Rain Rain Go Away

For the month of April I signed up to make an iris folded card with the title "Rain Rain Go Away".

I made a template for the umbrella and I decided to use a hexagon shape to do the folding.  You can download it from here.  You will find the umbrella outline, the hexagon folding shape and two shapes to cut out in a second pattern to add to the finished folding.

I chose the blue with white dots for the folding strips.  When I finished with that I cut out the two separate pieces using the blue and white gingham patterned paper.  After applying glue I slipped those pieces under the edges top and bottom and pressed the resulting piece under a stack of books to enable the glue to dry.

I cut a strip of the main paper to make a handle and glued that down.  I also cut out raindrop shapes freehand from both papers and glued them down.  Lastly I printed out the words and trimmed and attached them.

On the inside I attached a piece of the the gingham patterned paper that I had punched with an EKSuccess corner punch (Bubbles).  This allowed me to add a piece of white paper under the "photo corners" so that the recipient could write a message if they wished.

A Pocket Full of Mice

Today's card is called the Diagonal Double Pocket Card.  It is very easy to make.

The directions call for double sided paper but since I didn't have any I had to improvise.  I folded the card as instructed and where the white showed I cut a paper to cover it out of another patterned paper and glued it in.

This is what it looks like without the tags.  The front was decorated with a circle that backs the stamped image from Stampabilities (Two Part Harmony) that has been punched out with a scalloped punch.  I stamped on white cardstock and colored it with pens and colored pencils.  The "Smile" message was stamped on the blue cardstock, cut out and mounted on the front.

This tag was cut out of a two inch wide strip of the patterned paper that I had glued to itself to strengthen it and to have a pattern on both sides.  The image was produced in the same manner as the image on the front of the card.  This also is from Stampabilities and is called Mudpie Munch.

This tag was made in the same way.  The stamp used here is also from Stampabilities and is called Peppermint Delight.  Both tags were punched at the top and then had some fancy yarn tied through the holes.  I also wrapped a piece of yarn around the front medallion.

All three stamps are from the House Mouse collection that I adore!

Swap Fest 7

Here's an adorable elephant easel card from Benita in the UK!  She was my swap partner in the March Cardmaking group.  My card for the swap was the "iris folded" Chickie.

This is the front when folded up.  The elephant has glittery dots around it and there are "diamond jewels" on either side of the bottom of the polka dotted paper and on the inside lip.

When the card is opened it rests behind the small flower.

Bloomin' Sketch

For a sketch challenge in Card Making International I made this card.

The patterned paper has been embossed with Cuttlebug's Swiss Dots embossing folder.  The center square on point is made on glittered cardstock and is glued on top of a light yellow ribbon which crosses the center of the patterned paper.  On top of the square is a flower I made out of the patterned paper (which is also embossed).

The flower instructions can be found on Valita's Designs & Fresh Folds.  The paper I used was not double sided so I cut pieces of the glittered cardstock to hide the outside edges underneath the flower folds.  I added leaves by folding some green paper in a similar manner and gluing in between the petals.  The center needed something so I glued a floral stamine (found in the bridal section of Hobby Lobby)in the center.

On the inside I used three scalloped circles cut out of the patterned paper and "tied" them together.  The border was created with the EKSuccess punch called "Daisy Chain".

This is the "sketch" that inspired the card.

On and On and On

Some time ago I made a most interesting card.  According to my sister it was a most frustrating card because she couldn't figure out how to open it!!!  It is called a "never ending" card and you can continue to open it over and over and over.

Step #1...This is the front of the card.  You grasp the lizard where it is split top to bottom and open it up like a set of kitchen cabinets.

Step #2...After opening the front you will see the next set of designs.  This time the opening is in the pot (on the horizontal).  You take hold of the edges in the middle and open it up and down.  The top lizard will disappear as you bring the top edge upwards and the bottom lizard will disappear as you bring the bottom edge downwards.  The resulting shape is a "plus" sign.

Step #3...Now take the "kitchen cabinet doors" again and open in the same direction as you did with the card in the very beginning.

Step #4...You now have reached the back of the card.  Repeat step 2 and you will be back to the front of your card.  You can continue opening your card to hour heart's delight!

