Thank you!

I am sending out a big "Thank You" to all 36 new Facebook friends who joined my page this week and are following mypaperdolz.com.

Card of the month

Ever wonder what else you can do with your paper dolls?

How about making your own cards? Send a friend a thoughtful card or attach a more personalized card to your present.

I will continue to give you more ideas for creative uses with your doll and collections.

Each month I will post a new card. I will include instruction with each card and you may take all or part as your inspiration.

Invite a friend over and make some cards for future use. It is always great to have a card ready for any occasion.

Have fun!

"Back to School" Card

Instructions:

1) You will need a legal size envelope.

2) Trim a letter size sheet of paper or card stock to 9 1/4 x 8 inches.

3) Fold the card stock in half vertically.

4) Trim the first layer of paper or card stock slightly smaller than the card. A corner rounder was used to round the corners.

5) Trim the second layer of paper or card stock slightly smaller than the first layer, round the corners and glue to the first layer.

6) Dress your Susie doll for proper fit in an outfit of your choice.

7) Carefully remove your outfit from the doll and tape the pieces together.

8) Glue your assembled outfit to the two layers of paper or card stock.

9) Affix all three layers to the card with pop dots.

10) Use your creativity to choose embellishments for your card. This sample card attaches three fancy hair pins underneath all three layers at the upper left side of your card.

"Getting Started" with mypaperdolz.com

Craft Idea

Craft ideas for the "Night Hues Collection"

Originally when I designed this collection I envisioned the stars to be embroidered with metallic thread. Since you are looking at paper and not fabric you can add your own finishing touches. Here are some ideas for glitzier stars on Susie's outfits.

- Try using a gel pen.
They come in a variety of brights, pastels, and even metallic colors. There are several brands out there available at local craft stores and large retailers. Simply retrace or draw over the existing stars with your own gel pen. Your stars will appear brighter and sparkle in the light.

- Have fun experimenting with glitter glue.
Not only do they offer a sparkle, depending on the brand they can leave a raised surface where the glue was applied. Your stars will not only sparkle but pop out slightly from the paper. This will add dimension and color.

- For the more experienced crafter you can always adhere glitter the old fashioned way. Apply the liquid glue to desired stars. Shake the loose glitter over the glue, the excess glitter is then shaken off the paper and let dry.

I am always one for a bargain. Don't forget to hunt the newspapers and websites for your valuable coupons when purchasing your craft supplies. I have even seen packs of glitter glue tubes at the dollar store. Mothers, when I find a good deal I like to stock up on these items. They are great for stocking stuffers, Easter baskets, children's rewards, Birthday presents, or any special occasion. It saves me the time and trouble for the last minute trips to hunt for items in the stores.

What is a "Fashion Collection"?

It is the process that I undergo to establish a cohesive grouping. Inspiration to begin designing comes from many things or sources. The outcome or objects such as a season, color, design element are kept together to be seen or worn.

For instance, if I designed a summer beach collection I could use the color blue from the ocean water and sky, white from the wave caps, light browns from the sand or even yellow from the sun. Each garment would have one or more of those colors that could stand alone and or coordinate back to the other.

Maybe I would be inspired by the seashells? I could design a fabric print that could be used for a dress, skirt or even shirt.

How about ribbons with seashells on it? The ribbon could be used as a design element on a collar, pocket edge, or hat brim.

How about pockets in the shape of clam shells? Everybody needs pockets on their pants, skirts, sweatshirts, jackets, backpacks and so much more.

Each garment in a collection shares a common theme.

Let us relate this to something non-fashion.

What if I had a collection of erasers? I would collect erasers of all kinds. I would collect erasers caps on the ends of pencils of all colors. Erasers that an artist or architect might use. Their are lots of erasers made for all the Holidays. Let's not forget all the themed erasers from brand name manufacturers.

New Vocabulary:

Websters Dictionary

cohesion = (noun) the act or state of sticking together tightly

cohesive = (adjective) exhibiting or producing cohesion or coherence

garment = (noun) an article of clothing