Making Magic Windows/Creating Papel Picado: Cut Paper Art with Carmen Lomas Garza

by Carmen Lomas Garza

Author Carmen Lomas Garza is a pioneer in popularizing the traditional Mexican craft of papel picado in the United States and developing it into a sophisticated art form. This workbook shows children and their families how to create these beautiful papel picado designs and banners by simply folding and cutting tissue paper. Children will learn how to craft eight different traditional designs, including The Four Cardinal Points, a design reminiscent of the four points of a compass; Tiles, echoing the colorful hand-painted tiles that decorate many Mexican buildings; and The Fan, one of the artist's favorite designs, consisting of leaves, hummingbirds, and flowers.

Genres: Art

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 25, 1999

Reviews

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm looking forward to making some of these designs for El día de los niños/El día de los libros later this month. This is a great craft book that shares Mexican culture.

Last year for El día de los niños/El día de los libros, my students and I made simple papel picado to help decorate the entrance of our school. When I was looking at the Pura Belpré winners later, I saw Magic Windows by Carmen Lomas Garza. That led me to what appears to be this companion book Making Magic Windows. She gives step-by-step instructions for creating wonderful papel picado with scissors or even with a craft knife. I don't know if I will go that far, but I may invite some of the older students to try this more complicated cutting this year than the more simple designs we used before. I had a fun time trying out some of her designs.

[Christine Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Provides instructions for making paper banners and more intricate cut-outs. Includes diagrams for creating specific images.


Great book for Hispanic Heritage Month.

[Carolyn Page · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good beginners guide to making Mexican paper decorations. Simple and more challenging designs are explained and demonstrated.