Friday 8 May 2009

Birthday present


Today's my birthday, and I'm old! 40, to be precise. I'm finally old enough to feel like a proper adult: lipstick, handbags, and shoes with heels will no longer intimidate me. And when I feel nervous about doing something, I'll be able to say myself "You're 40! You can do it."

I'm terrible at age-appropriate gifts, though. I've wanted to make a paper doll for ages, and what better deadline than a birthday? So here's a paper doll present for everyone who still likes to play with dolls. You can find the doll on my Flickr page (front and back and a basic dress template). Print it out, stick it to some card, and cut out. Cut a strip of card 1cm x 15cm, fold in half, and stick it into the slits in the stand. Now play textile designer with the dress!

There's a sullen version of the doll too, in case the dress you make is really horrible. And the dress I decorated is here. (Yep, I cut the dress out before I remembered to scan it...)

These images seem rather large to me, but I wanted to be sure they'd print out well; this is the first time I've tried this, so if anyone has any hints for improvement, please let me know.

33 comments:

Chakra Pennywhistle said...

Happy Birthday!

Inklore said...

Happy BIrthday Jesse! I'm still a bit afraid of heels and red lipstick...looking forward to it though :)

Unknown said...

Happy birthday, love the paperdoll!

the big four o.. have a great new year!

brendon said...

ghappy!

Karen Barbé said...

Enjoy your day, Jesse!
You are so right to say that as we get older we become more confident and definitely in charge of our lives.

The paper doll is beautiful!
Happy birthday, dear!

Cristina Salgueiro said...

Happy birthday girl :)

Lori said...

Happy Birthday!!! love the paper doll.

I'm afraid of heels, lipstick etc. still (38 1/2...) so maybe in the next year something will change. I love your pep-talk though and may need to adopt it for myself "you are 38 and a half! you can do this!"

jules said...

Happy Birthday Jesse!! Love the paper dolls, isn't nice to make presents for yourself? Hope you have a lovely day!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday!!

The doll is cute. :)

Susan Scott said...

Happy Birthday! Enjoy the heels while you can cuz once you reach my age, you'll find them impossible to endure. Of course, lipstick from now on will be a necessity! :-)) Love the doll!

painted fish studio said...

happy, happy birthday Jesse! i hope you have a wonderful birthday weekend! maybe i should take the paper version of you out with me tonight to celebrate? drinks are on me!

mizu designs said...

You are going to love being 40. I'm just one year ahead of you and it's great. I keep having things like this go through my head: 'no, I don't have to put up with that cos I'm 40 now' or 'don't be so afraid, you're 40 now' and it feels so good and strong. Happy Birthday!

HomeSweet Jenny said...

Happy birthday Jesse! The paper dolls are so very cute, but aren't people supposed to give a gift to you?

Alex Sunday said...

Happy Birthday!!!!
I love the cut out doll! I might have to try to make one myself. :)

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday Jezze...i love reading your blog :)

Have day time ahead...

enid said...

Happy birthday to you. Wish i'd known when I saw you - carry on being so creative and I hope that your birthday is all you wish it to be Enid

flowerpress said...

Happy Birthday Jesse!!!

sue bulmer said...

happy birthday Jesse, have a good one, enjoy x

andrea said...

Happy Birthday Jesse :):)

Have wonderful 40th!

Deniz said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESSE!

Billy said...

Happy Birthday, Jesse! And thank you for the present!

(feels a bit like Christmas: it´s someone else´s birthday - Jesus, in Christmas´ case - and we´re the ones who receive the gifts!)

Unknown said...

Happy birthday! (even if it was yesterday) I'm a couple of months behind you and also looking forward to it. On sober reflection I've decided the tattoo I promised myself when I was 25 is maybe not such a brilliant idea after all, and I fear I'll never be able to do the high heels -- but lipstick FTW!

Sonya Philip said...

Happy (belated) Birthday Jesse! Forty is the new thirty dontcha know.

Unknown said...

Happy birthday!

Thanks for the little doll. It is never late to continue playing with dolls.

Francesca said...

i love it jesse, and especially that you have two versions, happy and moody!

happy belated birthday! i am 35 and i still don't wear heels or lipstick. i will let you know in 5 years if that changes! x

And So I Whisper said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY. I also turned 40 ten days ago.... I never wear heels or lipstick, but being older and wiser feels good so far. Enjoy!!!!

Hello Again said...

Happy Birthday Jesse!

ArtSparker said...

Well, you know I like paper dolls. what a great idea, to back them up to each other for changes of mood. Happy Birthday!

ArtSparker said...

Wow, that dress is quite the marvel of engineering as well.

Elv Freiheit said...

Happy belated birthday Jesse! Hope you had a great time. I like your doll. Giving yourself a gift is such a great idea!

Gallery32 said...

Happy Birthday my fellow 40 and fab! I am so excited about the paper doll and can't wait to design her some clothes!

Trina

kat said...

Belated "Happy Happy" wishes to you!

Michelle Engel Bencsko said...

40's will be great, though I admit, I'm still green and a bit intimidated by the lipstick... I TOTALLY can't get away with that yet (can I?)