Jointed Paper Dolls

Little Eliza Jointed Movable Paper Doll via inkingcap

I recently heard a suggestion for decoration in a little girl's room - framing some jointed paper dolls in various poses. The idea was interesting to me , though I would be sad to see these movable pieces frozen forever.....maybe finding a way to display them tucked into a ribbon board would be the best of both worlds.

Mermaid Art Paper Doll via thefiligree

Mr.Rabbit courtesy of minifanfan

A is for Acorn jointed paper doll via ribonita

miniature moveable paper dolls via hollandsworth

Little Red Riding Hood Articulated Paper Doll signed by artist, Jo James via 44thStreetFabric I love the entire "Peter and the Wolf" puppet theatre on paper available on PDF from sarahjanestudios- some jointed paperdolls performance art!

PDF- Peter and the Wolf Puppet Theater via sarahjanestudios

video trio

This clip from the IFC series "Portlandia" makes me laugh - mostly because it's so true (everything is better if you put a bird on it!):



 These videos by EF, "Education First," make me want to run away from home and learn a new language. Here's the Paris video:



And I love, love, love this short by Pixar, titled "Alma." It's spooky and beautiful and begins with the typical childhood experience of peering into a doll shop...

CORRECTION: As one of our wonderfully-informed readers discovered - this short may not be by Pixar, but may instead merely be Pixar-like (see comment). Go here for more information. And thanks Mason!

Birthday

Image courtesy of D-504 via flickr

Happy Birthday to a gal who stands out in a crowd! Enjoy your day , Vivi....may the upcoming 365 days be your best yet.

Holly Farrell and vintage wallpaper

paintings by Holly Farrell

Whenever my darling husband wants to tease me about the blog - his go-to is "vintage wallpaper." 

And though none of us have dedicated a single post to the topic - the idea of this blog being super passionate about "vintage wallpaper" apparently makes him smile because, as he claims, it suggests not only our particular taste but also how intensely we can talk about such divine things like end pages, paper dolls, or the color aubergine. So, in other words, my man's reference to "vintage wallpaper" is a cute way to point out how dorky we can get on this blog. And the truth is that we are MAJOR dorks and dorkily in love with what we love. Therefore, for him and to him - I'm finally going to say it out loud and publicly... I freakin' love vintage wallpaper. Long may it live!

Case and point: 

I cannot get enough of the vintage wallpaper patterns found in many of Holly Farrell's paintings. I especially love how the colors and patterns in the background play so beautifully with the objects found in the foreground. Don't you think that objects like cookbooks, Barbies, shoes, or a even flyswatter look so much prettier when accented by a wall of dizzying pink blossoms or falling teal and yellow feathers? And though I so wish Farrell had an Etsy shop or a place to buy some prints - for now we all must make due with admiring her lovely website: http://www.hollyfarrell.com/. 

 "Children's Books, 2010"

 "Barbie"

 

"Spools, 2009"

"Shoes, 2006"

 "Lamp, 2010"

"Vacation Portrait, 2010"

 "Flyswatter, 2010"

handmade doll house

"Petit Flaneur" makes the sweetest hand-crafted children's toys, cards, and art. But I am just wild about their doll houses made out of hand-painted pressed wood -- I love how the houses and all their furnishings look like vintage paper (yes, I do indeed love a flammable home).

The dollmakers

I love handmade dolls. I grew up treasuring a ragdoll that my great-grandmother made for my mother, who passed it to my older sister, who eventually (reluctantly) passed it to me. The doll must have been 40 years old by the time I got her, but she was completely intact, if a bit dirty, and came with a beautiful hand-sewn wardrobe. My favorite piece was a pink dress with a drop-waist pleated skirt.

25 years later, dolls inspired me to start sewing. Specifically, Hillary Lang's Make-a-Long dolls, Olive and Archie, got me hooked.

image courtesy of Hillary Lang

When I first saw Olive and Archie on Hillary's blog, I had to have one, so I bought the pattern and my sewing life began. Hillary doesn't usually have Olives and Archies for sale in her shop, so if you want one, you'll have to sew one, too (or become my friend so I can make one for you).

Jodie of Ric-Rac is another doll maker I admire. Her dolls have such friendly expressions, and they are always decked out in clothes I wish came in people sizes. Jodie occasionally lists dolls in her Etsy shop, but you have to act quickly.

image courtesy of Jodie at Ric Rac

Mimi Kirchner's dolls are so artful and lovely, I can only dream of approaching her level of skill and imagination. Even at 34, I can imagine spending afternoons dressing these girls up in their stylish wardrobes. A few of Mimi's creations are for sale in her shop.

image courtesy of Mimi Kirchner

The fact is, though you have to get lucky to snag one of the dolls above, there are plenty of gorgeous handmade dolls for sale on Etsy. Take your pick:

image courtesy of frazzydazzles


image courtesy of SweetSukie


image courtesy of Bit of Whimsy Dolls


image courtesy of AntheaArt