Friday, November 19, 2010

By My Hand

Each week Chania gives us a photo challenge and
various ideas go through our heads until we have our AHA! moment.
Mine came a couple of days ago when I unearthed this
scherenschnitte I had cut about 20 years ago.


When I was first married, money was scarce and we made our
entire holiday decorations out of felt, paper and ribbon.
This was one piece of a series of ornaments and table displays
I made for our home one year.


I have not done much paper cutting in the years since,
though occasionally I would throw one into my Gathering classes.
Most people balk at the time required for such intricate cutting,
but I always found it relaxing. Relaxing?
(Yeah yeah, I enjoy weird stuff like Organizing,
and cutting minute pieces of paper. What can I say? )
Right before doing this post, I surfed the net
and found fabulous artists doing incredible work with
small scissors and Xactos. Maybe you should check it out?

It's affordable, portable and fun!
Don't you just love the squirrel tail?


I am pretty confident that this has sparked a renewed interest in
my paper skills. I just need to get past this one last week
with a client, and then it is clear sailing to the studio and
holiday gifting and crafting.

Please join Chania over at RAZMATAZ for more Hand Made.

Suzan

25 comments:

My Grama's Soul said...

Oh dear lady....I don't think there is ANYTHING you can't do....you are so very talented....just lovely.

Jo

Char said...

my sister used to do it - my hands were never steady enough. this is a beautiful piece

Razmataz said...

I would not have the patience. You on the other hand seem to have endless patience for tasks i could never attempt. How pretty in sillouette that is. Clever you are.....

the old white house said...

I have to agree with Jo... there is nothing you can't do! That is spectacular!!! (new adjective, are you impressed?) HAAAA Theresa xoxo

Olive said...

As the first commenter said you can do it all. This is stunning in all it's detail.

D.B. said...

Most impressive! We had some scarce Christmases as well when starting out as a couple. I got very creative, and we still carry on some of the traditions we started back then due to lack of $$$$. Your handiwork is amazing!

June said...

This is awesome! (how many stitches did you require while doing this piece?) I can't even imagine the time that this beautiful piece took to create Z. I am really glad you brought it out for this holiday. I bet your children will be too.
Love to you...

Tanya said...

Arggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhh - "You're killin' me, Smalls!" Martha Stewart ain't got NUTHIN' on you, girl - is there ANYTHING you can't do? From the most immaculate garage I've ever seen to freakin' teeny little scissored squirrel tail embellishments for Christmas - amazing!

Rebecca said...

Hi Z
Wow that is impressive... looks kinda fun too. I tried my hand at silhouette cutting once. This is very fun
Blessings
Rebecca

Stickhorsecowgirls said...

It's still so beautiful and charming! I took a class in paper cutting abut 20 years ago, but didn't do much with it. Maybe I'll try again!

Jane said...

That is an incredible piece of art! You have one steady hand my friend!!
Jane

Faded Charm said...

Very cool.....I only wish I had your patience. I'ver really enjoyed your Christmas decorations.

Enjoy your weekend.

Kathleen

retha said...

Very original, I have never seen something like this in real life.
I might be inspired by you to try something like this. And am going to see what my friend MrGoogle has to show.

Like the close ups oh, and all the material.

The Boston Lady said...

How absolutely amazing. I always thought these were done by machines or presses. What a beautiful reminder of your early Christmases when things were surely simpler and less hectic. I hope you find time to indulge your renewed interest in doing this again. Ann

Kit said...

Wow, this is so pretty! You have alot of patience that is for sure. And it paid off. Lovely piece! Kit

Pooch Purple Reign said...

i like the squirrel.
~laura x

Maureen said...

That is awesome! I love to do jigsaws puzzles and people always say "How do you find that relaxing?". So I know what you mean.

erin's art and gardens said...

wonderful! i enjoy those kind of projects too...kind of a "Z"en thing, right Z? you amaze me....!

Rebecca said...

I would never be able to do that-but it is a wonderful piece!

Nice and Easy Antiques said...

Your definition of relaxing and mine are a little different today...but I still think your tree is the sweetest thing!

glor said...

Oh my goodness ... this is absolutely beautiful and I hope that this had renewed your intest as I can't wait to see what else you do. I think you have also inspired an interest in me. The squirell is amazing ... I wouldn't know where or how to begin. I have to find out!

Rose said...

I love reading your blog. You are really creative and original. I might start doing some things myself maybe!

oldgreymare said...

Rose,

That is just the best compliment! I cannot contact you via email and no blog for me to reference back to so I hope you return and see this.

I taught many classes for many years and I'm always trying to share techniques or ideas with friends and often strangers in stores. : D

So for you to say you may try to create something because you've visited me is, well, it's just the sweetest thing. I am facing a very physically exhausting day today and I'm still very sore from yesterday's work so this truly made my morning!

Thank you so much Rose! I'd love to see whatever you create.

Suzan

Colleen - the AmAzINg Mrs. B said...

Really, really lovely! And it looks really REALLY hard!

gongyandsquish said...

I purchased a scherenschnitte pattern book while visiting my husband's family in Iowa about 12 years ago. I came right home and made several pieces. Like you, I also found it very relaxing! Now I'm inspired to find that pattern book and share it with my daughter! Thanks for the inspiration!!