Konnichiwa from Kichiro and Miyuki --- the YNS Februrary release blog hop is here (PRIZES)!

Konnichiwa (hello!).  Welcome to the February release blog hop for Your Next Stamp.  You should be arriving from the talented Kerri's blog.  If not, please scroll down to the bottom of my post for the blog hop order.

Today I'd like to introduce you to Kichiro and Miyuki from Japan -  two of the new World Kid collection stamps.  I always get nervous when I work with ethnic stamps as I want to make sure that I accurately represent the culture.  I did a search of Japanese kimonos on line and was in awe at all the beautiful colours that the Japanese wear.  I decided to choose purple and I coloured both of the images in different purple tones.  The papers are from one of the older Basic Grey collections (Kioshi).  To add some texture to my cards I added some Viva Decor pearl paint to the female image and an embossed panel to the male card.  I looked up some common Japanese phrases and printed out the sentiments on my computer before cutting them out into little banners.   Both card layouts were based on sketches from Card Position Systems (CPS).

Supplies (Japanese Girl):
Stamps: World Kids Miyuki from Japan from Your Next Stamp
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Papers: Basic Grey, Neenah cardstock
Accessories: Copic Markers, computer font (for sentiment), Dienamics die (for sentiment), Viva Decor pearl pen, Prima pearl, Twine from the Twinery, Fiskars border punch
Sketch:  CPS Anniversary sketch day 5 (sketch #28)

Supplies (Japanese Boy):
Stamps: World Kids Kichiro from Japan from Your Next Stamp
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Papers: Basic Grey, Neenah cardstock
Accessories: Button, Copic Markers, computer font (for sentiment), Cuttlebug embossing folder, Dienamics die (for sentiment)
Sketch:  CPS Anniversary sketch day 1 (sketch #136)

Thanks for letting me share my creations with you. It was fun to practise colouring the darker hair and skin tones.  Next up on the hop is Peggy!

Karen is giving away one of the new World Love stamp sets.  One of the YNS DT Members is the secret blogger and will pick a random winner from all their comments.  So the more blogs you comment on, the greater your chances of winning.  You have until Monday, February 13th at midnight (EST) to leave your comments and the winner will be posted on the YNS blog on February 14th.

And finally, the Hop Special: 15% off your entire order – online code is YNSFEB2012 (code valid until Feb 15th).  Check out the bundle deals and fabulous YNS Bargain Bin too!

List of blog hop participants incase you get lost along the way:
Jenny P. – http://mylittlestampinspot.blogspot.com/
Kerri – http://cardsbykerri.blogspot.com/
Jen R. – http://www.tennisgirl27.blogspot.com/
Peggy- http://cardcrazy.wordpress.com/
Susan – http://www.susiestampalot.com/
Amy – http://inkaboutme.blogspot.com/
Jen D. – http://iheart2stamp.com/
Diana – http://doodledeedesigns.blogspot.com/
Maureen – http://mycasestudies.blogspot.com/
Veronica – http://lk2thestarz.blogspot.com/
Wendy – http://sugarpea-designs.blogspot.com/
Karen – http://yournextstamp.blogspot.com/