Book Review; The Crafter's Guide to Papercutting

Following on from my last post, I thought I would share with you a review on 'The Crafter's Guide to Papercutting' by Emily Hogarth.

First of all I'll start by saying that I love this book. This is the second book I have bought on learning to papercut and it is a vast improvement on the first. There isn't actually much to papercutting really but there is some stuff you need to know if you want to get off on the right foot, and 'TCGtP' has got it all in there. The layout is simple and clear, with step-by-step instructions and photographs. The author also talks about folded and multi-layer cuts, how to finish your work and covers designing your own papercuts. I was very impressed with the projects section, each is accompanied by excellent instructions and tips with the design template to the back of the book so plenty to practise with!

Overall I would definitely recommend 'The Crafter's Guide to Papercutting'. I love the bold designs and the way that Emily Hogarth makes the craft both simple and fun, even the more complex cuts. In fact, the only thing missing is a supplies/stockists page as I always appreciate being pointed in the direction of good websites supplying quality materials.

If you would like to find out more about Emily Hogarth, here is a link to her website.

I tried out a couple of templates from 'TCGtP' which you can see here and since then I have cut my own design 'live an enchanted life' and a rearing Arab horse which was reproduced from a photograph.

Sari xxx

Mostly Paper

Well it seems I had an intended 'break' from the blog over the festive period. We had a quiet family time, I had previously celebrated the Winter Solstice as the end of one year and the beginning of the next as the days begin to get gradually longer.

I have managed to get a small amount of crafting done, finally finding time to wet felt my merino/silk blend top into a short scarf. I chose the Woodland colourway and I absolutely love it. The silk fibre has given the scarf a beautiful sheen and amazing softness.

As you might have noticed, I have also changed my hair colour. I had been thinking about it for a little while and finally took the plunge, I love it! 

I've also been able to do a bit of papercutting which I am really enjoying. Here is a photo of my first attempts, the heart and circle are my first cuts from 'The Crafter's Guide to Papercutting' book by Emily Hogarth. They are both folded cuts that could do with an iron but I love the 'folky' style. The horse cuts are from random images but they have really inspired me.

So following the horse cuts and having read about layered cuts in Emily Hogarth's book, I quickly carved out this cut;

This cut has two sheets of cut paper and white as the bottom layer. I cut it in such a way as to show the white markings on a Welsh Cob silhouette. It was done in a hurry so not perfect on close inspection but I'm really pleased with it, it has really inspired me and I'm finding myself really excited about this really simple craft.

Hope you like what I have been up to, I have a few projects planned around Tali, life, and working with our ponies, one major project is a new sling for Tali that I desperately need but keep putting off. Must.Get.On.With.It. Lol!!

Sari xxx