Exciting happenings at PP HQ!!

Hello Hello! Welcome to March! Sheesh! How quickly is this year going?!

A BIG change for three of our templates this week!!
The female & male heart designs and floral frame design!



These all now have a commercial license for you to purchase!! What does that mean? Well, it means you are purchasing the rights to resell up to 100 papercuts for 1 year.
You can find full Terms & Conditions on our website here -
http://paperpanda.bigcartel.com/terms-conditions

How to purchase:
For example you want to resell the Daddy Heart.

Add 'Daddy Heart' (£7.50) to the cart.
Add 'Commercial Rights' (£100) to the cart.
Total £107.50

Voila! You will be emailed the template and a copy of your license agreement that will have all the details you need! Don't lose this! *wink*

So, who likes surprises?
I do! I love surprises! Well would you look at that, we have a surprise ready and waiting!

I can tell you that it is a template... it features Bunny and Bird... and it's suitable for beginners, so if you've just finished your starter kit, this would be a great template to try next! You can get it here.
And if you have subscribed to our newsletter, you can get this surprise template at half of it's already bargain price! 
You can sign up to our newsletter here - www.eepurl.com/2WJ9P


I've spent a morning (yes, MORNING, I totally got up before midday!) being coughed on in the doc surgery to be told that I gotta have a biiiig mean needle in my elbows for 'tennis elbow' from sitting at my desk cutting all day. Bum! She suggested I, erm, stop cutting...or have nasty needles. Hmmph. No fair! I'm guessing with this 'job' I'm just gonna be a crooked mess in another 5 years, with my knobbly hands, dead legs and ruined neck/shoulders. If you are a papercutter please take care of yourself by having a slope to work on (brings your work closer to your face), take regular breaks, have chiro massages to get your neck moving again and and and...or just ignore it all like me and turn into a wizened crone!


 I've been working on a birdcage template for a supplement magazine of templates with my name on them for Craftseller. My list includes all kinds from card designs to hearts, houses and Christmas stuff (am I the first to mention the 'C' word this year do you think?) which is super exciting.
*wiggles legs to stop them going dead*

Well well well, what do we have here?
Another guest template!



This one is by the amazing Mad March Moon Designs, look how detailed it is! Check out all the animals in there, I could look at this for hours. This comes in two sizes, A4 and A3, the A3 one is clever because it's two A4 pages you can join together! This will make it easier to cut as the details will be larger It's like two templates for the price of one! x Best of all, it comes with a commercial license option, so you can sell this one... super excitie-pants! You can buy it here.


Also this week saw these four gorgeous new cards landing at PP HQ!

These designs are perfect for Mother's Day! You can get them from the online store here

Each has a different phrase and is coloured in a beautiful delicate shade! They're blank inside for your own lovely message to your mum! *aww*

Printed in full colour on luxury 300gsm card with a brown envelope. 148x148mm.



Woman down! No cutting for me any time soon due to walking into an industrial sized bin knob. No other way to describe it. It hurts. A LOT.


I have to be the clumsiest bear in the world! Can't move it without it hurting and there's one helluva bruise under the ink I'm sure. Enforced rest - buggrit!!!
Didn't like sprouts and parsnips suck so they have been sacrificed for the greater good. *wink*



I'm off to rest my arm. *rings bell for ice cream*
Have a great weekend folks! P xx

And the winner is...

Well, there were around 75 of you in the running and three names have been picked in the traditional Panda way, completely randomly with the list of orders. The three originals will be packaged up and will be leaving Panda Mansion on Monday via Special Delivery to get to the lucky recipients as soon as possible!!
**DRUMROLL**
And the winners are -

Lauren Ballard

Lezley Galloway

Christine Harris


If that is you, then don't forget to answer the door to postie in the week (doesn't matter if you're still in your PJs) because you'll have to sign for your original Paper Panda papercut. We'd LOVE to see a photo of you with it. Congratulations to all three winners!!

Thanks so much to everyone who took part. If you weren't the winner, then I do hope you love your Oz templates!- thanks heaps for joining in!! You're awesome.
Please drop us an email if you are a winner!
P xxx

Miniature Mad!!

Phew! What a busy week!!

We kicked off the week with Tiny Tuesday, which saw you lot doing copious amounts of finger exercises in an attempt to get your hands on one and a lot of you did *Huzzah*, while all that was going on there were pancakes galore at Panda HQ, we all enjoyed home-made chocolate sauce on ours…yumm!! There was nothing tiny about them I can tell you!!


But the tiny things bug really did hit Panda HQ this week, I went all tiny things mad and created two of my recent cuts in miniature! I managed to cut ‘home’ to the size of a postage stamp! An actual stamp!


Next up, we launched a new guest artist section in our shop! And so far have a template by the lovely ‘Made by Julene’ and a lovely fine art print by DD at the Litus Gallery! But that’s not it! Oh no! We will be adding more artists shortly, so keep your eyes peeled.

