Art student Helen Schroeder, 21, of Minneapolis uses a cut-and-paste technique to create artwork inspired by scenes from around the Twin Cities as well as vintage license plates. (Donna Erickson)

Say "cut and paste" to today's tech-savvy kids, and they'll think you are talking about rearranging and editing photos, images and documents on their computers.

But to Northeastern University art student Helen Schroeder, "cutting and pasting" typically means spreading out good, old, basic supplies of paper, scissors and glue on the kitchen table to create eye-catching handmade paper art.

Schroeder's ideas for her paper art evolved last summer after Saturday-morning bike rides around town. Pedaling by landmarks and skyscrapers, her destination was often the lively and colorful downtown farmers' market.

As she wandered by the stalls of flowers, vegetables and fruit, Helen was not only eyeing the bounty for a new ratatouille recipe or a zingy pasta sauce but also meticulously choosing eggplant, heirloom tomatoes and chard that would be the subject matter for a still-life picture she would make when she returned home.

But instead of using paint and a paintbrush, she translated the look of the produce with cut-out paper shapes glued and layered on top of the other.

She scanned her "artworks" into the computer and printed copies on her color printer onto blank notecards. Voila! She had instant holiday gifts for the family.

It's not too early for you and your kids to start making "not too messy" paper art for a creative and economical family holiday greeting card or for packets of notecard gifts.

  • A photo of the subject matter of your artwork,
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    such as your house, a landmark in town or a birthday cake

  • A sheet of 8 1/2-by-11-inch patterned paper for the background of the picture, found in the scrapbooking section of craft stores

  • Assortment of solid-color paper

  • Pencil

  • Scissors and X-acto knife (for teen or adult use)

  • Glue stick

    WHAT YOU'LL DO

    1. Using the photo as a guide, draw the shapes of the objects on the colored paper. For example, for a "From Our House to Your House" holiday card, draw the shapes of your house, door, windows, chimney, etc. Cut out the shape of a Christmas tree and small round ball shapes for decorations. Helen suggests using solid colors that coordinate with the colors of the background sheet.

    2. Cut out shapes and glue on the background sheet to compose the picture.

    3. Using a color copier, print on paper or blank notecards.

    4. Sign and date the art print or put your own hallmark on the back of the smaller notecards.

    Resource: Helen's cards were such a hit she now has the designs professionally printed. Take a look at her online store at lindenleaf.etsy.com.

    Donna Erickson's award-winning television series, "Donna's Day," is airing on public television nationwide. Watch it in the Twin Cities at 7:30 a.m. Fridays on tptLife on channels 13 and 17. Sign up for Donna's e-newsletter at donnasday.com. Her latest book is "Donna Erickson's Fabulous Funstuff for Families."