I am delving into the art of papercutting.
Whilst looking for wedding invitation inspiration I came across the amazing papercutting work of an artist in Sheffield (not far from me), House of Alphonse.
A search for a papercutting kit led me to Paperpandacuts who sells her work, templates and starter kits through her etsy and website shops.
The Paper Panda kit contained the knife, a board, a tutorial sheet and several practice sheets with which to hone your skills. Well I figured I would need A LOT of practice before my papercutting skills were up to a level I would be happy with for my wedding so a kit was duly ordered.
Never one for going into a new craft half heartedly I also ordered a book from Amazon.
The book arrived and I spent a couple of evenings deep in anticipation. As well as all the useful guidance and stuff at the front it has many coloured templates at the back, all ready to be cut out. A trip to Ikea for frames beckons. I was waiting to get started.
And here it is.
The top of the first sheet looked easy enough. I photocopied it at first to give me several practice sheets, and of course my daughter wanted to try too. My first circle looked more like a multi sided 50 pence piece! This is actually quite tricky.
This is my second practice sheet. Thankfully I have already improved.
You can see on this next piece, the inside of the letters look pretty perfect but the outside curve of the ‘C’ and the ‘O’ are not good enough for my high standards. This is where I was rushing towards the end. I had already been at it a couple of hours – lesson learnt.
This is what I managed last night. I have learnt from this one that the blade needs changing sooner than you think. The paper blunts it quickly, leaving you with raggy (is this a word?) edges.
It is far from perfect but it was very tricky. I’m getting better.
I’m looking forward to trying these next practice sheets.
Before I attempt something like this.
Then I’ll know ambitious I can be when it comes to cutting out numerous wedding invites.
These are a couple of simple but beautiful designs I have come across.
My initial draft wedding invite sketch may need bringing back to something more achievable!
Love, Lucie xx
I tried papercutting once and it’s so much harder than it looks! Rob Ryan is an amazing papercutting artist if you need any more inspiration that you already have…. best of luck with your invites!
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That’s the second time I’ve heard his name recently. I must go and check it out.
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It looks so complicated! I have to admit im looking at the designs on here thinking ‘surely that would be easier on a die cutting machine’ especially doing multiples!! I don’t think i have the patience for papercutting.
Definite A for effort on the hand cutting wedding invitations thing! it would drive me crazy if any single one came out slightly less perfect than the rest!
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You do like a challenge don’t you? 🙂 I am always so impressed when I see papercut work and sometimes I am in awe. I will leave this one to you as it looks far too fiddly and I can imagine myself using ‘language’ long before the first blade is blunt.
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Not a relaxing project for you then!!! I just wish I had more available hours in the day!
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Amazing. Something I could never do – I am much too clumsy, so I am very impressed with what you have done so far. When you are really practised it will be awesome.
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I hope I’ll be able to achieve something I’m happy with. Practice definitely helps.
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I love papercut artwork, but I know I wouldn’t I have the patience for it. I’d end up having to dig the blade out of the furniture/wall/cat/husband when I lost my temper! You look like you’re doing well already, I’m sure the wedding invites will be stunning!
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I hope so. My mind was blank until I saw the possibilities of this.
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Great job on those practice sheets! I can’t even imagine attempting it!
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It’s just practice. And not expecting too much at the start!
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These are beautiful! Like Louise, I tried it once too and gave up almost immediately because it was so difficult for me. You’ve done really well with it!
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I’ve now set my heart on papercut invitations so I need it to work!
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Wow! Look forward to see your work!
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Went to a wedding open evening at the venue last night. There was papercut accessories everywhere! If I can pull it off I can save a fortune. 😉
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I can see that this is an art that will take a lot of practice. You did a great job for your first attempt and its amazing how it turned out – i would love to try it too! so you’re getting married! woohoo!
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Yes, married this summer! And I have given myself the task of making most of the bits and pieces that puts the price up!
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I have every confidence in your ability to learn yet another crafting skill and can’t wait to see all the wedding accessories you plan to make 🙂
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I am going to stop reading your blog if you don’t STOP RIGHT NOW in showing me stuff I can’t resist and going off and ordering it. It is costing me money – but I am enjoying it really I suppose. I have ordered the papercut beginners’ kit from PaperPanda and am off to look at the book. Love Lucie? I hate her! What else are you going to do? No, don’t tell me, I can’t afford it. Maureen
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LOL! So funny! Don’t be disheartened if it’s far from perfect to begin with. I’m getting better all the time but I’m still not quite there. I’m loving it.
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Where did you get the paper cutting kit from! I can’t find the paper panda full kit anywhere. Thanks x
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Here you go.
http://www.paperpandacuts.co.uk/kits-diy-c35/paper-panda-new-papercutting-diy-kit-over-18s-p381
There is a lot more in it than when I bought one. Have fun!
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