I am so grateful for everyone that has been helping me out during the month of May! Things are about to get a whole lot more crazy around here over the next few weeks! Today I am sharing a paper crafting post from Laura’s Books and Blogs! Laura Smith is an office worker, freelance writer, blogger, and middle grade author from Pittsburgh, PA. Besides writing, her interests and hobbies include painting, drawing, gardening, reading, hiking, and movies. You can find her full body of work at Laura’s Books and Blogs.  

My Experience Trying Paper Cutting Crafts 

Craft supplies are the number one culprits when it comes to impulse buys. You see something, and you think, “Do I need this?” If the answer is “no,” you think, “Could I need this in the future?” The answer is usually “maybe,” and before you know it, you have a stack of unopened supplies. My most recent impulse buy was a X-acto knife, even though I had no immediate use for it. Once it arrived, I looked up some different crafting uses and came across paper cutting. Cutting has never been my strength, but this looked like something I could do. Here is my experience trying paper cutting crafts.

Materials and Techniques

Paper cutting is a lot like carving a jack-o-lantern. You find a pattern, create a stencil, and cut out the shaded sections to create your image. When you Google paper cutting, you’ll see a wide array of intricate images that these artists have made. They can easily be pasted onto greeting cards, displayed on a solid background inside a frame, or added onto posters or announcements. 

Being new to this art form, I looked for a simple shape that I could start with. Many artists charge to download their templates, but I found a blog called Extraordinary Chaos that offered free downloads of their alphabet-themed templates. So, I printed out the first three letters of the alphabet to try this craft. 

In terms of materials (besides these templates), here’s what I used:

• X-acto Z-Series #1 Knife
• 12X12 inch scrapbook paper
• Strathmore Tracing Paper
• One pair of scissors
• Strathmore 400 series Acrylic paper
• A piece of cardboard (the paper crafters recommend a self-healing mat if you have one)
• A pencil

Letter A

I began with my letter A template. Selecting a piece of scrapbook paper, I taped it to my cardboard to keep it steady and then taped the template onto the scrapbook paper. The template was just printed onto regular computer paper. So, it was much thinner, but that still resulted in two layers to have to cut through.

I just decided to go for it, cutting out the white space around the black lines of the template. Though the scrapbook paper is about only as thick as poster board and the knife was out-of-the-box sharp, it took some effort to cut through the two layers of paper. 

The flimsy computer paper tore easily but not where you wanted it to tear.  I realized quickly that I had to work on this layer before I could worry about whether I was cutting through the actual scrapbook paper. 

Learning to control the knife is difficult as well. Straight lines cut easier than curved lines, of course, but most lines left frayed edges after making several passes over each cut. My knife also has a textured no-slip grip that irritates the skin as you push down on the knife.

The smaller the section, the harder it was to control the knife.  So, the very tiny holes around the flower in my image were near impossible to cut. The entire process took about 80 minutes with only two small cuts to my fingers.

Letter B

Taking what I had learned in my first try at paper cutting, I decided to use tracing paper to cut out my letter B. First, I traced the image from the template onto my tracing paper. Then, I used the X-acto knife to cut out the shape on the tracing paper alone. Tracing paper is, of course, very flimsy. So, it tore easily, but I was able to tape any tears to maintain the shape of the image. 

Once that was done, I taped the tracing paper onto the scrapbook paper and cut out the image again. This time, I went over the image on the front of the paper, flipped it over, and then followed the indentations to cut out the back of the paper. 

I still ended up with a lot of jagged and frayed edges, but at least I could see where I was going without cutting into the computer paper first. I also managed not to cut myself this time. It also went a little faster. The entire shape took a little over an hour to cut out. 

Letter C

For Letter C, I decided to try to go with a thicker paper. I knew that it would be harder to cut through, and it was, but I hoped it would be easier to control and create straighter, smoother lines. I chose some heavy acrylic paper so that it would be easy to paint afterward.  Then, I cut all around the outline, getting the edges with a pair of scissors which make a smoother, more controlled cut. 

Next, I traced the image from the template onto the tracing paper. Then, I cut that out, took a pencil, and drew the outline directly onto the acrylic paper.  That way, I didn’t have to worry about the tracing paper tearing as I cut around it. 

