Silhouette Scherensnitte

Scherensnitte :

I first saw these dainty paper cuttings in Epcot (Disney) in the land of China. I bought myself a rice paper parasol and a package of dainty tissue paper cuttings. I was 12 I believe. I couldn't believe the intricacies of these little wonders. I came home that summer and made little drawings and practiced cutting them out with an x-acto knife (My father had many of these floating around the garage). I started to get pretty good at them and found some books on the subject and some pre-printed ones you could cut at the Piece Goods shop (Our fabric shop in town in the 80's). I didn't really care for the parchment they were on, but I was 12 and hadn't yet discovered the world of colored papers other than construction paper. 

I started giving them as gifts framed and making cards with them attached. In fact my first job at a sign company, that my father worked at, was landed in the art department in part to how well I could cut the vinyl they used for some of the logo work on the signs. Years of paper cutting had made me very nimble with the knife and they hired me on for the summer.

Over the years I have done may forms of art. I even spent time in Germany as an exchange student working in the art department of Axel Springer Verlag. No matter what art form I am currently practicing, it almost always comes back to paper in some form. My all time favorite and one art I've never abandoned is paper cutting. I love the precise detail needed to pull off a piece.

I wanted to share with you a paper cutting I did today for my home. I have cut this one before and you can see the first one I made on my mom's site here

Miss Flibbertigibbet

Today I decided to make one for myself. I don't have step by steps photos, but will walk you through it.

I don't always cut out of black paper, but do like the clean simplicity of black on white.

1-I simply trace my image onto the back of my black paper or any other paper you like. 

2-with an x-acto or very small detail scissors cut the image out

3- for this frame I used the little wood frames that come from Michael's or AC Moore in their wood     section. It's a recessed plaque. I think I paid $1.24 for this?  Paint the inside white and the border black. Here's a close up. Please excuse the roughness, this whole item is only approximately 3"x 7"!

4-after neatly cutting the paper cutting out, you will want to Modge Podge it onto the plaque.

Just apply Modge Podge to plaque and lay paper cutting down and coat with Modge Podge. Very easy!

Here's some additional images for you to see some of the detail.

I am fine with you printing this image out for your OWN use. I also find many images of silhouettes on google that are copyright free that I use for my projects. Just make sure you don't take another person's image and try to profit. I hope you enjoy this post and give paper cutting a try.

Until next time Dear Reader,

Chatty Cathy

I'm sharing this post at: Alderberry Hill here

and At The Picket Fence