Friday 11 February 2011

Hearts and Paper

After my ventures into the world of paper cutting last year (which you can see here, here and here should you be so inclined) I was determined to do more, so when an opportunity to do a class with an expert arose it was too good an opportunity to miss. I spent yesterday at the V & A with paper artist Jessica Palmer... this is just one example of her gorgeous work.

Our day started with a tour of love themed objects in the V & A collection, designed to inspire us. Back in the art studio, Jessica had prepared some drawings of iris flowers for us to try cutting. It was amazing - fifteen participants and we ended up with fifteen different designs.

I wasn't keen on my attempt - I think it looks too much like a stencil, but lessons were learned and we progressed to making cards. A Japanese inspired bird...


And in particular, some loved themed cards... I did one more but you'll have to wait until Monday to see that one!

It was a brilliant day which I can wholeheartedly recommend if you get the chance to either work with Jessica or take a class at the V & A. I cannot recommend my journey home however... I arrived at Kings Cross at 4.45 pm and didn't manage to get on a train until 8.05 pm (signal failure?) and even then it was going to Peterborough not Cambridge so Stewart had to come and find me in the depths of North Hertfordshire. However, I did manage to while away some of the time at the Champagne Bar in St Pancras station... I was desperate you understand... where I spent an hour with three lovely ladies on their way home to Yorkshire. If you're reading... hello Margot, Eileen and Betty!

25 comments:

  1. The paper cutouts are beautiful Gina - so intricate and detailed. Even you difficult journey home sounds interesting and seems to have had it's merits especially if you have three new friends to add to your collection.

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  2. Sounds like a nice day, apart from the trip home.

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  3. Hello Gina. I am very intrigued by this art of paper cutting. What sorts of scissors/blades, etc. are needed? Do you think it is possible to get an idea of how to make such beautiful images without attending a class? Maybe there is something on u tube that I should already have seen?!

    Your examples are lovely!

    Your trip home does sound tiring, yet not without opportunities. Sounds as if you wisely went with the flow. xo

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  4. Love the heart and the little bird is beautiful. :)
    Mind you if you're going to get stuck somewhere for some time, the 'Champagne Bar' sounds like a good place!!
    Vivienne x

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  5. The paper cutting sounds fab but why oh why do the Cambridge-London trains get fouled up so regularly? We tend to go from Stevenage these days - far quicker!

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  6. Sounds like a wonderful day. Love the Japanese bird design.

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  7. Beautiful paper cutting and you poor thing! Fancy having to spend time in a Champagne Bar!! :-)

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  8. I'm so impressed Gina. It's such an intricate process. Something I would enjoy as I like going into detail. Took me 4 hours from Kings Cross the other day instead of 2 - very glad I had a True Blood book with me lol

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  9. I love your bird paper cut - it's gorgeous! But your journey home sounds horrid - what a shame to end the day with that. Lucy x

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  10. Just a thimbleful...

    Sounds wonderful - I love the V & A. I often have time to spend at Kings Cross if I miss my cheap train home and have to wait until after 7 - I take myself off to St. Pancras and pretend I'm catching Eurostar !

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  11. Sounds a lovely day despite the journey home. Glad you found refuge in a Champagne bar, must have made up for the wait a little!

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  12. They are gorgeous, especially love the bird and heart one!

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  13. Your heart and bird are beautiful! At least you managed champagne! Bloomin train companies.

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  14. Gina, this sounds such fun! My sister was on the course today (I think it was today?)...it would have been so funny if you'd met. I'm awaiting her tales of the day!

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  15. I'd love to do a course like that. Your heart is wonderful - can't wait to see the other one.
    Ps. I was milling about at St P's yesterday too!

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  16. Gina - I know London = V&A+lunch+Joe Allen+bubbles but this time I wasn't even with you and you managed to locate the champagne bar in a station you don't actually travel from. I think you're picking up some very bad habits...

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  17. Sounds like a great day. I love the Japanese bird and the heart. Beautiful! x

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  18. What a dreadful journey but what wonderful work.

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  19. Sounds like a great course.My son commutes into London every day from Cambridge.I wonder how he got home.No doubt we will get all the details tomorrow.

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  20. I think Locket has said exactly what I was going to say! Darn those signal failures ;o)

    I love your beautiful heart paper-cutting and your day out sounds wonderful.

    xx

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  21. I love the look of paper cutting but fear I would never have the patience. It's probably the result of never having the right left-handed scissors all my life! That journey sounds a nightmare, and poor you, a Champagne bar?
    Penny x

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  22. So sorry about the journey home. But your bird and heart are absolutely beautiful! K x

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  23. Oh I am quite green with envy about this workshop. You results are so beautiful (and so fashionable!) Blimmin' trains.

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  24. I adore you paper cuts Gina - you are so lucky to have so many wonderful classes available to you !

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