Everyday Bliss is Having Fairies in the Garden

My Everyday Bliss time was spent finishing up my first dimensional collage. This time I used stamping techniques, stencils and paints to create my own background rather than relying entirely on decorative papers to do the job for me.


Couldn't you just immerse yourself in this for days? Perhaps I'll mediate on it and see what bubbles to the surface. I may discover a hidden secret that's been waiting in my subconscious mind for the opportunity to tell me all about it.

Are you Cinderella or the Queen?

It is our own attitudes that determine our station in life and has nothing to do with what anyone outside of us thinks. Who are you and which one of these sounds more like you? Are you Cinderella, often putting the needs of others before your own and allowing them to dictate your life purpose? Are you a princess or prince, worthy but still, somehow not quite good enough to have it all? Or, do you think like the queen/king you came forth into this life to be? You need neither a crown nor subjects but you are indeed the queen/king of your life. You are meant to live a joyful and abundant one.


I had an experience this week which made me realize just how powerful imagery can be. Please see the Playful in Pennsylvania post for a photographic journey into one of Bella Rosa's (TADS Doll No. 1) recent visits. Because this doll has my face on her, it had quite an effect to see myself staring back at me from the loving hands of a child. A woman about to give birth, took the time to knit a little dress entirely from ribbon for the doll. She also shared the journal with her art students so that they might know how other artists are sharing with the world. How priceless is this? I truly feel like a queen, rich in love and tender care.


Imagine you are the queen/king this month (and beyond). Walk like you have a cape and crown on and believe yourself worthy of every good thing. Say it silently to yourself throughout your day. Nobody has to know what you are doing and this exercise will go a long way in helping you shift how you think about yourself. Notice how this feels in your body and in your mind. Did your posture improve? Do you feel just a little more confident? Write or paint about the experience(s) in your journal.


This month is about turning yourself into the queens and kings you are. Make a muse with your face on it. Yes, it must be YOUR face. Putting a doll with your face in your journal surrounded by magazine clippings, pictures, notes or drawings that inspire you will be more powerful and effective than using a random piece of clip art.

Click the image to download the PDF file

I have included a template file for a paper doll and pouch similar to the one used in the TADS project. I want to hear about your experiences. Did something special happen that has never happened before? Blog about it. As an ongoing project, I'll be featuring participating members on The Artful Paper Doll home page who blog and submit photos of their journals on this topic as both an inspiration to others to take the first step and as a way for me to give something back to all of you.

Kitty whispers: *Be the Queen/King . . . You ARE the Queen/King . . . *

Pearlized Paper fit for Royalty in Papyrus

Sources indicated today that Pearlized Filagree, a light weight, decorative paper, might have been used as doll skin in the paper doll city of Papyrus. Chosen for its pearlescent design and light, creamy color, it is believed that this paper was used in the creation of royalty or the more elite dolls. Archedollogist Kitty Kellie had this to say.

It would appear that this paper is somewhat rare as evidenced by the $4.95 price tag for one sheet so it would make sense that Papyrus would reserve this skin for its most elite dolls such as princesses, queens or even their treasured fairy folk.

Now that I had an accurate pattern for cutting my doll parts and the paper that would serve as the foundation for doll assembly, it was time to begin looking for a decorative paper with which to cover my pieces.



The idea was to find a paper that was not only light weight but light enough in color that it would look like a flesh tone. The paper design had to be subtle enough that it would not compete with the collage and rubber stamping techniques I planned to add.


I found something called Pearlized Filagree on the very bottom rung of one of the columns of paper. It was hidden underneath a stack of other paper as if it was waiting for the perfect project before allowing its discovery. Did I choose the paper or did the paper choose me?



Learn more about the Papyrus Project.

What in the World is Archedollogy?

A map of some sort was discovered today deep in a Paris archive. It appeared to be a schematic for a paper doll body believed to have origins dating to the time of the legendary lost temple of Papyrus. Leading archedollologist, Kitty Kellie comments:

What an exciting find for us. This map is physical evidence that the paper doll city of Papyrus actually did exist and we are closer than ever to discovering the lost temple where the artifacts of Papyrus are thought to have been stored. There's just one small problem with the map.

Setting up a template for a life sized paper doll required enlarging one of my existing patterns to nearly 400% of its original size. The entire schematic would span 21 letter sized pages and print beautifully with my printer set for borderless printing. . . . or so I thought. The first snag in the project would require a little more ingenuity to get the pattern to print correctly and was overcome with the discovery of a tool called Tiler, a free program that allows printing of large graphics over multiple pages.




Read more about the The Papyrus Project, an ongoing project dedicated to bringing you paper doll artifacts and evidence that a living paper doll culture actually existed in history. Here you will discover new terms like archedollogy that are guaranteed to spark your imagination. Check back often to find out how you can participate and become involved in the Papyrus Project.

