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:

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

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  2. Happy birthday, love the paperdoll!

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

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  3. brendon5:33 pm

    ghappy!

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  4. 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!

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  5. 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!"

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

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  7. Anonymous7:18 pm

    Happy Birthday!!

    The doll is cute. :)

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  8. 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!

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  9. 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!

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  10. 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!

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

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

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

    Have day time ahead...

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  14. 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

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  15. Happy Birthday Jesse!!!

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  16. happy birthday Jesse, have a good one, enjoy x

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  17. Happy Birthday Jesse :):)

    Have wonderful 40th!

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  18. HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESSE!

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  19. 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!)

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  20. 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!

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

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  22. Happy birthday!

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

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  23. 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

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  24. 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!!!!

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  25. Happy Birthday Jesse!

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

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

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

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  29. 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

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  30. Belated "Happy Happy" wishes to you!

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  31. 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?)

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