Queens of Hearts Paper Dolls by Judi Kauffman for The Queen’s Ink

In last week’s post I mentioned doing some shopping while I was at The Queen’s Ink for Kae Pea’s class. I used the stamps for today’s projects. Though it wasn’t my original intention to combine them, because they were out on my work table the stamps became great friends. They got together with my muse and announced that they wanted to be made into paper dolls!

I’ve provided a complete supply list so you can duplicate the dolls as shown, but I hope you’ll use the design strategies to create paper dolls that are uniquely your own.

DESIGN STRATEGIES

First and foremost, realistic proportions aren’t necessary.

Bodies can be rectangles or other simple shapes. I used the following for my four paper dolls:

1. Queen of Hearts rubber stamp

2. A plastic-coated Queen of Hearts playing card (1.75” x 2.25”) and a second card from the deck for the back side

3. A debossed and lightly sanded piece of Shimmer Sheetz with rounded corners to give the feel of a playing card (2.25” x 3”)

4. A stamped sentiment with a wonky frame

Stamp, fussy-cut and assemble the dolls as shown or as you prefer. Head and crown pieces were cut as a single shape; the polka dot skirt was stamped in two sections.

Because they are paper and rather fragile, display the dolls where they won’t get damaged or frame them in a shadow box (omitting the loop at the head).

Add a bit of spot color with markers or colored pencils. Alternatively, color as much as you want.

Embellish with Glitter Dots peel-offs and/or flat-backed faceted gems. Reminder: Be sure to use the right adhesive for whatever surfaces you’re attaching. For example, gems are non-porous and require glue formulated for adhering non-porous surfaces to a porous surface like cardstock.

For 2-sided dolls finish the back so it looks good, too. Add a second playing card and an extra gem, or use cardstock to hide the places where the head, arms, legs, and skirt are glued in place.

Don’t forget to sign and date your paper dolls.

MORE OPTIONS

Add ribbon or cord to make a hanging loop for paper doll ornaments as shown.

Glue the doll into an art journal or incorporate it into a collage.

Showcase the doll on the front of a greeting card or tuck one inside a card; they are low relief and easy to mail.

Want to make a ‘material girl’? Stamp head, arms and legs onto fabric, leave a seam allowance when cutting out the pieces; sew and stuff the doll parts!

If you’re active on social media be sure to share this blog post with your friends.

If you create paper dolls because of this post, please leave a comment on the blog to tell us about them!

SUPPLIES

(Stamps, Glitter Dots and Shimmer Sheetz are available at The Queen’s Ink as of the date of this blog post. Call to check availability if you’re reading this at a future date.)

Stamps:

RubberMoon – 

Doll parts

I was going to take over the world

Stampstracts tri-dots, bubblesndots, and starstract

Other stamps –

Queen of hearts (Pink Ink)

Eat Out (Stampers Anonymous)

Other supplies:

Glitter Dots peel-offs #7018 in Gold/Silver and Red/Gold (Elizabeth Craft Designs)

Ink pad in any dark color of choice (shown: Raisin brown)

Off-white flannel finish cardstock or other cardstock of choice

Contrasting cardstock for ‘Eat Out’ banner (shown: Bright red)

Shimmer Sheetz (Elizabeth Craft Designs) in Fire Opal Gemstone

Sanding block (optional)

Card Suits embossing folder (Kaisercraft)

Corner rounder punch (optional)

Marker(s) in color(s) of choice (shown: Bright red)

Adhesives formulated for paper and gems (porous and non-porous surfaces)

Flat-back heart-shaped faceted gems

Fine cord or ribbon

Fine point scissors