Regency Paper Doll Room No. 2

This one is called a "morning room," as time was spent in such rooms for the sake of better light.

Imagine a world of candles and lanterns, with gaslights only in larger towns or cities, and then certainly not in most homes. Daylight was a precious resource in the times prior to gas and (later on) electric lighting.

Please respect my copyrights by following the red letter Guidelines at the foot of this post. Thank you.

This project began using a charming antique watercolor painting. It really needed to be updated and refreshed, so I used Photoshop processes in order to change its appearance. The scale was not quite right at first, and that made the doll look gigantic! This also was changed for a better fit. At that moment, I simply fell in love with the details in this painting. It almost seems to tell us a story, doesn't it?

The room is cosy and full of color. There is mid morning light shining abundantly through a pretty window that has a lively swag atop  a set of semi sheer curtains. The lady who is seated by the fireplace is busy sewing by the light from that window. It looks like she will be there yet a while, as her mending basket is very full. Everything had to be sewn by hand using a needle and thread during the Regency times, as sewing machines would not be invented until Victoria's reign. The lady's feet rest upon a colorful hearth rug. Perhaps she has made that rug with her own two hands?

The comfortable looking sofa has thick cushions in a very bold and sunny color, doesn't it? I like the cute embroidered footstool.There are a number of paintings adorning the wood paneled walls of this cheery room. Notice the very large mirror above the mantlepiece. Such an item would have been afforded only by people with very good incomes during Regency times. It would have reflected light from any windows as well as from any possible candles. In front of the mirror there are three bell jars with very precious things displayed inside each of them. At the center is a very fine clock, while on either side sit matching vases that look quite fancy indeed.

There is more going on in this lively room, however. A (possibly naughty) little dog is playing with someone's slipper! 

As per usual, all 4 downloads are included, one for each portion of this antique watercolor picture that is the newest room. You'll note that I have labeled them with "UL" for Upper left, and so forth. The assembly is fairly straightforward. There are hints and instructions to be found at this link HERE. 

I hope to be able to add to my Regency Paper Doll collection in time for Jane Austen's birthday (in December).

Happy Playtime Creativity!

PPSPlaytime™: Regency Paper Doll Room No. 2

Display version with a doll

Download UL HERE

Download UR HERE

Download LR HERE

Download LL HERE

You are free to:

play with or give or trade

this paper doll room.

You are not free to:

ever sell it in any form

or for any reason.

Thank you

for helping me to

keep free things free!

Regency Paper Doll Ball Gown in 2 Colors

Which to choose, pink or blue?

Why not choose both! This dress has been in the works for weeks and weeks. At last! Today, it has finally fitted and looked right on the new Regency Paper Doll (located at the following link HERE).

These gowns were designed to fit that Regency Doll only, and not the original Victoria Paper Doll. 

Please see the red letter Guidelines listed at the bottom of this post. Thank you.

This time around, the hair is a bit tricky. It requires a tighter fit than normal, something either a parent or older sibling might be able to help with. The hair itself has 3 tiny little tabs. These need to be carefully cut around, and then folded in behind the hair itself. The second step is the careful attaching of these 3 small tabs to the matching larger, more secure gray Hair Tab. In other words, the fit is a snug one, and it is also fairly tricky.

The next tricky part is the necklace. This is what allows the gowns to have deeper necklines than normal, while still maintaining stability in fit for the shoulders. I recommend smaller scissors, such as manicure or cuticle scissors that have tiny, curved blades for all of the tricky parts. The rest of the cutting part should look fairly easy by comparison!

Happy Regency Playtime!

PPSPlaytime™: Regency Ball Gown in 2 Colors

Download Pink version HERE

Display

(lower quality than the download)

Download Blue version HERE

Display

(lower quality than the download)

©RHMcGuinn as are all of the rest of the Paper Dolls, outfits, rooms, Scenes and Accessories, including standards. 

Thanks for the courtesy.

Guidelines

You are free to:

play with or trade or give

the above 2 outfits.

You are not free to:

ever sell them in any form or 

for any reason.

Thank you

for helping me to

keep free things free!

Regency Paper Doll Room No. One

A Regency doll needs a Regency room!

This antique watercolor of a unique moment from the past is so charming and cheery that I simply could not resist using it. It may have a few flaws, such as faulty perspective for the four poster style bed, but I still love it. (Beds in Jane Austen's time were generally much smaller than this bed appears to have been)

The Room Size
This particular room has had to be sized a little bit differently than the previous 2 Victorian Rooms now offered here at PPS. This was due to a format problem. To enlarge it any further would have made the doll appear to be what she is, a doll, or else like a young child. Consequently, each printable section measures 10.5 inches wide by 7.5 inches in height.

