paper love part 2

Penny rugs and paper cutting were in my head at the same time the last few weeks. I think I am trying to figure out a way to combine the two in my head. Some sort of felt cut on a penny rug as if it were paper. . .I haven't worked it out yet. And I may not. Regardless, I am super excited to just be experimenting with the good ol' paper/knife thing right now--the wool felt version can wait. I drew and cut this last night with an x-acto, not enough light, and some green tea. And my glasses, which I have really been needing lately. I used to only wear them at work and then crafting and then not at all, and now I can't seem to read anything or sew without them. Everyone assumes they are fake. Why? I don't know. Not like I see anyone anyway, but I think it's funny how many people assume that. Or maybe that says more about me. Do people think I would be the type to wear fake glasses? I guess so. Which makes me sound sort of lame, huh? Or theatrical, anyway.

Anyhoo, I am digging this big time and I want to do more. This is addicting. I was a bit too excited to stop and change the blade, so this was cut with only one and you can tell. I drew this really fast and I really like the irregular look. It's definitely easier to just design/draw these yourself--it saves the step of transferring a pattern. The red is just regular old text weight paper here. It was cut from an 8 1/2" x 11 sheet folded longways. I think I will frame it, but I am not even sure what I will do with it. I think several of these would be really nice reduced way down and made into note cards too. Or printed/screened on fabric. Oh, that's the ticket!!

a very short list of paper cutting inspirations and research:

-this book cover seen on Amanda's side bar

-amazing amazing amazing work by Robert Ryan (via ~>O<~) that sarah sent me links to at least 3 times.

-this paper cutting book I got from the library

-incredible paper cutting blog (with great tips!)

And. . . this is the last day of November so I am done posting everyday! I really didn't go the whole month with a post-a-day because I started on the 6th or something, but after that, I did it. Okay, so it was fun, but a bit crazy making. I think it was fun because I knew it was only for the month and I liked feeling like I could post about the most trivial thing ever. But I was getting desperate. I was going to write about Q-tips soon. So, back to my normal-ish schedule. Thanks for putting up with my random!

Comments

[amigurumigirl]

I'm curious to know what kind of blog you could post about q-tips. You make everything seem so exciting and coooool. (~_^)v

[amanda]

i love your random, dear amy. ;) Have a wonderful weekend!! Your Paper cutting is gorgeous!!

[Amy]

This is amazing Amy! When this showed up in my flickr contacts I thought, no way she just "whipped this up" and look at you! You're an INSPIRATION!

[jen j-m]

this is gorgeous! i have been really lovely papercuts lately too.

[hazeljoy]

love your paper-cut.
have you seen rob ryan's book? it's ace. and his tiles in his etsy shop - misterrob- (so good for treats)! love it, love it!

[Amy]

Wow, that's absolutely lovely! I really like your idea to do this in felt and stitch it to a background; that would be gorgeous. And if you decide to do the cards, I know I'd buy them. By the way, is there a way to resubscribe to mailorder? My subscription ended with the last one but I don't want to miss out in 2008!

[jennifer w.]

Looks amazing! I can't wait to see what you come up with. I ordered a few ornaments from this website that seem to have a similar look to what you are describing maybe? http://www.thesandorcollection.com/details.cfm?id=123

[jen b]

You paper cutting is amazing and it sure was nice to read your random on a daily basis.

[Bertha]

That. is. so. gorgeous.

[Wende]

Can I recommend something? There is a famous paper cutter in my world named Nancy Chin. And while her work is typically used by churches and is MASSIVE on scale, it is so worth looking at. For ideas and tips, but also just for its beauty. She wrote a book called: Spaces for Spirit. And it's probably NOT a book you would want to buy unless you're into doing large pieces on a massive scale... but it is worth taking a look at if you can find it at a bookstore. The work on the cover alone, will take your breath away.

Anyhow, I learned the technique from one of her students... and it is amazing what can be done with it. But I've never had any success doing it on a smaller scale, because I'm used to working with photographers backdrop paper. :D I'm in AWE at how good this looks for the kind of paper you used. Seriously. It's impressive. :D

[J]

Oh wow! Just when I think I've got crafting under control, you throw something like this into the mix and I have a new obsession! Thanks. Thanks a lot. But really, so gorgeous. Is there anything you can't do?

