Romantic Paper Cuttings - Louise McLaren

Usually I show just one photo for my Fab Friday post, but I have a great explanation as to why there are several today... it's because we get to see behind the scenes as Louise McLaren, a paper cutter from Perthshire, Scotland, creates this lovely "Grow old with me, the best is yet to come" paper cutting.

heart-shape-paper-cutting

Lou told me she fell into paper cutting without quite knowing that was what she was doing. She often made cards to give to friends and family, but it wasn't until a couple of years ago when a friend saw her Christmas card design and told her it was a paper cutting that she learned about the art. Lou then did a Google image search and was astounded at what she saw!

paper-cutting-sketch
She hand draws a design and does the cutting with a Swann-Morton scalpel and a 10A blade.

Lou is completely self taught and through trial and error has found the type of paper and blades that best suit her style. She loves the way paper cutting is minimalism at its finest - just a single sheet of paper - yet highly decorative at the same time.

paper-cutting-reverse
 Cutting in progress

The step into opening a shop originated with her cousin's wedding. Lou couldn't find a gift that was quite right, so started thinking about all of those beautiful pictures she had seen, and decided to try her hand at making a personalized paper cutting for the couple. After much scribbling and sketching, her first Happily Ever After paper cutting was born. Now she frequently does commissioned pieces for weddings, anniversaries, and other special occasions, and also creates screen printings of quite a few of her designs.

paper-cutting-in-progress
Here's the reverse, all nice and neat.

Lou admits she is a complete romantic; her work often features phrases of love, courage, and fragments of poetry. She enjoys folk art and the natural world, and is especially drawn to leaves, flowers, and birds.

romantic-paper-cutting
When the lacy paper cutting is completed, Lou sprays it with acrylic spray paint to color and strengthen the paper.

You can meet Lou in her home studio demonstrating paper cutting in this very nice Perthshire Artists video and see lots more of her designs on Etsy, Folksy, and Facebook.


Ann Martin
Ann Martin

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Comments

  1. This is so pretty! I've learned how to make washi tape with paper! :)

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  2. Oh goodness! This is simply breathtaking! I would love to own a piece of hers.

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  3. C'est absolument magnifique : si délicat et poétique !

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  4. Thank you so much for featuring me in your Fab Friday post, it was such an exciting moment to look down my blogger list and see MY photo pop up next to your blog! Keep up the good work I love seeing the fantastic papery goodies that you find!

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  5. This is so beautiful! I was really wondering how she does it and so glad you had a video. Thanks

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  6. i love this, that is so beautiful! I can't even imagine how time consuming it must be!

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  7. Beautiful!! It does require a lot of concentration and patience . Enjoyed watching her work.

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  8. lovely paper-cutting and also very much enjoyed your video Louise

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  9. Oh my, what patience she must have. I cannot imagine drawing it much less cutting it out. Beautiful work!

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  10. Good gravy, I can't imagine spraying it with acrylic spray paint as a last step...I've had way too many spray paint accidents to even try that! I wonder if the can has ever spit a "web" over her design...makes me nervous just thinking about it lol! Her cuttings are so beautiful and delicate...and beautiful...and whimsically beautiful...:)

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