Destinations China Inspiration | Beijing Layout & Cards with Zsoka

Hello crafty friends, Zsoka here with you today to share a few projects that I’ve created with the new Spellbinders/Lene Lok Destination China collection!

Since my boyfriend had to travel to China on business a couple of times this year I actually have plenty of photos I could scrap using this collection! For now I only did one but I bet I’ll do more in the future. I actually found the perfect picture to use with the gorgeous Lanterns dies since the lanterns in the picture look like one of the lantern dies, ha! I went with a color combo that I never use for scrapbook pages but thought it would be a great fit for a China inspired layout.

I die cut a bunch of lanterns using two of the dies – there’s three in the package. The oval ones I backed with patterned paper and also paper pieced some elements on top (top and bottom of the lantern and the tassel). Two of the other lanterns I folded together at the embossed lines. The other two I left as is, then I die cut another two lanterns from patterned papers, cut off the top and bottom, then folded them together. Once done, I glued these patterned paper bits on top of the white lanterns. This way I could add some variety to my page.

I then wrapped some gold thread around the top of the die cuts and hung them from the top of the page. I used foam tape and liquid glue to attach them to the background. I added gold enamel dots here and there.

I then used the Chinese Traditional Fence dies to create my next element for the page. I only used one of the patterns to fill the “windows” and die cut this shape three times. I then cut a strip of red patterned paper in the height of the fence die, and glued the 3 pieces on top (note that the 3 pieces are wider than 12″, so I trimmed off the sides). I attached this strip to the background that I previously created using a black and white striped patterned paper and black paper.

I went through my stash and took out all red embellies that I thought would fit this page: chipboard frame, labels and a flair button. I also picked 3 wood veneers which I then embossed with WOW! Rich Pale Gold embossing powder. For my title I used some gold glitter foam alphas.

Next up is a card duo. I was only planning to make one card with the beautiful Chinese Coin Window dies as well as the awesome Lucky Clouds  dies but I really should know myself better by now…I have serious problems with throwing away die cuts! Like, really serious problems. I keep everything! Chances are I’ll never use them again though, so I’d better make the most of them now!

I die-cut the window from this pretty floral paper as well as from white and gold glitter card stocks. I glued the patterned paper on my A2 size top folding card base, then added back the white window plus some of the little gold glitter pieces. I also placed the gold glitter circle frame on top. You can get this frame if you use both circle dies in the the pack. I embossed my sentiment with WOW! Gold embossing glitter. To finish off this card I glued down a light pink bow at the bottom of the window. I’m obsessed with bows lately, I want to add them to all my projects!

Next, I die cut four panels using the Lucky Clouds dies : 3 different blues and a white. I actually had other plans with this white one but changed my mind and layered my window die cuts I had left from the previous card, on top. First the gold glitter one, then the patterned paper one. I only glued this cluster down in the middle for a more airy feel. I die cut the Hugs sentiment 5 times and glued them together (this die is part of the Hugs Expressions Stamp and Die set). I then masked off the top half of the word with washi tape and embossed the bottom half with WOW! Gold embossing glitter. I added some gold tangled thread behind the sentiment for some texture. Last but not least I placed a few gold enamel dots on my card.

For my next card I used the 3 blue die cuts I cut earlier. I glued down the lightest blue panel onto my A2 size top folding card base, then started to piece the clouds back into place, using all 3 colors. I created the Hugs sentiment the same way as above, except on this one I used the WOW! Atlantic Seaspray embossing glitter.

When I work so much on a background, I like to keep the card simple so the background can shine. So I only added some twine and enamel dots with my sentiment.

My last two cards feature the Lanterns dies again. I just love these lanterns! I created two A2 size top folding card bases from white card stock then added some patterned paper accents (do you see the little lanterns on this paper?!). On the left card I cut off a little bit at the bottom and used a punched border to fill up the space. To secure it, I used my sewing machine.

I stamped my sentiment in plain black ink. I backed two lanterns with red paper, then I glued them down onto my card front. For one of them I used foam tape, for some additional dimension. Again, I used enamel dots to finish off my card.

My last card is even more simple. After gluing the patterned papers down, I just added some “decorative” machine stitched details. I stamped the sentiment in black ink, added a lantern, enamel dots and done!

Spellbinders Supplies:

Other supplies:

Solar white Nenaah cardstock, Patterned paper (Basic Grey, Dear Lizzy, Amy Tangerine), Gold glitter paper, Wood veneer, Chipboard frame, Enamel dots, Stamps, Embossing powder, Embossing glitter, Gold thread, Pink cotton bow.

I hope I could inspire you in some small way!Thanks for stopping by today! Have a wonderful day!