A Paper Doll Party

 Welcome!

Taina Nebrego, papel boutique

Let’s have a party!

A paper doll theme party!

Needle and Thread, LLC

Paper dolls are so fun,

with so many styles & variations.

Altered Art paper doll angels

Wordpress.com

Paper dolls are always in style,

for any age, any time, don’t you think?

Graphic 45 collection

Let’s start with some invitation samples -

You can make them as simple

Whimsy-girl.blogspot.com

Or as fancy as you want.

Andrea Malpass, where the green grass grows designs

invitationforsleepoverparty.com

Sweetparties.blogspot.com

Once your invitations are done, you can start work on decorations.

This is the fun part!

Here are some ideas for a sweet 

BALLERINA paper doll party -

BonjourFete/A Party Boutique

Lanissa Youngquist

I found some vintage ballerina paper dolls with pretty outfits. You don’t have to use the adult ballerinas if you want little girls only, but the outfits would make great garlands and accessories.

Don’t forget you can use the costumes each doll is wearing too.

The Cross Design

Next are some ideas for a different themed paper doll party -

a fashion paper doll party!

Bloglovin’

Here are some paper doll books from great artists to inspire you!

Julie Allen Matthews 

Eileen Rudisill Miller

Sandra Vanderpool

Tom Tierney

These would make great place cards -

Adele Knight

Here’s another theme -

Wouldn’t it be fun to throw a 

Barbie 1960’s paper doll party?

You can purchase different re-printings from 

Vintage Paper Dreams on Etsy, for just one resource.

I liked the full-body clothes these had.

Adapt any of the ideas here to fit your theme and budget.

Now -

Let’s not forget the food!

Let’s help make your food goodies fit the theme of your party.

Printed paper dolls and accessories attached to the side of a cake look charming:

Tainah Nobrega; Papel Boutique

This cake has a cute clothesline atop -

Chelle Michelle; Pinterest

Popcorn is a budget food that is easy to dress up by placing in cups with just a little decoration-

Elena Galli, World Wide Party; Pinterest 

Do the same with inexpensive canning jars 

for drinks. This one is tied on with ribbon -

Simone N., Catch My Party

Using your printer,

or using paper doll books that are torn or incomplete, you have so many opportunities for budget decorating.

Also check out local $Dollar$ stores for inexpensive paper doll books.

Whimsy-girl.blogspot.com

Any place you use a toothpick,

Glue a paper doll or costume on it to add to the theme look.

(We can do recipes in another blog.)

G

lucy.jp

Jennifer Gallagher

I love this idea -

Using cupcake wrappers for decorative little bowls.

craftinessisnotoptional.blogspot

What is left to help our party be a success?

Activities

Especially with younger children, they need activities in small amounts of time as their attention spans wander.

Let’s see what we can do about that!

ChattyCathyB

While the above was meant as a charming home display, you can adapt the idea for your party.

Tape baker’s twine onto individual metal trays (found in thrift stores). Add small clothespins and paper doll cut outs. Each child then has a tray for individual play, or with a neighbor.

Posted by Leslie Dye; Pinterest

Here’s a sheet of paper dolls you could print for activity time. As far as I can tell there is no copyright.

Here is a simple doll paper chain for them to cut and decorate -

Best Coloring Pages

Why not print up a sheet of simple ballet costumes, and have each attendee sit at a table with crayons, markers, glitter glue, sequins and feathers, etc.? They can create their own fantasy costumes to take home & display.

Found on Pinterest, this pattern is to make a jointed paper doll! Here’s a ballerina -

Kimweissenborn.com

Sweetonparties.blogspot.com

Speaking of taking home, little gift bags for each attendee to take home is a sweet gesture, but can get pricey.

Let’s explore some options.

Send home a paper doll sheet for them to cut and play with.

Found on Pinterest

Make a bookmark for each one.

Stampittome.files.wordpress.com

Using inexpensive Dollar Store frames, mat & frame a small set of paper dolls as a keepsake.

Mouse House Creations, Hayley Crouse

This next one takes more time, but I love the idea! Stitch up a simple drawstring bag. Print a favorite paper doll set on good cardstock. Cut and glue onto magnet sheets. Cut out.

You now have an adorable refrigerator magnet set of paper dolls, all kept in its’ own bag!

Clara Clips; Flickr

Last idea!

Print and cut out a paper doll.

Glue onto sturdy cardboard, like a cereal box. Glue that onto a piece of fun foam.

Cut out, leaving a rim as desired.

Glue a bar pin back on.

(Hot glue works pretty good)

Voila! 1 pin.

CircaAD; Etsy 

I could go on  and on with more fun projects, ideas, recipes etc., but let’s close for now shall we?

Origami Resource Center

I would LOVE to see some of your work.

Drop me a note or photo.

