I recently started to learn this new craft of papercutting and had a basic beginners book. Feeling brave, and nervous, I decided to have a go with this one. It's a slightly different technique, but basically the same and great results every time. They are symmetrical designs, although would be easy enough to adapt them, for example the swans on the front could be used as just the one with a little adapting. Great book, would recommend even for beginners. Very comprehensive. * Louise Blackah * What a new take on papercutting. I have papercut before (novice level) and love it. This book gives you all the knowledge you need to create wonderful works of art.From Easter Eggs to delicate frames for those special photo's and the templates can be traced over and over .The templates are for all levels and the instructions are so easy to follow with pictures .What a lovely book * Sharon Chapman *
This isn't quite a book review, more a "heads up, here's a lovely new papercraft title". You see, I am not quite an impartial reviewer - I had the privilege to contribute, in a small way, to the making of this book. The author, Naomi Shiek (pronounced chic - and her designs most certainly are), lives abroad - so, being a locally-sourced papercrafter, I was called upon to be the "hobby hands" for the how-to photography. Fun assignment.

Now, more about the book. This is a papercutting book with a unique concept - all the designs are symmetrical, so the paper is folded and the cutting time is reduced dramatically - halved, or even quartered. Lightbulb idea! You have the option of cutting the templates out directly from the book, or you can download the templates from the provided link and print them out yourself on to the paper of your choice. This enables you to produce projects in quantity for parties or special occasions.

The book includes 24 projects and additional templates, often offering alternative versions of a design - example - the filigree papercraft scissors come in two styles. The designs are exquisite and imaginative, with an emphasis on woodland flora and fauna (the author's speciality) - Naomi Shiek has a fluid style. There is plenty of variety in end-purpose - not just cards, cards, cards. My favourite is the Leafy Gift Tag, with three layered leaves in graduated sizes. Other projects include a tea light Lantern, Feather Cupcake Toppers, Leafy Giftwrap, Leafy Ribbon (papercuts in a repeating design), a Fox Mask, and an Enchanted Castle Card, and a butterfly Mobile. The lush, folded Wedding Invitation is given in three different designs.

The projects cater to varying levels of papercutting experience - something for everyone, newbie to advanced.

The project shots are gorgeous, the step-by-steps detailed, and the designs are all provided full-size. The basic how-to section upfront will get you up-to-speed.

This concludes my "non-review" of a noteworthy new papercutting book.

http://thepapercraftpost.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/fold-cut-new-papercutting-title-by.html * The Papercraft Post * Inside this book are forty-eight templates to fold and cut. What they have in common is that they are all symmetrical and will provide many hours of relaxing cutting for many levels of paper cutter.



This is the sort of thing that people can still do better than die cutting machines. It is also one of the cheapest crafts you can take up and the results are truly stunning and are sure to impress recipients. Most people will already own most if not all of the materials and tools required and unlike most crafts there is not much to learn before you begin. The beginning of the book contains chapters on different folds, how to flatten, cutting tips and transferring designs as well as information about what paper to buy and why you might need certain items. The rest of the book is divided into the projects and their templates. The latter can be cut directly from the book and have a patterned background, but there are also suggestions as to how to use them as the templates they are described as. The project section contains instructions with staged photographs, lists of what you need and photos of the finished items. If you are imagining a book of cards and tags you will find these but also a mask, garland, crown, mobile, paper chain, family tree, cake topper and cupcake case to name a few. Many designs are taken from the natural world with leaves, flowers and British wildlife such as a squirrel, deer, fox and swan. Most patterns are suitable for any time but Halloween, Easter and Christmas have one project each. Total beginners would be advised to practice a bit first but there are many patterns that are suitable for starting with and those aimed at the more experienced cutter. This is a very handsome book with lots of photographs, patterns printed in a variety of colors with corresponding reverse sides and each page decorated with paper cut captions and frames. One for the keeper shelf. * myshelf.com * I love this book!! I have done a few before but my sister is completely new to it and even she was able to follow the instructions to complete one of the cuts, this is ideal for newbies also some amazing cuts for advanced too, I love the fact it has a run down of everything you need and gives you a list of thing you need for each project. * Tanya Mahon * I'm completely new to this style of papercutting, and once I had gotten used to cutting through both sides of the paper I was hooked! Some fantastic ideas for practical uses of the art with easy to follow instructions on each project. * Katie Green *