Here's an idea for a simple quilled card to express birthday wishes, thanks, sympathy, or to just say hello. It has a definite summertime vibe thanks to icy blue vellum that's crimped to conjure up thoughts of cool water, along with pastel quilling.    

The paper cutting/paper engineering talent of Keerthana Ramesh came to my attention via a paper art news article. Recently, she completed a brilliant hand cut pop-up book about endangered animals, My Friends Are Missing, during the pandemic lockdown. I'll share a few images from it, as well as showcase the variety of additional paper cuttings she has done, but do take a moment to see each page of the book in action on her Instagram feed . Harlequin Poison Frogs

Nearly 1300 published posts on this blog and I've yet to feature iris folding, a fun swirling fold technique used by paper crafters to make eye-catching cards and wall art. It's high time I give it its due!  

Just wait until you see the modern paper bead designs Devi Chand of PaperMelon creates! This minimalistic wall clock, for example... the color gradient, precisely placed quilled coils, and a seemingly simple design add up to a piece of stylish and, of course, useful wall art.   (Letting you in on a little secret... designs that look simple are often the most difficult to create as there's no room for error.)

Make three different styles of quilled butterflies to decorate all-occasion cards, scrapbook layouts, or journal covers.    A couple of weekends ago my husband and I attended a party to celebrate the birthday of a close friend's mother. Carol is quite an amazing woman and I often say I want to be just like her when I grow up. She's now 95 and a joy to spend time with, thanks to a magnetic personality and many interests.

My friend in paper, Licia Politis in Sydney, Australia, introduced me to the paper art of Kerry Toomey after attending two recent exhibits in which Kerry's work was featured. She was one of the included artists in a First Nations Exhibition at Hazelhurst Art Centre where her tissue paper hat and face sculptures were displayed. A separate solo exhibit of paper shoes, Munduhii , took place at Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre.     I asked Kerry via Instagram to tell us about her paper art:

Father's Day is fast approaching and so I've gathered several handmade cards that I can pretty much guarantee will be man-approved, whether for this holiday, his birthday, or other special occasions. Longtime readers may remember them; if you're new here, welcome and happy making - I love sharing my ideas with other paper aficionados as that's how we learn.   Card makers often struggle with ideas that the average Joe will appreciate. I tend to think the message that's written inside a card is more important than what is on the front, but of course the art can convey a message too. These first two cards will surely puff up Dad's chest... after all, who doesn't enjoy a compliment? Real buttons and quilled pocket initials add pizzazz to this Father's Day shirt card .     This sunglasses-bedecked quilled cat card always makes me smile, so imagine what it will do to boost your dad's morale. The cool cat has a fair share of tiny details so will take some