The children have had a lot of fun with the simple paper dolls. We made dolls from a template here and created our own here. This time, we’ve made paper dolls made from real life photographs. Above is our family, in photo doll form. The dolls aren’t strictly in proportion: My husband is much taller than me (30 cm in fact) and there’s no way my eldest daughter is almost as tall as me…I think.
It’s somewhat disturbing to see yourself in paper doll form but a whole lot of fun.
How to Make Paper Photo Dolls
Materials:A4 Photo Paper, Camera, Printer, Laminator (optional)
1. Take Photos
Tips for taking photos:
1. Ensure the subject’s arms are either out from the body (dad pic), next to or in front of body (mum pic), behind the body (no.1 daughter picture) or in a clear pose (last three kids). This will make it easier when it comes time to cut them out.
2. Hold the camera directly at the person, rather than looking down at the subject from above. This way the proportions of the body stay true.
2. Crop photos
Using your favourite photo editor, crop the photos close around the body.
3. Insert into Publisher or Word
Insert the cropped pictures into Microsoft Pubisher (or Word) and resized them to fit nicely on an A4 page. Then print onto A4 photo paper.
4. Laminate (optional)
For extra strength, laminate the photos.
5. Cut photos
Cut photo dolls using scissors and a stanley or craft knife (on a board) for the tricky sections.
6. Play!
Now, I’m trying to decide which of these pictures is more disturbing. My son holding his father or me and my photo doll. I’m going with me and my photo doll. Wierd. But then weird is always better than boring — nu?
24 Comments
katie b
May 16, 2011 at 7:29 amhahahah they are bizarre but i love them!!! and a great accesory for kids that have parents that work away from the home for long periods, or grandparents that live interstate lol
Chari
May 16, 2011 at 7:31 amThis is super cute momma! Visiting via facebook and ‘A Few of my Favorite Things!’
~Stay blessed!
Nicole
May 16, 2011 at 7:50 amI love this idea! I am absolutely doing this. We could add the family pets too 🙂
Trish
May 16, 2011 at 9:27 amThis looks like heaps of fun . I only going to try it LOL.
Very cute.
Lina Nguyen
May 16, 2011 at 11:36 amOMG, that looks like sooo much fun. And the out-of-proportion look – That makes it even more fun & funny! LOL! What a cool house to live in 🙂
Kris
May 16, 2011 at 1:07 pmAck! What an awesome idea!!! When she’s old enough to appreciate that kind of stuff I will def do this! Do you know I made a list on my fridge with your fun ideas on it? Seriously! I’ll add this one right now!
Nicole
May 16, 2011 at 1:11 pmheheheheeh so making them.
Nicole
May 16, 2011 at 1:28 pmthe photo above would be great on a coffee mug, have you laughing for years to come
Kelly B
May 16, 2011 at 1:33 pmBAHAHA! I so should! Would be awesome! Thanks for the idea!
Caz
May 16, 2011 at 1:54 pmOh I love this idea!! We actually made normal paper dolls here yesterday. My little pink people would love to make photos ones of themselves!! Fabulous project idea!
Jade
May 16, 2011 at 2:37 pmWe have some wooden cut outs with photos on them from Kindy. Each of the Kindy kids got one of themselves. So fun.
Lyndall
May 16, 2011 at 4:09 pmWhat fun! I actually used your suggestion of photo tea bag tags for Mother’s Day as a gift idea for my husband’s birthday recently. It’s such a laugh to see him sipping a cup of tea with one of the family ‘crawling’ up the side of the cup!!! Thanks for sharing!
Fiona @ Oh Gorgeous Baby
May 16, 2011 at 9:36 pmWhat a fabulous idea!
Elizabeth
May 17, 2011 at 4:02 pmThis made me giggle, such a fabulous idea and looks like lot’s of fun. Thank you.
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February 18, 2012 at 12:26 pmLovely!
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