Paper cutting and photos of Bude

On Sunday I mentioned I would be back during the week with another post - well, here I am!

Paper cutting


I've been working on a commission which is to be given as a wedding present. The couple have lots of interests which I've represented as images hidden within the piece. I've blurred the names in the photo below just in case they should stumble across it!

paper cutting

I'm thoroughly enjoying working on this one, right from drawing out the design on the reverse of the card to cutting it out bit by bit. Every evening this week has involved at least an hour of paper cutting and there's still some way to go.

paper cutting

I find it very therapeutic and if you want to have a go yourself, it's really not a very expensive or difficult hobby to start. Be warned though, it's very addictive.

I did a bit of research and found that the best blades for paper cutting are Swann Milton number 10A or 11. I went for number 11 as they've got a slightly narrower point but accidently bought a cheaper brand. 100 blades in fact! They seem to be doing the trick at the moment though.

There are a variety of paper cutting templates available to buy online if you're a little hesitant to draw your own. However, I recommend just doodling some patterns to start with and cutting them out to see how they look. You'll soon find out if they're too intricate!

The strings on this violin were tricky to cut. Having already got quite far into the paper cut I didn't want to slip and make a mistake at such a crucial point!

paper cutting art

Another paper cutting art project I'm working on is for our own wall. Trawling through a car boot sale the other week (don't you just love car boot sales?) we found a vertical box frame with five squares cut out of the mount. It originally had dried flowers in, but I had other ideas.

This collage will form the background for five little paper cut hearts which I hope to raise up slightly to give a 3D paper cut effect. I don't know how this will work at the moment but the inspiration came to me in a dream (really!) in which Simon Cowell was on a bus handing out awards for abstract art projects! If it's got his stamp of approval I'm sure it'll be a success.

paper collage from magazines

These are the little hearts I've cut so far, I'm not sure whether to make the other two slightly different or go for a uniform look for all five.

paper cutting art

Simon Cowell and paper cut hearts aside, we couldn't pass up on the chance to enjoy some of the lovely sunshine at the weekend.

We went to the pretty little town of Bude for a walk, browse of the surf shops and the inevitable coffee and cake.

I often take lots of photos which end up getting dusty in some distant corner of my hard drive, so I thought I'd share these with you.

This is the aforementioned tea, a view from the breakwater across to the fantastic sea pool, and the river which runs from the town to the sea.

Bude, Cornwall
I've got a thing about boats, so this little composition of boats, buoys, sand and cliffs really floated my boat. Haha.

Bude, Cornwall

Another one for good measure. 

Bude, Cornwall

Something else I find very aesthetically pleasing is rusty old objects. I must have hundreds of photos which, at the time, I had visions of drawing but never did. So here's another to add to the collection and one which I have actually drawn before, a rusty winch.

Bude, Cornwall
The last photos in this visual extravaganza are these, a few more snaps from around Bude.

Bude, Cornwall
If you've enjoyed reading this, please 'like' my Facebook page Clare Willcocks Art or subscribe using one of the buttons on the right to see future posts :)

PS. If you would like to order a paper cut, I do take commissions. Please get in touch to discuss what you're looking for - no pressure to go ahead if you decide it's not for you!

Today I'm sharing this post on the following blogs: The Seasoned Homemaker, Free Pretty Things for You, Savvy Southern Style and Knotted Cotton.

Labels: , , , , , , , , ,

Clare Willcocks: Paper cutting and photos of Bude

Wednesday 16 April 2014

Paper cutting and photos of Bude

On Sunday I mentioned I would be back during the week with another post - well, here I am!

Paper cutting


I've been working on a commission which is to be given as a wedding present. The couple have lots of interests which I've represented as images hidden within the piece. I've blurred the names in the photo below just in case they should stumble across it!

paper cutting

I'm thoroughly enjoying working on this one, right from drawing out the design on the reverse of the card to cutting it out bit by bit. Every evening this week has involved at least an hour of paper cutting and there's still some way to go.

paper cutting

I find it very therapeutic and if you want to have a go yourself, it's really not a very expensive or difficult hobby to start. Be warned though, it's very addictive.