Because this is probably still confusing you can find an even better photo "how to" open your card here that Dawn made. 

I've run across several different types of these cards on the web.  Here are some tutorials for the above style of Never Ending Card:
...Victorine Originals
...Chia's House of Stirfry
...Etha Schuette
...Stamping with Dawn (video)

Swap Fest 6

A short while ago I talked about a swap that had to be a shoe or a hat.  I made a shoe and my partner Betty from New Zealand, made a hat.  Here is her lovely card.

The lady is a silhouette to which a hat is added and all is adorned with pearlesque beads.

Sketchy Geometric

Here is a sketch card I did for March.  It is a swap for Card Crafts.  This time I let the patterned paper be my inspiration.

The card base is cardstock and the patterned paper has been cut and glued to the base.  The yellow cardstock with patterned paper has been attached to the base by four flower brads.

I used some more brown and a yellow flower to cover the brads on the inside.  I stamped a message and adorned it with some scraps of the patterned paper.

Early Chick gets the Worm

Don't ya just hate it when you can't remember where you found the idea that inspired a card!!!  Well, that's what has happened to me with this card.  It's been a year since I made it and I'm thinking it's one of Dawn's video (she has over 300) but so far I haven't found the right one. Sooooooooooooo...

Here's my cute little Easter card complete with mama and babies, worms and flowers!  It's done on two shades of texturized cardstock.

Here it is opened up and stretched out.  If anyone recognizes the fold pattern or card name or one of Dawn's videos please let me know!!!

Flower Power

I did an Easter exchange last year on my Dutch Paper Crafts group.  I was anxious to try out a new template I had purchased by Hot Off The Press called "Giant Flower Card".

I used some cherry blossom patterned paper and followed the directions on the template.  I practiced on some scrap paper first to get the hang of it.  Here is the finished product.

 

Swap Fest 5

I hit the jackpot last week.  Vicki from Cardiff accidentally sent me two easel cards!  Both are so cute!  Here they are...

 This one is for a masculine birthday.

This is for Easter!

Swap Fest 4

Here's a beautiful Birthday card from Trish who lives in Australia!

The flowers are punched and glitter has been added to the centers.

Hello Chickie 2

Here's another version of this card that I made last Saturday.

This time I changed the colors, used the opposite side of the same embossing folder and added a feather to the chickie!

I didn't use a brad this time.  Instead I printed off Happy Easter on yellow paper.  I punched the bottom edge with an EKSuccess punch called "argyle".  I glued together two pieces of the turquoise cardstock and then glued the yellow paper to it.  I used foam squares on this section to raise it up far enough to prop up the front of the card instead of using a brad.  I also saved the "cutoff" section of the scallop from the first card and attached it to the top of the yellow for some added texture.

Ok sis, now you know why I save strange things, so BUG off!!! LOL

And here's a side view of the open easel card.

 

Egg-stra-ordinary

Another day, another swap :-)  This one is for my Paper Embroidery group.  We had to combine "iris folding" and "paper embroidery".

I started by cutting the lavender cardstock to fit the paper embroidery pattern.  I wanted an oval frame to surround an egg shape.  I only used the design (Ann's Paper Art-a392A) in the middle of the oval frame.  I stitched the design in dark purple thread.

After finishing the frame I cut an oval shape out of the middle.  Then I embossed the lavender with Cuttlebug's Swiss Dots folder.  I used purple and gold foil wrapping paper for the iris folding.  I wanted it to look like a fancy Fabrege' egg.  I finished it off by edging the egg with a gold edging stitcher.  Lastly, everything was attached to a purple card base.

Have a Ball

Gown, that is!  Here is a beautiful ball gown pattern for "Iris Folding" that I found on Valita's Designs & Fresh Folds.  There is a pattern, instructions and a video that is easy to follow.

I used foil wrapping paper for my folds...yea for Christmas sales!  I added a faux jewel at the neckline and I corner punched the blue paper using Paper Studio's ("coat of arms").  Then I attached the silver foil onto the front of the base card and let it dry under a stack of books while I worked on the foil for the inside greeting.