[Lauren]

I actually faked a eye test when I was 10 because I wanted glasses so bad. They totally knew and let me have the stupid things so I could wear them proudly all the time. I am such a dork. :D

I don't wear glasses now though.

Your posting is fun to read :D

[Carrie]

Funny, when I started reading this post I thought "I was going to send her a link to Robert Ryan." Great minds....

[KT]

Love your paper cutting. I am particularly enchanted by the arrows at the bottom and how seamlessly they blend with less modern elements. Phenominal. I would totally buy notecards or a t-shirt. Just saying.

[evonne]

Thanks for posting everyday. It was fun to check in and read about your crafty inspirations and other general life things. I'm sure you would find a way to make even Q-tips sound interesting.

[Josie]

Wow. Wow. Just wow. Wonderful.
I love that you just saw it and tried it and came up with that. Beautiful work.
I will miss the everyday posts, I liked hearing about old cheese sandwiches and personally find q- tips riveting.

[tamara]

That is really lovely! That's giving me a great idea about a kid's craft!! Off to try it out.

[June]

What a gorgeous paper project--I love it!

[melissa f.]

i will miss you every day, even though i see you too so it's like a double and triple dose sometimes-- which is just enough in my opinion. right now sam is holding his nose and sitting on the couch with paul between him and augie. he says a's face smells bad even rooms away and goes around holding his face with a napkin like he's riding public transportation in Beijing. i thought you'd like to know.

[Ann Christine Dennison]

This is a really beautiful paper cut!

[Kay]

I will really miss checking in every day. Not so trivial! Very entertaining! Full of information, you are!

You need to see our favorite publisher's new book How To Make Books if you haven't already. Really a beautiful piece of book design in itself, and chock full of (new to me) information.

xoox Kay

[Alicia P.]

That is completely awesome. Do you want to have dinner next week? I am finally caught up and ready to party.

[liz]

wow - that looks awesome!

you need to stop coming up with so many inspiring posts - no way i can keep up with my 'want to do' list now!

[Jan]

Love your piece, Amy! I've long been interested in scherenschnitte and cherished an old copy of of a booklet by Claudia Hopf, a contemporary papercutting artist (Penn Dutch style.) Just weeks ago, I came across (and purchased) a new book she's written, Papercutting, which is wonderful! Plug her name into Amazon and it will come right up.

[emily ruth]

that same exact thing happens to me when i wear my glasses...i just want to say 'really? you really think that between changing diapers & making dinner & making sure that two kids make it through the day unscathed(mostly) i just thrown on fake glasses for fun?' actually now that i wrote that snotty retort i am thinking that maybe it's not such a bad idea, not the fake glasses because i wear contacts & putting my glasses over contacts would make for a very scary day but something fun like a fake mustache? fake ears? something to add a little fun...or maybe just a jaunty hat...anyway love the paper cutting & your blogging every day lots of fun to read...thanks:)

[susaninfrance]

i just love that and you are making me CRAZY with all the wonderful things i want to try after reading your posts this month!!! enough--i can't get into another craft

[Cindy Mindy Pindy]

So I went to check my site meter and was like, "Oh wow, look at all these hits coming from angry chicken!" And they I saw that I had 545 hits so far today and I changed my "Oh wow!" to a "Holy Sh*t!" I really should start selling stuff on etsy. Thanks for the shout out!

P.S. I am so afraid of chickens.

[kelly LOVES whales]

I started reading your blog after hearing your interview on... what was it... Craft Sanity? ANyway, LOVE it. It's total eye candy. and "Do people think I would be the type to wear fake glasses? I guess so..." totally cracked me up.
*

[Nicole]

shiso mama has some great cut paper collages
here.

[Alison]

This is gorgeous. It looks like a beautiful shadow puppet castle.
Thanks so much for doing your blog, I love it.

[melissa]

oh my, that papercut is amazing. i must try that soon. but yours is just so folksy and cool- like the paper version of redwork embroidery or an elaborate wrought-iron gate... and thank you for your daily posts this month- i have enjoyed them so very much!

