Lilypad Lesson: How to make a poseable, stamped, art doll

by Julie Kirk

Hi there. How's things? Do you need a break from all things festive yet?

Well ... how does a fun, feminine, flighty project sound to you? Allow me to explain ...

The 'what': My photo-tutorial will show you, step-by-step, how I created the poseable art doll in the centre of this collaged wall-hanging:   

The 'why': The inspiration behind the project was to combine several of my favourite things: papercrafting [of course!]; fashion ... and birds! 

Somehow that led me to creating an articulated art-doll using the 'Hiya Chick' stamp set:

 
And here's how you could do the same ...

The 'how': Flick through a selection of fashion magazines and catalogues:Keep a look out for photograph of a model which is preferably a front-on shot and where you can clearly see the arms and legs - this will be important when you come to move the limbs around later. It's also fun to mix and match limbs too!:When you're happy with your selection, cut out the figure from the magazine:Now carefully separate the arms; the legs [this can be done as a pair, depending on the image you've chosen] and the head and neck section. Glue each of the pieces on to card using a glue stick: Make sure to leave an amount of plain card around the tops of the arms, waist and shoulders - you'll need this extra space when it comes to re-attaching the limbs later: 
Take the clear sheet - the one which comes with the stamp set and has the designs printed on it -  and use it to test out which of the stamps will be the right size for your chosen model. To re-create my design the model needs to be small enough to fit into a skirt made from the birdcage stamp!
Stamp on to a pretty scrap of paper:

An upside down bird house makes the perfect bodice for this sized model:Make a hole in the pointed section of the birdhouse and a matching one in the top of the birdcage:Join the two together using a brad. Her dress is now almost complete apart from one or two finishing touches such as  ...

• a pair of stamped birds ... which act as fancy puffed sleeves:

•  and a crown made from the tufted grass design from the set:

Now fix the arms to the shoulders [complete with the birdy-sleeves!] using brads and  then glue the legs in place behind the skirt.

You now have your very own poseable, high-couture, 'crazy bird lady' doll!  

 

If you want to fix her to a plaque or greeting card simply add a few foam pads on the back of the skirt section:

 This way, the rest of her can still be posed even though she's securely in position:After all,  moving her around is one of the best parts of the whole project! 
 
So what do you think? Does that seem like the ideal project to distract you from the hectic Christmas schedule?

If not ... how about making some Christmas-themed dolls using the same techniques?

•  They'd make great hanging decorations and could be easily adapted into wonderful wintertime fairies, elves and angels using any of your stamp sets.
• Just play around with the clear printed design sheet in your pack of stamps, placing it over various photos of models, and see which stamp shapes could be turned into clothing and accessories for your art-dolls.

If you want some more inspiration before you begin then drop by here again tomorrow [Dec 14th] as I've made another poseable doll to share in my regular Project of the Day slot.

Right then, you go and get those magazines, stamps and paper scraps ready and I'll see you back here tomorrow! Sound good to you?

Julie

Comments

[lisa]

how cool! <=)

[Sherry Edwards]

Fabulous tutorial, love it! Thanks for sharing x

[Sarah Somerset]

That is soooo cool x
Off to find a magazine to chop up.

[Ovacue Fertility Monitor]

Oh Cool I love it! Great Idea :)
Hmm I will make on of that for my daughter.

[Carmen]

Love this one - really quirky and cute - will definitely remember this one :P

[Alison-lee]

what a great use for a stamp, love it!

[Lisa-Jane]

This is too cool! Going to try and make these with the children, might even use their own photos and they can stamp their own clothing designs. Thanks Kirsty for reminding me what a fab blog this is xx