Hello, Crafters.
I hope you’ve had a really super weekend. Yesterday, I told you that when hubby and returned home on Saturday morning after our visit to the opticians, we found some happy mail for me that the postman had posted through the letterbox. Since we first went into lockdown, hubby always opens the mail and holds open the envelope for me to remove the contents so I don’t have to touch the outside of the envelope.
Once all the letters are open, he disposes of all the wrappers and then washes his hands thoroughly. My happy mail was in a small package and not knowing what was inside, hubby opened it very cautiously. He offered the open package to me and I reached inside and pulled out two white 6″ x 6″ unsealed envelopes.
We were still just inside the now closed front door, so I sat on the stairs to open the envelopes. When I saw what my happy mail was, I just had to share it with you! I opened the first envelope and pulled out a white and red gatefold card that had a red Chinese style tassel holding it closed.
I opened it and could see some folded white tissue paper with something coloured inside. It looked as if there were three of them. I opened the first one and was amazed to see the most delicate, beautifully painted paper cut ever! I didn’t know at this time that it was called a paper cut. I had a look at the other two and they were equally as stunning as the first one.
I opened the second envelope and pulled out a beautiful hand made thank you card which had been made with some Boho Blossom Designer Series Paper (DSP). I opened the card and saw it was from one of my lovely customers called Jenny Creer. As well as writing a personal message to me inside the card, she also wrote a short letter explaining about my happy mail.
Jenny explained that when she was a teacher at a sixth form college she met a delightful Chinese student who she has kept in touch with over the years. He has visited Jenny on many occasions and he always brings beautiful presents connected to Chinese art. She now has a treasure trove including lots of amazing paper cuts. In her letter, Jenny said she thought I’d appreciate these paper cuts because of my Asian connection – hubby is Malaysian. He was very fascinated looking at these works of art.
The bookmark you can see between the two Boho Blossoms panels on the thank you card has a blue paper cut vase under a layer of acetate. Look how well it goes with the Boho Blossoms! The workmanship on these paper cuts is absolutely amazing and I needed to know more about this art. I Googled Chinese paper cuts and found out quite a lot, including that there are two methods, one using scissors and one using knives. So much similarity with fussy cutting!
If you’d like to know more, below my signature there is a link to a short <3-minute video guide about paper-cutting and below that is a video about China’s Master Paper Cutter. Many thanks for my happy mail, Jenny. It’s amazing.
Finally, I thought I’d show you my amended card that I shared on Saturday morning which featured an owl tag on a Christmas card. I’d used a strip of Cherry Cobbler DSP but the ribbon was Real Red. I said I’d adhere a piece of Real Red DSP over the top of it and I found the Real Red and Whisper White stripe design in the Heartwarming Hugs DSP.
I didn’t try lifting the tag to put the new one on but after cutting a strip that was a tad over 5/8″ wide I put the end in as far as it would go under the tag and cut it to that length. Then I did the other end. Nobody would ever know……apart from you and me! 😀 It certainly looks so much better.
Yesterday afternoon we had a visit from Vicki and granddaughter Molly. We spent our afternoon, socially distancing, sitting in the garden chatting. Molly recent received her exam results and did exceedingly well. When she went to register at the college – she wants to be a sports trainer – the tutor who was interviewing her said her qualifications were high enough for her to do the sports science course. Needless to say, we are all super excited for her and so pleased all her hard work has paid off!
That’s it from me today. I look forward to being back with you tomorrow and in the meantime please take care and stay safe. Happy crafting.
JanB. xx
Jan.
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing art form from the Chinese culture. I have never heard nor have I seen such delicate and beautiful works of art,
Congratulations to your granddaughter for such an outstanding achievement. Indeed, all of her dedication to her studies has certainly paid off.
I enjoy your cards so very much. Thank you again, for sharing YOUR talent as well.
Many thanks, Paula. I will pass your congrats on to Molly. No, I’d never seen them before either – they are certainly stunning. Sharing is always my pleasure.😀 xx
Fascinating loveliness!! Thank you for sharing this Jan.
Christine x
Many thanks, Christine. xx
Firstly Jan, CONGRATULATINS to Molly on hwr wonderful achievement. She should be so proud of herself.
Jan these Chinese paper cuts are just stunning.
Xxxx mal
Many thanks, Mal. I’ll pass your congrats on to Molly – she’ll be very chuffed. I’m pleased you enjoyed seeing the paper cuts. xx
STUNNING! Thank you for the link and education…. fascinating…
Many thanks, Billie. I’m pleased you enjoyed seeing these paper cuts. xx
Good morningJan
These are gorgeous . Lucky you.
Keep safe and well
Jeanette Piper
Many thanks, Jeanette. I’m pleased you enjoyed seeing them. xx
Thank you so much for sharing this experience with us. Now that’s a craft in itself for sure. This takes a little more patience than I think I have. Wonderful works of art for sure. Be safe & TYFS
Many thanks, Claire. I totally agree with you! I have masses of patience for fussy cutting but paper cuts are far beyond me! xx
WOW!! that is amazing! Thanks for sharing!
Many thanks, Cindy. I certainly wouldn’t be able to do anything like that! I’ll stick with fussy cutting! xx xx
Wow, those paper cuts are absolutely beautiful! What a wonderful gift.
Many thanks, Sheron. I’m so pleased you enjoyed seeing them. xx