Kimono Card

My muse must have gone somewhere, as for the past two days I just couldn't create anything.  It's a phase we all go through as crafters, I guess.  What's worse, I wasn't even in the mood to look through craft magazines and books for some inspiration.

But today, I forced myself and flipped through the pages of Origami Jewelry by Ayako Brodek.  If I remember it right, I bought this book in the Japanese Pavillion in Epcot, Disney World.

I ended up folding several kimonos following the instructions on pages 112-113 of the book.  I used one of them as the main focal point of this card:

Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  Recollections, origami paper, leftovers

ink:  Ranger

tools:  Martha Stewart punch, Spellbinders, Fiskars edge punch, Cuttlebug embossing folder

embellishments:  Kodomo 3d sticker, Japanese twist ties

adhesive:  Scotch, Glue Dots, mounting tape

'Til next blog!

Thinking of You

Hi reader!  I was able to make a pop-up card yesterday, which I'm sharing with you now.  The pattern is designed by Keiko Nakazawa, from a book I bought from the Japanese Pavillion in Epcot earlier this year.  Ms. Nakazawa is popularly known as an origamic architect, and she has written several books.  I'm trying to link her website, but it doesn't seem to exist anymore.

Anyway, this is not the first time I made a card using Ms. Nakazawa's patterns.  The first one was a Cherry Blossom pop-up card done during National Craft Month.  Here's the second using the "Hydrangea" pattern:

And for more dimension, I colored the petals with Copic markers and the flower center with Shimmerz.

Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  The Paper Copmany, Bazzil, Recollections

image/sentiment:  Stampin' Up

ink:  Tsukineko, Copic

tools:  Fiskars edge punch, Cuttlebug embossing folder, SU punch

embellishments:  brads

misc.:  embossing powder (Tsukineko), pop-up pattern (Keiko Nakazawa)

adhesive:  Scotch, mounting tape

'Til next blog!

Kanzashi Flower Card

I just learned recently that one of my favorite bookstores is closing.  They were having a close-out sale and we happened to be in the area, so we decided to pay one last visit.  I went straight to the magazine section, and all the craft magazines were gone.  Immediately I went to the craft books, and I was lucky to find some interesting paper crafting books.  One of them is "Kanzashi in Bloom" by Diane Gilleland.  As some of you may already know, I'm into any Japanese crafts, and this book is perfect for me to give Kanzashi a try.  Kanzashi typically uses fabric, but I figured one of the designs could work with paper.

Here's my first Kanzashi flower using origami paper, which I used as an embellishment for this card:

Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  DCWV, Wassau, origami paper

image/sentiment:  Heidi Swapp

ink:  Stampin' Up, Tsukineko

tools:  Cuttlebug embossing folder, Spellbinders

embellishments:  pearls (Want2Scrap), button

misc.:  embossing powder (American Crafts)

adhesive:  Scotch, Zots, mounting tape

I can't wait to make more Kanzashi flowers using different mediums.  Want to learn more about Kanzashi and the book I just bought?  Click here.

'Til next blog!

Calendar Wreath Video Tutorial

Hello everyone!  I received quite a number of private messages and emails asking for a tutorial of the Calendar Wreath, designed by Michael G. Lafosse. 

My first take on it was very simple, which you can see here, and the second one was an ornament I made for one of Creative Vision blog hops (click here to see).

Without further ado, here's my latest video tutorial:

You can also see this video in a larger screen on the Tinker Planet homepage.

I would love to know what you think.

'Til next blog!

Creative Vision DT5 Blog Hop

Happy Saturday everyone!  Today is Creative Vision Design Team 5's Special Edition Blog Hop.... woot!!!

If you came from Molly's Blog, you're on the right track.  If not, go to the Creative Vision Blog first so you won't miss out.

There will be random prizes awarded to bloggers who post comments.  Just be sure to become a Creative Vision Blog follower, if you are not already, in order to be eligible for those prizes.

But guess what?  It doesn't end there.  Because following the hop, Laura will give away a few SHOPPING SPREES! Yippeee! 

Today we will hop, hop, hop our way to each DT5 member's blog as we showcase our collective talent with this hop's theme - Anything But A Card.  Which leads me to this project:

Origami is one of my favorite kind of paper craft, and this particular one is called the calendar wreath.  The stamp I used is from one of the Creative Vision new releases called "Sassy Birthday".  It's double sided, and each side is a mirror image of the other.  You can say it's an ornament you can hang on the rear view mirror of your car, or on the window and even the christmas tree.

Do visit the Creative Vision Blog for a list of winners tomorrow.

PLUS the Bunny Hop Game winners will be revealed as well.

And finally, don't forget to leave comments during the blog hop and be a follower of the Creative Vision Blog to be eligible for prizes. Thanks for the visit!  Now on with the hop.....