Using the same punch I did the corners of the blue foil, stamped (clear stamp set of greetings) the greeting with silver ink and attached to the card.  I added flourishes to the front and inside using royal blue and silver ink and another set of clear stamps.

Erin go Braugh

I hope you are all wearing your green today!  I wouldn't want you to get pinched :-)

Swap Fest 3

Here's a sketch swap card from Lynda in Oklahoma.

The center with the fox has been built up in 3D layers.  The orange "dots" are faux jewels.

Swap Fest 2

Here's a paper embroidered beauty from Sandy in Australia!

When you pull on the edges it opens out to this view.

Swap Fest

I realized the other day that I keep talking about swaps that I have participated in.  I thought it would be nice to share the cards I have received in return.  Today I am sharing the card I received from Brooke who lives in New York state.  I used to live in upstate New York and I have always missed it.

As you can see, Brooke also did a shamrock in "iris folding".  The darker green background is glittery and has been corner punched.

Hello Chickie

Oh no, not another swap :-)  Yes indeed...this time an "easel card" swap for Cardmaking.  Since Easter is around the corner I chose a chick (with a twist) as my theme.  I was inspired by a card on Valita's Fresh Fold Patterns.  I made my own pattern and voila'!

I first cut an oval in the purple cardstock (to which I had already added one scalloped edge) and then embossed it with a QuicKutz embossing folder (retro diamonds).  Next I pieced together the wing sections and attached them to the sides by taping them on the backside.  The "chick or chick in an egg" was done with "iris folding".

After the iris folding was finished I cut the nose and feet freehand and glued them onto the chick and lastly I added the "wiggle eyes" and the "Happy Easter" sticker.

The purple has been attached to the card base with double sided tape.  On the inside I used a square yellow brad that is  holds the card up when it is open.  As you can see I also added some cute "chickie" stickers on the inside.

This picture shows the card at a side view.  To put in an envelope you just lift the standing section and lay it flat. 

 

The top photo has the shape of the cutouts and aperture.  The bottom photo is the "iris" pattern to use with the outline.  A PDF of the two can be found here.

Ribbon Circles

For this month's swap for my Cardmaking group I signed up to do a turquoise and brown card.  As I mentioned in my March 10 post, the turquoise and brown combination is very popular.

I got my inspiration from Traditional Card Techniques by Marie Browning. I used an "iris folding" pattern that incorporated five different sections.  For each of those sections I used a different turquoise, brown or combo of turquoise and brown ribbon.  Let me tell you...it wasn't easy finding five ribbons that went with each other!!!

Here is a close up of the iris.  I made it on a piece of brown cardstock.  On the turquoise card base I cut a larger circle and placed the brown underneath.  After adhering I attached another brown piece to the back of the iris on the inside of the card.

I finished the front by gluing down four brown strips to form a square shape.  On the inside I added a brown piece for the greeting.  I corner punched the piece and glued it down.

This is the book I mentioned...

Vroom Vroom

Last year I made a great card for my sister's birthday (if I do say so myself :-).  She has and loves her Harley and I had a motorcycle pattern for paper embroidery that I stitched for her.

I attached the white cardstock that was stitched to a black card base.  I cut some striped paper to frame the top and bottom and add some pizazz to the design and finally added a Happy Birthday sticker.

The inside repeats the stripe, black and white theme and included this verse.

Ribbon Weaving

Here's a card inspired by so pretty ribbon I have.  The turquoise and brown combination is very popular nowadays and it is one I'm quite fond of.

I started with a piece of brown and on the back I drew a grid so that the ribbons would be spaced out evenly (a half inch apart and from the edges).  I cut slits on all four sides so that the ends of the ribbon would go to the back where they could be taped down.  I did one direction first and then on the second go around I wove the ribbons as I went as well as taping down the ends.

This piece of brown with the weaving was attached to the turquoise card base with double sided tape for strength.  I cut four thin strips of turquoise and added them around the brown.  Finally I added a turquoise and brown punched flowers to the center and on top of that a turquoise flower gem.

I took another brown square and corner punched it Paper Studio's ("coat of arms")and attached to the inside of the card.  The turquoise with the flower cutout was leftover when I punched the flower.  I decided to repeat the theme by using it on top of the brown.