The acrylic paper is about twice as thick as the scrapbook paper. So, it took a lot of effort. My control got a little better, but the frayed edges still appeared. I continued to use the technique I learned before of flipping the paper over to complete each cut. 

Luckily, these templates had a lot of triangle cuts which were the easiest to make.  By then, I had also learned not to worry about cutting out the awkward shapes all at once. I would split them up into simpler shapes, like squares and triangles to make them easier to manage. 

Once I was finished, I took some acrylic paint and painted the image whatever colors I wanted. This paper would be too thick to mount onto a card, but it would work well to display in a frame or as the centerpiece of a collage. This process also took the longest of the three letters: about 90 minutes.

What I Learned

Paper cutting takes a ton of practice, patience, and control. If I were to do it again with a more intricate shape, I wouldn’t try to get it done in one sitting. The strain of cutting into thick paper can tire out your arms and hands. So, it doesn’t become a fun, stress-relieving activity as much as a chore that you just want to get done.  

Still, the knife will come in handy if I ever have to cut out a jack-o-lantern template or other images that have intricate centers that a pair of scissors can’t reach. So, if you decide to try this craft, take your time, choose a simple design, and experiment with different techniques until you find one that works best for your skill set. 

Lucy is a UK blogger with a passion for all things coastal. The Nautical Decor Store was born out of a need she discovered for coastal furniture for her home by the ocean. Lucy works in marketing and enjoys a life of friends, sea swimming and cocktails. 

Spending more time at home than ever? Me too! And I’ve discovered just how important it is that I truly enjoy the space I live in – it makes me, and therefore the whole family, much more relaxed. Coastal home decor, whether for your living room or bedroom, can really help add that cosy but bright feel to your home. The style isn’t dark like a farmhouse, but it doesn’t feel too childish, like a beach theme can – really, it’s the perfect middle ground.

The Nautical Decor Store has lots of coastal products which will look beautiful in any home. Here’s how to style them to ensure you’re getting the relaxed coastal finish you’re looking for.

1. Colour Palette
2. Distressed Furniture
3. Add Statement Lighting
4. Touches of Rope and Hemp
5. Layer, Layer, Layer

1. Colour Palette

Make sure the colour palette for your room is clear in your mind before you begin – you want to stick to bright and airy colours. I’d recommend white-washed walls throughout to reflect natural light, but combine this with a tight selection of complementary hues across the furniture and soft furnishings. Accent the room with a strong blue to add depth and break up the white, to avoid a ‘clinical’ feel.

2. Distressed Furniture

Driftwood furniture, while perfect for a coastal aesthetic, can be expensive or hard to find. Instead, opt to decorate existing furniture with distressed paint to create a weather-worn aesthetic. This will work great with woven furniture or even outdoor furniture, so long as you add a sense of luxurious cosiness to them with cushions and throws.

3. Add Statement Lighting

A nautical or marine oversized pendant light will add a wow factor to any space, whether that’s your entrance hall or living room. By adding a stunning focal point to a room, particularly a room that’s been painted white, you’ll find the room comes together in seconds. Choose wicker or metal for soft light and a relaxing atmosphere in the evenings.

4. Add Touches of Rope and Hemp

The addition of natural materials in neutral tones will greatly add to your coastal room aesthetic. It’s all about bringing the outdoors in, which will also soften the space and create that calm atmosphere. You could pop a hemp basket for blankets by your sofa, or even a rope-lined mirror on the wall (you can also make a rope mirror from scratch!)

5. Layer, Layer, Layer

A calming coastal style will begin and end with layering. Keep your core textiles (sofa, curtains, etc) neutral but layer textures throughout. Your layers should use natural materials where possible, so think wicker, jute rugs, striped cotton cushions, etc.

If you’re looking for coastal decor for your home, visit The Nautical Decor Store today!

Pam is an elementary school teacher turned work from home mom. She has two little boys that call her mama and a devoted husband that supports her dreams. Two shelter dogs have also found their forever home with her. She is the blogger behind Hodge Podge Moments and the founder of Little Learning Moments. In addition to her blogs, she also offers VA services and coaching to bloggers and mompreneurs.

