Monday, November 30, 2009

The Simple Woman's Daybook for Nov. 30, 2009


Paper Dali is my artsy blog, but I'll be doing "The Simple Woman's Daybook" on Monday, so we can get to know each other a little better.

FOR TODAY... from Paper Dali's Daybook

Outside my window... half the sky is blinding white and the other half is dark gray, giving everything an ethereal air.

I am thinking... that I might experiment with acrylic paints this week to see how my paper dolls look when painted instead of colored with my beloved pencils.

I am thankful for... the season of Advent.

I am wearing... dark brown capris and a purple sweater. I love this purple sweater. It's like how Linus was with his blanket.

I am remembering... how lovely my little boy's baptism was this past weekend.

I am going... to spend the evening with the new godparents before they fly home then come home and unwind by finishing up a "Christmas in Mexico" set and an Advent coloring page.

I am currently reading... "The Knife Man: Blood, Bodysnatching and the Birth of Modern Surgery" by Wendy Moore because I'm cool like that.

I am hoping... that the teething little guy will sleep peacefully this evening so I can do some crafting.

On my mind... the fact that the Paper Dali Etsy Shop only has one item. Funny sort of shop that way. I need to stock it up. Many thanks for all the lovely people buying "Christmas in Sweden" so far.

From the learning rooms... I hear children chattering to one another instead of doing their math page. Oh, it's hard after a long weekend to get into the swing of things.

Noticing that... baby Nicholas smells so sweet and holy with his baptismal chrism still fresh.

Pondering these words... "Owl you glad you have us." My daughter drew me a picture of the two of us surrounded by hearts and pet owls and wrote the little pun on top.

From the kitchen... the delicious smell of Thanksgiving turkey still lingers. Nummy.

Around the house... the Christmas tree is doing its shift as the Jesse tree right now, and the tablecloth in the kitchen is an Advent-y purple.

One of my favorite things~ is having my own little room in the house in which to craft and work.

From my picture journal...

(These are the little felted ornaments that I am making for a friend ...)

Click here to participate in today's daybook.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing you all a blessed and gratitude-countin' day! Have a lovely time with your dear ones, have an extra slice o' pumpkin pie, and relax ...

For all you folks who have actual weather, do a little extra jump in the leaves for me, will ya?

Many blessings,
Vee

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

The Battle of Elf

Elf is a cool 9-year-old boy who has his own blog, where he writes about everything he is learning. Or feels like writing about. And one day, he felt like writing about the Greek paper dolls he was enjoying. The little post reminded me of the Jabberwocky---"The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!"

Thanks, Elf (and your mom, "Mrs. C" to readers), for sharing this picture with readers!

Take care and enjoy the battles. ; )

Monday, November 23, 2009

Feast Day of Blessed Miguel Pro

Download black and white PDF of Blessed Miguel Pro.
Download his rarely worn cassock. (He wore it only a few times due to the persecution in Mexico.)
Download his "dandy" outfit. (It is a sketch of one of the many disguises he wore during his underground work.)
Download his mechanic outfit. (It's another of his disguises.)

CELEBRATING HIS FEAST DAY
Read about him here. My kids want to celebrate the feast day of Blessed Miguel Pro by making and decorating the house with some Mexican flags and papel picado. For dinner, my husband is making enchiladas, then we'll have some cocol later. And of course we'll have a retelling of our favorite Miguel Pro stories ... and act them out with the Paper Dali. :)


MIGUEL PRO
My son's birthday is coming up, and in celebration of his name saint, I made a Paper Dali of that amazing, fun, daring and selfless priest.

This Mexican priest was known for his joy, humor and wit as he evaded capture and celebrated the sacraments and served the poor and faithful in Mexico during the anti-Catholic persecutions. Included in the collection are disguises that he wore throughout the city: the fancy gentleman’s suit, a mechanic outfit (see picture to the right) and his regular street clothes. I included the priestly cassock, although he never wore it in Mexico, for it was illegal to be a priest.

My children's favorite stories about Blessed Miguel Pro involve his close calls with the authorities. The best story is one in which Miguel Pro was to celebrate Mass at someone's house. He knew the police were on the hunt for him---it was illegal to be a priest---but he managed to find a police uniform and disguised himself as one. When he got to the house, an officer was in front, guarding it. He told the man that he heard that a priest was coming to the house for Mass, and he was going to go inside and check things out. The police officer let him in. Miguel Pro went inside the house, had enough time to have Mass, and then came back outside. When the police officer asked him what had happened, Father Pro said, "There was a priest inside the house, but not anymore!"

You can learn more about him in the excellent Blessed Miguel Pro" book by Ann Ball. If you do a Wiki search for him, there's a very factual article about him that makes marvelous Miguel sound boring. Ann's book is a far better read. You get a sense of how wonderfully human he was --- full of humor, life and dedication. Ann Ball's friend also maintains a fabulous Miguel Pro website.

