Life of Bugs- A paper cutting

This paper cutting inspired by bugs is supposed to form a pair with another paper cutting of mine called Sleeps with butterflies.

Some of my favorite bugs and beetles were chosen.
From top to bottom and from left to right in the picture, they are Eupholus linnei, seven-spotted ladybugs (Coccinella septempunctata), Batocera rufomaculata, Stag beetle (Lucanus cervus), Goliath beetle (Goliathus cacicus) and Cyriopalus wallacei.

 I made this paper cutting as a birthday present for myself.

The pencil sketch:

And the end result:

Free Bird

I purchased a book introducing the art of paper cutting designs. The pictures collected in the book look so fancy, that they made me want to create my own patterns of paper cutting. I had started to make this small design before I went to go to the concert of the French singer and harper Cécile Corbel. I learned of her name from the animated film Arrietty- a masterpiece of Studio Ghibli. The film's soundtracks were written by her. I strongly believe, that her music took part in the international success of the film.
I named my very first paper cutting work "Free Bird" by having got my inspiration from the opening theme song of the anime series called Haibane Renmei (灰羽連盟 lit. Charcoal Feather Federation).

Hand-made with love

 

I found a book with instructions how to make Japanese tsumami kanzashi. Four days ago I started to make my first folded cloth flower and wasn't able to stop. These are the result. :)