Spread the love & Tiny Tuesday!

Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
There's an offer,
in the store for you...

3 for 2 on greetings cards. Use the code 'ILOVEYOU'

Happy Valentine's Day you lovely lot. *insert gushy, soppy, lovey-dovey appreciation here* *wink*

www.paperpandacuts.co.uk

(The boring bit - Flat rate discount of £2.70 when 3 cards are added to cart. One use per transaction.To purchase more than 3 cards & activate discount, please checkout seperately. Not valid with any other codes. Valid until 11pm GMT 14.2.15)

I've been meaning to make this for my friend Marnie (Marnie Makes on Facebook!) for the longest time! Finally sent it over ready for her to open today - Valentines Day! Aww. She loved it, there is a little video on her page, where she opens it. It's the sweetest thing. If you haven't checked her work out, then you really should. Go - on go now! *nudges*

Tiny Tuesday is coming up on this Tuesday the 17th of February! Don't miss out. Pop over to the online store to see the originals, being added right up until the get go! ;)

We had so many of you lovely folk ordering our Valentines hearts for your loved ones! We're super touched by the response and truly hope they love them too!

A little update on Richard, seeing as we're spreading a little love around this Valentines Day.
He's doing well, has a roof over his head, is clean shaven and has some new clothes. He's already had one interview which went fantastically! We're all overwhelmed with your support for Richard and for all those that have been inspired to pay it forward too! 

Have a most wonderful weekend and we'll be back next week with more news from PP!

Raising For Richard.

After coming back from a rucksack drop in Cheltenham. (Remember a couple of months back I posted about filling up bags of stuff for the homeless? Well, that.)
I met three people that evening, Jo, John & Richard. Richard surprised me, although I don't know why, I like to think I have an open mind but I wasn't expecting a philosopher with multiple degrees under his belt who used to be a top Michelin star chef. We chatted for quite a while. He gets to go to the library for an hour each day. He's okay for food as people are actually very generous and he told me to save my money when I offered to buy him his dinner as the cafe around the corner provides it most evenings. I asked him what would really make a difference to his life and he said a laptop. A laptop? Not my first choice if I'd have to guess, but he said he makes meal plans for restaurants and gets emails from old clients asking for his help and an hour just isn't enough time to get something together before he has to leave the library again.
He told us his story as to why he was on the street. Yes, he does actually sleep there too, he doesn't go to a hostel. He was reading Tolstoy. Tolstoy!
We decided to help Richard out! Starting up a Yimby fundraising page (here) to raise £500 to buy him a cheap laptop/bag/mifi stick with any extra going towards a roof over his head and wifi time. It reached well over the target in the first night - so thank you very much each and every one of you!! 

This will make a remarkable difference to Richard & help get him back on his feet!! We are currently at a WHOPPING £1200! How ruddy marvellous!


For any of you interested in what we did and you'd like to do it yourselves, we packed a plain, cheap rucksack with the following:
Tissues
Wash kit
First aid kit
Lip balm
Ear plugs
Underwear
Socks
Floor mat
Hat
Gloves
Snood
Fleece blanket
Pen
Stamps
Writing paper & envelopes
Book
Wind-up torch
Lighter
Food

If you choose to go out to deliver yourselves please go in pairs. Also if you pop a note inside the bag saying what is inside and where it came from then if anyone wonders where they got it from they can produce it.
There are organisations that distribute them for you too, like The Rucksack Project.

It's really bloody cold out there. Let's try and make a difference xx

Bye bye January...Hello February.

News & stuff!

Sometimes you'll find that the back of my papercuts are a bit of a weird colour. See the green? Well, I have some mounts that are a bit special and I like the papercut to fit perfectly within it so I take the mount and scan it in - this time with a bit of green paper over it - and print it onto my cutting paper, then draw my design over the print of the mount. That way I know that the composition will look perfect when it's framed. I do the same with nearly all of my cuts to make sure it's centered correctly and will look nice as a finished piece...

Me? Well I'm poorly 'ick. AGAIN. I have zero immune system and seem to be constantly poorly at the moment. But I'm resting and between resting I'm still cutting away and have a cracking pile of cuts ready for Mr P to photograph them. Lots of miniatures too so I think a Tiny Tuesday will be on the cards in the next couple of weeks, yay!
Valentine cards are now in the shop but if you fancy cutting a papercut yourself there's some new templates that start at a proper daft £2.50 for a naughty one with a sweary word up to £7.50 for a lovey dovey gushy one. We are also trialing hanging hearts similar to the Christmas decorations using the Mr Darcy papercut design from a little while back with the two bunnies. I'm convinced that Shani is going to do a brilliant job and they'll be on sale very soon, and yup, they can be personalised too!