There are 4 sections, as per usual. Each one has its very own Download Link. 

Shown below is a Display, with doll, of the entire Room. 

For some helpful tips and ideas for Room assembly and use, including suggested materials, etc., I'd like to suggest following this link HERE. 
For a few Room storage options, simply follow this link HERE.

This will finish out the month-long salute to Jane Austen and all things Regency Era.

More Regency to come in the New Year!

PPSPlaytime™: Regency Paper Doll Room No. One

Download Upper Left HERE

Download Upper Right HERE

Download Lower Right HERE

Download Lower Left HERE

Display version with doll

(lower quality than the download)

You are free to:

play with any of the items in 

the Paper Doll Rooms Collection here at PPS.

But please do not sell them,

for if you ever were to do so,

you'd spoil the fun for everyone.

You'd also be selling my work.

The original image did not look 

like this room does today.

Thank you

for helping me to

keep free things free!

Carriage Ride Coloring Pages

Jane Austen Month continues!

We are in the "home stretch," so to speak, of our month long celebration of all things Jane and Regency. 

Today's exploration of that era includes 2 separate coloring pages, both involving carriages and the people who once rode in them. The first is of a young Regency "buck" or "dandy," in his silk hat and finery. As he steps out of the roofed carriage, he looks glad to have arrived at his chosen location. The second is of a group of ladies aboard a shared carriage, with its foldable hood down. In the distance is a gentleman on horseback.

Happy Regency Coloring fun!

PPSColorMe™: Two Carriage Rides

Download Regency Dandy HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Download Regency Ladies HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

You are free to:

use these 2 images

for coloring purposes

and in artwork which may be 

either kept or sold.

These were both found in 

the Public Domain.

Thank you

for helping me to

keep free things free!

For Jane Austen Month: a Special Wallpaper

Two portraits of Jane are incorporated into this desktop wallpaper design.

Please see all credits and red letter guidelines at the bottom of this post. Thank you.

This is a very special treat for me. As a former teacher of collage and book arts, I really enjoy trying anything new which allows me to dust off a few skills. As usual, collage for this project was a labor of love and a matter of trial and error, all in one.

The top right portrait of this month's heroine, Jane Austen, is actually a partially painted version of a drawing done by her sister, Cassandra. I chose this one, over all of the other options, for its softer coloration, which I thought might do well next to the browner tones of this wallpaper. I next chose to give it an antique oval frame which stayed within the color parameters of the design.

The house at the heart of this wallpaper is the Austen family home of Jane's childhood called Steventon Parsonage. This opened up the view for a second portrait of Jane by her sister, this one painted from behind the subject. I saw that she might view the house and some of her writing. As this was the last portrait anyone was ever able to make of Jane, I thought it fitting that she should be looking back fondly.

Next came the handwritten letter to her sister. As she and her sister were really quite close, I liked the idea of including one of Jane's own handwritten letters to Cassandra. Jane's signature was added later, as an afterthought.

Next came much fussing along with some further embellishment. What was at last settled on is what you see here. You will no doubt notice how this image is of a lower resolution than the usual used here at PPS. This was due to the fact that nearly every screen currently available can only show a resolution that is 72px. Anything too high tends to look nearly as bad as something of a far lower resolution might. It is also due to the lack of a need to ever print a copy of this wallpaper, which is intended only to decorate the view of a person's computer desktop, after all.

Today's Jane Austen Quote:

"How pleasant it is to spend an evening in this way! I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! -- When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library."

~ Jane Austen 

Happy Jane Austen Month!

PPSWallpaper™: Jane Austen

Download 72px wallpaper HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Credits

Digital Brushes Used:

Ornate Borders by digitalartempire.com

Decorative Frames by Diana at brusheezy.com

(that one I could no longer locate at brusheezy)

Mask by Hilla29 at brusheezy.com (found!)

All others by obsidiandawn.com

You are free to:

Decorate your computer desktop

with this image.

You are not free to:

ever sell it for any reason.

Thank you

for helping me to

keep free things free!

Regency Note Paper, 2 Styles, 3 Colors

Regency Style Stationary

Skating a pen across a page never looked so fun! Please change your Printer settings to the 1/4" margin setting to ensure the best fit. Choosing to have no margins at all may be possible with some machines, so if you're uncertain, perhaps this might work just as well.