The Papyrus Project and my Wild Imaginings

My mother once gave me the secret to being an artist. It was actually a poem of sorts with short, whimsical statements about how to be an artist. The one that most comes to mind reads: Have wild imaginings, transformative dreams and perfect calm.


While sitting in traffic yesterday, I began focusing my thoughts toward the one thing in life that never fails to give me pleasure, my art. Visions of paper dolls danced in my head while new ways of making dolls that would give my buyers a personal connection to my work just came one after the other. All were exciting to think about but the still small voice within whispered. "Think bigger."


Okay, how about a life sized, dimensional paper doll, I thought and I don't mean that in a celebrity-card-board-cut-out-you-see-in-the-movie-theatre kind of way either. It was perfect but the still small voice offered counsel yet again. "Yes, she whispered, "keep going." Not only will this doll be life sized but she has a story to tell.


Oooh! On that note, I could hardly contain my excitement! I had to get started right away but what do you do when you work full time? You go shopping on your lunch break of course. Bellevue Art and Frame would be my first stop. Paper is the foundation of the work and only the finest quality would do. I spared no expense in using the buyer rewards certificate I'd been carrying around for months. My first purchase would be French Aquarelle Arches paper.


I love water color paper, especially cold pressed. There is something just fresh and crisp about this textured, deckled edge paper that speaks directly to the very core of my artist being. So it begins and I've decided to take you with me on a journey of discovery to the lost temple of Papyrus where you are sure to find whimsy, intrigue, adventure and perhaps even reconnect with your inner child.



There are ways that you can participate in the project which I will present as we go along. Get ready to soar with the goddesses. Who knows, magic could strike! Be sure to check back often for updates and opportunities.

Free Standing Audrey Hepburn Paper Doll Speaks

She strikes a pose as if to say "I told you so." These dolls of mine speak to me in the most celestial ways. They use not words but blocks of thought that come in the form of creative ideas.


What makes me pick up that particular bit of scrap and hold it up to a waist or bust? How is it that I came to add gathered tule to a butterfly wing? It was not part of my original plan and yet that scrap has brightened up this doll like no other could, like it was, quite simply, meant to be.


Resisted desires to make her more elaborate in some way came in the form of whispered kisses, an acronym for "keep it simple, stupid." Over and over again I heard them. Audrey is classic simplicity, in her case less is more. Everything about this piece works so beautifully and yet I can claim little responsibility for her outcome. I am simply the tool that gave her life.


My creative muse is with me always, a special gift to me sent directly from the divine. I know not always what her messages will be but she always has a way of revealing them to me in exactly the moment they are needed. Her messages to me are simply the answers I was asking for in those moments of utter grace and complete surrender to the process.


I give you Audrey. Striking, stunning and with a "kiss" I leave you to your own conclusions.

Traditional Beauty for a Paper Doll Classic

Several weeks ago I posted a free paper doll template for your use. I asked that anyone using it, point me to the images so that I could post here as inspiration to others.


Linda of Considerations posted this traditional tabbed outfit with all kinds of trimmings that fit beautifully into a hand made, organza bag.


Even traditional dolls can have dimension added to them with lace and feathers. This also makes a perfect swap idea for your groups. Send the doll with a dress and trimmings and let the recipient decide how to decorate it. Thank you Linda, for this timeless contribution.

Carnevale Venezia 2010 Begins

It begins with an idea, pictures of pink perfection that swirl nebulously inside my head.


What does she look like? What secrets will she hide, behind the flourishes of decorated eyes?


With her mysterious but flirty spirt, she'll reveal only enough to spark the imagination.


Dressing is an art and must reflect her purity of heart.


Nature's beauty does bestow, its grace and magnificence upon the rose.


With flowing skirts and glittering slippers, the magic of her costume is complete.


Fiore di Venezia bids you welcome to the season of carnival in Venice.


Be sure to dance your way on over to How Sweet the Sound and the lovely Beverly for more Pink Saturday wonder.

Free Paper Doll Template

Haha! It's about time I offered up a free paper doll template huh?! After all, it is all about the dolls here. Actually this template came from Debra Schoch over at Hop Hop Jingle Boo. I think it's just terrific. It has some great potential for some really arty paper doll looks not to mention that it's PINK!


You are free to download this (click the photo to enlarge to full size) and use in your own artwork. If you use this, please feel free to direct me to a photo of your work so that I can download it and totally exploit you here on my own blog. (tee hee :) Once you have downloaded your copy, get yourself on over to How Sweet the Sound and say hello to the lovely Beverly. She's got an entire list of places where yummy pink goodness can be found today.

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!

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.

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