A Stroll Through Kyoto

Spellbinders – Spring in Kyoto Collection by Alex Syberia Designs

Hello, crafty friends! If you’re drawn to delicate details and the elegance of traditional Japanese design, you’re going to adore today’s projects—A Stroll Through Kyoto! These handmade cards features the enchanting Kokeshi Dolls and Fan & Bow die sets from Spellbinders’ Spring in Kyoto Collection. With their sweet, customizable characters and graceful embellishments, these dies make it easy to craft charming scenes full of personality and poise. Paired with the beautifully detailed Parasols BetterPress Plate, these cards capture the serene beauty of springtime in Kyoto with every press and cut.

The Spring in Kyoto Collection

Inspired by the elegance and charm of traditional Japanese culture, the Spring in Kyoto Collection from Spellbinders and Alex Syberia Designs brings serene beauty to your paper crafting.

The delightful Kokeshi Dolls die set lets you create two sweet, layered dolls with mix-and-match hairstyles and accessories, perfect for adding personality and whimsy to your cards.

The Fan & Bow die set features an ornate open fan design and delicate bow accents, ideal for adding graceful movement and texture.

To complete the look, the Parasols BetterPress plate offers a beautifully detailed background of parasols that evokes the peaceful atmosphere of a Kyoto spring.

Together, these elements provide crafters with the tools to craft pieces that reflect the serene and refined aesthetics of Japanese culture.

Explore the full Spring in Kyoto Collection to discover more coordinating dies and press plates that captures the delicate beauty of Japanese artistry with an essence of Kyoto’s springtime charm.

Disclosure: I received these products for free to try out and share my honest thoughts with you. This post also includes affiliate links*—if you decide to shop through them, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Money earned via affiliate links helps pay the fees to keep this blog up and running. Thanks so much for supporting GroveCrafted and helping me keep the crafty inspiration coming!

Jump to Your Favorite Design:

Congratulations Card (Left)
Fan & Kokeshi Doll Card (Middle)
Arched Hello Card (Right)

Arched Hello Card

This A2-sized arched shaped card starts with a card base cut from Classic White cardstock using the largest die from the Essential Arches die set.

The large arch background panel is die-cut from Teal Topaz cardstock using the second largest arch die. I added texture by pressing it with the Parasols BetterPress plate for a subtle background impression, and adhered it to the card base.

For the smaller arch panel, I used Blue Spruce cardstock and the ninth largest arch die. It was also pressed with the Parasols BetterPress plate and inked with Verdigris Cloud 9 Metallic Ink by Lisa Horton to add a soft, metallic shimmer. I mounted it in the center of the card using foam squares to give it added dimension.

The focal point is a sweet kokeshi doll made using the Kokeshi Dolls die set. I layered pieces cut from Blush, Wild Berry, Chiffon, Raven, and Classic White cardstock to bring her to life. Then, I used foam squares to make the doll stand out with a bit of depth. (Refer to the guide below for kokeshi doll assembly instructions.)

To finish the card, I added a simple “Just Saying Hello” sentiment using the Fancy Sentiment Strips BetterPress plate. It’s pressed with Silver Shine Cloud 9 Metallic Ink on Raven cardstock.

Supplies for Arched Hello Card

Card Base:

Size – A2 (4.25″ x 5.5″)
Die Set – Essential Arches cut with the largest die
ColorWheel Cardstock – Classic White

Large Arch Background Panel:

Die Set – Essential Arches cut with the second largest die
ColorWheel Cardstock – Teal Topaz
BetterPress Plate – Parasols

Small Arch Panel:

Die Set – Essential Arches cut with the ninth largest die
ColorWheel Cardstock – Blue Spruce
BetterPress Plate – Parasols
Ink – Verdigris Cloud 9 Metallic Ink

Kokeshi Doll:

Die Set – Kokeshi Dolls
ColorWheel Cardstock:
- Blush – kimono base & sleeves and small flowers
- Wild Berry – kimono sash, trim, flowers, & lips
- Chiffon – face & neck
- Raven – hair
- Classic White – kimono trim

Sentiment:

BetterPress Plate – Fancy Sentiment Strips
ColorWheel Cardstock – Raven
Ink – Silver Shine Cloud 9 Metallic Ink

View the full list of tools and supplies used for all the cards here

Fan & Kokeshi Doll Card

This A7-sized card starts with a card base cut from Blue Spruce cardstock. For the floral background, I used Waterfall cardstock and embossed it with the Nature’s Botanical Wreath 3D embossing folder. I then trimmed it to 4.75″ x 6.75″ and adhered it to the card base.

The small arch frame was die-cut from Silver Matte Metallic treasured cardstock using the eighth and tenth largest dies from the Essential Arches die set. I mounted it in the center of the card using foam strips to give it added dimension.

The kokeshi doll was created with the Kokeshi Dolls die set using a mix of Poppy, Blush, Chiffon, Waterfall, Blue Spruce, Cosmic Sky, Raven, and Classic White cardstock. I also used markers to add subtle shading to the flowers for a more dimensional look. Then, I used foam squares to make the doll stand out with a bit of depth. (Refer to the guide below for kokeshi doll assembly instructions.)

To complete the design, I added a layered fan using the Fan & Bow die set, cut from Blush, Teal Topaz, Blue Spruce, Cosmic Sky, and Classic White cardstock. (Refer to the guide below for detailed fan assembly instructions.)

Foam squares were used here as well to give the fan a dimensional, eye-catching effect.