DIY: Scherenschnitte (Scissor Cutting)

By Salvagedspaces @salvagedspaces
Today we went on an adventure to downtown and, surprise surprise, we found something we couldn't live without. We were in a consignment store and Pete exclaimed, "Leslie, we have to get this 'sharingshit' for Lucy's bedroom!" Embarrassed, I looked back at him and whisper-yelled "Peter! What in the world are you talking about?"
Neither one of us knew what "sharingshit" was. My first impression was that it was something to teach our future daughter how to share. I mean, that is important...but what did this picture of Little Bo Peep have to do with sharing? Turns out that Pete just doesn't know how to pronounce German words like Scherenschnitte.
Scherenschnitte is the German word for "scissor cutting." It's the art of cutting paper to create intricate designs to display on your walls. The one that we found was of Little Bo Peep (losing her sheep, oh no!) with the initials "SMR" on it. We paid about the same amount as we would have for a blank frame from the arts and crafts store. We both wanted it because it is pretty adorable, but I also wanted to bring it home to learn more about this art and possibly try it myself.


DIY: Scherenschnitte (Scissor Cutting) I was able to take a stab at Scherenschnitte right away since the necessary supplies were already in my house. Here's what you'll need:
Supplies Two pieces of paper (I used scrapbooking paper, but the thicker the paper, the better) An X-ACTO knife (or small scissors) Pencil or template Glue

I thought I would attempt my own design without using a template. I envisioned it better in my head, but I'm satisfied with my first go at this art. My design was inspired by the oak trees that lined my childhood street. To help keep my cutting on track, I shaded in all the areas that I knew I would get rid of. 

Once everything was cut, I applied glue to the back of the design to place on the other sheet of paper.


And there you have it! My beloved oak trees covered in Spanish moss. I don't know if I'll do anything with this design since I really just created it to try Scherenschnitte. I had a lot of fun making it though so I think I'll be sharingshit with you in the future.