Creative Paper Cutting: Basic Techniques and Fresh Designs for Stencils, Mobiles, Cards, and More

by Shufunotomo (Editor)

Transform a simple sheet of paper into a delicate snowflake, a sweet flower, or a dainty doily—or create an enchanted forest using a modern twist on the traditional technique for making paper dolls. Paper cutouts get a fresh look in this contemporary approach to the practice of transforming paper into art. It’s full of clever and cute designs and a range of different cutting techniques that you can use to make your own cutouts for display, decoration, or embellishment.

Offering a range of styles, this book presents paper cutting techniques through clear step-by-step instruction, detailed diagrams, and templates. Once you’ve mastered the basics, creative uses for paper cutouts are offered, including as cards, gift wrap, mobiles, collages, stencils, garlands, and more.

Make the paper cuts in this book and add a creative touch to your home, gifts, or projects.

Genres: Crafts, Nonfiction, Art

129 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Japanese publishing company 主婦の友 (shufu no tomo).

Reviews

[liberal sprinkles · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is quite a fun book although a bit repetitive and not many techniques are taught. Apart from instructions on techniques, there are also pages devoted to projects and paper cut ideas from different artists. Many of the designs are easy to execute, so the book can be used for crafting with children as well. There are some more difficult projects like landscapes and scenes with people figures.

As with most Japanese craft books (this is a translation of a Japanese book), Creative Paper Cutting is very beautifully photographed and presented. There are clear instructions on the different ways of folding paper for cutting and all you need to do to make the various patterns is to trace or copy them from the book.

Of the artists featured, I especially enjoyed the works of Keiko Tsuji. It's pretty amazing how she manages to cut (without patterns) in just the right places from scraps of printed paper and shopping bags to give her paper figures hair, socks, shoes and clothes without any additional drawing.

[SherylDawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun projects to do with the grandkids.

[Jeffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much of the cutting in this book will be beyond my apelike ability. Great ideas plus I will be forever greatful for the introduction to "DickBlick.com" (careful googling is advised).

[Jeff · Rating 2 out of 5]

part of my commitment to make all of my greeting cards myself for a year. Excellent outling and papercutting ideas.

[Vi · Rating 3 out of 5]

high design, not very complicated. looked for mobile directions.

[Mandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did you know you can CUT PAPER?!?!? INTO SHAPES!?!

[Amin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get this book for your creative project including mobile project

[Electric · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meh. This book was not what I was looking for and seems to be geared more towards the japanese style of love of paper crafts.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite the book I'd hoped it would be, but it still taught me a thing or two. Nice descriptions and illustrations/photos.

[Irina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not at all what I though it would be. Most of the projects are way too basic to even be in a book - snowflakes, for example, I learned how to cut when I was 5...