Some of you eagle eyed folk may have noticed this super new template added only moments ago ;)

'I love you' wreath - a florally ring of lovey - dovey perfection! Get yours here for £7.50


 

'I love you so very much' £7.50 from here.

and this design has also been used for our Valentines greetings card too! £2.70 from here.





Caution this one's a little sweary, but it's still spreading those loving vibes ;) and at only £2.50 it's a blimmin' bargain, I tell ya. Get yours here.



Hands up who's spotted this new Twinkle Twinkle template in the shop too?
Just like the sweary love one, this one comes with a pre-made Panda scribble effect, also included are just the words, so you can make up your own scribbly design, have fun with it! Another £2.50 bargain! You'll find it here.




As well as adding all these new templates, lately Munch and I have been watching Celeb Big Brother in the evenings. He likes Michelle the best...


(My hand isn't that massive, btw, it's the perspective of the pic! ;) Munch however is that massive - 65kgs of fur)

I've also made this gorgeous original 'Safe'



Fairy Flutterby cards have also been added to the online store, these are so perfectly pretty. Get yours here for £2.70



The original is on ebay. (here)



And....Last but by no means least...

**WIN AN ORIGINAL PAPER PANDA PAPERCUT**
If you purchase any template/s from this range you will automatically go into a draw to win one of the original Oz papercuts (pictured) that were made for the Obsidian Art exhibition 2014.
3 people will win one each and they will be announced here on the PP blog at 9pm on the 28th February 2015.
Each piece has been hand drawn and hand cut and suspended over vintage book pages from the original story. The Paper Panda engraved tag is on the reverse of the frame and certificates of authenticity are included. They are the only pieces made in cream in this design. Framed size: 38x49cm
PP staff and family members are not permitted to enter. Worldwide postage is free.





You can have them posted (in A4) or emailed (in either A3 or A4):
If I only had a brain - Dorothy meets the Scarecrow
If I only had a heart - Dorothy meets the Tinman
If I only had the nerve - Dorothy meets the Lion

You can pick your favourite one or have the whole set! Huzzah!


January has been a whirlwind month, the first workshops of the year, a tonne of new templates and originals, we had a mega sale which was a huge success, many thanks to you all for your continued support and custom! We love you all, we really do! ;)
I'm off to shove a tissue up each nostril and to play the sympathy card in the hopes of getting a slice of that cake I spied in the kitchen...*Sprinkles some love around*

Toodles...P xx

Challenges and Templates!

So, the Panda Challenge last week was to make a design to the brief, "Hello, my name is...", there were so many great entries, thanks to everyone who sent work in! These were my favourites.

Kimmie made a beautiful self portrait using a combination of hand drawing and digital techniques, while Andrea made a striking papercut combined with a lovely poem. 

Here's Andrea's poem - 

Hello, my name is Mum,
I fulfil their every need.
I kiss them when they hurt themselves,
I always clothe and feed.

Hello, my name is wife,
A lover and a friend.
Go through our life together,
On each other we depend.

Hello, my name is daughter,
And granddaughter too.
My family have raised me, 
To do the things I do.

Hello, my name is organist,
On the day of rest.
Praises to our Lord,
Dressed in our Sunday best.

Hello, my name is trombonist,
I entertain and play.
People sing and dance to me,
Throughout the night and day.

Hello, my name is conductor,
I lead them from the score.
We play at many concerts,
People shout "encore encore!"

Hello, my name is papercutter,
I cut paper with a knife.
Sitting quietly at my desk,
My little escape from life.

Hello, my name is Andrea,
And now all you have is me.
Strip away all my 'names',
And this is what you see.

Underneath the busy life,
We often do neglect.
To think about all those things,
That begin to take effect.

So, take a look beyond your names,
And reach deep inside.
All your fears and worries,
You shouldn't have to hide.

Hello, my name is Andrea,
Mum, daughter, wife.
Teacher, musician, papercutter,
This is my happy life.

 

**NEWSFLASH**

The custom option Floral Frame template is now available! Huzzah! 
We can add any wording of your choosing to the design; we can fit a maximum of 12-15 words over 6 lines of text. Please chose the 'Custom' option in the dropdown menu and add your chosen wording to the 'notes' box at checkout. If we are unable to fit your chosen words/quote we will email you.
http://www.paperpanda.bigcartel.com/product/custom-papercut-diy-design-template-floral-frame

 What's that, another new template?!

http://www.paperpanda.bigcartel.com/product/papercut-diy-design-template-house

Surely not a third template?! I have been busy this week ;)
http://www.paperpanda.bigcartel.com/product/papercut-diy-design-template-i-love-you-so-very-much

Exciting times!

