Iris Folding Thinking of You...

As I have done time and time again, when I get stuck for an idea, I fall back on early Dutch papercrafting techniques I learned ages ago - spirella, card embroidery, teabag folding, and iris folding among others.  Because I have done them for long, they tend to ground me in something I am really comfortable doing and then the ideas just come.

This time I needed a "thinking of you " card for a neighbor going through a tough time.  He and his wife are wonderful people, and I just wanted to try to brighten his life a little - hence the idea of the sun... and then it all came together.  I didn't glue all of the edges of the "sun" down on purpose to give it a little dimension.

Here is a closeup of the folding and the holographic paper in the center...

I love the vibrancy and interest that iris folding adds to the card - and it is just so easy!  So the next time you feel stumped, consider opening up a design and filling it with coordinating patterns to create a special effect in a very simple way.

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Baby Shower...... Part Two!

So it is difficult for me to let any occasion pass without a card, or in this case two! (will explain in a minute!). We were, however, supposed to bring a book for the baby instead of a card.   But I somehow could not fathom not making a card so I did a very simple one, thanks to a design from Miss Kate's Cuttables.  The paper is from Paper Temptress and I repeated the gold heart "theme" in the card.

I took several pictures of the card because every now and then this amazing machine surprises even me. Look at the minute detail in the background piece - the bow under the balloon and the string.  That is so fine and it cut perfectly with no problems at all.  This one was really fun!

This is the backing piece of the three part giraffe!

The detail in this little bow - just had to show how thin it is...

And the balloon string is really as thin as a real string...

I made a second card since Megan's Mom and I went in on a gift together and of course it needed a greeting card from us! So...... stumped for an idea,  I went back to the theme colors of the shower  (black, white and gold) and incorporated the gold heart again that was prominent on the invitation and did an iris folding heart pattern using the leftover black and white patterned paper from the banner along with other remnants that I had.   The lettering was cut out of Duck vinyl that was textured. I would not recommend it for a delicate font because of the ribbing in it, but for this it was perfect. Simple card but full of love from both of the grandmas.  I really love how this turned out too.

Two totally different cards, but both full of promise and joy... and of course, love...

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Iris Folding with Ribbon

This was so much fun to make

I love iris folding. I find it relaxing and creative and just plain fun.  I used to always use paper when I filled different designs, but of late I have enjoyed using ribbon for the variety and different textures that it can add.

The back of the iris folding is not pretty, but is well hidden in the final product!

I needed to make a baby card for a special friend who is having a little girl any day now.  The papers are from Paper Temptress (Pop Tones) and the design is the cute little ducky from the SCAL shape library, along with the rounded square that finishes the piece.  The printed paper is a scrap piece!

Before assembly...

 A closeup of the right side of the iris folding...

The iris folding pieces are all ribbon, and the duck is accented with a little oval rhinestone for the eye.  The background pink paper is embossed with the Stardust folder from eBosser.

A happy duck to welcome a new baby girl!

The second card uses the same image just reversed and a pattern filled with ribbon too.

Another detail shot of the iris folding. The middle piece is sparkly - like a holograph

The card base is from Paper Temptress - the BASIS line and it was embossed with the eBosser using the Embossalicious folder - Petite Dot.  The printed cardstock is a scrap and the iris folding was done with three types of ribbon.  A small blue rhinestone brings sight for the little ducky!

Another closeup of the iris folding pattern...

The letters were cut out of vinyl with the Silver Bullet -  you can see how fine some of those letters are - incredible, and shadowed with Paper Temptress Mica.

I love the detail of the fine lettering

I used the cutout of the duck on the inside of the card - I don't normally decorate the insides much, but this one was extra special!

A little ducky peeking out of the inside...

If you haven't tried iris folding, I highly recommend it.  

It's a great stress reducer and looks great with minimal effort.  Hope you enjoy it!

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Simple Iris Folding Holiday Cards

I am not at all sure who these cards are for.. but I was in the mood to do some iris folding (love playing with the paper patterns) so the rest came together quite easily.

I used a simple tree pattern in SCAL (Sure Cuts A Lot) and the Silver Bullet Pro and easily created my template for the folding.  I have a variety of iris folding patterns printed on transparencies so it is easy to know how to line up the paper strips.  The solid card stock is primarily from Paper Temptress; the patterned pieces are from a variety of sources!

These were fun to put together and strips of foam tape on the back make it easy to attach to the card (and all of the messy work is hidden that way!)  Not sure the photos capture it, but in the center of each is a bright metallic or holographic paper that is sparkly and pretty. This is where the "iris" folding comes from - the opening in the center is the iris like the center of the eye or a camera lens. And the spiral pattern in traditional folding resembles the layers in the camera lens - just a bit of trivia!

I think I want to do some snowflakes next, all in white, but with different textures of papers. Will see if I can pull that off.  If I could ever think of these ideas in time, they would make interestingly different Christmas cards.

Hope you enjoy!

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