"Dancing Girls" This paper cutting is my original design
I recently discovered "Creative Paper Cutting, basic techniques & fresh designs for stencils, mobiles, cards & more" published by Roost Books and edited by Shufunotomo. It's not a new book--it was published in 2010, but I was so excited when I found it that I want to share this gem!
This book makes paper cutting easy. The examples are very doable. A child old enough to use sharp scissors can make many of the designs in the book. Here's my version of the "Rabbits" design in the book. The bunny in the book only has one flower. I added a second flower, but it's their design.
Adaptation of "Rabbits" design in the book
The dancing girls at the top of this post are my original design as are the paired shamrocks below.
Paired shamrocks on a zine I designed using a tradition Celtic Prayer
The book has great instructions for making 6 sided snowflakes which is awesome! They are so much better than square snowflakes!
There are ideas for window decorations and mobiles. There are several examples using patterns on recycled paper goods to make fabulous designs when they are cut into new shapes. There also suggestions for collages and instructions on making stencils.
The book has designs that can be copied and used to make the examples in the book. I would have thought I couldn't make beautiful paper cuttings like these but I found that after looking at the book I felt confident enough to create my own designs.
This is definitely a book worth having on in your library of craft books.
Roost Books, 2010