Declutter. Purge. Minimize. Donate. Clean out. Free up space.

These are all words you hear when someone is getting rid of things for one reason or another. There are probably more terms but these are some of the big ones I’ve seen floating around. 

After moving 3 times in 5 years, I would like to think that I’m a bit of a pro at this whole decluttering thing. It’s something I do yearly on a smaller scale, but I always do it on a big scale before we make a big move. As a result, I’ve developed a simple system that helps me stay on track while making big progress. Today, I’m stopping by Cate’s blog to share that system with you.

Divide Your Clutter

The first thing I do is make a plan for the items I’ll be getting rid of. I typically set up three piles – trash, donate, and sell. Trash goes straight into a trash bag so that it can immediately leave the house. Donate is typically put into a cardboard box for easy carrying. Sell stuff is set aside in a designated area until I can take pictures and list it on the local selling page. 

Start with One Space

I find it really tempting to go through the whole house and get distracted by every room. So, I make mini goals of select spots to work on. Today, I might work on just the master closet while tomorrow might be devoted to the dresser drawers. This helps me stay on track and keeps the tasks manageable and less overwhelming. 

Stay on Task

I already mentioned setting smaller goals along the way. Don’t try to accomplish the whole house in one day. Instead, break it down and do one space or room at a time. When I find something that is out of place and goes to another room, I make a pile and move it to the other room(s) at the end of my decluttering session. This helps me stay on task.

Organize After You Declutter

I like to make the space look better when I finish my decluttering session. This means I pull everything out and put it back into the space in a neat and orderly fashion. By pulling everything out, I’m also able to see if I missed anything during my initial purge.

Keep a Decluttering Box

If you’re working on things in small increments, it can be helpful to designate a space or box as a catch all for any items you want to get rid of. I like to do this year round because there are always little things that make me go “why do I own this?” When these items show up, I send them to the decluttering box and when it’s full, I take it out of the house to donate.

Make It Work for You 

This is the system that works for me but it may not work perfectly for you. Don’t be afraid to make changes as you go along. If you find something that works, stick with it and repeat it the next time. I do recommend doing a decluttering session one or two times a year. This helps you stay on top of the clutter and allows you to get rid of things that you’ve outgrown. 

Best of luck and happy decluttering!

Our world is in a trying time right now! There’s so much uncertainty that we don’t know what is going to happen even a week from now. We don’t know what to do to keep ourselves busy! I mean there’s only so many seasons of your favorite tv shows on Netflix! Haha! I’m sharing some fun at home date nights you can do with your spouse and family!

One of our favorite at home date nights is cooking together! Mr. RCGG loves grilling so he will grill steaks, burgers, chicken, etc and we will hang out together outside. Our most recent grilling adventure was chicken breasts. I wanted something different than just a traditional bbq rub or marinating the chicken. I mixed up a tablespoon each of garlic powder, paprika, seasoned salt and cinnamon in a small container. Then I rubbed it all over the chicken breasts. It gave the chicken a sweet flavor. It was so good and I know we will be using this rub again!

Other ways you can have at home date nights are to have a netflix night! Or whatever streaming service you use! Have you watched Love is Blind yet? What about ORange is the New Black? Mr. RCGG watches OITNB. He’s almost done with it. We haven’t started Love is Blind yet! We still have to find the time to sit down and watch it!

Here are a couple other ways you can have an at home date night with your spouse or your family:

Have a paint night! Get a couple of canvases and some paint from Amazon or your favorite online craft store. Then paint a pretty picture!

A romantic scavenger hunt is a fun way to get things spiced up during an at home date night! 😉 Haha!

There’s many more things you can do for at home date night!

Board games
Card games
Read a book together and discuss after you finish a specified number of chapters
Talk about places you would love to visit someday
Bake cookies together
Randomly flip though a cookbook and make the meal that you stop on
Choose a random place on the map and visit the tourism website
Choose a town you have always wanted to live in and “shop” for houses online

What are your favorite ideas for an at home date night? I would love to hear from you! Tell me in a comment or on the Facebook page!