Читать книгу Scrapbook Asian Style! - Kristy Harris - Страница 6

Welcome to the World of Asian-style Scrapbooking!

So, you picked up this book off the shelf. Maybe it was the cover artwork that grabbed your attention; maybe it was the title. Now you sit here reading this and you want a definition. You are probably thinking to yourself, “What is Asian style and what is Asian-style scrapbooking?” Mixed-media artists and fine artists have long looked to the East for inspiration, using rubber stamps of Japanese geishas and Chinese text to create exotic art and cards. Stampers and paper crafters have also long used Asian ephemera and handmade papers to create art that is unique. Numerous magazines and Web sites devoted to the art form exist and offer inspiration. Origami is a well-known and respected art form, and calligraphy and Chinese brush painting are both recognized by the public at large. Yet not many people have recognized the style of Asian scrapbooking.

So, let’s change that, shall we? Scrapbooking with an Asian style is about taking inspiration from the East for your layouts. You might look at color combinations found in tropical Southeast Asia, for example, and work those colors into your projects. Scrapbooking with an Asian style might simply mean taking a closer look at some of the scrapbook products that you already use—or are found in your local scrapbooking store—that have been strongly inspired by Asian culture and highlighting on those elements. Perhaps Asian-style scrapbooking is about taking those Asian text rubber stamps off the shelf and using them to create a title or perhaps a bit of journaling. Asian-style scrapbooking could be about using different media for your artwork, incorporating origami or handmade papers from Thailand to create an exotic and unique project. Asian-style scrapbooking could entail incorporating some Chinese calligraphy or a piece of batik fabric in your layout or project in a style you otherwise would not have considered.

Asian style is simply looking to other parts of the world for inspiration—stepping outside of the common sources and reaching for the exotic. To start, I will introduce you to composition, from the Asian perspective, and show you how it can be used in your projects. Throughout this book I will show you color combinations that are related to parts of Asia and dive into combinations that may be a bit wild and crazy! I will show you motifs and elements that are either inspired by Asian culture or directly derived from Asian life. Asia has long been known for its papers and paper-crafting skills, and we will look at different types of papers sourced from Asia as well as learn some paper craft techniques you may not have seen before. Finally, we will explore Asia through its words and characters, learn meanings of specific characters and use them in layouts and projects. When all is said and done, I will share some helpful Web sites and resources with you for finding the materials used in this book.

So, now that you know what Asian-style scrapbooking is all about, let’s go make some projects!

Hong Bao

by Claudia Lim

The Hong Bao is a traditional Chinese method of gift giving. During celebrations, weddings and birthdays, hong bao, translated as “red envelopes,” are filled with money and given to the honored persona. In keeping with its Asian theme, Claudia’s layout features patterned paper with an Asian flair and a traditional Chinese color scheme.

Supply Credits Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned paper: American Crafts, SEI; Lettering: Heidi Swapp; Photo anchor: 7gypsies; Buttons: Foof-a-La; Sticker letterings and arrow: EK Success

Yin and Yang by Lynita Chin

Yin and yang represent dark and light, or negative and positive—the ultimate balance. Lynita created this layout to highlight the differences between her two children and simultaneously represent the concept of harmony and balance in traditional Asian culture.

Supply Credits Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned paper: BasicGrey; Acrylic alphabet: Heidi Grace; Chipboard coasters: Urban Lily; Tiny alphabet stickers: Making Memories