A Bit of a Mixed Bag

I have a bit of a mixed bag offering today.  First up (as promised) is the second story I included a single page of in the post Its 1966! - And Girls Just Want to Have Fun.

This story originally appeared in the 'Girls World Annual' of 1966.

Next I couldn't resist scanning and sharing a delightful photograph printed earlier this week in the Metro Herald - the fabulous free newspaper that I read every morning on the train into Dublin.  (The distributors of this paper are some of the nicest and friendliest people around.)  I thought this photo - used to highlight an upcoming event for the children's charity Barnardos - absolutely magical.

And last but not least a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who left a comment on last week's Watermarking post.  I don't usually have time during the week to respond to comments directly so I wanted to say how much I appreciated getting all of your opinions.

At first I thought I was being a bit mean and churlish to want to 'mark' my work but it appears that most of you are in agreement.  I have, however, decided on a compromise.

The whole idea behind these paper dolls (besides my own enjoyment in making them) was to post something others might enjoy printing and cutting out as well.  The amazing response I've had to these dolls shows they are much more popular than I had originally anticipated.  Because of this I felt it would defeat the purpose of posting them if I stopped anyone from being able to download or print them in a reasonable size.  For the same reason I've also decided not to deface the scans by putting such a big watermark across the image itself.

What I have done instead is to include a smaller watermark that looks like a signature at the bottom of the page. In some cases it will clip the hem of the dress, in others it won't impact as much.  That way I have still 'signed' my work but not disfigured it.  As my husband pointed out a really devious person could just crop or cut the signature off.  If someone really wanted to go to so much trouble I guess they could do that - but at least this way if my dolls are pinned or put up on another site there is less chance of them being passed off as someone else's work.  I would never be looking to sell these for financial gain - obviously I would like to hope that no one else does either!  

          

Example of new Watermark

And while on the topic of these paper dolls - tonight sees the first episode of Merlin Series 5 on the BBC.  Both my 14 year old son and I are great fans of the show and are looking for to it with great anticipation!

I will be posting new dresses for Morgana and Guinevere soon - I've already sketched Gwen's Coronation Gown and just have to colour it in.  That will finish off the original Guinevere doll, but for the second 'Queen Gwen' I'm starting a blue dress and a purple dress to add to the burgundy one already in her wardrobe.  Then I decided Morgana just has to have an 'Evil Enchantress' set of outfits to offset her original jewel like gowns.

So much I want to do - so little time!!