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Friday 11 February 2022

Japanese Dreams Box Card

Hi everybody.  I saw this box card here and I was taken by the design and the fact that it folds down flat for posting, and although I don't usually do this type of crafting I decided to challenge myself and give it a go using this set of stamps from Creative Stamping No. 104 called Japanese Dreams.  I started with an  A4 sheet of pearlescent card in a dusky pink shade and also a snippet of deep pink parchment.  


I started by cutting the A4 piece of card down to 10" and then following the steps I put in the various folds.  I don't have a large scoreboard which hampered me rather so I ended up using a ruler and marking where to put the crease and then used a ball tool with quite a fine end to put the crease lines in.  I managed it but my tip would be don't use pearlescent card which for a start is not coloured on both sides, and also the pearlescent outer layer is inclined to crack.  I could have started again but decided to carry on.  I didn't follow the video too closely as my design is totally different to hers.  

I embossed a piece of parchment using the folder that came with the magazine and then I stamped the Japanese lady onto a snippet of white card using the straight to stamp technique and my brush markers - a pink, purple and black  I used my stamp positioner so I could  go over the lines of the stamp  with the brush markers in the areas that I wanted and then using a waterbrush I pulled the ink out,  and also added some extra putting the ink down on my glass mat and lifting it with the waterbrush.  I then fussy cut the image.  I found another couple of snippets of card on which I had used Alcohol Inks floated on water and by dragging the card through the water it picks up the ink, another new to me technique.  These I used to cover the front panels and cut them more or less to size.  I used one of the floral image stamps and continued with the same technique inking and this time spritzing the stamp, twice on each snippet of card, and then I added some blended Picked Raspberry Distress Ink around the edges.  I also had a snippet of white card with the same branch stamped onto it which I did to see how the pens would look so decided to fussy cut this out to use on the inside of the card.

Finally I used the strip of leftover pearlescent card to make the band which holds the card shut and I added another floral image from the set stamping it on to the leftover snippet of parchment heat embossing it with WOW Bright White Opaque Embossing Powder and used a Purple Inktense Pencil without water to shade it a bit using a paper stump/tortillion to blend it into the parchment.  I decided to darken down the white embossing with the pencil as it seemed a bit bright and used the paper stump to blend it in a bit.  I also blended some of the Picked Raspberry ink over the band itself to make the pink darker which made it match the front panels better.  It wasn't totally successful but I decided it looked OK.  

I then added the embossed background and flower branch and lady to the inside and then added the panels to the front of card, cut to fit, and then finished the construction.  The video will show you step by step how to do the whole thing.  If I end up sending it to someone I will add a piece of paper to the back of the card to write the message on to.

This isn't perfect but for a first attempt I was fairly pleased.  I have decided that I either need to buy a better scoreboard or get a scoring blade for my cutter as this would improve the quality of the folds and make it much less labour intensive.  

Thank you for visiting me here today and  I'll see you again soon.






I am entering the following challenges:

Snippets Playground Challenge - No. 421 Where we use our snippets of card and paper etc.
NBUS Challenge - No. 35 Where we use our Never Before Used Schtuff.
We Love Stamping Challenge - February - Anything Stamped (Option: Add Stencilling).
River of Creativity Challenge - No. 10 Anything Goes.
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Emboss It.

18 comments:

Prudence said...

Way to go trying out some new techniques. It sure paid off with such a fabulous result. Well done!
Thank you for sharing with us at NBUS.

Prudence
NBUS February Guest Designer

Liz said...

Fabulous card Pat, the colours are beautiful. I love the fold, it’s a new one to me….. another one to add to my list of folds to try. You definitely need to invest in a large scoreboard, I wouldn’t be without mine for getting accurate scorelines. xx

brenda said...

Isn't this just so pretty Pat, I was immediately drawn to the lilac colours on the thumbnail, then as one reads down your posts the surprise gets better as it opens out to reveal the Geisha.

Thanks so much for sharing with us at We Love Stamping challenge.

B x

Marjan said...

I have never made a box like this, but understand it is a lot of scoring. I think it turned out beautifully, love the Japanese lady inside , a surprise for the one who opens the box. Lovely result!

brenda said...

Just popped back as can see you've also linked up to River of Creativity, many thanks for sharing there as well.

B x

Stamps and Paper said...

Wow what a fabulous card Pat and I love the design and the oriental theme

Anne

Snippets Playground said...

Looks fabulous to me Pat! Great use of your snippets too!

Thanks for giving me a push on the Playground swings earlier! x

Mac Mable said...

Thanks for the tip about using pearlescent card Pat. The snippets of card using the alcohol ink technique look amazing x.
Pat, this is one creative, unique and stunning fold card. I read and re-read your post in the vain hope that I could do something as glorious as this x.

Di said...

Really pretty Pat - and does sound pretty complicated to me! Anything Oriental themed always brings back so many memories. Such a clever fold as well - I need to bookmark this and have a play! Tons of good advice too.IMPORTANT - if your trimmer is the long Woodware, now discontinued, one with the interchangeable blades - I have a (besides my own) spare scoring blade here! You are most welcome to it - just send an email and it will be yours!

Hugs

Di xx

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Wow!! There is a lot of work and a lot of love in this box card! Fabulous choice of colours and design! Love all the details and such wonderful colouring on the geisha! A very elegant and interesting creation!
Thanks for sharing with us at We Love Stamping!!

Zoechaos said...

That box fold looks terrific and works so well with those stamps. I have them as well and think it is a great set. Love your experimental approach thank you for sharing with us at We Love Stamping, good luck xx

cuilliesocks said...

What a stunning card Pat, a fabulous design and I love the beautiful Japanese lady image, I love everything about it, Kate x

Zoechaos said...

Just realised you have joined us at River of Creativity as well thank you xx

Christine Alexander said...

wow, amazing box card ♥

Aimeslee Winans said...

Gosh, that would be wayyyy over my pay grade, what a stunning creation and thank you so much for referencing the CS issue, I just received 105 yesterday. That is definitely keepsake treasure, give it to someone who will appreciate it. xoxo

Ros Crawford said...

Pat this is fantastic! I love it! I actually made some PJ's in a similar fabric to your japanese design. Brilliant creation!

Darnell said...

You should be pleased, Pat! I'd never have known this was a first attempt! I do agree about the need for a good scorer. I can't believe I made cards for umpteen years with crappy folds before I got a score board. Anyway, your box card is so pretty! Well done and thank you for inspiring everyone at NBUS! Hugs, Darnell

Sandma's Handmade Cards said...

Oooh, that's absolutely gorgeous Pat and you've used all my favourite colours too x