Spring is on its way...

It's getting warmer, and my crafting desk is seeing rays of sunshine after 5 p.m. again. To me, as a part-time paper artist, whose creation processes often take place in the evening, this makes all the difference. More daylight means more opportunities to find the best and most exciting colour combinations. I certainly didn't need to see the internet try to figure out whether a dress was white and gold or blue and black in order to know how light affects the way we see colours. On my crafting desk, where I regularly work with the nuances of colours at different times of day, and through all the seasons, I see the effect of light at work all the time. Right now, I am working on the spring collection, and will be releasing new cards with flowers, butterflies, Easter bunnies etc. soon. Stay tuned!

 

Origami flowers, butterflies, hearts and apples

I am sure you have noticed by now that I love incorporating origami into my card designs. It is true, I fold a lot of birds, but they are by far not the only kind of motif I use. Here are, for example, all the cards from my inaugural collection that feature origami flowers, butterflies, hearts and apples.

1. Flowers

Camellia birthday card

Article No.: 01GO-A2-MIX14091

This birthday card belongs to my retro line. It combines an origami camellia in bright lemon yellow with different Japanese paper textures in a range of blue tones (abaka asagami tissue, washi paper, and momi paper) on German printed card stock (black-and-white paisley pattern).

• "Happy Birthday!" is handwritten in sparkly blue pen on a piece of yellow card stock, which is placed just below the centre of the card.
• The size of the card is A2.
• Blank inside.
• A white envelope is included with the card.

Camellia anniversary card

Article No.: 12GO-A2-MIX14091

This handmade anniversary card also belongs to my retro line. It combines an origami camellia in ruby red with different paper textures in a range of gold tones (Japanese tama tissue, rose-embossed gold card stock, and antique gold paper) on German printed card stock (black-and-white rose pattern).

• "Happy Anniversary!" is handwritten in cursive with gold pen on a piece of ruby red paper, which is glued onto a piece of white paper and arranged across the bottom centre of the card.
• The size of the card is A2.
• Blank inside.
• A white envelope is included with the card.

Flowery thank-you card

Article No.: 02GO-A2-MIX14091

All good things come in threes, including my retro cards. This handmade thank-you card combines a simple origami flower in orange with different Japanese paper textures in a range of green tones (watermark tissue, kozo paper, and obonai feather paper) on German printed card stock (black-and-white circular flower pattern).

• "THANK YOU!" is handwritten in black on a piece of orange paper, which is placed at the bottom of the card.
• The size of the card is A2.
• Blank inside.
• A white envelope is included with the card.

Sunflower birthday card

Article No.: 01GO-A6-MIX14101

Here is a bright summery birthday card for someone who loves flowers and/or gardening! The star of this card is an origami sunflower which was hand-folded from several sheets of mini origami paper in bright yellow, brown and green. The sunflower is arranged on pink washi paper, which is glued to  German card stock, featuring a colourful flower print. 

• "Happy Birthday!" is handwritten in gold on a piece of white card stock, which is placed in the centre-right of the card. A card stock cut-out gnome (printed German card stock) is placed underneath.
• The size of the card is A6.
• Blank inside.
• A white envelope is included with the card.

2. Butterflies

 

Wedding card (or engagement card) with butterflies

Article No.: 03OR-SL-AVO14091

A very special card for a very special day. With its combination of chiyogami (precious Japanese silk-screened paper), satin ribbon, and origami butterflies, this elegant handmade card celebrates love, beauty and togetherness without drawing on traditional bride-and-groom motifs. While designed with a wedding in mind, the card would be suitable for engagements as well.

• Dimensions of the folded card: 13.9cm x 13.9cm (5.5" x 5.5").
• Avocado Japanese linen card stock. 
• The collage is composed of a square sheet of white paper; chiyogami in a green-yellow-white-purple-black colour palette with gold; two handmade origami butterflies that are arranged to look as if they are flying towards each other at the top of the card; and a narrow stripe of purple card stock, which has a yellow satin ribbon (tied into a bow) glued on top of it. 
• Approximately a third of the square paper is left intentionally blank on the right-hand side and can be customised to suit your preferences regarding text. Options include: 
• Text "Congratulations"
• Text "Wedding Wishes"
• Text "[Name of Spouse 1] & [Name of Spouse 2]"
• Text of your choice (max. 4 words)
• Blank

• Blank inside. It contains a loosely inserted sheet of delicate Japanese lining paper.
• A large square envelope (white) is included with the card.

3. Hearts

"I love you" card with a red heart

Article No.: 11OB-A6-MIX14091

This unusual handmade card combines Japanese paper with a homey and rustic design. Why not use an exceptional card to tell an exceptional person, "I love you"!?

• The card stock of this card is made in Germany and has a simple brown-and-white plaid print design; the pattern continues on the back of the card.
• An origami heart, folded from red washi paper, is arranged on a square of silk white kozo tissue in the centre of the card.
• "I love you" is handwritten in cursive with a white pen on red paper, and arranged across the bottom right corner of the main motif.
• At the bottom of the card, a slim stripe of silk white kozo tissue is glued onto a broader stripe of brown Japanese textured paper, and a red button is sewn onto both stripes.
• The size of the card is A6.
• Blank inside.
• A white envelope is included with the card.

4. Apples

Rosh Hashanah card with a red apple

Article No.: 15GO-GS-GRE14091

Rosh Hashanah was celebrated only a few weeks ago, but if you are planning ahead, keep this card in mind for next year! This is a unique handmade greeting card to wish someone L'Shana Tova, or, a good year.

• The collage on the green card stock consists of two rows of German printed card stock featuring an apple pattern, one handmade origami apple, small hand-cut Stars of David and a little paper leaf glued to the surface of the apple, as well as a card stock "gift tag" tied to the apple with satin ribbon. 
• "L'Shana Tova" is handwritten on the apple's gift tag in gold pen.
• The size of the card is A6.
• Blank inside. The card contains a loosely inserted sheet of delicate Japanese lining paper.
• A green envelope is included.

Rosh Hashanah card with a green apple

Article No.: 15GO-GS-YEL14091

Here is the same Rosh Hashanah card in a different colour combination.

• The card stock is yellow, and the German printed card stock featuring the apple pattern has a blue background. The origami apple is green. 
• "L'Shana Tova" is handwritten on the apple's gift tag in silver pen.
• The size of the card is A6.
• Blank inside. 
• A yellow envelope is included.