The 3 color choices are as follows: ordinary black and white, a medium brown, and a wintry ice blue.

The 2 Style choices are with "Jan'y" at the top, or without. I know that January will soon be upon us, and so have chosen to offer both the dated and the undated styles here for you.

Happy Wintertime Creativity!

PPS™Regency Ice Skating Stationary

Download Dated Black and White HERE

Download Undated Black And white HERE

Display version 1

(lower quality than the download)

Display version 2

(lower quality than the download)

Download Dated Brown HERE

Download Undated Brown HERE

Display version 1

(lower quality than the download)

Display version 2

(lower quality than the download)

Download Dated Ice Blue HERE

Download Undated Ice Blue HERE

Display version 1

(lower quality than the download)

Display version 2

(lower quality than the download)

You are free to:

download these pages for personal use.

Please do not sell them, 

for if you do, 

you are selling my work.

Thank you

for helping me to

keep free things free!

Regency Music Coloring Page

Jane Austen Month continues with music!

Music played a very important role in Regency social circles. If a person knew how to play music well enough on an instrument suitable for the parlor or for a drawing room, that person would quite often be welcome at most nearby social events.

Miss Eliza Bennet sings and plays

from Pride and Prejudice

Below is one illustration of music being sung by friends at the "pianoforte," the very favorite instrument of the Regency era. 

Happy Regency Era Creativity!

PPSColorMe™: Regency Music

Download HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

You are free to:

use the above illustration 

in any way in which you may choose.

It is free and in the

Public Domain!

A New Outfit for the New Doll

Is this technically Regency in style, or isn't it?

This outfit was made for the new Regency Era paper doll.

I've debated this question for hours this past week, and I have to say that I still don't know. Some sources offer different dates for the Regency Era than others will. Everything from the 1790's to 1811 has been offered in the opinions from various articles online. I do not believe that this dress would have been worn during Jane Austen's lifetime, although I may be wrong about this idea. The waistline on earlier 1800's clothing can often tell us much about when and where such clothing must have been worn. However, the transitions in waistlines and corsetry styles can be a bit confusing.

For me, this probably is not strictly Regency (the waistline says either late regency, of late Georgian), but then it isn't Victorian, either. Call it "Pre-Victorian," meaning while Victoria was a little girl, a princess, while George IV was still the king, and perhaps we'll arrive at our best conclusion. 

George IV actually spent a lot of time as a Prince, and was Prince Regent only once it became obvious that his father, George III was unfit to rule. George IV's Regency time on the throne of England ended officially on his father's passing. After that, of course, he became the next king.

Incidentally, Jane Austen did not care for him, even though she dedicated her "Emma" to him. She eventually got invited to visit one of his palaces--a very special honor. There is a short video clip below of how this could have happened for her. He really did enjoy her novels (but then, who doesn't?).

Red letter Guidelines still apply. Please see below. Thank you.

Suggested Ways to Handle This Special Outfit
You will notice how this outfit is unlike any other doll outfit I've ever introduced here. There is the addition of a piece of Regency Era furniture, the image for which I had to hunt around.  This makes it a little flimsy when it is printed onto regular home office paper. There are two ways I could think of in which to handle the problem:

1.) Simply back the outfit with a second piece of paper. If this way is chosen, it's probably better to carefully avoid smudging the printed outfit by  laying it face down on a work surface. Next, rub a glue stick carefully all over the back of the doll's outfit (including the hall table, but not the hair or the Hair Tab). Immediately align the edges of the second piece of paper with the already glue-stick sticky printed page. I'd use a hand brayer or a bone folder, but good hand pressure might do very nicely. Finally, turn the project face up, so you can see the outfit. Cut away the white spaces surrounding all the parts of the outfit and table. (Leave the table and the dress as one whole piece.)

2.) Use a heavier weight of paper such as card stock or matte photo paper instead of regular home printer paper. Then, cut away the white and play!

Miss Jane Regrets video clip with Palace

Her visit to the Royal Palace 

begins at about 5 minutes into 

this 10 minute clip.

Enjoy!

Happy Creative Playtime!

PPSPlaytime™(Regency?) Day Dress

Download HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the Download)

You are free to:

either play with this doll or to give it

--or even to trade it.

Please do not sell it for any reason, 

not even if you change it in some small way.

Many hours of work went into it.

It is my gift, free of charge.