Laura/Creative Vision

D'Anne
Jenn
Molly

YOU ARE HERE - Joan 

NEXT UP -Silke
Guest Designer - Judy

Isn't this a lot of fun???

National Craft Month (Day 28)

Hello everyone!  Here's another origami project for you which is named "Curler Unit Balls" by designer Herman Van Goubergen:

This ball is composed of twelve square pieces of paper.  It looks complicated to make, but not really.

Three more days and we will draw the winners of our National Craft Month Blog Candies.  Again, we would like to thank you for celebrating this fun month with us.  Click here to upload and share your projects this month.

'Til next blog!

National Craft Month (Day 23)

Hello everyone!  My project for today is what I call a "Twisted Jewelry Box."  Before I go on, I want to make it clear that this is not my original design.  If you have been to Japan, you might have seen something like this.  I often buy them to give as presents to friends and family because I find them really unique.  I never really knew what it's really called, and I just call it a "Twisted Jewelry Box."

Here's my take on it:

I only used the following materials for this project:

• chipboard
• fabric
• sewing maching for hemming
• Fabri-Tac adhesive
• felt

It sure was a challenge to make the "Twisted Jewelry Box", but I'll try to find an easier way to do it.  I'm sure there is one.  You can see more photos of this project by clicking here.

We have exactly 7 more days to show your National Craft Month projects.  The link is here.

'Til next blog!

National Craft Month (Day 9)

Hello everyone!  I'm posting quite late today due to some sort of paranoia I had after watching the local evening news.  Something about how secure your wireless network is, and the scary effects of having a non-secure network.  Right away, I went and checked our network and after some technical assistance, I learned that my wireless network was not secure.  That means anybody could have been "stealing" our internet access at any time.  In fact, we have been noticing vehicles parked on the side of the road near our house.  Well, there can be many reasons why - the driver might be calling on a cellphone, checking maps for directions, eating a snack, taking a break, or using free internet that they can get from our unsecured wireless network.  So right away, I made sure our security settings were set right and I was able to set a password so nobody can just jump in our wireless network and use our internet.  Or worse, hack our computer and steal valuable information.  Yes, I feel so much better now.  Dear friends, if you have a wireless network set up at home, please make sure your security settings are set straight.  Technology is great, but it can also be used in bad things like information and identity theft.  Better safe than sorry.

So tonight, while watching American Idol, I was able to make this origami calendar wreath designed by Michael G. LaFosse:

What I like most about this project is that I only needed 12 square sheets of washi paper.  No glue or any type of adhesive.  I just attached a small origami crane for a final touch.

Hey, we are celebrating National Craft Month... want to join us?  Click here.

'Til next blog!

National Craft Month (Day 7)

Hi everyone!  Before I share my project for today, I would like to thank fellow crafters who have joined me in celebrating National Craft Month.  It has been a week, and we already have 37 entries... woot!  Keep 'em coming crafty friends, and the more projects you share with us, the better your chances of winning these 4 blog candies:   

Want to learn more on how you can join in the fun?  Click here.

Today's project is a kind of Asian knotting.  While living in Japan, I bought several knotting templates, and I remember playing with one of them while riding the train home from work.  It sure is a challenge working with these templates because the instructions are all written in Japanese.  But I'm glad the illustrations are good, clear and easy to follow.

For this particular knot, it took me about 4 tries to finally achieve the goal.  Sorry I can't tell you the exact name of this knot, as everything in the packaging is in Japanese.  But I'm sure you have guessed that the brand of the template is Clover.

'Til next blog!

National Craft Month (Day 6)

How was your weekend, dear reader?  I had a relaxing 3-day weekend doing mostly house chores, watching TV shows on the internet and crafting.  Everybody at work sure needed that snow day on Friday to unwind and spend more quality time at home.

My project for today is a Cherry Blossom pop-up card.  I got the pattern from a book I bought from the Japan Pavillion in Epcot. 

Materials used:

cardstock/dp:  Fiskars, Nature Preserve, specialty paper

ink:  Spica

tools:  EK Success edge punch, Spellbinders, craft knife

misc.:  Shimmer Spritz, pop-up pattern (Keiko Nakazawa)

adhesive:  Scotch, mounting tape

Want to join in the fun and maybe win some blog candy in the end?  Click here.

'Til next blog!

National Craft Month (Day 4)

Hello crafty reader! When I was living in Japan, my sister and I went to this craft convention in Tokyo.  We bought origami paper star kits and we just went crazy making them.  My Japanese students loved them and would take some home every after English lesson.  I was so relieved to find the kits in storage, and I just had to make some more.

I hope you can join me and Claire in celebrating National Craft Month.  We are giving away blog candies at the end of the month.  Click here to join.

'Til next blog!