Theorem-Painted Paper Dolls

Like they say, "everything old is new again!" Reminiscent of children's paper dolls from the past, these newly designed paper dolls will provide a wonderful creative outlet for crafters and hours of imaginative play for youngsters. These designs adapt well as room décor when framed for hanging in children's bedrooms or play areas. This project sets a fine example of recycling, as well. Empty cereal or pasta boxes and the like work well as one of the base materials for this project. Also, paper store bags may be used for making the dolls' clothing. The cylinder-style oatmeal box is a fantastic storage vessel and is easily embellished as a decorative but functional storage container for the paper dolls and outfits.

Materials:

paper doll theorem stencil
heavyweight watercolor paper
brown grocery bags
cardboard (empty cereal boxes work well)
#2 pencil
chalk pastels (theorem technique called blushing) or stencil paints
colored pencils, fine line markers, or fine line brush #0
craft knife
small scissors
spray adhesive or craft glue
lightweight masking tape
protective sealer spray (or laminate plastic)
small pieces of flannel, wool, or velvet to cover fingertip for painting (old theorem technique) or fabric brush
empty round oatmeal box to decorate for storage/presentation container for paper doll and outfits (optional)

Steps:

1. To make doll's base body: Cut a piece of cardboard and watercolor paper sized to accommodate theorem doll stencil. Secure the cardboard to your work surface with lightweight masking tape.

2. Place paper doll theorem stencil #1 with lightweight tape on cardboard and trace body of doll with pencil. Remove stencil from cardboard. Use a craft knife or small scissors to cut out body form and set aside.

3. Secure the paper doll theorem stencil #1 with lightweight tape to watercolor paper. Use fabric-covered fingertip to pick up chalk color or paint and proceed to stencil #1. If using brush with chalks, be sure to clean off brush on terry cloth towel between colors. If using paints, you will need one brush for each color.

5. Use a fine line marker, pencil or brush to complete any detail work on face, hair and body.

6. Be sure body is dry. Seal with protective spray or laminate painted side and cut out (figure B).

7. Spray back of painted and sealed paper doll with adhesive and place over cardboard cutout.

8. Use store bags or plain paper for clothing. Wrinkled store bags can usually be ironed smooth. Repeat steps 3 through 6 to paint doll's outfits (figure C).