3.07.2010

It's Kit-Cat Sunday! And I bring you ..... Japanese art! :)

Hello beautiful blogger friends!  I hope you're having a blessed SONday!  This will be long, and there is a lot of wonderful information about each part of the kit, so I hope you get the chance to read it all and be as inspired as I was to put this kit together! I added all the technical stuff to the kit for the kittens to read, and my daughter's words were "Mom ... seriously .... is this a term paper?"  LOL!!



This month the Kit-Cat Club's hostess was .... ME! ;)  I knew instantly that I wanted to challenge (myself!) the girls to try something a little different and reached for my absolutely breathtaking Kodomo Japanese stamp that I've had for a year and a half!  Honestly, I was scared to ink it up and give it a try.  Silly, I know!  In Japanese, Kodomo literally means "kodomo no koa" which translates to "the look on a young person's face when they are absorbed in play."  That alone made me smile all over, because that's so much what crafting is to me!  So with the help of the kittens, I just stamped it out and off we went - paw in paw! ;)  And I'm really sad I waited - it's fantastic!   I decided to go with a unique fold to match such a unique and exquisite stamp and lucious Japense papers.   I searched the web until I found THE PAPERS that I wanted to buy & use and found a company that imports Washi paper from Japan.  Washi paper isn't made the way paper is made here in the US ~ it's made from the Gampi tree, the mitsumata shrub or paper mulberry.   Literally, Washi translated means WA (Japanese) and shi (paper)!   Making Washi paper involved a long, laborous process including using no chemicals and takes place in the very cold winter so they can use the pure, cold running water from the mountains.  

To complete the kit, I sent along some Mizuhiki paper cords which resemble long thread or twine, but it's actually tightly rolled paper.  You'll also see a small charm that reads "Good luck" in Japenese.  Lastly, I sent each of the kittens a box of lucious "Belle Fluer" flowers (from the US *smile*), each receiving a different color box and (hopefully!) coordinating papers to use on their creations. 

And now for the card!  {Tee hee!}   I went with a folding card, added a clip art with Japanese symbols  to the front which reads "Friendship".   That was a very last second addition as the front seemed to be missing something.   As it opens, you'll see the Kodomo stamped image, colored with my prismacolors markers and some water color crayons and painted with my aqua painter.  It's hard to see, but I propped up the image and scalloped (Floral) the side for added dimension.  As it folds, the bottom folds inward to reveal this "surprise inside" element, and I'm so very excited that I was finally able to use my beautiful Kodomo stamp and create this Japanese beauty :)

Front view, tied closed with gold ribbon...

Close up .....

Middle fold ...
Side view ....

Stamped Kodomo image, insert ...

And the beautiful stamp that inspired it all :)

I so hope you've enjoyed this (long!) post today and hope you have a moment to stop by and check out the other kittens!     

  Lorie  

And make sure you stop back by tomorrow - I will be listing my Birthday Blog Candy!  Woohooo!
xoxoxo
~Kelly

28 comments:

  1. Kelly-san! Tottemo kirei desu yo! Yoku dekimashita. :D heehee! Did you know I studied Japanese in high school? And I went to Japan for a musical exchange! Lol!!
    This is AMAZING! Omword, I cannot get over how perfect all the elements are of your card - the papers, the embellishments, the fold, gold ribbon, charm, fish. Sigh. Perfection from you once again. :D

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  2. Oh my goodness, Kelly! Your card is awesome!!! I am so inspired by your flair, your details, your lovely creativity! When I grow up, I want to be just like you!

    Hugs!

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  3. What a beautiful card. I love that stamp. I would love to know how you made the card. TFS.

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  4. Kelly, this card is amazing. The image and your coloring is fantastic. I love everything !

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  5. This is a stunning project! I'm in awe!

