Kimono Paper Doll Card – First Edition Floral Fusion Papers - Trimcraft DT

Hello, today I'm sharing a make with my favourite papers at the moment, which are the fabulous First Edition Floral Fusion, I love the oriental style. I also love paper folding and have always wanted to fold a kimono paper doll, it’s really simple and there are guides online. Why not make them with different sleeve and hair styles?

Step By Step:

Create a little folded Kimono shape first, there are guides online but they use washi paper which is a lot thinner than the high quality First Edition papers, so I have made the Obi (belt) as just one layer rather then rolled over.  The Kimono is created in 4 pieces (the Kimono gown, 2 sleeves and 1 Obi belt) and the head is 4 pieces (face, neck, hair, fringe) There are no exact measurements, just play with the paper until you are happy (you could practice with scrap paper first if you prefer)

I started with a sheet of 6x6 double sided paper and trimmed a piece off the left hand side, basically to make it a rectangle.  I then folded over the top about 2cm and then folded it back about 1cm to give a collar of about 1cm.  then took the paper from the top left corner and brought it across the front about half way, lined up the bottom hem and then pressed flat, it will give a slight shoulder fold.  The do the same with the right hand top corner, bring it over the front and line up with side edge of kimono and bottom, crease to give the shoulder fold as before.  Fold over the top layer slighter to give a reveal of the d/s paper.

Next cut a strip of paper to match for the Obi belt (I’m using the other side of the double sided paper used for the kimono so it will coordinate).  Cu the Obi strip approx. 2cm deep and fold around the Kimono.  It needs to sit high up and will cover the top fold details.  Glue the Obi ends together to complete the belt on the back.  (If you are keeping as a doll then be neat on the back too, if it’s going onto a card then you don’t have to worry about the back)  (I understand that the younger a lady is, the higher she wears the Obi, so if yours is lower it just means she’s a bit older: D)

Next cut 2 sleeve shapes for the arms in paper to match the Kimono gown, basically 2 squares, cut into them to create L shapes (left & right versions) and round edges to create shaped sleeves (again you can be creative with the sleeves.  Position sleeves and adhere at back of gown.

To create the head, cut a circle approx. 3cm from white card, and a strip for the neck, colour with First Edition markers.  Glue neck to back of head.  Create front of hair by cutting a 3cm circle from white card and colour with black marker (or use black card), cut into the circle to create chosen fringe shape and adhere to head using 3D foam squares.   Create hair length as desired, coloured to match fringe and adhere to back of head, using 3D foam squares.  Slide neck into kimono body and glue into position.  You know have a little paper doll.

I have added this paper doll to a card as follows:

Create white card base by scoring & folding A4 White Card in half.  Cut Floral Fusion paper approx. 12.75cm x 18.75cm.  Add 2 strips of text pattern and 2 strips of leaf pattern paper across card front.  Mat paper panel onto black card and then again onto card front using d/s tape.  Cut pennant shapes from patter papers using the FE Bunting die set and adhere at top left corner.  Position paper doll on card front and adhere in place.

Products used:
First Edition Floral Fusion 6x6 Paper Pad – FEPAD157
First Edition Floral Fusion 8x8 Paper Pad – FEPAD156
First Edition Bunting Dies – FEDIE147
Dovecraft Black Card – DSBS138
White Card
First Edition Markers (face & hair)
Adhesives: D/S Tape, Clear drying Glue, 3D Foam Squares

Peacock Twisted Easel Birthday Card - Trimcraft DT

Hello, playing catch up blogging my crafty makes, here is a recent DT make for +The Craft Blog by Trimcraft

There is a peacock die in the newest selection of dies from Dovecraft and I thought it would work well with the pretty greens, blues, and purples of the FE Wildflower papers.  I quite like paper folding and it’s been a while since I last made a card with the ‘Dahlia Fold’, this is a really easy fold based on circles and I felt the Scalloped circle dies teamed with the double sided Wildflower papers would echo the shapes of a peacocks feathers.  I made this one a Twisted Easel, it’s a great way to add more to a card but still keep the same 6x6 size for posting, it also makes a great display piece for the recipient.

