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.

Journal Writing Prompts: The Masquerade Ball

One of the things I promised to do for myself this year is to start a journal of self discovery and change. Since we are coming up on carnival season, I thought a masquerade ball theme would make the perfect first journal writing prompt. We all wear masks in one form or another but tonight I can be anyone I want to be. So, who will I become? Will I choose to play it safe and blend in with the crowd as I have always done before?


Or, will I begin to break old patterns? Will I take a chance and allow myself the freedom to be who I really am, to be the person I always knew I was or wanted to be? I've kept that vulnerable girl in me hidden away for far too long, afraid of being hurt. No one would know it was me. From behind the safety of my mask, I can be anyone I want to be.


I feel my fear dissolve it's grip as I begin to make new choices. With each tiny step I move toward the changes I have always wanted to make but never knew exactly how. I know that I am safe. I trust the process of life to support and guide me. I water with love and feed with care, that little child within, until she blooms like the bright shining, magnificent individual she always was. I can toss the masks, they serve me no longer. I am free to let myself stand above the crowd, free to be myself at last.


What masks do you wear and why? What are you most afraid of? What would happen if you were not afraid? I invite you to ponder and create a carnvial journal page to explore. I also invite you to join me for the Bal Masqe on February 13th. Be sure to visit the lovely Beverly of How Sweet the Sound for more Pink Saturday goodies!

Bal Masque Blog Party

The Venetian Carnival, or Carnevale di Venezia as it is called in Italian, begins in early February and runs until just after Valentine's Day. Since February marks the month of carnival celebrations around the world, I give you the Bal Masque blog party.


When: Saturday, February 13th
Time: Starts 12:00 a.m. wherever you are
Place: The Artful Paper Doll (for a list of participating blogs)

Bal Masque Template

Participation is easy. Send an e-mail to Kitty Kellie that you wish to be added as a participant. Next, simply download the mask template and embellish it in your own carnival style then blog about it on February 13th. Meet me here for a list of participating blogs and visit them to see their masks.


Now go grab a blog button (click above image for code) and let the world know there's a blog party going on! Whooo Hooo!

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.