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  6. UTTERLY SPECTACULAR!!! HOLY COW! I don't know where to begin! The card structure in and of itself is so Asian - genius!! I absolutely LOVE the front of the card with the characters and flowers, and the gold ribbon tie. All waiting to reveal your stunningly colored image - so rich and vibrant, just like the papers! Kelly, I absolutely and thoroughly enjoyed creating with this kit! I admit that I am going to be stingy (selfish?) with the rest of my papers, but don't worry. They won't be hidden from view but rather used to make something where I can appreciated their beauty every day! Thanks for sharing this wonderful, from-the-heart kit with the rest of us Kittens! {{HUG}}

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  7. WOW, WOW, WOW!!!! This is stunning. And the background info was very interesting, thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
    p.s Thanks so much for the lovely comments on my blog...it made my day.
    www.scrapdiva-tina.blogspot.com

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  8. Just FABULOUS Kelly!!! The card technique is a must and colors are GORGEOUS!!

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  9. Oh my! This is... ... ... I'm speechless! OMG, Kelly!! Your card is over the top gorgeous!!! What a lot of work you put into it, but YOWZA WOWZA!!! This is stunning, and I'm going to have to go back for a second drool!!

    Thanks so much for this wonderful kit. It was so much fun, and I still have a few pretties to play with for a later date. I loved everything, and had a ball creating with your special gifties! Thanks again, soooooo much!

    Love ya,
    Lorie

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  10. What a cool fold for a card. Great Asian design.

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  11. Can I ask where you found that stamp? It's beautiful, as is your card!

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  12. Anonymous3/07/2010

    Oh my goodness! This is just so stunning. You gave us the most wonderful ingredients for this challenge and used them yourself perfectly. I love your layout and everything about it. GORGEOUS!

    Thanks so much for hostessing this month - you rocked it girlfriend!

    Hugs and much love
    Michelle

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  13. Anonymous3/07/2010

    To quote you Kelly THUD!!! Drop down gorgeous..outstanding job. I love,love, love it.
    Wow, words are escaping me but suffice it to say this is a true work of art.....you have outdone yourself this time....AWESOME!!!!!

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  14. This is so utterly gorgeous! I need to pick my jaw up off the floor! This is just one of the most beautiful cards I have ever seen. Thanks for all the details, I think I'm in love!

    Hugs,
    Marsha

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  15. Oh My WOW! This is just stunning! I LOVE the card shape and layers and the fold and the ribbon and the image and..... well... the entire card! Fabulous as always. Glad you challenged yourself and stepped out of the box. This is beautiful

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  16. Kelly, this is beyond EXQUISITE!!! I love the Japanese art and, like you, have stamps and paper I've been afraid to break out. But you have inspired me!! Your write up is fun and informational --- beautifully done. The card fold is perfect for the Japanese theme. The image is so lovely and peaceful. You colored it perfectly!! I keep going back for another look! Wow!

    Hugs,
    Barb Wibel

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  17. Your project is totally cool! I love how it opens and the fish scene is wonderful.

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  18. Wow! This is truly gorgeous, Kelly! What an awesome kit you put together and I'm enjoying all the beautiful creations made by the KitCats!!!

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  19. Wow, this is an absolutely stunning creation. Gorgeous washi paper! You picked the perfect fold to compliment your work.

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  20. Cool project! Thanks for sharing...

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  21. Hi, Kel! I've just been catching up and making my rounds...been so excited to make it to your blog and tell you what a FANTASTIC job you did with the kit this month!! The stamp, the papers, the flowers...it's all gorgeous and works perfectly together!! The cards are AMAZING and yours is no exception!! Fantastic fold, so creative and SOOOOO elegant!! I love your samples!!

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  22. Wow, this is really neat! Great job (:

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  23. This is gorgeous! What a neat card and I love the colors and papers.
    Hugs, Christine

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  24. Hi Kelly, this is perfect, what a beautiful creation, love the papers, gerat colors... OM, this is cute! Hugs Silke

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  25. Gorgeous card! Love the dp and that image on the inside is amazing! ~Jacqueline @ Scraps of Life

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  26. Gorgeous cards, you has so really nice. stuff on your blog.

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