Trying My Hand

So I got all excited the other day and decided to try my hand at papercutting.

I've been playing with some fun designs, attempting to mimic the quaint antique papercuttings of yore and working to improve my technique.  It's an art form that will take some time to master, but I didn't fare too poorly after just a few hours of slicing and clipping.

I think I may need to get my hands on some finer, higher quality paper.  These were cut on plain ol' inkjet printer paper - which seemed surprisingly thick and difficult to cut.   

I love the look of the white paper against a vibrant background.

This one was really fun to design.

I see many hand cut Valentine's appearing in the New Year!

Wuv Birds.

New Inspiration

I've mentioned before how I love poking around antique shops for inspiration.  Well, over the weekend I got a big dose from these whimsical German papercuttings I spied hanging in the stairway of a cute little store in Purcellville:

I love the intricacy and symmetry of these designs.  It feels like a whole world in there!

Always eager to experiment with new artistic mediums, I decided to try my hand.

I didn't have the best materials - just a standard (not very dextrous) blade and some inexpensive colored construction paper.  But for a couple of cute and original Christmas Cards, they got the job done!

However, after a considerable period of time browsing Pinetrest and taking in some of the breathtaking work being featured at All About Papercutting, my eyes were opened to all that papercutting can be.  So I decided to invest in some better tools.

I picked up a fine-tipped razor blade and green rubber cutting mat, and harvested some paint swatches from my local hardware store.

I'll be experimenting today.  We'll see what develops :-)

Poppies in the Kitchen and Reverse Glass Painting

While exploring Purcerville over the weekend, Evan and I happened upon a Re-Store on its final day before moving, selling everything at 90% off.  Yes, ninety percent.  

Oh, I was excited.  Especially considering how bare the inside of our new little home is still looking. 

I found this adorable vintage chair with poppy print cushion for one dollar.

I also took home a great window for just $2.50, and proceeded to try my hand at reverse glass painting. 

Golden California Poppies, Naturally :-)

Not a masterpiece by any means, but it was a valuable experiment and will certainly brighten up the kitchen.

I also brought home a second piece of glass from the Re-Store - one that's over six feet tall!  I have something in mind for it, but would like to improve my technique a bit before diving into that project...

Hello again.

It's been so long!

After a year of posting only a few sporadic entries over at Untie & Unite, I'm thinking it may be time to revive Small Fox Press.

First, to bring you up to speed:

After Vermont, i took a little road trip.

And we ended up in the California redwoods.

Where I tried my hand at carving some scrap wood.

And got into pyrography a little.

Now I'm living in a cute colonial town in Virginia's northern Shenandoah Valley.

And we'll see what else unfolds :)