Arts and Crafts
Evangelical Lutheran Churches of Germany
Scherenschnitte means "scissors cut" in German. It refers to the craft of cutting elaborate designs in paper to make beautiful works of art. The craft dates back to the mid-1600s. It was most often done with black paper, and nature scenes within a heart was a common motif.
Scherenschnitte heart
Materials needed:
Black or dark colored paper
White paper for background
(A finer craft paper, such as origami paper, will work better than construction paper for this craft. A roll of solid-colored heavy gift-wrapping paper would also work to supply the group with paper.)
Pencils
Scissors
Get an 8" inch square of dark paper. Fold the paper in half. Draw a heart half on the paper. Use the pattern below, or make your own with a tree, flower, bird or other nature design in it. Keep designs simple for younger crafters. Carefully cut out the design. Open up, and glue onto a white background.
Angels were one of the earliest ornaments put on German Christmas trees. Trees were originally decorated with candles rather than electric lights (and some still are), and the candlelight reflected nicely off the foil skirt of this angel.
Weihnacht (Christmas) angelMaterials needed:
Heavy duty aluminum foil
Foil wrapping paper
Scissors
Stapler
Glue
Felt-tip pens
String or Christmas ornament hooks
Thin cardboard (old file folders or notebook backs)
Cut a piece of aluminum foil 4" by 6". Fold crosswise back and forth in accordion folds to make angel's skirt. (Skirt should be 4" long). Pull folds apart at one end to make pleated skirt.
Cut a 4" circle from wrapping paper for wings. (Used wedding or Christmas wrapping paper works.) Fold circle in half to form wings. The flat folded side will be the top of the wings, with the half-circle wings below. If you wish, cut the half circle to shape it into fancier wings.
Cut a head from the cardboard. Cut an ice cream cone shape, with a round scoop of ice cream for the head, and the cone to be used to attach the head to the body. Lay the wings down on the table, place the head on top with the head extended above the wings. Now place the small end of skirt on top of cone, and staple together the three pieces.
Cut a 1-1/2" by 3" piece of wrapping paper. (A colored foil, such as red, green, or blue, works nicely.) Fold in half to form a square. Along two edges of the square, cut fringe 1/4" deep. Fold down the corner opposite the fringed corner to back. The folded corner will be the neck edge of the angel. Put glue on the back of the square, and place on top of the angel skirt and wings to form bodice.
Draw a face and hair on the angel. Attach string or hook so it is ready for hanging.