Step By Step:
Create a 6x6 white card base (or use a sturdy ready-made), score and fold the card front diagonally to give the easel part.  Cut a 6x6 square of white card and adhered to the easel part of the base card, line up the panel and only add adhesive to the bottom triangle.

Add layer panels to card front and inside card, lilac pattern Wildflower paper as the first layer, then cut green panels (I’m using a card base from the Pic n Mix pack as I liked the shade of green).  Round corners of green card panels and add faux stitching using white pen.  Adhere panels to front and inside using d/s tape.

Cut 8 doily circle shapes (about 7cm dia.) from double sided Wildflower paper and fold each one in dahlia fold (google dahlia fold, there are lots of diagrams to help).  When you’ve created your 8 folded pieces, arrange them onto a circle and glue into place.  Add the completed medallion to the card front using d/s tape and glue.

Die cut the peacock from blue and green glitter card, paper piecing the green into the blue. Add adhesive gems to ‘eyes’ of feathers, top of head and peacock’s eye.  Glue peacock onto a doily die cut from white card.

Die cut leaves and flowers from Wildflower papers, shape, arrange and adhere with 3D foam squares to white circle alongside peacock.  Use 3D foam to adhere the peacock panel into the centre of the Dahlia folded medallion.

Inside card, Cut a large doily shape from silky wildflower paper and adhere using d/s tape and glue.  Create a ‘stopper’ for the easel by die-cutting a small doily from white card, die cut a 2^nd and glue together to create strength.  Adhere stopper inside card with 3D foam, test position first by opening card into easel before pressing down the stopper to fix in place. Die cut a layered flower from Wildflower paper and blue glitter card, top with adhesive gem and add to centre of stopper.

Die cut Happy Birthday from Wildflower paper and glue to left of stopper.  Add die cut flowers and leaves, topping with adhesive gems.

To finish, add a small die cut white flower to each dahlia fold point using glue, top each with alternate stones in green and purple.  Add a pale blue adhesive gem to each corner of the card front.  Your message greeting can be added to a doily die cut and adhered to the base or the back panel of the card.

Products Used:
First Edition Wildflower 8x8 Paper Pad – FEPAD147
First Edition Wildflower 6x6 Paper Pad – FEPAD148
First Edition Doily Dies – FEDIE164
Dovecraft Peacock Die – DCDIE092
Dovecraft Layering Flowers Dies – DCDIE085
Dovecraft Happy Birthday Dies – DCDIE067
Dovecraft Flowers & Leaves Dies – DCDIE066
Dovecraft Let’s Picnic Cards & Envs – DCCE056
Dovecraft Glitter Card Emerald – DCGC07
Dovecraft Glitter Card Topaz – DCGC16
Simply Creative Adhesive Gems 6mm – SCDOT027
Simply Creative Adhesive Gems 3mm – SCDOT026
White Card, White Pen
Adhesives: D/S Tape, Glue, 3D Foam Squares

it's Light, it's Plum, it's Yum!!

Thursday again, and that means time for another fab Special Offer from papermill direct!!  This week it's this lovely fruity coloured 'Light Plum' which is a 160 gsm and so perfect for paper folding as well as the usual techniques.  You won't believe the amazing price of just £4-50 for a small box, that small box with approx. 130-140 sheets in it!!  I really don't think it will last long at that price.

I'd like to share 2 of my Design Team makes to show you the different ways this can be used.

First up is this dramatic 'Thinking of You' card.  I choose papermill's trusty Black smooth card to use as it's perfect for those dramatic contrasts.

The layered front of my card was cut using a Cricut Mini ('Paper Lace 2' cartridge) and the layered flowers & leaves were die-cut through my Big Shot using dies that were a cover gift on a recent magazine.   Stickles glitter glue and faux pearls add the finishing touches.

