Artist Spotlight: Jeannine Boyce

Back at the beginning of May I posted a clip art image of a layered dress. A short time later I received a photograph from Ms. Jeannine Boyce, one of my readers who had gone to town recreating the piece as dimensional paper art.

left - paper dress created by Jeannine Boyce

The two pieces are shown side by side above to give you an idea of the accuracy and attention to detail that surely went into this design. Jeannine, this is a magnificent display. Thank you so much for sharing your work.

Despoina's Incredible Paper Art

I cancelled my blog hop a little too soon because Despoina of Magnadi has put together a magnificent display of paper dresses to show off her use of the templates I provided over the past year. I am only featuring one of her dresses here in order to pique your curiosity into paying her a visit.

click image to see Despoina's line of paper couture

Despoina's paper dresses are not only creative, they are the perfect example of what it means to "borrow." It is possible to be inspired by others without the need to copy them. The result is the creation and development of your own, unique style. I applaud you my dear. Your art is truly incredible!

Image credit: Copyright Despoina of Magnadi

Paper Couture XXV - Ballerina Muse

The Paper Wardrobe Project is proud to present your paper dress template for July. This one is called Ballerina Muse in honor of my own muse who decided to do things her way this time.

ballerina paper dress template 5" x 7"

As always, the video below is provided to help you with a little inspiration for embellishing your girl. This is the final template for the paper couture project. I hope you have enjoyed the year in paper couture.

I'll be announcing a new project shortly so be sure to check back to find out what we'll be doing next! You won't want to miss this. ;)

Featured Artist: Despoina

Remember how I keep saying to post links to your work so we can all see your glorious paper dress creations? Meet Despoina of Μαγνάδι.

green fairy paper dress by Despoina

Despoina created her version of my green fairy paper dress and did such an enchanting job with it that I asked her for permission to share it with you here.

close up of Despoina's roses

This dress actually looks to have some elements of the white fairy dress too and beautiful in every way. Thank you, Despoina! I love it!

Note: Photographs associated with this post remain the copyrighted intellectual property of Despoina and Magnadi.

The Magic of the White Fairy

As ethereal as moon beams, White Fairy glows in flowing white skirts with touches of pale green that align her with the magical energies of nature.

white fairy paper tutu dress

With pale pink roses and oh so delicate touches of flourish, she is the picture of fairy perfection! I'll leave you to imagine the whisper of her fluttering wings!

white fairy paper dress back view

There's no template for this one, girls. She's all mine! The video below will show you how I put her together just to give you some inspiration about just how creative you can get with these.

If you have a project you would like to share, please do leave a link to your work in the comments. Hope you enjoyed this one!

White Fairy Inspiration

How magical does white fairy sound? I'm a total sap for that kind of thing as if just thinking about it  could make every secret wish come true. *sigh* If only!

tutu dress - white fairy inspiration

While I'm in between monthly projects I wanted to make another paper fairy dress using the ballet tutu as inspiration and found this totally adorable little number. She'll make a divine fairy!

Note: Original source of the dress photo is unknown since the dress is no longer available for purchase.

Paper Couture XXIII: Sweet Lolita

Paper Couture proudly presents your sweet Lolita template for May. The printed template measures 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches. Click the image to download it at full size.

sweet Lolita template 

Need some skirt and embellishing ideas? This video will demonstrate how I put the skirt on this little beauty as well as what I did for final embellishments.

The paper wardrobe project will soon be coming to the end of its first year. I hope you will join me this July for the Fashion Week blog hop party. Enjoy!

The Wacky Paper Dress

I previously described this as wacky and Tim Burton-ish but what else do I call a paper dress that displays such an intriguing combination of patterns?

wacky paper dress art - front

I almost have a love hate relationship going on with this because while I love the style I have not entirely warmed up to the idea of all the pattern. Why do I resist when the combination is so fantastic?

wacky paper dress art - back

Perhaps I resist because the combination IS so fantastic that I feel like Alice slipping down the rabbit hole. Welp! We may as well settle in for the ride because this may not be the last you'll see of this style.

Paper Couture XXII: Modern Cinderella

Ma gawd how I love that those words, modern Cinderella. Your template for Miss April appears below and I challenge you this month to create a paper dress.

modern Cinderella paper dress  template  5" x 7"

I know how much you love fabric, it's easy and doesn't require much imagination but your dress can't really be called paper couture either which is what this whole project is about. Just sayin'!

Only 3 months left before the project ends! I can hardly believe it's been 9 months already. I'll be making an announcement about the grand finale for this project so stay tuned.

Miss April is Indeed a Modern Cinderella

Miss April is indeed a modern day Cinderella in a dress that's both practical and still satisfies the inner princess in all of us girly girls.