Thank you

for helping me to

keep free things free!

Coloring Page: Young Ladies Whisper

Imagine two of Jane Austen's Bennet sisters!
That is what I think of when I view this fun illustration. Of course, it can't be left just like it was before. If you ask me, this begs to be colored in. Colored pencils might work very nicely on such a refined project. An image transfer process, followed afterwards by the right paint might also do very well.

This comes 2 ways: normal black and white, and a sepia version. I will show both below. The downloads were set at 300 pixels per square inch when I worked with it. I always like to recommend the downloads here over mere copies of the Display images for quality reasons. I likewise generally do work in 300px, unless otherwise stipulated by me, here.

Just a thought for newcomers to the Studio's blog.

Happy Creative Jane Austen Month!

PPSColorMe™: Two Regency Era 

Young Ladies Whisper

Download Normal Black and White version HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Download Sepia version HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

You are free to:

color and/or frame this picture.

This would include coloring it in 

and then using it in artwork 

which may then be sold.

Please do not sell it as is.

Thank you for helping me to

keep free things free!

New Regency Paper Doll: Celebrating Jane!

Today is Jane Austen's Birthday!

This doll fits only Regency outfits from this blog. It will not properly fit Victoria paper Doll outfits.

It's time to celebrate Jane Austen's life and works with a brand new Regency Paper Doll. This doll, of course, is an entirely new remake of the Victoria Lacey paper doll whose wardrobe keeps on growing.

Please observe the Red letter Guidelines at the base of this post, for they are unusual. Thank you.

CHANGES to the DOLL'S SHAPE
The shape and even the "unmentionables" or underpinnings of the doll had to be utterly different, of course. The foundation to a lady's garment was designed solely for the style of garment to be worn.

The previously featured Victorian wardrobe would not properly fit this new doll. The first doll's corset had to be replaced with what are called, "short stays." Also, rather than a starched, fairly full petticoat, she now is wearing a long slip sort of a garment called a "chemise." This last generally was made either from lightweight cotton or perhaps linen.

[NOTE:
It is very important to not cut away the spaces between the sleeves or arms and the main body of each outfit. Fitting this new wardrobe was, indeed, very tricky. This will most likely keep outfits in better shape, too.]

Her shoes and ankles had to be remade entirely, for during the Regency Era, high heels were not in style at all. Only servants working at the houses of the great and wealthy were stuck with wearing the styles of the 18th century to show their status in the world. 

Ladies of the Regency era (1811-1820) wore more comfortable, or sensible footwear, although they still were not designing either shoes or boots to be Right and Left in shape like we do today. A shoe then might have been worn on either foot. I can't imagine what that must have been like!

Note about HATS and HAIR
All hats and hairstyles in the Studio's blog which differ at all to the doll's real look are generally equipped with Tabs. These often require delicate work using scissors or snips. Assembly must be done in stages, with less glue than might be supposed. I'd frankly start with a tiny bit of glue stick glue (I prefer Uhu Stick, but you chose your favorite) at the very top of the Tab, then proceed to fit to the doll's head in slow stages, adding touches of glue as necessary. Being careful never to get any glue on the doll would, of course, work best (Have I ever accidentally glued 2 things together? You bet I have! LOL).

Today's Downloads
As this is a special event post, there are several downloads available here today. The first is the New Regency Doll in her undergarments, stockings and flat shoes. Next is her New Standard (this is necessary for correct fit). After that, there are a total of 3 separate outfits with different hairstyles for each one. One of them even has a unique and very fancy bonnet, and is carrying a very stylish gigantic white velvet muff. 

In future, I hope to add at least two rooms and a few more outfits for this new doll. As this has been a fun project since its beginnings four years ago, I doubt that it can stop with what is being offered  today.

{NOTE: for some weird reason unknown to me, Blogger has been repositioning all of my centered artwork here so that it is on the left. This does not show up when I try and correct in in Edit mode, however. Sorry if this looks sloppy. All artwork posted here is posted CENTERED, and never off to one side or the other. I will try and correct this problem. Thank you. ~RH McG}

Happy Jane Austen Creativity, everyone!

PPSPlaytime™: Regency Style Victoria

Download Paper Doll HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Download Regency Doll Standard HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Download Lilac Promenade Outfit HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Download Dinner Party Dress HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Download Winter Walking Costume HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

You are free to:

Play with or give or trade

the above doll with any of her outfits.

Her standard has a copyright.

It may never be sold.

