Latest 'Cuts'

I've added paper cuts to my fabric art blog, but want to keep doing Paper Perks, so some work may appear on both blogs.

This is the new banner for my other blog. I don't remember whether I've introduced my cats, Angus and Rosie (named after characters from the original Upstairs Downstairs) on this blog, but they are a great source of inspiration for me!

Here's another picture of them

which goes along with this "newspaper article"!

You can create your own article here just for fun!

I'm still learning this craft of paper cutting, usually work on a very small scale, but want to do as many as possible to improve my skills. Why - because I love it!!

Have a great weekend!!

A Card for a Friend

I recently spent a few days at the summer home

 of a very gracious friend, and made this Thank You note for her.

Her last name is Reynolds and this is her nickname for her home on Cape Cod.

I wanted the card to reflect the beautiful hydrangeas

 and roses around her house.

Hope she liked it!!

Paper Portraits

"The Love Letter"

Going back over my photo files, I've rediscovered a favorite subject of mine - portraits. These are mostly fictional characters which I created a few years ago, using layered papers and Pigma pens.

"Suspicious"

In both of the above portraits I used different papers to play with the strands of hair, and commercial scrapbooking papers for the backgrounds.

I think the hand is too big in this one, or the mouth too small - haven't figured it out yet!

Last of all, a self portrait, called "Nature Filled", done as a result of an absolutely beautiful day, visions of which just stayed in my head for days.

Time to play with some new paper portraits -

coming soon!

Night Window

Simply put: scrapbooking paper, a paper doily, 

an exacto knife, scissors, and a bit of glue.

Tiny worlds waiting to be created -

a meditative and gratifying process!

Happy Spring!

Although snow is predicted for the morning, I'm 

still feeling like spring is in the air!

Here is an impromptu cutting I did tonight while watching tv.

Very simple, but it felt good to work with paper again.

Must do more of this!

Family Portrait

In this 'portrait' I loved juxtaposing this sophisticated lady with her playful cat. For so many people, pets are important family members, providing  companionship, love and enjoyment.
I used a variety of papers to create this picture, as well as very fine pigma pens and colored pencils.

The Queen of Soul

I saw Aretha Franklin last week - or rather,  experienced  the lady's essence - in a wonderful concert in Boston! A true diva, with a magical voice and range!
After finding the perfect red glitter paper for her gown, I decided to do a paper cut of Aretha - simple and clean. I drew her face after looking at many, many pictures of her on the web. Hope I did her justice!!

Intertwined

I finished this scrolled vine today after adding more and more elements until I had to tell myself to stop! I think it looks like stained glass and I'm happy with the colors. This is the first creative thing I've done in weeks, other than making curtains, and it feels good to get moving again!!

Paper Roses

Original Papercut by Judy Hartman

I was working on this papercut tonight while listening to old episodes of The Donna Reed Show on Hulu.com.

As I sat out on my porch with windows open and a cool breeze coming through, I couldn't help but drink in the 

peacefulness of the evening and the innocence of the 1950's situation comedy. 

The simplicity of thepaper roses 

seemed fitting for the mood 

of the evening.

Evening Song

Original design by Judy Hartman

I did this paper cut this afternoon, using scrapbook paper, scissors and an exacto knife. It's funny - I meant to draw the design on the patterned side of the black paper, so that the black side would face out. I had already done the drawing on the black side when I realized my mistake! I decided to continue on and I think it turned out to be a happy accident! I like the look of the outline broken up by the stars. What do you think?

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a great weekend!

Judy