Cross My Heart
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My interest in paper cutting began around 1988 when I found a design in a
magazine. I cut it out framed it with tiny flowered piece of material as a
background and a tiny lace around the inside the edge of the frame...then I hung
it on my wall. My friends and visitors loved it. I did too.
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After finding an address for "Papercuttings by Alison" I sent many orders
for nearly ten years for designs. Seems every time I finished a cutting I
was ready to do another. I started by using small scissors and now prefer
to use an Excel knife with number eleven blades and an exacto self-healing
cutting board. I am passionate about cutting.
After giving the manager of the building several of my cuttings after I
moved in here 2000...she hung them in the entry window of her office.
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Cross My Heart
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Flowers
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Residents enjoyed them and asked, "How do you do that?" They began to
encourage me to teach what I know about cutting. No one had taught me how
to cut. I could only share my own experience. Thus I made the decision to
teach here at Camelot VI. My teaching lasted about 9 months or so until I
had a change of heart and quit teaching in lieu of a new challenge that kept
nagging me. I wanted to start drawing my own designs to cut and enter them
into a book for beginners. It took a year to accomplish the task and I only
had copies made for my children and my best friend to have. Maybe someday
I will get it published. I called the book "Pegs Papercuttings". It does
not include any of the cuttings displayed here.
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My passion is cutting silhouettes from photos and intricate designs.
Within this last year I have drawn and cut thirty five cuttings with
hearts ... with crosses in the center. No two are alike. My plan is to
use them in an intermediate to advanced cutting book.
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Cross My Heart
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Cross My Heart
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I also have a cutting of a "tree with a small girl laying on her tummy
in a tire swing with her hair hanging down" that was included in a Shoebox
Exhibit through Guild of American Papercutters displayed in libraries on
the east coast. Which was very exciting for me. I have been a member of
the GAP for four years.
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One time a high school friend of mine asked if I would bring some of my
framed cuttings and put them on display for her Women's Club at her
church and asked if I would do a demonstration. I accepted her invitation
and thoroughly enjoyed a wonderful experience with the ladies.
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Butterfly
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Lacy Wings, Original Size 4.5"x7"
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I am a 73 year old native Nebraskan who has had macular degeneration in
my left eye for over a year. In January of this year I had a heart operation
and a few days later had a mastectomy...! am now nearly 95 percent cancer
free. Recently I was also diagnosed with osteoporosis...but it all doesn't
stop my inspiration to draw and cut. What a blessing!
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I give God credit for all the designs that comes from inside me and I give
my Mom credit for always telling me "Busy Hands Busy Minds"
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Doves
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Father
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As I have no intention of giving up this beautiful art any time soon.
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God is good!
Written by Peggy Gleason 9/2006
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Silhouettes
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Pegs Papercuttings
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This is the cover from her book by the same name. It can be found in the Library of Congress.
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peggy gleason biography
