Asian Gift Box with Lori

Today I have a different kind of gift box to share with you. The other day I used a new cut file for an Enchanted Lantern, and I decided I just HAD to make the open-window version, but with a twist. I basically closed up all of the windows and turned the "lantern" into a gift box.  With Mother's Day fast approaching, a small box like this is always handy for an elegant presentation of a gift card to a favorite store or lunch spot. At any rate, I was excited to measure the window openings and discover that the "trading card" images on my 8x8 Grraphic 45 paper pad fit almost perfectly.  Here's what I did:

 

Even though the lantern itself is not an Asian style, I think it lends itself wonderfully to these papers. And would also look wonderful with many other G45 papers, due to its simple style. Since I was planning for Mother's Day, I chose 4 images and words I thought fit the theme well.  I used the Pagoda Cricut cartridge to cut the Kanji words to match each picture. The "photos" are all from the 8x8 paper pad, and the script paper forming the main box of the lantern is from the 12x12 pad.

"Mother"

"Wisdom"

 

 

"Happiness"

 

 

"Beauty"

 

 

For some added dimension, the "photos" were adhered behind the windows with two layers of the ASI Kool Tak clear adhesive squares. I also added a frame around each opening with Distress Stickles in Fired Brick. I added additional Stickles dots along the base of the lantern on all sides.

As a helpful hint, since the Kanji characters are fairly intricate and I was cutting at only 1", I cut them from vinyl instead of paper.  It made them easier to cut and adhere to the shadow base. I then added more Stickles over them to tie in with the rest of the lantern.  The shadow is cut from metallic cardstock.  The American Crafts Specialty Cardstock - Foil is a great option for this.

Here are the Cutters Creek supplies I used for this project:

• Graphic 45 papers in 12x12 and 8x8
• Scor Tape in 1/8"
• Glossy Accents (to adhere Kanji characters to lantern)
• ASI Kool Tak clear adhesive squares
• Distress Stickles in Fired Brick

Other supplies:

• black cardstock, suede texture
• gold metallic cardstock
• Pagoda cartridge for Cricut
• Cricut indoor vinyl
• Enchanted Lantern cutting file from Creations by AR

If you'd like to see the lantern project that inspired my box, you can see the 4/16 post over on my blog.  That's it for today - thanks for stopping by!

Bird Song Card with Lori

I'm back from my little hiatus in September, and I wanted to share a pretty card with you today. Do you ever fall in love with some papers but wonder what to use it for?  I felt that way about these beautiful Bird Song papers from Graphic 45.  I usually buy my paper to use for scrapbooking, then use my leftovers and scrap pieces for cards. I'm sure I wouldn't have a use for a whole pad of this paper for scrapbooking, so I LOVE the smaller 8x8 pads that G45 offers!

I cut the fan shape, greenery, and all of the flowers using my Cricut and the Pagoda cartridge.  The circles are also cut using the Cricut; I used the Center Point feature to cut the circle around the portion of the geisha image I wanted.  I outlined everything using a gold leafing pen, and embellished with brads and ribbon from my stash.  Everything is adhered using ATG tape and the Kool Tak clear foam adhesive pads.  Finally, I used my Copic Spica pens to glitter up lots of stuff!  I used the red on the designs on the fan, clear to outline the flowers on the background paper, and both colors on my focal image.  It's very difficult to get the glitter to show up in photos, but this one shows it the best:

I used clear on the white portion of the kimono nearest her neck, then red along the next strip.  I even used clear on the pink flowers in the image.

I hope you enjoyed today's card!  I'd love to hear your comments on it.