Carve lino-cut citrus fruits with Deborah Schneebeli-Morrell
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In this step-by-step course, through simple instructions and photographs, author and maker Deborah Schneebeli-Morrell shows you how to lino-cut citrus fruits and transform them into beautiful ornaments covered in intricate designs.
To make the lino-cut citrus fruits, you'll need:
- Firm fresh lemons, limes and/or oranges
- Aquarelle (water-based) pencil or pen
- Lino-cutting tool
Step 1: Draw Your Design
Draw your design on skin of fruit. Deborah suggests the following patterns: snowflakes, spirals or stripes, leaves, crosses or hatching. Or if you're feeling confident with your cutting skills, you can also skip this step and use the lino-cutting tool directly onto the fruit without drawing a design. Simple designs are often the most effective.
Deborah says: “I like to draw two circles on either side of the fruit and four lines intersecting each other to make an eight point star."

Step 2: Cut with the Lino-cutting Tool
Cut along the lines carefully with the lino-cutting tool. To do so, hold the fruit firmly in one hand, push the tool into the fruit and, holding the tool still, rotate the fruit.
Keep the blade of the tool moving away from you. Children must not use lino-cutting tools without close supervision.

Step 3: Wipe off Lines and Dry Fruits
Wipe off pencil/marker lines (if used) and leave fruits to dry. You can leave the fruits to dry somewhere warm such as on a radiator or an airing cupboard. The fruits will shrink.
