The ampersand is a wonderful thing. It represents the word “and” — and so much more. An ampersand means that the words that surround it belong together and that they are significant together. Two years ago today, in the midst of a huge Virginia snowstorm, the love of my life surprised me with a ring and a little question that placed a permanent ampersand between our names. I love that ampersand.

I not only I like what an ampersand symbolizes, I also find it to be typographically interesting. It’s elegant and classic and complicated.

When I opened my little online paper goods shop back in the fall, one of the items I chose to offer was a set of gift tags that feature an ampersand. And on Saturday, when I wanted to create something simple to fill an empty 8×10 picture frame, I decided on this green papercut ampersand.

And now that I’ve dusted off my X-Acto knife, I’m busy dreaming up papercuts I want to make. So many hobbies, so little time…

Font: Century Schoolbook. Frame: IKEA.