Maybe I don't have a future at PARSONS

dress forms for the ancestor doll

It's always humbling when the 2nd grader's project is just a little intimidating at first, and then downright aggravating a few hours in.  And then, a few hours later, it becomes a competition...mom of the 2nd grader vs. the ancestor paper doll project.  And I am determined when it comes to such things.  Even when they are not supposed to be my things.

I did a lot, but Abbey learned a lot.  Her country was Germany, so she interviewed Mimi and Dad about traditions and foods and customs.  She even got a photo of Grandma Roubal, her great-great-grandmother who came to the United States from Germany when she was a little girl.  

the dressed doll

Then came the craft project, a paper doll to be dressed in traditional German dress.  I don't really do crafts.  After two attempts at free-hand cutting the dress out of fabric, I made a pattern.  Then it only took 2 more times to get it right.  I would have flunked out of design school.  Within the first week.

diy:  make a Geman paper doll

Once the dress was on, things got progressively better.  Especially when I grabbed the doilies out of the cabinet.  And the kitchen string.  Give me a well-stocked kitchen and the creativity just oozes out!  So here's the DIY.  Just kidding.  I don't think I have any business writing a DIY post!  But I could give you a few ideas of what to do with a package of doilies.  And how to keep your 2nd grader's hands off their own project so that you can finish it up in a professional manner.  

Abbey and her finished doll

Abbey stayed busy working on the other parts of the project, so she didn't miss out on the glue-fabric-doilie mess.  And, she did excitedly state that everyone would think her mom was a good maker when they saw her doll.  Only I had to tell her that it was her project, so she should be taking the credit and the really important part was to not tell everyone her mom made the whole thing.
I study at MOMS Design School.  Learning one 2nd grade project at at time.