Esther's Birthday Picture: From Photograph to Wall Art

In 2020, I created a personalised sign for Esther's studio door as a birthday gift from her husband. Recently, he got in touch again to tell me that Esther's 60th birthday was approaching.
He had an idea in mind: a large papercut for their home based on a favourite photograph of the whole family. He asked if he could send me the photo to see whether I could recreate it in paper as a piece of wall art.
A couple of days later, he sent me the family photograph. After studying it, I suggested creating a large piece measuring 40 × 30 cm. That size would allow me to capture far more detail, ensuring that each family member was clearly recognisable. He agreed, and I began working on the piece.

The image above is a mock-up showing how the artwork would look displayed on a wall.

I shared my sketch with Esther's husband, and he seemed genuinely impressed. At the same time, he checked that I was enjoying working on the piece too - and I certainly was!
Unlike my greeting cards, this commission took several days to complete. The finished artwork is something I am really proud of. It is especially satisfying to know that it will be hanging on the wall of their home, where family and friends can enjoy it for, hopefully, many years to come.

"Wow! Amazing!" was the reaction I received when the artwork was collected. Then, on the day of her birthday, Esther sent me the following message:
"Thank you so much for this.
You are incredibly talented.
This is one of my favourite photos, taken on holiday last summer.
It's amazing what you can do with paper."
I think it's safe to say that Esther loved it! Knowing that I had transformed a treasured family photograph into a unique piece of artwork, and that it now has a special place in their home, made all the hours spent creating it worthwhile.

* This post has been shared on Mosaic Monday, Monday Morning Blog Club, Busy Monday

Living the Fairytale

A long time customer wrote to ask me if I could make a picture for her. Her husband's brother had recently got engaged. She wanted to send me a photo of her brother-in-law and his wife-to-be, above, for me to make into a "Lisa picture". "We'd like a framed picture of them, with the words "Living the Fairytale" written at the bottom" she wrote.

I recreated the photo of the couple out of paper, changing the background slightly, from their kitchen cabinets to something "bubbly". I am told that they really loved the picture and are already planning where to hang it!

* This post has been shared on Craft Schooling Sunday, Tuesday Turn About, Wednesdays in the Studio and Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop.

A Symbol of Growth and Hope

A new customer wrote to me to tell me that she loved my teacher gift papercut. "Would you be interested in doing another similar one?" she asked. Her daughter's teacher had really gone over and above this last academic year. My customer thought that a papercut would be the perfect thank you gift.

She wanted me to make one small change to my design. She wanted to know if I could replace the infinity symbol with some sort of "giving hands" symbol. After a short discussion we decided to show a hand holding a fresh young plant, a symbol of growth and hope.

The hand merged seamlessly into my design, blending well with the decorative flowers, leaves and vines. In the middle of the piece I cut out the word "Ha-Morah" (the teacher). My customer liked the idea of green for growth as the backing colour. I picked out this grass green paper and then framed the piece in a birch wood coloured frame.

The cherished teacher who received my papercut, who I happen to know, wrote to me. "As you know, I am the lucky recipient of one of your papercuts. It's beautiful."

* This post has been shared on The Good. The Random. The Fun. and Tuesday Turn About

Theo Jonah

My sister's eldest daughter has two little girls, Lottie Ruby and Sadie Eve. I made each girl a personalised papercut picture for their bedrooms when they were born. So, when my sister's youngest daughter gave birth to a baby boy back in March, I decided to make a papercut picture for him too.

I created a piece which displays the baby's name, Theo Jonah, in the centre and his Hebrew name, Boaz Yonah, below it. His birth date and the time of his birth is at the top of the piece, whilst his birth weight is at the bottom. My previous papercuts had a bear and a fox on them. This time I added an elephant, a little bird and stars.

Many Jewish people observe the custom of giving their children both English and Hebrew first names - the former for everyday life, the latter for religious purposes. The Hebrew name is used when the child is called to read the Torah at their Bar or Bat Mitzvah, at their wedding, in the writing of a get (a Jewish bill of divorce), and for funeral ceremonies. Their use on these occasions is customary.

Theo's Hebrew name, Boaz, is a boy's name of Hebrew origin, translating to "strength." Boaz is a prominent figure in the Book of Ruth, with Boaz being the second husband of Ruth. Boaz had a reputation for extending a special kindness to Ruth, ensuring that she was protected and well-treated.

The name Yonah derives from the Hebrew word "Yonah," meaning "dove," sharing ties with the prophet Jonah, who was a leading figure in the Book of Jonah. As legend has it, Jonah was swallowed by a whale, after G-d caused his ship to sink, and then was tossed up onto dry land after three days and nights. Sailors traditionally use the name Jonah to personify someone who brings bad luck but, in this case, Yonah will be known as Jonah in English, after my dear mum Joan.

* This post has been shared on Little Things Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things.

The Picture She Chose

A new customer asked me to make a piece of artwork for her daughter, something that she could hang on the walls of her apartment. She sent me a favourite black and white photo of her daughter and her boyfriend, one that her daughter had herself picked out, along with another photo in colour. 

"I love your work and I know my daughter Avital will too" my customer wrote to me. 

I created a paper version of the young couple, carefully copying the details, from the folds of her pink shawl to the markings on his watch strap.

My customer was happy to receive the piece, then sent me a lovely message telling me that she had given it to her daughter. "I just want to tell you that I gave Avital the picture and she loved it!" she said.

* This post has been shared on The Good. The Random. The Fun., Wordless Wednesday (on Tuesday), Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop.