Valentine Kimono Cards

Create a Japanese inspired Valentine's Day card this year with these cute little paper kimonos decked out with embellishments, ribbons and more of red, gold, pink and white! You can either attach a string for hanging or glue to the front of a blank card or make the kimono the card itself- the possibilities are endless!

I got the idea from Robertta Uhl's Holiday Party Crafts from Japan book. The crafts in the book feature washi paper as the medium, but scrapbook paper or cardstock will work just as well (if not better).

Materials
Valentine themed cardstock or handmade paper
plan thin cardstock- if you choose to go with handmade paper
ribbon
embellishments
string
glue stick
glue gun/clear glue sticks

1. Using the pattern from the book or make your own, trace out onto the paper or cardstock of your choice.



2. To make your own pattern, it'll need to be about 7 inches from top to bottom, with a folding point at the 3 1/2 inch mark. The sleeves should measure 4inches from tip to tip. One half of the kimono pattern should be 1/4inch thicker all the way around from the folding point. See picture, where the top half is clearly smaller than the bottom.



3. Cut out the kimono


4. If using washi paper, handmade or any paper thinner than cardstock, you'll need to cut another piece to give the kimono some body. Trace the top half of the pattern again on a piece of scrap cardstock that won't change the color of the paper should it show through. When placed in between the kimono it should be smaller all the way around.



5. Fold up the 1/4inch of excess paper around the cardstock piece you just cut out and glue down with the glue stick. If you like the double look or used a double sided piece of scrapbook paper (like in the second example) you can just leave it and glue the two halves of the kimono together.


6. Once the pieces have all been glued together, take the piece of string-if you're doing a hanging one- and glue the middle back of the kimono.



7. Take the ribbon, about 6-7 inches and glue one end down onto the middle of the kimono. Secure up to the "neck" of the kimono, fold and glue down.



8. Glue the remaining end down the front of the kimono and trim off any excess.



9. Flip over to the back of the kimono and glue down any embellishments, bow, pearls, flowers etc;


10. If you go with a card, simply glue the kimono onto the front of a blank card, add your sentiments and you're off!


11. If you'd rather give the kimono as the card, be sure to use a single sided cardstock and omit gluing the sides together so that the "card" can be opened but still get all the embellishing.

Happy Crafting!