Crafter in the Spotlight Leni Koshy

Hello arty crafty friends! Once again it’s Thursday afternoon, time to meet another “Crafter in the Spotlight’! Today I bring you the story of an ardent crafter Leni Rachel Koshy who was born in Abu Dhabi and is currently residing in Hyderabad.

Leni has been interested in various art forms from her very childhood and continued her passion even through her academic and professional years. She has completed her Foundation in Fine Arts from Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, and bagged a B.A in Fashion Designing, Fashion Accessories and Textiles from various institutes. She has also worked as a design artist with a renowned Indian designer label and has been a Fashion Lecturer.

How did Leni get into crafting, what inspires her, what are her tips for fellow crafters, her favourite quote, how would she contribute to the crafting world if she had magical powers? Read along to find answers to all these questions and discover more about her interesting journey and catch a glimpse of a step by step project by Leni. Don’t forget to leave your loving comments for her.

Rashmi Closepet MD Itsy Bitsy:  Tell us a bit about yourself & your background?

I am Leni Rachel Koshy, born and brought up in Abu Dhabi (U.A.E) and since the last 6 years living in India (Bangalore and presently Hyderabad). I have been into Arts, Music and Dance since I was 3-4 years old. I have done my Foundation in Fine Arts from Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, B.A Fashion Designing from Dubai, Fashion Accessories and Textiles from London College of Fashion (U.K). I have worked as a Design Artist for Satya Paul and also as a Fashion Lecturer for ICAT Institute. I am married for the last 5 years and I have a daughter who is turning 3 soon.
RC: How did you get into crafting?

LK: As I have been interested in all forms of art all my life, can’t say exactly when I started crafting. But I must say that I took it seriously after settling down in India.

RC:  What is your favourite type of craft?

LK: I love making mixed media art on canvas, albums, customised home décor, decoupage etc.
RC: What are your favourite products at Itsy Bitsy?

LK: Itsy Bitsy products are just marvellous. Love… Love… Love… their flowers, mixed media pastes, cardstocks, chipboards and stickers. I am like a child in a candy store when I shop at Itsy Bitsy and time just flies.

RC:  If you had magical powers, how would you contribute to the crafting world?

LK: If I had magical powers, I would teach what I knew to people who are suffering from depression and other psychological and health issues because, this form of art is definitely something that will relax the mind, body and soul.

RC: Your prized possession in your craft stash from Itsy Bitsy?

LK: Flowers, Stickers and Cardstock. They are just amazing and so reasonably priced.

RC:   How would you describe your style of crafting?

LK: Perfection is what I always look for! So I make sure I don’t disappoint people who are interested in my work of art. When I buy a tool to craft, I make sure I can use it for making different things and not just what it says. I will be showing you one such example today.

RC: How do you organize your time for crafting?

LK: As I am a mother, I usually work when my child is sleeping in afternoon or sometimes late night.

RC: Tips for people who want to craft

LK: Start crafting with what you have at home. You need not spend too much to start or show your creativity. Itsy Bitsy has the best products at the best prices to start with. They have wonderful tutorials too, so make the maximum out of it.
RC: Your all -time favourite quote?

LK: Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Here is a Step by Step  project by Leni

Today I am going to make gift boxes. Who doesn’t love gifting, and gifting becomes even more special when you gift it in a special handmade box.

For the 1st gift box, I used a white washed alterable rectangle, as the base. Decoupaged it using  a pattern paper.  Once everything was dry, I fussy cut images from the same pattern paper stack and used Itsy Bitsy’s Embossing Texture Paste in the colour- Frosty Fizz to give it a snowy effect. To get that effect you need to use a heating tool. I must tell you guys it looks just like real snow. This product is a must buy! I also used Sparkle paste in the colour Whipped Cream to give it some glitter.

Then I created a bow with the help of an envelope punch board. This is what I was talking about before, I like to make maximum use of my tools.

Cut pattern paper in 3 sizes and mark and punch on the envelope punch board as shown.

1st piece – 1’’ x 5 1/2 and mark on the punch board at 2 3/4’’ and punch. Turn that around again and punch. Then take the same strip and look through the punch marking and punch and make the corners angular. Take the bone folder and curve both sides of the strip and then glue them to the centre. Stick this piece on the shorter 2nd piece of pattern paper.

2nd piece – 1’’ x 3 1/2 and mark at 1 3/4 and punch and turn the strip to the other side and punch again. Then centre that strip into the punching board and make V cuts on both the 1’’ sides

3rd strip – 1 1/2 x 1/4 and use this as the centre of the bow.

Gift box made from envelope punch board.

Cut pattern paper measuring 6’’ x 6’’. Place this sheet on the punch board aligning 1 3/8’’ mark and punch and score. Then slide the same side over to the 4’’ mark and punch and score.

Turn over and repeat on all the sides making sure that the scoring line and the punch board pointer are intact.

Once the scoring is done, round the corners.

Then on the wider end, cut the score line inwards and do it on the other side too. Fold on all the score lines. Punch a hole on both sides to use as handle and to tie a bow.

Then add glue and adhere the flaps and make sure you don’t glue it to the hole punched portion.

Here are a couple of Leni’s  other awesome creations:

Many congrats  Leni  for being the CRAFTER IN THE SPOTLIGHT – ITSY BITSY !!

You will receive Rs.500/- Itsy Bitsy gift voucher & a Crafter in the Spotlight badge, which can be proudly displayed on the side bar of your blog and other platforms. Looking forward to many more creations, Happy Crafting!