The inspiration for April's paper couture dress appears on the left and the paper version (of course) appears on the right. Uncanny isn't it?! Thank you, I'm so proud! (tee hee :)

Paper Couture: Wedding Inspiration

Wedding season has officially begun so to keep up with seasonal trends, I will be creating a special wedding edition paper dress for the paper wardrobe project.

Franck Sorbier lace baby doll dress

It was suggested to me that I might try replicating designer dresses. With that idea in mind I found this Franck Sorbier dress that I just love. I'll keep my eyes open for other possibilities though.

Note: The source of the above image is Lifestyles of the Rich & Shameless blog.

Season of the Green Fairy

Season of the green fairy! What will my imagination come up with next? I don't know about you but I'm pretty sure my fairy will be the best dressed at this year's woodland ball.

miss march - green fairy paper dress

I'm inviting you to join me with your green fairy entry. The only requirement is that in the spirit of the season, your dress must, of course, be green!

Miss January - New Year's Eve

Miss January is ringing in the new year with this decadent cocktail dress extraordinaire! Miss January is simple but elegant with just the right amount of bling.

paper couture presents miss January

Here's wising all you crafty divas a successful year, wherever your heart may take you. As always, the template and video for the dress will follow soon.

Miss December - Christmas Prom

I missed out on putting tulle on the first Miss December paper dress so I couldn't help making a second one just for laughs. 

Miss December II - Christmas Prom

This one definitely has that youthful prom dress look about it but still pretty. Look for my dresses to come up for sale next year on Etsy!

Miss December Paper Dress

The simplicity of the Miss December paper dress is the very embodiment of understated elegance. This is proof that sometimes it is better to resist the urge to embellish further.

paper couture: miss December

I was tempted to add a rose at the waist and some glittered red tulle but both would have altered the look of this dress entirely. Look for the template and video to be posted hopefully tomorrow.

Miss October Paper Dress

I'm late again on the Paper Wardrobe Project with the paper dress for Miss October but hey, at least it's not the end of November. Ha!

I call this Victorian Witch Dress. Video and templates to be posted later this week so stay tuned.

Things to Do with a Paper Dress

Now that you've created those lovely paper dresses what are you going to do with them? How about a brainstorming session between you and your creative genius that addresses a few questions such as "What would make my dress look pretty?"

What kinds of display ideas inspire me the most? For me it happens to be a boutique style shop window. I will often look to the internet for images that are similar to the style I'm going for.

In this particular case I have found nothing that really jumps out at me and my inner voice is telling me to become a pioneer and create my own. Can you see these being developed into pristine white paper sculptures sprinkled with a little color?

I imagine something like this in a bedroom or sitting room, perhaps a fitting room of a high end dress store or gracing the publishing offices of a women's magazine. If you can dream it, it can happen! The idea of it all is sort of romantic and intoxicating don't you think?

Paper Couture XIII: September's Girl

September's contribution to the Paper Wardrobe Project includes this breezy, modest but flirty style blouse and skirt ensemble.

paper couture: september's paper dress

Technically it was still summer in September so I wanted one last shot at a fun summer dress before moving on to fall and Halloween this month.

paper blouse

It is incredibly satisfying to be able to form a mental picture of what I want and then bring it forth from the ether as a perfect artistic reflection of my passion for paper.

Note: Template file and video instruction for assembling this dress are coming so hang tight everyone!

School Girl Doll Sketch

I like to begin a new piece with a sketch so I have kind of a road map of what I'm going to do. This is what I came up with for my school girl doll that will be auctioned off next month.

A plaid skirt is a must and the top will have a sailor type neckline. I think It will be just adorable! It's amazing how much inspiration sketches and other visuals can provide.

Priscilla in French Blue - A Dress Form Doll Story

French blue, otherwise known as periwinkle is one of my favorite colors! I've just finished my latest dress form doll using, what else, shades of pretty french blue papers and ribbon.

pretty "Priscilla"

I think I must have lived a past life during some romantic time. I love the frilly, full skirts of ages past.

pleated paper and ribbon

It's not considered very practical to wear something like this unless you happen to be on stage or going to a costume ball.

piles of pleats and ruffles

Thank heaven for art because I can create these to my heart's content! Looking at them is sometimes better than having the real thing don't you think?

a view from the back

I don't have to spend a fortune to have a pretty dream wardrobe plus I can appreciate it more on a body that isn't my own.

pretty paper roses, my signature design

This luscious doll is up for sale in the Kell Belle Boutique on Etsy. Visit me there for more details about this piece. Hope you like this as much as I do.