Neither can this doll, even if you remake her.

In other words,

everything you see has had to be 

painstakingly re-worked by me.

They are not intended for sale, at all, and not ever.

Thank you for respecting my wishes in this matter.

Also,

Thank you

for helping me to

keep free things free!

May I Have This Dance for Jane Austen Month?

Two Regency Era Illustrations

Social life during England's Regency was a literal social whirl of things such as riding to hounds, large and lavish house parties, and, of course, dancing.

For gentlemen of that era to be fully attired needs to be understood. Below, the first image being offered today depicts a pleasant looking fellow who is in "full dress." Both ladies and gentlemen wore either "half" or "full" dress, depending upon the occasion. For more about Regency attire, you may follow the link HERE.

For now, let's just enjoy the brand new craze in the second image for today: the Waltz!

[The gentleman took a great deal of coaxing, so to speak, before he would shift himself beyond the stained and blotchy page on which had I found his image. Due to my diligence, I was able to use persuasion in order to coax him into giving up his old quarters for a fresh, clean page. Despite a certain amount of pride on his part, as well as a fair amount of prejudice on my own part, we at last were able to settle for a clean, plain background. I think that he will look all the better for his new quarters, don't you?]
:)

There are two Jane Austen quotes for this dual item post, one for each image.

For the gentleman in full dress, the quote is:

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife."
~Pride and Prejudice

And for the Waltz  (with a Bonus second!):

"It may be possible to do without dancing entirely."
(sorry, no reference for this one)
~Jane Austen

and

"Every savage can dance."
Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
(Darcy)

More for Jane Austen month will be added tomorrow (December 16th), when it will be the anniversary of her birth!
:)

 Happy Regency Creativity!

PPS™ Regency Gentleman + a Funny Waltz

Download Gentleman HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

Download Funny Waltz HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

You are free to:

use the waltz image above

in art or crafting projects

for either fun or for profit.

You are not free to:

use the image of the gentleman 

for profit or in a set or sets.

(It took ages for me to make him look 

as nice as he currently does.)

Thank you 

for helping me to 

keep free things free!

Free Regency Children Coloring Page

Jane Austen Month continues!

Isn't this little illustration charming? While it was not made during the Austen or Regency era, it was so cute that I felt inclined to include it. The artist was the very gifted Victorian illustrator, Kate Greenaway. For more about her life and work, you can follow this link, HERE.

Many of Greenaway's works were devoted in style to the Jane Austen era of British history. From storybooks to children's nursery rhyme books to calendars, Greenaway painted them all.

Happy Regency Creativity!

PPSColorMe™: Regency Children at Play

Download HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

You are free to:

Have fun with this one!

With no known copyrights, it was

considered to be in the Public Domain

when I found it.

More Jane Austen: Bonnets for Coloring

These bonnets need coloring!

As a part of the Jane Austen Birthday Celebration (throughout December, 2015), here is the latest in fashionable headwear for Regency ladies of all ages. I simply adore a nice hat, and these certainly do have many pretty qualities.

Once colored in, this might make a nice display on someone's wall.

Today's Quote:
"Next week I shall begin my operations on my hat, on which you know my principal hopes of happiness depend."
Letter (1798-10-27) 
[Letters of Jane Austen -- Brabourne Edition]

Happy Jane Austen Creativity!

PPSColorMe: Regency Bonnets

Download HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

You are free to:

use this coloring page for fun or 

in a project intended for sale.

You are not free to:

sell it as it is here.

Thank you 

for helping me to

keep free things free!

More Jane Austen: Regency Family at Table

Early 1800's family at the table together.

Isn't this picture charming? It is so sweet that I simply had to include it in this month's Jane Austen Celebration. It is apparently from fairly early on in that era, as shown by the hair styles and various clothing details, although that is far from certain. It is also of European origin rather than British, but I chose to include it due to its charm.

I have cropped and resized it to better fit a home copy machine sized page, and then cleaned it up in order to refresh its looks. The color, too, has been adjusted just a bit.

This is a casual scene, but gently rendered. I really like the colors and the intent expressions of everybody there. I wonder what kind of soup is being served to this large family? Perhaps potato, perhaps not. We will never know.

Happy Regency Era Creativity!

PPS™ Regency Era Family at Table

Download HERE

Display version

(lower quality than the download)

This time

You are free to:

use this picture in art for fun

or in items made for sale.

But

please do not

sell it as is.

Thank you

for helping me to

keep free things free!