I succeeded on my third try. When we moved to Maine circumstances prevented our developing a studio for pottery or sculpture. Our dining room table became my studio for papercutting. I use cuticle scissors for cutting. For unfolded deigns I staple a second sheet of paper under the design and have two cuttings for the work of one.
Some people use black paper.
Frequently I paste colored paper in various areas beneath the cutting, before mounting it, enhancing texture, tone and composition. At the present time I know on no one else using this technique. In Polish cutting, colored paper is used extensively, but layered on top of the cutting. I have greatly enjoyed creating these designs, and hope that others will derive pleasure from them. My first paper cutting.