if you are my brother stop reading.

I cut this for my brother for Christmas. I really am getting into this paper cutting business. In my enthusiasm I originally cut this one for him--

but neglected to measure the size and it is too big for the frame. Oops. The first one is a stag in shield with a crown at the top. Sort of an Anglo-type thing. This one is referencing our Russian heritage and I'm not sure which one I like better. If I were cool, I'd give him both and get a bigger frame. I said "if."

I found this book and the cover is really freaking me out it's so cool. I don't have it. . .it's on my Santa list.  The asymmetry of this type of paper cutting is next on my list. That and getting about 100 blades to have on hand. In college I remember one of my instructors had a whetstone that you could just sharpen your blade on while you cut. That's what I need to get.

 

Comments

[eireann]

you can use a fine, fine gauge sandpaper with a tiny bit of oil on it to sharpen your blades, too.

[Betsy]

Wow! That's soo cool..did you draw the designs yourself?

[Amy]

I love the second one, especially it's "goddess" imagery!

[Jen]

*GASP*

[Nancy Cook]

oh wow very cool
love them both

[stephanie D]

what wonderful gifts...I'm putting that book on my wishlist PRONTO!

[joleen]

whoa. that's incredible!

[Veronica TM]

those are just amazing!

[Elizabeth]

The first one is also a lot like the crest of a Russian city called Nizhny Novgorod (formerly known as Gorky). Normally I wouldn't share my weird Russian trivia, but I lived in Nizhny for a few months, so I try to tell everyone possible how amazing it is since it isn't a touristy city.

[June]

I think they are both fabulous and would be hard-put to make a decision so I'd end up giving both.

You can get a whetstone at your local hardware store.

I have the Scherenschnitte book you wrote about--I found it at Bookman's which is a used bookstore here in Tucson. I love it.

[Heather]

My my. I may just have to pick up this hobby too...

[joanna goddard]

he is so lucky!

[Christine]

Love these, paper cutting is on my list of things to try next year!

[Sarah]

THAT is incredible.

[Beth]

I can't remember if you've posted/know about Nikki McClure... She's one of my favorite artists, local (Olympia, WA) and does magic with her paper cutting. You'd probably love her calendars if you don't have one already:

http://www.nikkimcclure.com/portfolio/

[Alix]

looks like you're having beautiful scissor fun. wow

[andylynne]

I have several paper cuttings framed in my house. It has just NEVER occured to me to try and do it. It's not like I didn't think I could do it. Your work is beautiful! I now have something else to mull over. I have always loved to cut things out. I really like the first one, but the work in both is amazing. Thanks for sharing your creativity with us.

[DeerDominique]

You are a loon.
I mean that in the best possible way.

[Elizabeth]

I love your paper cuts. I also found a cool website: http://www.cutarts.com/pages/gallery.php
The house cutting inspired me to try doing that as a housewarming gift for my sister's new house. I am giving it to her for Christmas and CAN'T wait. This guy's website is great, and he is so talented!

[sunshine]

I own a copy of that book it is a real nice one. I cut silhouettes of people and it explains them too

[tamara]

wow, these are really great! lucky brother!!

[laura]

I love it when people bring up paper cutting. My grandfather died when I was 6, and the strongest memory I have of him is when he was very ill, shortly before he died, we would work on paper cuttings together out of a book very similar to the one you have listed. I smile every time I think of it- thank you for making me smile today.

[hannah]

whetstone. thats pro talk there. i am really in awe of you taking up a craft that involves having blades out everywhere. you know i could not do this. it would be a disaster.

[Carrie]

I love the stag--minimal detail, but so clear. The color compliments it nicely, too.

[Mama Urchin]

You are a crazy amazing crafty chicken, that's for sure.

[michelle]

My old library had that book and I loved it! I think I will request my new one buy it. It really was great!

[Nicole]

Wow! Very inspirational these papercuttings. I saw the Scherenschnitte book for sale on ebay by the way startingbid 8.99 usd.

[monica]

Rob Ryan eat your heart out!

[Knitterella]

Wow! What a wonderful gift and you did a beautiful job!

P.S. Just got your book and I love it! I'm not a reader but the way you wrote it keeps my attention. Plus the projects are adorable! Can't wait until I have some time to make some of your bags for myself!

[sarahjane]

I have that book, and it's just chock full of great patterns. You'll love it!

[Laura]

how in the world do you do this? Scissors? How does the paper not get all bended? These are lovely. I wish I had time to take up another hobby. Cooking, sewing, painting, crafting, etc...

[AB]

Holy Cow! What did you use for cutting? That's amazing.

[Morgan]

There is a really incredible birdhouse mobile at IGE http://www.shop.igedesign.com/product.sc?categoryId=1&productId=3 and totally worth checking out.

Love yours, too!

[Dana]

I just bought a paper cutting from Susan Schlapfer (who wrote the book), in person, last week, at a market. She was cutting away with the scissors as we spoke. She does have a website at http://www.scherenschnitte.ch/, if you click on the Scherenschnitte link, you can see some of her other work for inspiration.

[hillary]

gah! I love these!! can you do paper cutting for the next mailorder? it'd be too hard? these are just so amazing. can I send you some little pieces I need cut? I'm helpless with the exacto knife.

[Daphne]

This is just amazing. I mean not only the papercutting, but that you just up and start doing it and it's so great. I guess you did some in college but I'm still really impressed.

[amy k.]

hey thanks you all! and I used an x-acto for these, not scissors. . .and these are my own design--so glad you all dig them!

[Mafalda Nobre]

Hello!
I like your work, it's the first time i'm visitng your blog!I'm a design student at Oporto, Portugal, and one of my teachers is a sucessfull illustrator, and he works with paper cuts!
Try to visit his website (www.gemeoluis.com).
His illustration work is based in paper cutting!
Have a nice Holiday!
Mafalda Nobre

[dot]

a friend of mine has a tattoo of the cover of that book on her arm. gorgeous.

[kimberley]

Meant to comment a while ago about how impressed I am with your paper cutting! I really love these and that book! oh, that cover......

[Susan]

What a coincidence!

I just finished reading The Memory Keepers Daughter last night and one of the characters in it did scherenschnite!

I had made a mental note to look it up on line cuz it sounded really cool and I'm in love with paper.

[mikawendy]

I just saw this paper cutting Christmas tree in another blog. It is SO pretty:
http://thesmallobject.com/stenopad/wordpress/?p=881