting today I take one small step to replacing the recording with messages of hope, belief, positive expectation and gratitude. All it takes is the willingness to change. Today I begin to think in ways I never have before. View the video for details.



I am asking you to share the experience with me and write about your results. I have posted a link in the sidebar of my blog called The "I Love You" Challenge. I invite you to post your comments about your experiences with this. What happened? How did your life change? Not only will this benefit you but it will give hope to and help inspire others to think about taking the challenge for themselves. The changes may not be an earth shattering ones, although that can happen. Just be aware of even the slightest shift in events happening around you. It could be having green lights all the way down the busy highway you take during your daily commute. It could be getting a parking spot by the front door for the first time. Keep your eyes open. This is your indicator that change is happening. Lastly, be patient.

All my love and positive expectations,
~Kitty Kellie

A special thanks to Esther and Jerry Hicks, Louise Hay, and Joe Vitale for showing me the way. Your messages have been instrumental to my journey of self discovery and change. There are no words to express my deepest gratitude.

A Regal G'Day from The Land Down Under

"It is a basic truth that for our Queen we have within us, sometimes unrealized until the moment of expression, the most profound and passionate feelings of loyalty and devotion. ~Julia"


The Traveling "paper" Art Doll Symposium's (TADS) Doll No. 4 was met with a regal welcome in Melbourne, Australia. Julia Rose of Verdigris Rose contributes this visual guide representing the best and beautiful of the Queen's tour of the Land Down Under. Julia, your contribution to the project is divinely incredible and I am deeply appreciative for your participation in the project.


"The Queen arrived in Melbourne. It was spectacular. She was met by a huge florilla of boats. Her reception was warm and enthusiastic wherever she went.


Color is the language of light. So true is this that can not help but comment on the colors of this exquisite collage. The rich, warm tones of the yellow-oranges, pinks and blues is the very representation of Australia as I imagine it to be with it's bright, golden landscapes, magnificent sunsets, warm turquoise waters and unrivaled coral reefs. The combination can be described as nothing short of perfection!


xoxo
~Kitty Kellie

To find out more about the Traveling "paper" Art Doll Symposium (TADS) project, click the link to go there. To sign up, leave a comment stating so on the TADS Official Sign Up

Is she bald or is that Wisteria on her head?

Is this not the most exquisitely decadent paper hair ever to grace the head of a paper art doll anywhere in the world? Actually her faux hair is hand made wisteria that I put together leaf by leaf, vine by vine several years ago and never used . . . until now. This of course is not the final "do" but you get the idea where I am headed with it. I see so much possibility in this paper art doll bust that I find it difficult to contain my excitement about it. You've seen sculpted busts made of papier mache, polymer clay and what not but have you ever seen one made out of paper?


This Pink Saturday, the Artful Paper Doll gives you a peek at this work in progress. Creating an art doll bust like this complete with rooted paper hair is just one of the many techniques you will learn for creating your own artful paper doll in my latest tutorial, {Paper Doll • ology}. I've got 8 spots left at the discounted price of $50. What can you do with a paper art doll bust if given the opportunity? Why not find out!

xoxo
~Kitty Kellie

Pink Saturday brought to you weekly by the talented Beverly of How Sweet the Sound. There is plenty more pink goodness to see and appreciate. If you like what you see, be sure to let our hostess know how much her work is appreciated.

Heartfelt Thanks for the Bella Sinclair Award

This award represents art Inspiration, given in the spirit of Friendship, Sisterhood & Brotherhood, Sharing and Caring.

This describes most of the bloggers I have come across in the art world and most definitely describes the presenter of this thoughtful award. It is my absolute pleasure to receive this from Stephanie of Queen of Dreamz. Stephanie. Your kind comments and frequent visits are such a delightful ray of sunshine in my day. Thank you so very much for thinking of me. What a treat.

Fairy hugs and butterfly kisses,
~Kitty

I have not passed the award on at this time but I very much like the idea of passing it along from time to time as a way to express my thanks to my visitors. You could be next! :)

Dreams Really Do Come True

The Traveling "paper" Art Doll Symposium's (TADS) Doll No. 5 slumbered with the angles and found the magnificence of a dream come true when she visited Renee Troy in Los Angeles. Renee, she is the picture of dreamy with the soft, feathery looks and pastel colors. She is just beautiful and I thank you for being part of the magic of this project.

"Continuing on my journey, I became tired and rested my head on a pillow of flower petals. While daydreaming, I imagined atop my head a crown of jewels. I saw myself in my heart's mirror and when I awoke . . . there was the crown, as beautiful as I had envisioned on top of my head."

“Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” W. Clement Stone


We have the power to make anything we wish happen. All we have to do is believe it can by believing in ourselves. If you are going to dream, don't be afraid to dream BIG!


Cheers!
xoxo
~Kitty Kellie

To find out more about the Traveling "paper" Art Doll Symposium (TADS) project, click the link to go there. To sign up, leave a comment stating so on the TADS Official Sign Up