Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Heart of My Heart

A few days ago, I posted a picture of my newly spray-painted bed. Hanging off-center above it was one of my favorite pieces of art. Of course I had to rehang the art after seeing the photo, which reminded me of the story of its origin, which reminded me of something I've been meaning to share with you for awhile. Here we go...

This is the art I'm talking about.



These are the tags on the back of the art. Here's what the top one says in case you aren't able to read it:
Scherenschnitte by Sharon Schaich (I dare you to say that out loud)
A "scherenschnitte," the German word meaning scissors cutting, can be cut with scissors or a knife from a single layer of paper or from folded paper, making a symmetrical design. The origins of the art date back to the 4th century in China, the first civilization to use paper. The early German settlers in Pennsylvania found scissors and paper to be a ready means of creating a loving message for Valentine's Day or a lacy trim for the mantelpiece or pantry shelf. Some cuttings were embellished with watercolor or pin-pricking, and the cherished holiday greetings were often slipped into the family Bible for safekeeping.

I bought this scherenschnitte, called "Heart of My Heart," at an art festival somewhere in Virginia – I think it was Leesburg – 23 years ago, in 1990. I fell in love with it the moment I saw it. I didn't spend a fortune for it, but it ended up being one of the most expensive pieces I own because I got the only speeding ticket of my life on the way home. It was my first road trip in my brand new car, a 1990 Audi 90, and I was caught going 90 mph in a 45 mph zone. Ooops.

How ironic that "1990" is part of the design. Makes it real easy to remember the provenance though.



Anyway, a few months ago, I got a Google alert that mentioned a "7MSN Scherenschnitte" project.








I clicked on the link, which took me to Kay Vincent's blog and this scherenschnitte:





Totally blows me away. She's captured everybody, from Peach the tarantula-eating chicken, 
to Amelia and Turtle Steve, and everybody in between.
Be sure to click on her link to read about how she did it.

28 comments:

  1. I betcha' you have a NEW favorite scherenschnitte now. It's awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yes, that's what The 7MSN Ranch (blog) does to people - IF they are that talented. What a unique, uniquely beautiful work of art, and touching at the same time. My hat is off to the artist (even more so after I read her "About").

    ReplyDelete
  3. That is great, but I don't understand why she wouldn't contact you before hand...or at the very least, present you with the finished product.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Gorgeous! She even included the reptiles -- the snakes and the small lizards :). Took me a while to find the porky-pine -- would he be down in the lower left corner?

    M in NC

    ReplyDelete
  5. Alan's alien nose. Snort. What a talent and what a great eye for creating absolutely iconic images of the 7MSN crew.

    ReplyDelete
  6. First, let me say, I visit Leesburg frequently. It is just down the road from me. I'll be there tonight in fact, as that's where my dog's agility lessons are held. You would not recognize the once quaint little village. Suburbia now runs all the way out that far :-(

    The 7MSN Scherenschnitte is AMAZING!

    ReplyDelete
  7. That is magnificent! And she got everyone, including Deets.

    ReplyDelete
  8. awesome! so is the one you have framed.

    ReplyDelete
  9. That is amazing! I'm blown away!

    ReplyDelete
  10. HOE. LEE. COW ! That is beyond amazing!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. That is so incredible! I hope you find a way to add this to your art collection because it belongs with you.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Beautifully done.

    Best always,

    ReplyDelete
  13. That is soooo cool. going to check out her blog.

    ReplyDelete
  14. This is so fabulous....all encompassing and a lovely piece of art. Oma Linda

    ReplyDelete
  15. That is so cool and amazing! Wow! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  16. I thought your heart look nice but I had no idea how fancy it was and is.

    Too cool that she did one of you all.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Amazing, indeed! Love this art work; want a copy of this art work. I just left a comment on Kay's web blog. She's a struggling artist and I'll bet she could sell a whole bunch of these to regular 7MSN readers!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Carol in N. Colorado2/12/13, 9:06 AM

    It's stunning and I am blown away on the creativity. Everyone is captured beautifully.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Love both pieces. Thank you for sharing. Good to see the ones we miss too.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Sandy from Edgewood, NM2/12/13, 1:04 PM

    See Linda... the lives you have touched with your blog. You and the gang are priceless!!!

    Thanks for being you!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Wow... Simply amazing! She even got the swallow on the yucca? Not sure if that's right.
    I am also impressed by the speeding ticket...awesome!
    ( when you were in the fast lane of life)

    ReplyDelete
  22. I hope you can get one of these. It's so special,like a story in a frame. Love the heart and flowers, too.
    I laughed about your one and only speeding ticket. Many years ago I got two in one day!

    ReplyDelete
  23. There are just no words to describe the beauty of it! One of a kind art for sure!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I think they're both lovely. Such talent!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Ahh, so I wasn't the only one who fell prey to the Audi's deceptive speed! My "honest officer, it didn't SOUND like I was going fast just got me 3 penalty points & a fine :(

    ReplyDelete
  26. Oh goodness! That is amazing! This ADD brain could never dream of doing something that intricate. I hope she is going to give you one? I love that she has included those who await us on the Rainbow Bridge. Just lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  27. What I really love about Katy's piece is that you can definitely tell Alan from George and Lyle from Hank. That's pretty impressive with just silhouettes!

    ReplyDelete