My Latest Paper Dolls

It has been months since I last made new paper dolls. With my kids on summer vacation and Carlos busy training for his first triathlon, I haven't had much time to sit down and make my paper dolls. However, with a couple of late nights (Carlos and our kids are asleep) I decided to take the opportunity to do the one craft I really love doing...make paper dolls! 

I thought it would be neat to not only show my latest dolls but to also talk about the inspiration in creating each doll. 

My Mermaid Paper Doll No. 65 "Sun-Bleached" was inspired by my favorite beach finds, white sun-bleached seashells and driftwood branches. I imagined this sun-bleached look is how a pretty mermaid bride would want her summer wedding dress to look like.

Part of my personal beach find collection.

Mermaid Paper Doll No. 65 "Sun-Bleached" from my Etsy Shop, Rock Paper Tekla.

The next paper doll is Mermaid Paper Doll No. 66 "Chinoiserie". Chinoiserie is a french term signifying a style in art reflecting Chinese qualities. In fashion, chinoiserie clothing tends to mix Eastern and Western stylistic elements in both decoration and shape. I wanted my "Chinoiserie" Doll to embody the structured silhouette of the Chinese dress, Cheongsam, and the look of chinoiserie embroidery.

Paul Poiret Coat, ca. 1919. Metropolitan Museum of Art.  "The cylindrical silhouette and standing collar suggest inspiration from Chinese or Near Eastern robes and coats".

Zac Posen Gown http://www.fashionologie.com/. Posen's Fall Runway 2012 collection is Asian-inspired with gowns and dresses transformed with "origami folds, chinoiserie embroidery, and kimono-draping.

Mermaid Paper Doll No. 66 "Chinoiserie".

These next two paper dolls are part of my new collection called Menagerie Paper Dolls. They are my odds and ends assortment of craft + art paper dolls using mainly stamps made by Catherine Moore and Kimberly Crick. I absolutely love their stamps especially the detail made from each stamp. They are both Angel Companies which allow you to use their stamps to create your own art and sell them.

My first Menagerie doll is called "Watercolor Waves". I love Claude Monet's painting "Reflections of Clouds on Water Lily Pond" and I was reminded of it when I saw these gorgeous craft papers at a local paper shop. I knew I had to make a doll that captured the serene beauty of Monet's painting.

Claude Monet's Reflections of Clouds on Water Lily Pond at Museum of Modern Art, New York (Photo: Wikipedia)

Menagerie Paper Doll "Watercolor Waves".

The second paper doll from my Menagerie collection is "Birds, Buttons, and Bows". Inspired by antique French flea market finds, she is what I imagine I might stumble upon when shopping in a little village in the south of France. She is nothing short of charming!

Page from Sebastian Siraudeau's book Vintage French Interiors. 

The book is about finding antique flea market finds.

Menagerie Paper Doll "Birds, Buttons, and Bows".

I am always amazed by how even the smallest inspiration or bit of passion for something can metamorphose into a whole other passion, which for me, are my paper dolls. I really hope this evolution of passions continues for as long as my mind can keep rethinking and recreating.  

Thanks for reading! Enjoy your day!

San Diego Comic Con 2012

The San Diego Comic Con is a yearly event in my household. Carlos and I have been attending this San Diego gem since we were kids. And now we continue this tradition with our kids. What delights me the most about attending the Con is just the energy of the crowd and knowing how we all share a common love, comic books and popular arts. Of course I do have other reasons for going which include: the always fun Costume Sightings for our favorite characters; 

Most Creative Interpretation: Bowser with Pet Chain Chomp.

Legend of Korra: Korra Fangirl in Water Tribe Gear

Legend of Korra: Amon and his groupies the Equalists.

My personal favorite, Man Toph from Avatar: The Last Airbender Book 3, Chapter 17 "The Ember Island Players" and Fire Nation Katara.

Female Loki & Iron Man (his helmet really works!)

small talk with both small press and (if we're lucky) large press comic book artists & writers;

DC Artist Panel: (L) Comic Book Artist Nicola Scott drawing Wonder Woman; (R) The finished drawing by Scott which she gave to me. Fangirl bonus!!!

Charming Greeting Cards: The Mincing Mockingbird & The Frantic Meerkat www.mincingmockingbird.com at the small press section have the most humorous & darling cards & books. I bought the card on the left which I plan to frame for my bedroom.

trying to see a favorite TV or movie panel, which is virtually impossible nowadays unless you stand in line for at least 4 hours even then you're not guaranteed entrance into the panel room;

Inside the Convention Center with "Game of Thrones" banners. 

and last but not least buying a few fan memorabilia and comic books. My current favorite read is Joe Hill's "Locke & Key". Since I've started reading his comic books I've been obsessed with skeleton keys and large old wardrobes. Of course the artist Gabriel Rodriguez is also to blame since his artwork brings so much depth and mystery to the whole story. Just fantastic all around.

Volume 4 of Joe Hill's "Locke & Key". It now lives next to me on my nightstand.

HBO's "Game of Thrones" is another brilliant addition to the world of fantasy. Great story, beautiful film locations, and it makes me want to wear a big furry coat with my pet dire wolf following me around in the snowy forests.

My most coveted purchase this year: "Game of Thrones" Coffee Mug. 

Watch out Lannister Family, Winter is Coming!!!

Cheers to Fanboys and Fangirls for another great San Diego Comic Con year!

The Doily Duck

January 1988. My 14th Birthday with my Doily Duck, Sadé.

When I was a teenager I was obsessed with crafts, scrapbooks, boys, and writing in my diary. Not much has changed since then. I still love doing crafts especially my paper dolls. My scrapbook obsession has evolved into Pinterest. And my crushes on boys are now crushes on my favorite celebrity men whom I refer to as my "pretend boyfriends".

The Doily Duck is now my diary of all things I love to admire, want, and just talk about. Like my pet duck, Sadé (R.I.P.), I am quite the chatterbox. I really enjoy just talking with people and hearing their stories as well as telling my stories. I sometimes think not enough people take the time to stop, chat, and listen to others both those we know and those we never thought of knowing. Listening to people is essentially learning to understand people. And to understand is opening your heart to becoming a better person.

I hope you enjoy my blog and will do my best to keep blogging! And I love to hear from you too!!! Thanks!