Paper cutting

I don’t know about you but I consider myself some what of a craftaholic!
Every few months I stumble upon some form of craft (thank you Pinterest) that I want to try and then before I know it I am weighing up the pro’s and con’s, which go something like this…. Do I have enough room for the materials required (properly not, I have beads and jewellery tools every where), Is it going to cost me a fortune to get started (normally yes), Is it some thing that I will lose interest in after just one go (more then likely) etc….

and then there was paper cutting!!!!!

Basic Supplies

Cutting mat, blade and paper surely that won’t take up much room or cost a lot!??! And thats where I was wrong! Yes the stuff to start you off is very cheap compared to most hobbies but then like all good crafts the better you get, the more you learn and the more expensive things become! You start to want better quality paper… Oh, that hammered paper has such a lovely texture and then there is coloured paper and you know you need ALL of the colours....

So Much Colour

Then what are you going to cut? So you go in search of templates, first off it’s the free ones and there are LOTS and LOTS of them and yes they are great but they are just a way to get you hooked because once you see the AMAZING designs and templates the professional paper cutters are selling well it’s the same feeling when you see amazing beads! I really do NEED that one!!!

Free Templates by Paper Panda and SLS Creative

You see how much the originals sell for and gasp, thats a lot of money, so a few pounds for a stunning template is a bargain really! You choose a few that you like and happily cut away for hours and the fun dose not stop there….

"Whiskers" the hare wonderful design by Paper Story

Because then there are infills, oh the colours to choose from and glitter paper!!!

Design by the Amazing Paper Panda

And framing, what kind of frame to use? Should I use that cool floating idea that I saw on one of the many Facebook paper cutting groups that I now follow? So many choices, and if there are no infills and if I am not going to float it then I need to choose backing paper (paper stash just increased ten fold).

Paper Panda Wizard of Oz Collection (backed with an old looking map and ruby slippers)

Next comes the where to hang it, then before you know it you are out of places to hang any more so they become birthday/christmas gifts

Designs by Wild Child Design

and you suddenly have a folder full of cut designs and several books on the subject with no idea of what you are going to do with them all. But in defence of my paper cutting addiction it is very relaxing and cheaper then therapy!!!

I would love to know if any of our readers are serial craft-a-holics too?