Make a Papercut Valentine..

        Have you ever cut out a snowflake or a folded paper Valentine, perhaps back in grade school? If so, you have done the art of Scherenschnitte. Hand cut Valentines  were very popular with the  Pennsylvania Dutch during the 1800's and were called Liebesbrief or Love letters . In some cases, the Liebesbrief was sent as a marriage proposal by the shy young man to his intended.

 Whether or not you wish to send a marriage proposal, you may want to try your hand at this art form.

 

  Collect  a super sharp pair of manicure scissors and make a lovely Valentine for someone special. It is very simple..

 Paper... Any light weight paper will do. even a brown paper bag, but I prefer antique colored parchment.

 Fold  your paper in half.

Draw a design making sure that your lines are connected in a way that will not cause the design to "fall apart" when cut.

 Begin by drawing a heart.... Your center is the folded half of the paper.

This design can be as simple or ornate as you wish.

Begin to carefully cut with a small scissor or sharp art knife.

It may take awhile, but when you open it up... oooh how much fun to see what you have done!

 Now, to really make it lovely, use a water based paint, watercolor is my choice, and paint in any style you wish.

  Write something sweet inside the heart. I made the above piece years ago as a house blessing. It is painted in a folk art style.

 Now if you really want to be adventurous, you can  fold your paper up to 8 times to create a repeated pattern with a snowflake effect.

  Here is a piece which was folded 4 times

 The steps are as follows:

Fold your paper 4 times .

 And draw your design.

  Cut the design using tiny scissors or blades. Open it up!

 Paint with a water based paint. and WALAH!

 The Pennsylavania Dutch would write a little love note or tender thought in each one of those little hearts.  Comments written upon  a late 18th century cut valentine were sometimes quite charming. Such as:

"I have you, if you like it, selected as my beloved"

"In my thoughts I have kissed you often because you are such a pretty girl"

And my favorite:

 "Faith is the duty of lovers, dearest treasure, don't forget it!"

 This has been sitting in my drawer FOREVER! I really should finish painting it. The style is Early American Folk art. 

But this one I actually finished and hangs in our Keeping Room.

  Give your papercut Valentine  to whomever you are smitten with.

 Hello my friends, I have received a few emails from some readers who are having trouble leaving comments here on my Blogger. Anyone else having this problem? Let me know at :   jeri@hopalonggreetings.com