 

As you can see all the card cuts perfectly using either electric or manual cutting.  But for my next project I thought I would try a spot of paper folding by creating a 'Kusudama' flower from 5 squares of the 'Light Plum'.  As this is 160gsm it has the pliability to make multiple folds yet has the strength to hold the shapes.  

I added stickles glitter glue in 'frosted lace' to accentuate the inner folds of the flower.  The stamens were created by threading lilac glass beads onto black desire wire, twisting them and then threading through the flower head.  The stem was simply a piece of 'Spring Green' card rolled and glued and attached to the back of the flower.  (I actually slipped a pipe cleaner through the centre so it could go into the back of the flower head and allow me to adjust it) the leaf was again made from 'Spring Green' card and then veins were drawn on with a Versamark pen.  

I love the colour of the 'Light Plum' it's perfect for this flower and I would love to see more colours in this weight to paperfold with :)

Materials List for 'Thinking of You' card:
Light Plum 160gsm 'special offer' - Papermill Direct
Black smooth card 250gsm - Papermill Direct
Star Dust - Stickles Glitter Glue
Faux Pearls in 2 sizes
Design cut on my Cricut Mini using 'Paper Lace 2'
Flower & leaf dies were a magazine cover freebie.

Materials List for 'Kusudama' flower:
Light Plum 160gsm 'special offer' - Papermill Direct
Spring Green smooth card 240gsm - Papermill Direct
Frosted Lace - Stickles Glitter Glue
Black Desire Wire
Small Lilac glass beads
Versamark Pen

Why not pop over and see what my fabulous papermill teamies have got up to this week?:
Barbara
Lisa
Ruth
Sylvia
Sandie
Sharon

Origami Christmas Trees - A Tutorial

Hello, I thought I'd post a little tutorial for those little origami trees I use on my Christmas cards and tags, I even used them as part of the packaging on extra special orders last year. I have been asked a few times how to make them, and again after showing this one, so here goes:

These little trees are fun to make for your xmas cards and tags.  I usually make them slightly larger and use as a main image on my cards, but for this version they are slightly smaller. 

    Cut 3 squares from your chosen patterned papers. The squares should ideally graduate evenly in size.  I used 8 x 8cm, 6 x 6cm and a 4 x 4cm square.  (For a larger version try 10cm, 8cm & 6cm).

  First fold each square in half horizontally and then vertically. Opening each time between folds.

    Then fold corner to corner for each diagonal. Use a bone folder to help make your creases. You should now have 3 squares with 4 fold lines on each.

   If you gently squeeze in the two side sections, you will see your paper will make the shape shown in the pic.

    Now press down the top and bottom sections together to create a flattened triangle shape

    Use your bone folder to smooth these folds down. Do this for all 3 squares.

     Next you need to fold in each side of the triangle. I started with the right hand side by folding just the top layer in towards the centre of my triangle, smoothing down with the bone folder and then repeating with the left hand side

   You should now have 3 of these folded triangle tree layers as shown

    I use a small blob of glue to assemble my tree layers, placing it just inside on the back panel of each section.  You may decide you want to add more glue on some of the front flaps depending on how flat you want your tree and the thickness of the papers used.  I like mine to look quite dimensional so don’t tend to stick too much of it down.

     View of the origami tree from the back:

View from the side:

 and the front view:

 

   

    I also cut a little pot shape for my tree, and I also like to add a little strip of card to make a little tree trunk, I used red card for this to complement my colour scheme.

      

Optionally, you may wish to ink the edges of your tree layers before assembling, you can also do that afterwards, like I did with my red distress ink. 

Overall these are quite simple little origami shapes to make and assemble. It is quite relaxing to make these in bulk, why not have a stash of square papers already cut for whenever you fancy a spot of paper folding.  

Materials Used:
 'Buff', 'Post Box Red' and 'Pale Turquoise card
All card is by Papermill Direct - link here:

Patterned papers are from the 'Krafty Christmas' range by Trimcraft