How-to: Iris Folding Card

We are very happy to have Becki from The Happy Card Encouragement Factory guest blogging for us today! We discovered Becki {and her awesome paper crafting skills} from our National Craft Month Linky Party – she was actually the grand prize winner with her homemade washi tape.  We are delighted to present you with this great tutorial featuring a really cool technique – Iris folding!  Take it away Becki…

I love Core’dinations cardstock!  Especially when I can get it to coordinate with a patterned stack I already own.  When I saw they made a pastel colored set and I have an upcoming baby shower to attend, I knew I had to purchase it.  Besides, any excuse to get my embossing folders out is an excuse worth having.  Core’dinations is the perfect card stock to use with embossing.  It gives a nice look with a deep impression.  Knowing I wanted to make some kind of card, I got my supplies together and started crafting!

Supplies:

• Core’dinations Core Essentials Pastels Collection
• Other Cardstock of Your Choice
• Sizzix Big Shot Machine
• Spellbinders Embossing Mats
• Embossing Folders
• Embellishments of Your Choice, Such as Twine, Flower Accents, Buttons, Spellbinders Nestabilities

Directions:

I have always wanted to try my hand at Iris Folding.  For those that don’t know, Iris Folding is the layering of folded strips of paper within an aperture in a spiral pattern that resembles the iris of a camera. So I scoured the ‘net for a free baby pattern.  I decided on this onesie pattern.  Those make great baby cards, right?

Once you have your pattern, you want to print out two copies.  One to tape your card stock down to, the other as your pattern.

Take the patterned or solid cardstock you are going to use for the front of your card or project, flip it over (as you see I put a “B” to signify that it was the back, on patterned paper this would be pretty obvious) and trace around your pattern.

Once you have your pattern cut out, tape it to the other copy with the instructions and then start on your strips.  My pattern called for 4 different papers.  I cut mine to 6″ x  1″, ran them through my Big Shot with four different embossing folders then folded them in half lengthwise making them 6″ x 1/2″.  Don’t forget with Core’dinations cardstock, when you emboss, lightly sand over the raised pattern to bring it out!

Now I am ready to start placing my paper strips down.  Decide what colors are going to be A, B, C and D so you can make sure you are laying down your papers in the correct order.  Then I just followed the pattern making sure the folded side of the strip is toward the middle of the card.

I used regular invisible tape to hold my paper down.  It’s quick and easy and doesn’t give any bulk.  Besides it holds it pretty well.  I tried scrapbooking glue and it took too long to dry and move on to the next piece.

I finally got all of my pieces down, cutting them as I went along so they wouldn’t hang over the sides.  If you do see any overhang, just grab a pair of scissors and cut off the extra.

Here’s my card completed and all gussied up.  What do you think?  It’s a little work but oh so fantastic results!  I think Iris Folding gives projects that extra special ‘I put a lot of love into making this’ look.  Iris Folding would also look great on scrapbook pages or even as framed art!

Have a great day and happy crafting!!

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Thanks again to Becki from The Happy Card Encouragement Factory and make sure you go check out her fun and crafty blog, HERE!