The Paper Dolls

Julia Donaldson, you've done it again!
The magnificent author of The Gruffalo (and a million other brilliant titles for kids) has a hidden treasure: The Paper Dolls. I chanced upon this one while doing a search for Donaldson at the library.
It is such a fabulous read, it's about to become a Valentine's gift.

In the story, a little girls mother shows her how to cut paper dolls. She creates funny little characters that develop into a quirky poem repeated on every other page. Her dolls run into trouble with other toys, but always find safety, until a boy with a pair of scissors comes along.
The dolls become a part of her childhood memories until she creates them with her own daughter years later.

Lovely Little Tale

Lately we've been experimenting a lot with origami, paper magic, folding and cutting, so creating paper dolls was a fantastic addition to our paper projects. Some accordion folds, a little sketching, snipping and a new set of friends folded out ready to be designed into characters.

 

 

 

Lest the little sister should work her magic on O's creations, we snipped Baby C her own set of dolls.
She was pleased as punch and cherished her miniature version before ripping them into pieces minutes later!

 

 

 Can you see that smirk and sparkle!?

O was reluctant to draw details.
As much as I wanted to get in there and sketch, I stepped back and insisted that her dolls needed design love from her, otherwise they would be my creations.
After a few minutes, little eyes and smiley mouths, polka dots and stockings appeared.
I love that the two center characters are smiling towards each other;)

EXPAND ON PAPER DOLLS
Vintage Valentines. O loves dresses. This would be her dream gift, second to owning the dresses themselves!
http://tpettit.best.vwh.net/dolls/pd_scans/52valentine/index.html

International Dress. Using folding techniques, these pretty paper creations examine the world of international fashion http://steamykitchen.com/11074-handmade-paper-dolls.html

Altoid Tin Traveling Dolls. There are some beautiful projects based on altoid tin use. This is no exception (and it's handmade!?) http://www.alannageorge.com/2012/11/26/handmade-holidays-magnetic-paper-dolls-tin/