Earlier this year I purchased some shibugami, because it was described as the stencil paper used to make Katazome-shi, the beautiful stencil dyed papers:
http://www.japanesepaperplace.com/images/products/katazomeshi/bigkatazomeshi/124w.jpg
https://www.washiarts.com/katazome-shi/katazome-shi-152-hand-stenciled-japanese-paper
It is a stiff, slightly leathery paper, that the store in Toronto made sure to interleave with protective paper, to guard my other papers. I tucked it away, and just fantasized about the fabulous designs I would one day carve into it.
And then, contemplating the seven gold leaf star maps I needed to make, I remembered it. And putting it together with my Japanese hole punch...
https://www.hollanders.com/index.php/bookbinding-supplies/small-tools/hole-punches/japanese-hole-punch.html
...I realized I could stencil my gold leaf size right onto the metallic blue background! Combining three arduous steps into one easy step! I danced a little jig! I punched the air repeatedly, and did another little jig!
And here is the result:
I will be putting a couple versions into the Earlville Opera House sale in the next week. And, feel free to contact me if you would like to order one.
Happy Holidays.
