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by Jane Pinder 
The Oriental style always seems to stay in fashion. So we thought we’d show you a simple Kimono card that can be decorated in as many different ways as you have stamps and ink pads!
The basic card will stay the same, but it can be made to look quite different by changing the colours you use and the stamp images. It is great fun to make as you can really ‘play’ with the paper you stamp up.
We used:
Step by Step:
- First thing is to make the patterned paper sheet. I used an A4 sheet as this meant there was plenty left for other projects!
Start with the lightest blue ink pad and use it directly onto the sheet of white paper. Keep the motion light-handed and make swirls and curvy patterns with it. Don’t cover the paper completely. - Then apply the other two shades of blue, filling in some of the gaps.
 - Use the darker blue ink pad to stamp the images onto the background paper. I then used a magenta ink pad for the Dotty Wisp image, to add a little contrast.
- Now that this is finished, run it through the Xyron machine to apply the adhesive, then attach it to the A4 sheet of red card.
- Cut a piece of this to measure 26.5 x 11cm.
 - Cut rectangles from each corner to measure 7cm up from the narrow edges and 2.5cm in from the longer edges. (see photograph)
- Keeping the card flat, continue up by 2.5cm. This creates the sleeves of the Kimono.
- On the front of the card only, make another cut 1cm in from the right hand side of the Kimono front, up as far as the cut that made the sleeve.
- With the card still flat, measure the halfway, where the card will fold, but don’t fold it yet. Mark the centre as well. Then use a craft knife to cut the neck part, keeping it attached to the front of the Kimono, i.e. make the cuts into the back section of the card. You can see this part more clearly in the next photograph.
- Having made the collar, you can now fold the card in half, making sure you keep the collar up and unfolded.
 - Next cut a strip of red card that is 0.5cm wide. Use this to fit the edges of the collar and to make the neckline of the Kimono, as in the picture. You will need a short piece on the right hand side and a longer piece on the left hand side.
- Finally, use the Crop-A-Dile to make a hole in either side of the Kimono opening, just on the front of the card. Position the holes a little above the bottom edge of the sleeve.
- Use the Crop-A-Dile again to set an eyelet in each hole. Then pass a length of blue silk embroidery thread through the eyelets and tie in a knot. Attach a red bead on either end of the silk thread and your card is complete.
Now you can play with other colours and stamps! Have fun! 
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Japanese Lace Paper Set