[carol eldridge]

found your blog and saw your amazing cut paper design...keep it up...stop by and visit me sometime.

best,
carol eldridge

[Shan]

Your lovely papercut is amazing, and reminds me of these http://wisteria.com/prodinfo.asp?number=W2102

[pen and paper]

Oh, your paper cutting totally reminded me of Robert Ryan - I was going to include a link as soon as I saw it (and then I read the rest of the post :P ). It's really lovely, and I think the color is gorgeous.

[hillary]

ooh I love it!

[Kimberly]

I am laughing my head off now...because I HAVE posted about Q-tips! Here is the link:
Me and My Q-tips

But it wasn't a desperation post, as desperate as the title seems. It was more about desperation having to do with lack of space for Jumbo sized boxes of Q-tips and everything we all find at the membership warehouse places... Oh, so funny. And random.

I love your blog. And your paper cutting! What is your next book about? I'm still loving your first but wanting more...

Warm wishes to you!

[Laura]

Beautiful!!!It makes me want to go and cut out paper snow flakes!.....I know slightly less skillful and a tad more childish but that's me!!

[Jessica faust]

Jad fair paper cuts!
http://www.jadfair.org/art/paper_cuttings/

[Ruth Simons]

very "heidi" and i love it!

[Kris]

About the whole fake glasses thing - I would go with theatrical over lame every time!

Oh! And I LOVE Qtips. Here in Australia we call them cotton buds. Hey! What a great idea for a post! "Qtips around the World"

[Sonnja]

I love your paper-cut.
Kind regards,

Sonnja, from the Netherlands
BEERTJE ZONN

[Katie]

Your papercutting is wonderful, and that papercutting blog is inspiring too. I have been wanting to get back into working with paper lately (I used to do more bookbinding and printmaking) and this is just the thing! And good job on NaBloPoMo, I never would have made it.

[Jessica Jones]

Your cutting looks great! I checked out the blog you referenced, and it's wonderful. Shoot. I might have to give this a try.

[Deb]

Your paper-cutting (beautiful, by the way) reminds me of Hungarian wool felt applique. The Nov/Dec '97 issue of Piecework had an article about it and a project.
You can see some here http://shop.nationalgeographic.com/jump.jsp?itemID=3368&itemType=PRODUCT
and here
http://magyarmarketing.com/shopping.php?categoryid=36&id=249
and on a jacket here http://www.folkwear.com/150.html
It's beautiful work, traditionally cut with a hammer and shaped chisels, though I think scissors are more often used nowadays.

[Kim Frey]

Hi Amy!

I just wanted to tell you that your papercutting is beautiful! Working with dull blades is a mess, but I keep thinking I can get a few more cuts out of the current one and put off changing them... and then I do and wonder what took me so long!
:-P

Keep up the good work! Thanks for the interesting papercutting links!

Kim :-)

[erinay]

OK.... I am putting on my tin helmet right now... I was just going to start a paper cutting project inspired by a book I was perusing over Thanksgiving! amy, we have alien brainwaves, i tell you.

Your work is beautiful! Mine is still in my noggin and will stay there until after the holidays. :) e

[redroo]

I love your blog and read it often (specially love all your local info as I'm a ptowner too!) I wanted to add to the paper cutting post that Hans Christian Andersen also did paper cuts. He would cut paper while telling a story and reveal the finished product at the end. Somewhere out there is a book featuring his papercuts. If you're willing to wade through the German here's a link with more information http://www2.kb.dk/elib/mss/hcaklip//intro-en.htm

[redroo]

I love your blog and read it often (specially love all your local info as I'm a ptowner too!) I wanted to add to the paper cutting post that Hans Christian Andersen also did paper cuts. He would cut paper while telling a story and reveal the finished product at the end. Somewhere out there is a book featuring his papercuts. If you're willing to wade through the German here's a link with more information http://www2.kb.dk/elib/mss/hcaklip//intro-en.htm

[Rae]

Love the simplicity of the idea yet how complicated-looking it turns out!