The patron for Paper Dali is Blessed Miguel Pro, who despite many difficulties managed to bring happiness and laughter to others. He was known for being a cheerful and playful man who took his faith seriously but knew that, despite the hardships in life, that there is much beauty to it as well.

Viva Cristo Rey!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Kleenex, Cold Medicine, Chicken Soup ... and Paper Dalis

Is the flu running amok at your house? It certainly was here! And apparently, we weren't the only household waylaid for a while. But Angela at "Three Plus Two" used some of my Paper Dalis to brighten up a sick day:

First, you spend some time coloring them up!

And then you have a nice little assortment of knights, a queen and wizard ready for adventure!

Thanks, Angela, for sharing the pictures!


Monday, November 16, 2009

Saint Margaret of Scotland's Day

In celebration of today's feast day of Saint Margaret of Scotland, I am reposting my Paper Dali of her. The style is a bit different ... You may find her a little more petite than my other dolls. She was originally drawn for a saints book that an aquaintance was pitching. Alas, the book did not come through but I saved the picture and am posting it here at Paper Dali.

Download a black and white PDF of Saint Margaret of Scotland.
Learn more about this beloved saint here.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Jesse Tree ornaments

News: The Jesse Tree ornaments featured on this page in 2009 have been retired. Instead, you can find updated (and larger!) Jesse Tree ornaments in the special Advent section of my Etsy shop.

 Here's  peek at what they look like:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/208133761/jesse-tree-ornaments-for-advent-2014-new?ref=shop_home_feat_1

https://www.etsy.com/listing/208133761/jesse-tree-ornaments-for-advent-2014-new?ref=shop_home_feat_1

https://www.etsy.com/listing/208133761/jesse-tree-ornaments-for-advent-2014-new?ref=shop_home_feat_1
 You can find the Jesse Tree collection here.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

"Christmas in Sweden" --- $4 for complete set


"Christmas in Sweden" is an exclusive downloadable paper doll set that is a hearty 30 pages long. For just $4, you receive color PDFs and black-and-white PDFs of the following:
  • Lloyd, the Daddy paper doll, in jeans and a casual long-sleeved shirt
  • Diane, the Mommy paper doll, in embroidered khaki pants and purple jacket
  • Sofia, the daughter, in jeans and a pretty pink shirt
  • Benjamin, the son, in his dark-orange football jersey and jeans
  • Swedish-print pajamas for Daddy on the eve of Saint Lucia's feast day
  • a holly-green and gold nightgown and pink bunny slippers for Mommy
  • a Saint Lucia paper doll outfit with a tray of rolls and four mugs
  • a Star Boy paper doll outfit with matching hat and starry staff
  • Jultomten (similiar to the U.S. Santa Claus)
  • Julbock (the Yule Goat)
  • a four-page Christmas tree template, perfectly sized for the dolls
  • Swedish ornaments (apple, star, Dala horse, tomten, tree-topper, bird, etc.
To purchase this e-book, click here.

"Las Posadas (A Mexican Christmas)" Downloadable Paper Doll Set

Celebrate Las Posadas with the Rodriguez family. This exclusive Paper Dali set is only $4 and comes packed with fun for a Mexican Christmas. Visit The Paper Dali Shop for details and to purchase it. Thanks!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Saint Martin has been bilocating again.

Jessica (at "Shower of Roses") and her family certainly know how to celebrate the feast day of Saint Martin de Porres! In addition to some good reads, coloring pages and adorable mouse-shaped cupcakes, the celebration had some familiar visitors:
I was happy to see my "Brother Broom" paper dolls joining in on the fun. Thanks, Jessica, for sharing this picture and for a post that I will definitely bookmark for next year's celebration!


Tuesday, November 3, 2009

A Parade of Saints

When Evann from "Homeschool Goodies" posted about having a Paper Dali parade, I was wondering exactly what she meant. This morning, she emailed me a link to her lovely parade. And now it all makes wonderful sense.


Thanks for sharing the picture, Evann! And for inspiring me to have a saints parade next year ...

Monday, November 2, 2009

Nov. 3: the Feast Day of Saint Martin de Porres

This paper doll now appears in the Saints Coloring Book, Vol. 2. You can find out the details at the Paper Dali Etsy shop.


Today is the feast day of this most beloved saint. One of my sons bears the Martin middle name in honor of this saint (and also the last name of St. Therese), so he's definitely a friend of this household. A biography for children about this beloved saint can be found at Holy Spirit Interactive Kids. We will begin the Novena to Saint Martin de Porres, asking him to join us in prayer, on his feast day.

Creative Commons License ... and please do NOT offer my works as downloads from your site.