I grew up in Hong Kong where this time of year, homes are decked out with seasonal flowers (Chrysanthemums! Narcissus! Blossoms!) as well as red and gold wall hangings. There’s a week of vacation and families and friends get together to eat and celebrate. It’s the biggest holiday of the year! I miss the festivities and thought I’d do a project in honor of the season.
It’s the year of the Pig. I designed a wall or door decoration, featuring a happy, trotting, spring air sniffing Pig on a Fan. She’s adorned with cherry blossoms, and she is my first paper cut. I’ve always been intimidated by paper cut art. All those precise cuts! The secret, besides a steady hand, is a really good blade. I’m using a fresh out-of-the-package Excel Blade #11. The #11 is super sharp and precise, perfect for paper cuts. DO NOT attempt this project with a dull blade!
Supplies
- Paper cutting blade such as an Excel or X-Acto Knife (blade #11)
- Liquid Glue
- Scoring tool
- Pencil
- Printer
- Ruler and cutting mat
- Optional: Red cord
- Optional: Hole Puncher
Cardstock Warehouse Cardstock Papers
- 2 sheets Electric Red Construction Cardstock Paper #80
- 1 sheet Gold Stardream Pearlescent Cardstock Paper
Download:
Instructions
Print out your printouts. Inkjet works better than Laser, but either will do.
- Year Of The Pig Paper Cut on Electric Red
- Year Of The Pig Large Fan on Electric Red
- Year Of The Pig Small Fan on Gold Stardream
Use your blade to cut out the two fans.
With a ruler and pencil, mark off 1-inch increments along the edge of the gold fan.
Using a scoring tool, score radiating lines from the point of the fan to each of the pencil marks.
Center and glue the scored gold fan on to the red fan.
Now the tricker part! I hope your paper cutting hand is warmed up.
There are 2 pigs on the print out just in case you need a backup. The actual fan only requires one pig.
- Cut out the pig shape by following the line.
- Remove the center flower circles. (If you have a hole punch handy, you don’t need to worry about these circles). Save the circles.
- Cut out the flowers. Don’t worry if black remains on the paper - we’re going to flip the paper over at the end, and the other side will look lovely and ink-free.
- Cut out the stems and the leaves.
- Flip your pig over. This side looks so much tidier, right?
The hard part is done!
If you have a hole punch, make 3 red circles for the flower centers.
Center and glue your pig and flower centers on to the gold side of the fan. Voila!
You could display as is, or add a hole punch to the top for a loop of cord for hanging.
Additionally, add a tassel at the bottom.
I hope this has given you some paper cutting confidence. I certainly gained some!
Gung Hey Fat Choy (Happy New Year!) and do share your Pig Fan with us on Facebook or Instagram!