‘Til next time,

inkspired

Fun stuff to do with kids at Easter time

vintage postcard

www.eyedealpostcards.com

"When I grow up

I want to be a little boy."

- Joseph Heller, Something Happened, 1974

www.tumblr.com

Easter/Spring is the perfect time

to remind ourselves

that seeing life through

child-like eyes

is still okay!

kids photography tips by natgeo

www.photographytips.com.au

"The reluctance to put away childish things

may be a requirement

of genius."

- Rebecca Pepper Sinkler

http://www.quotegarden.com/inner-child.html

www.jamesadamhill.com

Remember when wanting to do 

housework

was fun?

www.sheknows.com

Well, let's do some fun things

this week!

news.asiantown.net

...and don't be afraid to get a little messy!

www.bizquests.com

This is a simple paper craft idea 

from Martha Stewart:

www.marthastewart.com

Ways to tailor this for different age groups:

A.

If your child is comfortable with scissors, let her pick out the paper and help her draw the pattern for her to cut out. Making a 'master pattern' from the inside of cereal boxes helps guide the pencil lines.

B.

Tiny tots?

Give them a sheet of card stock and those

wonderful 'dot' Bingo markers.

Let them make colorful dots all over the card stock for you to then cut into the shaped flower petals.

Just about any age group can help put a dot of glue in the center, and press the paper candy cup in place.  For those who can write,

let them add the name of each person at your holiday table and use these as place cards!

found on craftysisters-nc.blogspot.com

Pastel Jelly Bean Topiary

You can find the tutorial at the above listed website address. My philosophy? 

Anything you do with jelly beans

is listed under

"fun activities"!!

Just try to remember:

the goal is NOT to see how many jelly beans you can eat in one sitting...

but how many jelly beans you can 

actually craft with!

www.craftysisters-nc.blogspot.com

found on www.taliaaudenart.blogspot.com


Pretty Spring Bunny Garland

Check out the link above for 'directions', but mostly it is a look at the photo and make your own!
The bunnies are drawn freehand.
Use a hold punch at the top of each ear to thread ribbon through.
You small children will have fun dipping cotton balls in craft glue, and sticking the tail on the bunny.
Or
you can put a dot of glue on the bunny
and have your child squish a cotton ball on top of it.

Remember to save all the little punched holes
and add them to your 
Easter confetti egg decorations.

www.shemakesahome.blogspot.com

Bead Bunnies

found at FamilyFunMagazine:

familyfunmagazine.com

You can check out their website,

or just look at the photo and make your own.

You will need:

pipe cleaners to match paint

wood beads in 2 different sizes

fine tip black marking pen for face

desired colors of acrylic paint to paint beads

I would suggest you put the wood beads onto a bamboo skewer to paint. You can then put the skewer over an open bowl/container for the paint to dry evenly.

How can your little ones help?

Have them stick themed stickers 

on the tummies of each bunny!

You can smooth over with a dab of Modge Podge if you want.

Have little ones thread the beads with a piece of pipe cleaner.

You can then bend them into ears and feet.

Older kids?

Have them use the permanent, fine point black marker

and add the name of each holiday guest.

Use bunnies as cute, you-can-take-them-home

place cards!

found on www.crafaholicsanonymous.net

Washi Tape eggs by Linda Gardner:

Go to the above link to find directions.

Or just look at the photo and say

"I can do that!"

The wrapped candies egg stands can be hot glued to the bottom of the egg if this is something you want to keep for display.

If not, I would skip the stands and just place in a pretty basket.

Don't forget, these eggs can be filled with small candy,

small toys, little animals or...

Little hands can practice fine motor skills by helping to fill each egg. Also, let them practice snapping the eggs together.

Older kids can easily tear off a strip of washi tape

and wrap around each egg.

I think I would add stickers, 

just because I think it would look festive!

Kenzo Kids fashion wear 2013

www.shefashiontrand.com

Let's not forget how fun paper dolls are!

I think, really, paper dolls are for

both boys and girls.

found on bonecasdepapel.blogspot.com

Want to send this to someone other than a Grand daughter?

Place a sticky note over the desired words on the front.

Photocopy, and download.

You can then add any words you want in Paint program,

or stamp your own saying to layer over the words.

You can also 'erase' areas with Paint too.

Too complicated?

Ok, just stick a big ole' Holiday sticker over the words!

the Easter Egg Cart, part of the Easter Egg mural by Jan Brett

the Pavilion for the Easter Egg mural by Jan Brett

Are we having fun yet?!!

www.reuplifestyle.com

www.graphicsfairy.blogspot.com


That's it for today!
'til next time,
inkspired

www.collagepaperpainting.etsy.com
www.inkspired.etsy.com
www.inkspiredmusings.blogspot.com
and on pinterest: K.Kloberdans