A few weeks ago I treated myself to a copy of Cut It Out! Featuring 30 highly original and stylish designs by cutting edge illustrator and renowned paper cut artist Poppy Chancellor, transform a blank sheet of paper into a stunning work of art.
Forget complicated step-by-step instructions, no need for lots of expensive equipment, all you need is a sharp scalpel, craft mat, Poppy’s imaginative designs and a bit of creativity, and you can make cards, masks, invitations, partyware and presents for birthdays, hen dos, weddings, Halloween and Christmas.
I’ve owned Cut It Out! for a few weeks but was getting frustrated that I hadn’t got round to making anything. On Friday whilst the children were having dinner I sat down with them and finally started. Sometimes you just have to sit down and start something! The first paper cut I made was the sexy witch sitting on her broomstick.
With Halloween arriving later this month I need to have some grown up decorations to counter balance the ones the children are making. This is perfect. It would look great in a window but for now I have it framed in a glass frame in the living room.
I also cut the spooky hill with the pumpkin, cross, bird, hand, skull and cat. I think it will make a good back drop for decorations, or perhaps look good around a candle. I’ve started working on some of the other Halloween paper cuts, some birds as well as a cheeky paper cut for a birthday present.
I love paper cuts and have been lucky enough to meet Poppy Chancellor twice, at an event to launch The Handmade Fair in 2014 and at her workshop at last years’ Handmade Fair. She’s lovely and I really love the fact her book is full of fun paper cuts with suggestions on how to use them. I have limited space to display things but the book includes some great ideas for using the paper cuts as decorations, gifts, to update notebooks or even wear them.
I think I find paper cuts so appealing as you don’t need much to create them; just some great designs, a scalpel and cutting mat. I love this book so much and find myself picking it up for 5 minutes then notice an hour has gone by! Expect to see more of my creations over on Instagram soon.
Cut It Out! 30 Papercut Designs to Cut Out and Keep by Poppy Chancellor is priced £14.99 (Amazon affiliate link).
Oh isn’t that gorgeous! Would look amazing around a candle