I did a bit of research and found that the best blades for paper cutting are Swann Milton number 10A or 11. I went for number 11 as they've got a slightly narrower point but accidently bought a cheaper brand. 100 blades in fact! They seem to be doing the trick at the moment though.

There are a variety of paper cutting templates available to buy online if you're a little hesitant to draw your own. However, I recommend just doodling some patterns to start with and cutting them out to see how they look. You'll soon find out if they're too intricate!

The strings on this violin were tricky to cut. Having already got quite far into the paper cut I didn't want to slip and make a mistake at such a crucial point!

paper cutting art

Another paper cutting art project I'm working on is for our own wall. Trawling through a car boot sale the other week (don't you just love car boot sales?) we found a vertical box frame with five squares cut out of the mount. It originally had dried flowers in, but I had other ideas.

This collage will form the background for five little paper cut hearts which I hope to raise up slightly to give a 3D paper cut effect. I don't know how this will work at the moment but the inspiration came to me in a dream (really!) in which Simon Cowell was on a bus handing out awards for abstract art projects! If it's got his stamp of approval I'm sure it'll be a success.

paper collage from magazines

These are the little hearts I've cut so far, I'm not sure whether to make the other two slightly different or go for a uniform look for all five.

paper cutting art

Simon Cowell and paper cut hearts aside, we couldn't pass up on the chance to enjoy some of the lovely sunshine at the weekend.

We went to the pretty little town of Bude for a walk, browse of the surf shops and the inevitable coffee and cake.

I often take lots of photos which end up getting dusty in some distant corner of my hard drive, so I thought I'd share these with you.

This is the aforementioned tea, a view from the breakwater across to the fantastic sea pool, and the river which runs from the town to the sea.

Bude, Cornwall
I've got a thing about boats, so this little composition of boats, buoys, sand and cliffs really floated my boat. Haha.

Bude, Cornwall

Another one for good measure. 

Bude, Cornwall

Something else I find very aesthetically pleasing is rusty old objects. I must have hundreds of photos which, at the time, I had visions of drawing but never did. So here's another to add to the collection and one which I have actually drawn before, a rusty winch.

Bude, Cornwall
The last photos in this visual extravaganza are these, a few more snaps from around Bude.

Bude, Cornwall
If you've enjoyed reading this, please 'like' my Facebook page Clare Willcocks Art or subscribe using one of the buttons on the right to see future posts :)

PS. If you would like to order a paper cut, I do take commissions. Please get in touch to discuss what you're looking for - no pressure to go ahead if you decide it's not for you!

Today I'm sharing this post on the following blogs: The Seasoned Homemaker, Free Pretty Things for You, Savvy Southern Style and Knotted Cotton.

Labels: , , , , , , , , ,

6 Comments:

At 16 April 2014 at 13:03 , Blogger Catherine said...

I am completely in awe of your beautiful paper cutting. Love your photos too and share your love of rusty objects:-)

 
At 16 April 2014 at 13:22 , Blogger Liz said...

Hi Clare, another lovely blog, have enjoyed reading it. The papercutting is super and i love your idea of strips of magazine paper as a background for something. i am not sure if i have been to Bude but looks very inviting. Look forward to the next blog x

 
At 16 April 2014 at 14:31 , Blogger Unknown said...

There's just something about a nice bit of rust! Thanks Catherine!

 
At 16 April 2014 at 16:17 , Blogger Lisa J. said...

I enjoyed seeing your awesome papercuts and lovely photos

 
At 16 April 2014 at 18:55 , Blogger Cynthia@wabisabiquilts said...

Wow, your paper cutting is stunning! I enjoyed seeing your blog via the Slow Blogger's linkup.

 
At 16 April 2014 at 20:42 , Blogger ike said...

WoWza - another masterpiece coming on there Claire :-) Great photographs too.... I LUV Bude but haven't been down there for may years. I am a little partial to rusty old things too :-D
Will email you about the paper cutting.

Hugz
IKE xxx

 

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