This year I wanted to make something a little special for Mother’s Day to show my mum that I loved her when I stumbled across a picture on Facebook from Paper Panda.
The picture showed the results of one of the template kits that Paper Panda sells and was of an intricate heart shaped branch and leaf design with the word Mum featured in the middle.
The template kit that I purchased from the Paper Panda online store arrived just as I was heading off to Scotland for a few days so as you can imagine, when I got back, I got stuck in!
Paper Panda did recommend certain blade types however I must admit that I ignored that advice (but having got myself some of these blades after I had finished this project, I really should have listed, lol).
Anyway, the concept was simple. The design was printed on the back of the sheet – just follow the lines. Here is a photo of my progression through the design.
This design did take me several days, working on it intermittently, to complete – but it was worth it!
I then realised that I was going to need to frame this, and that it might need a patterned background to sit on so I hunted the paper stash and settled on a very simple background of white outline flowers on a beige-ish solid colour.
The frame was a little harder to find (strangely).
I wanted a box frame with a nice frame mat in it but couldn’t find one at the right size in the local shops until I was browsing hobbycrafts with a friend and I turned the corner and there was “the one” (no coral music, but you know the feeling).
This was all starting to come together…
I was a little nervous in case I broke a piece of the design as I framed it.
Anyway, I put my brave pants on and set to. I popped of the back of the frame, stuck down some cream 12″ square cardstock and then the patterened paper.
My original plan was to have the paper cut design floating however I realised that it was to “flimsy” after being cut to do this with the materials that I had available so I mounted the design straight onto the backing paper, let it dry and then popped it all back in the frame – et voila!
I was so very happy with the finished result and she was so very happy with the gift! :))
What do you think? Have you had a go at this style of paper cutting? Is it something that you would do for a special person in your life?
I think that I need to make something similar for myself now … hmmm, what design should I have … ?
Thank you again for reading. It was good to see you again.
See you again soon.
J :)







What a wonderful gift. There is no way I could cut that by hand, but maybe I could atempt something like that with the ScanNCut!!!
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Why didn’t you use the scanNCut? Speaking of the SNC did you know it won’t cut straight lines from a scanned in item
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I chose not to for two reasons. The design is under copyright. I wanted my gift to my mum to be truly handmade – I was going to make the frame, but ran out of time.
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What a beautiful gift john thank you for introducing me to this amazing new art unfortunately. With my collar I won’t be trying but just to watch and learn is enough .you are an amazing gifted person thank you for sharing x
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John that is a beautiful gift for a mum on mothers day. Something I think I can honestly say that any mum would love to get from their child. As a mum and in Australia this great day hasnt hit yet so I can but live in hope (nahhhh, I dont have a crafty artistic child in my bunch but they will give me a hug and kiss and that will do).
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My hands won’t allow me to cut something so intricate out unfortunately, if i could do it i definitely would. Looks amazing in the frame, glad your Mum loved her present and felt very special :-)
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You have the patience of a saint to have hand cut that amazing creation. The only intricate cutting like that I’ve ever done have been cutting files on my Cameo. Cutting out of sticky back vinyl and sticking onto acetate is a nice effect.
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OMG this is amazing . wow wow wow
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This is amazing John, I wish I could cut so neatly, I find cutting out basic decoupage pieces difficult so I’d be no good at this! I think I’ll stick to die cutting. Enjoy hunting for an image or three to cut and frame for yourself
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Fabulous John. I think I’ve seen PaperPanda recommend frames from Ikea and Wilkinsons though she says the Ikea ones are better.
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Oh John what a beautiful gift. You have more patience than me.
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John that is beautiful – your mum must have been over the moon xxx
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I’ve had a thought, John. Would a Gyro-Cut make it easier to cut out an intricate design like that one?
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Oh my word, John…I wish I were your mum! What a perfectly wonderful gift. The design certainly doesn’t look like you cut it by hand, you’re a marvel. I just know if I were to try it I’d most likely accidentally cut something off that should stay one. It’s wonderful. x
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WOW John, this is amazing! I am sure your mum loved it! I know I would!
Hugs
Linda xxx
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John this really is so very beautiful, I can see why you and your mum were so happy with it. I love the paper you picked to go with it, it works perfectly x
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absolutely beautiful, no longer have to get mothers day presents, but can appreciate the beauty of what is around. well done and wish I had the dexterity to do all that. have never cut out anything before only dies x
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This is amazing x
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Wow John , this is amazing. Carol
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Beautiful, I don’t know that I would have the patience to do this design but maybe a simpler one until I was competent. Would attaching the design to acetate have given the illusion of floating?
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‘John your mum must have been over the moon with this gift, x
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absolutely fabulous – you certainly have a steady hand, clear eye and patience.
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Stunning would not be able to do this due to bad hands :-) x
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Wow that’s gorgeous John. Can’t believe you’ve cut that out by hand. x
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What a beautiful Mothers Day gift. Your Mum is so lucky.
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That is so beautiful, I’m sure your mum loved it. I know I would. You are so clever, I wouldn’t have the patience.
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