Paper Cutting for Celebrations -- a Crafty Weekends Review & Link Party

Disclosure: Tuttle Publishing gave me a copy of this book free of charge for this review. All opinions in my review are my own and I did not receive any other compensation. As in all my reviews I am providing links for your ease, but receive no compensation. 

This Thursday is the Multicultural Kid Blogs' Chinese New Year Blog Hop. In preparation I have been gathering some great resources and I thought I would share the craft one with you tonight. It is Paper Cutting for Celebrations: 100+ Chinese Designs for Festive Holidays and Special Occasions by Zhao Ziping. 

This book is not just for the Chinese New Year. In fact it has chapters for Birthday, New Born, Weddings and Anniversaries, Graduation and Promotion, Housewarming, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Father's Day as well as New Year. Each chapter is full of patterns to make paper cut decorations for the various holidays and events. Since I have the new year blog hop coming up I thought I would start with some new year decorations. My blog post on Wednesday is going to focus on the fact that it will be the year of the rooster so I started with a rooster from the Celebration for the New Born chapter.

The introduction goes into the history of paper cutting and information on the supplies needed for these projects. I decided to use red origami paper for my rooster. Red paper cut projects are common in China since it is a color used for celebrations and festivals. To make this project I photocopied the rooster page since I did not want to remove the page from the book (although the back side is red so you could). I taped my origami paper to my cutting board and then the photocopy over it. I used my Exacto knife to cut out the black areas of the pattern. Here is my rooster with the page in the book. You can also see the back of the previous page so that it could be used to be the paper cut.

After I cut it out I glued it onto a white card so I could have a nice new year card.

Now part of the Chinese New Year celebration usually includes lanterns, so our next paper cut from the new year chapter is paper lanterns. This time I used Chinese silk wrapping paper also from Tuttle Publishing which I reviewed previously.

Now I also wanted to do something other than the Chinese New Year ideas. So I made a Valentine card as well. I used the wrapping paper again for this one.

 I glued it onto a card and also lined the envelope with the same wrapping paper. I think I am going to send it to my sister this year for her Valentine card.

  Now paper cuts can be used for things besides cards. The book shows this beautiful lamp shade with a paper cut decoration.

  Another idea shown in the book is to decorate gift bags. Aren't these beautiful?

This book has so many wonderful ideas to bring this ancient Chinese art to our every day. It is a fun art that requires some practice but is doable for just about anyone (although I told Hazel she could not try it today since I do not want her using the Exacto knife). I am enjoying this book quite a bit.

Thank you to everyone who shared with us at our last party!! It was another fun party. Below are some features from the party, but this is just a small sample of great ideas shared! This week we have two groups of features: Fiber Art and Other Great Crafts.

Also remember for your child-oriented crafts, activities, lessons, etc. Sharing Saturday is going on!! For any cultural related posts (diversity and/or multicultural as well) be sure to share at the month long Creative Kids Creative Blog Hop.

Fiber Art Features

1) From Creatively Homemade: Hearts Galore Scarf Crochet Pattern for 18 Inch Doll

2) From Do It Your Freaking Self: Fun and Simple Chunky Knit Scarf Pattern

3) From Over the Apple Tree: Neutral Granny Square Scarf

4) From The Real Thing with the Coake Family: How to Make a Pom Pom Trimmed Box Pleat Bed Skirt

Other Crafts Features

1) From Mom Explores Southwest Florida: Valentine Footprints

2) From Kenarry: Star Wars Party Favors with Free Printable Treat Tags

3) From The Scrap Shoppe Blog: Mixed Media Notebook

4) From Embellishmints: Handmade Frozen Olaf Valentine + Printable

5) From Creative Khadija: New Year & Islamic Calligraphy Glass Paint Wall Art

6) From Refresh Living: DIY Spice Rack with Test Tubes
 
Thank you to everyone who shared the last week!! I hope you will share again!! If you are featured here, please feel free to grab a featured button to display proudly on your blog. I would love the help spreading the word about Crafty Weekends!!

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 Please share family friendly crafts here. Just crafts and/or patterns--no recipes, lessons, etc. You can share craft product reviews as well. By linking up here you are giving me permission to share your links and to pin your links. Please follow my Crafty Weekends Feature Pinterest Board to see all the features from these fun link parties!

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