I had some exciting news from a Panda fan this week, my book was number 10 in the Amazon New Releases chart! I just couldn't believe it, thank you so much to everyone who's pre-ordered. You'll get your book in March. If you've not got yours yet, you can get it at this link. I'm 16 on the New Releases chart now... can we get back in the top ten?! http://www.amazon.co.uk/Papercuts-Twenty-Louise-Firchau-Paper/dp/1782211918/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420804105&sr=8-1&keywords=louise+firchau

It's time once again for another super smashing faaaaabulous Panda Challenge!!
The brief for this week's challenge is rather vague and mysterious - please feel free to interpret it as you wish and use any medium(s) you choose to create your entry. Are you ready for it...?

Panda Challenge Brief:
'Hello, my name is....'

Goodies *may* be sent out to the creators of the most interesting and artistic interpretations of the brief. wink emoticon
Everybody is welcome to take part. Entries are to be posted on the main PP wall on Sunday 18th January (please don't post them before this date as they won't be included in the challenge). 

After a crazy busy weekend and the general kind of non-stop mostly nocturnal life I've been living recently we've decided to have a bed day. Bed day is nice. It involves my favourite spotty onesie, no make-up (arrgh my eeeeyes!), a Marian Keyes book, Country Living magazine, Buddy the kitten (giving the camera his very best sleazy 'I'm a teenager, stop kissing me, mum' look) lots of tea, unopened cartons of orange juice (sneaks Coke upstairs) 8 pillows and Scrabble on my phone.
Recharge day WIN!

Who's ready for a new template?! wink emoticon 

This pretty A4 floral frame is ready to go right now. With 20 ready made options, including 'Happy Birthday', 'this too shall pass', 'there's no place like home' and even just the frame - perfect for popping over a photo for a unique little gift.

The custom option will be added next week, along with more ready made quotes soon! 

http://www.paperpanda.bigcartel.com/product/custom-papercut-diy-design-template-floral-frame

It's been a busy old week.... *phew*... nipping off to Amsterdam for a relaxing weekend away! Ta-ra!

What a busy (and exciting) week we've had!!

We've been super busy this week at PPHQ.  I’ve been busily posting your lovely orders because TimSam has deserted us and swanned off on his holibobs *wahhhhh, takes away holiday entitlement*. I haven’t half missed him, but don’t tell him I said that, he’ll get all big headed and start making diva-ish demands like having his water chilled to 21 degrees or some such.

I've had some very exciting post! My book preview turned up and I think it's just spiffing!! Have you pre-ordered yours yet? If not you can snap it up from here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Papercuts-Twenty-Louise-Firchau-Paper/dp/1782211918/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420804105&sr=8-1&keywords=louise+firchau

We've also had loads of new paper cuts, including something a little bit new and a little bit special. I spent Monday cutting a good old fashioned fairy complete with a rainbow, hearts and glitter! I went all girly on you! Plus there were some glorious Woodland animals cuts such as 'Home', which features Bird dreaming his little birdy dreams in his nest and 'Squirrel Tree' which shows a squirrel frolicking high up in the trees. Then there was some things for you pet lovers in the form of 'Friends' which features a cat about head duff a small boy. 

Something that's excited me greatly this week was the long awaited (by me) magic cards!!! I love these! You write a little message on the middle balloon (see the pictures) then stick a magic sticker over the top and send it off to a loved one, they can then scratch off the sticker to reveal all your lovliness!

I don't think I've missed anything... I hope you've all had a fantastic week?

Hello!! New things! Yay!

All of these gorgeous originals have graced the online shop this week. You can pop through and see if your favourite is still available here.
Psst* There may be a Tiny Profanity too if you're quick! ;)

In addition to all these spangly new originals, I have been using this fancy-pants new camera holder means there will be more filming. Which means more videos like this one. Huzzah!

You'll be able to watch these Panda paws in action, drawing & cutting lots of different things and singing along to the odd song too. Win!

You can find us on YouTube here, to see these new spangly vids, along with some other ones.

Enjoy!

We have some awesome products in the pipeline, so keep your eyes peeled and check our  Facebook and Twitter feeds for the most up to date news!
You can also sign up for our monthly newsletter for more news, offers and tidbits straight from PP HQ! Just pop over and sign up here.

Hello 2015!

So, welcome to 2015!

We have a new button near the top of our Facebook page that says 'LiveChat with us' - funnily enough, it does exactly what it says on the tin. You can chat with a member of the PP admin team live at pretty much any time from 9am until 10pm. So that's pretty exciting! 

Can you believe it's been a year since 'The Stag' went up for sale! This amazing piece spawned a whole raft of items from keyrings to mugs to mirrors and became an iconic image of Paper Panda.

First cut of the year and yes, I wrote 14 instead of 15 (the little illegible scribble at the bottom right is actually my initials LF and the year it was made). I wonder how many weeks it'll take me to get out of this habit? *gets rubber*

Hope you all had a cracking Christmas and New Year!