Cookie Box Upcycled Into a Baby Gift Container

Recently, I acquired some Japanese cat postcards and thought one of them would be perfect on an empty cookie box to recycle it into a gift box.  I started by just covering the top part of the box that had some designs on it.  I simply traced the box top (leave a slight margin around the box) onto a sheet of printed Japanese washi paper. (Large sheets are available at HM Ben Franklin Crafts.) I glued the washi paper onto the box (with Fabri Tac 3 in 1 glue) and then trimmed the excess paper.
 

Next, I picked out a postcard to glue onto the box top. Amazingly, the postcard fit perfectly on the box.  To add more interest to the box, I tied a cord (covered with Japanese fabric) around the box and glued on some die cut pink vellum paper cherry blossoms.

This box was really a very simple container fashion from a single sheet of cardboard.

Using origami paper with cat designs (from a pack with four different scenes), a Daiso cherry blossom label, and the leftover paper scraps from the box, I fashioned a card and evelope to match the box. I plan to house a little girl kimono in the box as part of a baby gift.  Maybe I can find a kimono that will match the box and card....one made from cat design printed fabric?

Kadomatsu Decorations for the New Year!

 

Kadomatsu displays are traditional Japanese bamboo and twine decorations put on display by the 28th of December and removed on the 7th or 15th of January.  They are supposed to bring good fortune.  After January 15 they should be burnt to appease the gods.  I learned this information from the internet, not my relatives. LOL!  The Kadomatsu in the photo above was made by a friend.  I added the bird/pinecone decoration because I thought it needed more colorful interest. 

I'm not sure that this is a Kadomatsu but it was alongside the other displays in a Japanese department store.  It does look festive and I plan to hang it in our entryway. I probably won't burn it though, too pretty! There were literally hundreds of varieties of Kadumatsu for sale in almost every store we passed.  I just couldn't pass up getting these Rilakkuma Kadumatsu because they were so cute and creative.  They inspire me to think up some new modern versions of Kadomatsu to hand craft...for next year. LOL!