One Word

Here’s a simple project which I love so much. How I did it:
1. I chose a script font and printed a mirror image of the word Someday on a black construction paper. I had to use a computer instead of hand drawing it as it’s challenging to write in script backwards 😛
2. After cutting the image, I decorated the frame with these artificial leaves which is used for scrapbooking. They’re just lovely, don’t you think?
3. I used a 6×8 bleach wood frame for effect.

This papercut replaced the one I used to have on my office desk. I just love the positive vibe it brings 🙂

For Today, Tomorrow, and the Day After Tomorrow

With A Smile

To those who grew up in the 90s in the Philippines, one would have lived under a rock to not know the Eraserheads.

Eraserheads, or E-Heads was a Filipino Rock band of the 90s, formed by Ely Buendia, Raimund Marasigan, Buddy Zabala and Marcus Adoro. The band is one of the most successful, most influential, critically acclaimed, and significant bands in the history of OPM (Original Pilipino Music).

Sadly, the group disbanded in 2002 after spending a good 13 years in the music industry. And while I was only 17 back then, I was one of those who grieved for OPM’s great loss.

But of course, their music lives on. Even until now. As a small tribute by yours truly, I decided to make a papercut of a line from one of their songs which was a big hit back then. Hence, the blog title.

Here’s a closer look at my project:

For the full lyrics, click here.

Notice the material I used as background? That’s burlap, a woven fabric usually made in the town of Naga in the Bicol region. I had to search for this elusive fabric everywhere. Good thing a friend told me where I can find one. 🙂
Here are the sinamays that I also bought at the craft store selling burlaps:

I’ve got to say, I loved making this project. Brought back a lot of memories. If you’re not familiar with the Eraserheads, here’s a video of the song that inspired my papercut.

With A Smile – Eraserheads

Commissioned: Tennis Papercut

For a former colleague 🙂

Dry Leaves

As a Sunday School kids’ teacher, one of the challenges I face every week is coming up with an activity to go with our story/ lesson for the day.

One Sunday, I had the kids collect some fallen leaves on the church grounds and incorporate these in their artwork. They came up with these:

They helped clean the church and at the same time, expressed their creativity through the activity.

Inspired by their work, I used some dry leaves to prop up one of my papercuts.

The way some parts of the paper are bent makes it look three-dimensional, a friend said. Come to think about it, it kinda does. 🙂

Sold!

Here’s my first ever commissioned papercut which was requested by a colleague (that she’ll give as a gift). So glad she liked it 🙂

An interesting fact about the recipients of this papercut: I don’t know them personally but I was told that this married couple share the same birthday. Coolbeans!

Let Your Hair Down (The Wild Child Series)

Second papercut out of my Wild Child series. Took me less than an hour to make this one.

At first glance, this may look intricate, but it’s actually easy to make. I based my drawing on a clipart I saw online and just added some flower details. And of course, the “wild child” script. You will notice that I used a lot of curves and a few holes in this project. TIP: when cutting delicate lines, make sure you cut the insides (i.e. holes, loops in letters, etc.) first before cutting the outside parts. This will help prevent the paper from tearing.

Just a thought: this papercut may actually pass as a logo for Papel de Pinay, don’t you think? 🙂

Handmade Presents

It’s the “-ber” months once again and here in the Philippines, this only means one thing — the Christmas rush is on! You read that right. Time to do some Christmas shopping. And while we’re on the topic of shopping, I know looking for gifts can be a bit cumbersome with the crowded malls and nightmarish traffic (not to mention heavy on the pocket!). So for this season, why not try giving handmade gifts for your loved ones? It’s personalized and unique which will be much more appreciated than the traditional mugs they get every Christmas (seriously, how many mugs could one possibly need?).

On that note, let me share a few of my papercuts which I’ve given as gifts.

I actually already have a couple of projects lined up as requested by some friends. Unfortunately, I am feeling a bit under the weather so I’m afraid I might have to wait until I get better before I can get to them (damn colds 😦 ). But i have to say, I can’t express how excited I am to make them. And yes, I’m a craft geek. Sue me. Later! 🙂

Owl with an Attitude

This owl is just too much to handle, methinks…. 😛

Into the Wild

In The How’s of Papercutting, I mentioned something about how I have so many ideas for my next papercutting projects. Sometimes, though, there are more ideas that stem from these “idea projects”, i.e., projects I want to do over and over. With that in mind, I decided to come up with a series of projects that I’d be doing for some time.

First up, the Wild Child series — inspired by the flower child rage in the 70s. And for my first project under this series, I made something that’s quite easy to do. Pardon the un-70’s feel of this project, as I am just on the experimental stage (in other words, I’m still unsure about what I’ve come up with!).

I already have a next project in mind. Blogging it soon! But for now, I’ll leave you with a video of an awesome song by the awesome artist L.P.