Graphic 45 Extra Project Reveal For CHA!

Hello Everybody!  Happy Friday To You All!

As promised, I would like to show y'all the extra project I did for Graphic 45's booth at CHA.  I used Graphic 45's new Bird Song Collection!  I really didn't think I was into Asian art, but folks, I'm totally in love with this collection!  The colors are incredible, the graphics and patterns are marvelous!  It's truly an amazing collection that Diane Shultz and Graphic 45 have come up with.

On with the project...I had a few pieces of Bird Song left over and I really wanted to come up with a reason to use shoji doors that would slide back to reveal one of Graphic 45's altered boxes.  So that's when I thought a small house, temple or shrine.   Here's what I came up with.

Bird Song Hokora

Supplies for the Bird Song Hokora:

Graphic 45 Bird Song Paper Collection
Graphic 45 Door Knob
Graphic 45 Brad Buttons
Graphic 45 5 x5 Altered Art Box
Tim Holtz Idea-ology Hitch Post
Wooden Ball
Bamboo Skewers
Chipboard
Cardstock
Black and Red Acrylic Paint

 The Hokora Closed - Front

 The front showing the shoji doors that wrap around the middle box unit and slide back to open.  The doors were covered with paper, a chipboard frame and then bamboo skewers were added inside the frame.  Finally, the doors were fitted with a set of Graphic 45 Button Brads for knobs.

The Roof

The roof was really the hardest part for me.  Trying to get the right shape was a bear!  So finally it hit me to draw it on cardstock.  Once I was happy, I folded the cardstock in half, cut out the design and made a template to use to trace around on the Chipboard.  I then cut out the piece twice for the front and back.  Next, I cut the two side pieces, scored them on the back with a craft knife so the would bend and glued them to the front and back pieces.  Last I just added a curled edge flat top roof.  It's basically an upside down box with no lid...well, with wings jutting out!  LOL!  Finally, I cut roof tiles and used my corner chomper to round the edges and then rolled them around a dowel to get the "tile" shape.

 The Shoji Doors Open

I made an open box for the doors to wrap around as well as to hold the Graphic 45 Altered Art Box.  I made two rectangular open boxes and cut the middle top part out to slide on a chipboard rail, if you will, that was attached to the square open box.  I did this on both the top and bottom for the shoji doors to open and close.  On the rail I adhered a double layer of chipboard for the roof and the base to sit flat against.  This also made a channel or track for the doors to open and close. Did that make sense because it confused me! :)  I'll have to show you when I make another for a class. :)

The Graphic 45 Altered Art Box

I wanted the altered box to be simple and hopefully elegant and this collection is sooo elegant, (Gotta love it!) so I used the border of the paper and made a frame and adhered it to the front of the box.  Next, I cut the beautiful geisha from the collection and placed that on the inside back of the open paneled Altered Art Box.

The Panel Opened

Once again I was drawn by the beauty of the Asian ladies and placed this one on the inside of the box.

The Inside

Now, I'm not the best fussy cutter around, but I sure try to give it a go!  I need some big boy scissors to make these cuts! My fingers will not fit into the blasted finger holes!  LOL!  The scissor I use now are what I believe looks like baby nail scissors for goodness sakes!  Sorry :) ... OK where was I?..Yes, the inside...I wanted to give the inside a dimensional look, so I cut the geisha out of the paper collection, added a fan to her hand, (because I whacked off her fingers but don't tell anybody!) lined the box and then adhered her toward the front of the box.  Next, I cut a purple plumb branch from outside and glued that behind her inside the back of the box.  I then cut out multiple flower shapes, used my stylus to round them over and adhered the layers together for what I was hoping to look like cherry blossoms.  OK, so they look more like Grapefruits, but I thought they looked nice!  :)  Actually, I loved these flowers so much I used them on a layout that one day, you all will see.  Well That's it.  I hope you liked it!  It was my great privilege and honor to give this piece to a very beautiful and talented lady that has given me an incredible opportunity.  I humbly thank you!

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Thanks For Visiting!

Jim

The Gentleman Crafter

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