FOLD OVER CIRCLES

FOLD OVER CIRCLES

Not all that long ago, we used to make this type of card using a metal template, taped to paper and cut with a craft knife.  For people like me who are, at best "OK on a good day" with a knife it was best avoided.

Nowadays however, its easy - just arrange your nesting dies one inside the other at approximately equal distances apart - (use a magnetic sheet or a bit of removable tape to keep them in order if you want), on top of your A and C plates (in most die-cutting machines)

Next, line up the top cutting plate (the B plate in a Cuttlebug or Go Cut and Emboss) with a point half way along the nested dies, and run it through your machine.  Only the part of the circles covered with the top plate will cut, then just fold over every second semi-circle cut and that's it!

Double sided paper with a different paper underneath works well.  You can stick the circles down, although I prefer to leave them unattached to add dimension.  Of coursse,you don'e need to use circles at all - any nesting dies will work.  Mount the whole design on a Regal base card and there you are!  What used to take hours can be happily finished in under 10 minutes - the most time-consuming part is chosing the paper.

QUILT CARD USING CIRCLES

FAUX CATHEDRAL QUILTING

This is another of the cards I made for the "Quilt Cards" demo a few months back.  It is so much easier to make than it looks.

I punched nine two inch circles from paper that was green on one side and white on the other, and simply folded the edges in so that the circle became a square.  When you put them next to each other you end up with the penal design!

After sticking them down onto white card, I trimmed it down to leave a white border.  Instead of just mounting this on a green backing, I cut strips of green and mitred the corners to look a bit more quilt-like, and added double "stitching" using a Kaiser die.

The base card is a black square single fold (SPL6) from Regal Craft Cards.  Because of the colours, this would do just as well for men and women, and as its a simple design, for all occasions too!  If you feel especially keen you can stick different coloured squares in the middle of the circles before you fold the edges!

KITE FOLD FLOWER

Here's a cute idea.  I've just recycled some magazine pages (quilting ones especially are great as a source of small papers) and cut some little squares, I've folded the edges to the centre to make a kite shape and then just stuck them down.  An embossed circle hides any messy middle (not that his one HAS a messy middle).  THe leaves are just the same sized squares with both ends folded in, a strip of orange paper makes the stem and the greeting is made with a Kaiser die.  The whole thing is mounted on a textured white DL singlefold card (DL1) from Regal Craft Cards.

This is a fun economical card, which would be great to give to children, or fun to make with them.

MODIFIED KITE FOLD - TEABAG FOLDED CARD FOR ALL OCCASIONS

TEABAG FOLDED CARD

This is a quick card, but quite showy.  Start with a Regal square card and layer a patterned and then a plain square on top.

The motif is made by folding some doublesided paper squares into a "kite" shape and then folding the edges back (a bit like a shirt collar).
Make eight the same size and then arrange them side by side into a medallion.  (Its actually easiest if you do opposites first and then fill in the gaps).  I just used a piece of double sided tape to keep each of them in place.

If you'd like to add a focal point in the middle (or your middle is a bit dodgy) add a large topped split pin....and that's it!!

If you like the idea of teabag folding you'll find lots of different patterns on line, or come and see me in the shop for a quick demo.

ORIENTAL-STYLE COLLAGE CARD

ORIGAMI COLLAGE CARD

A little oriental collage on a Royale (gold-foiled) card from Regal Craft Cards.  The Royale cards are a little larger than standard so there is more room for decoration.

The origami bird is just folded from a square of white copy paper stamped with a bamboo stamp and silver ink, and mounted on gold and red die-cut circles.

The noshi is made from lightweight red and white papers glued back to back, with gold shimmer strip in the middle and a pieces of white ribbon and gold braid around the bottom(apologies in advance to those who know how to make these properly....I just winged it ).

The square at the top is a piece of washi mounted on gold, and the card is finished with a Sparklelight sticker (also available from Regal).

A MULITFOLD CARD FROM SINGLEFOLD CARD

MULTIFOLD LAYERED CARD

 If you like to add a lot of decoration to your cards, here is a simple variation of a single fold card that might appeal.

SIDE VIEW

The back panel is scored and folded in half, the front panel is scored into two small sections of the same size at the end of the panel, and two slightly larger sections each measuring half the width of the remaining front section.  I've probably made it sound harder than it is, as the aim is simply to get three folds of ascending size from back to front.

 I've used a sewing theme for my embellishments which include stamped and fussy cut images, real buttons and stamped paperclay.  Because I have added a fair bit of weight to the front of the card, it tends to want to flatten out, and fall over.  To stop this happening I've threaded some twine through a button at the front and tied it behind.  This adds to the overall design theme, but if you had a more delicate theme you could use gold metallic thread, or make slotted pieces of the cardboard to the sides.

As usual, I have used a card from Regal Craft as the base - in this case, an ivory single fold.

A SIMPLE POCKET CARD

BASKET CARD

This card is a lot simpler than it looks.  Just start with a square card (Regal Craft Cards sell a good selection), and fold the sides of the front panel in to the middle (the card fold sits at the top).

Secure the edges together - I've stuck a piece of embossed card on the top, but you could punch a couple of holes and tie the edges together with a ribbon.  This gives you a pocket, which can be "visually" filled - I've used a Sparklelight 3D sheet from Regal and spread the elements out rather than stacking them in a more straightforward way, but you could fill the pocket with small lollies or perhaps a packet of rhinestones or ribbons for a crafty friend.

I've added embellishments to suggest a basket e.g. a sticker "handle" and basket weave embossing pattern, but you could decorate the card base in any number of ways to suit the recipient and occasion.

FOLDED SQUARES CARDS

 Most folks have finished their Christmas cards by now, but Marilyn's card won't take too long, if you are still in the making phase - just select some pretty doublesided papers, fold up the ends and place the folded edges together.  Cut a zig zag from one end of a plain strip and assemble as shown in the picture.  These card's illustrate how easily a Christmas design can be adapted for other occasions simply by changing the colours, and embellishments.  It might be worth having a look back over the last few postings and thinking of ways in which the designs could be used for birthdays etc with a little imagination!

CHRISTMAS FOLDED SQUARES

OTHER FOLDED SQUARES

CHRISTMAS CARD WITH KITE FOLD MOTIF

TEABAG FOLD MOTIF

 .....And here is an example of the second teabag fold from the October demo and the posting I did a couple of weeks ago.  Eight little kite shapes are arranged edge to edge, and taped down to a base.  Its easiest if you start by fixing the four opposites and then filling in the gaps - you're more likely to end up with good spacing if you do.

I've cut a V into some gold cardboard as a base and mounted the whole thing onto red.  The background is die-cut from red card using a Couture Creations die and stuck down over Forest green.  The whole thing is then mounted on a white textured card.

Its really quite a simple card but looks quite effective.

CHRISTMAS CARD WITH CIRCLE MOTIF

CIRCLE FOLD TEABAG CARD

I posted instructions for this simple circle fold a couple of weeks ago, so thought I'd better pop a card up with a finished example too.

As you can see I've just used a simple paper - gold on one side and white on the other, and without any pattern to distract, the form is really evident.  I promise the middle was just lovely but if it had been a bit dodgy, the gold split pin would have covered it.  I used Kaiser paper as background and border, but if I was doing this card again, I'd skip the dark green edge and use real lace or paper lace, probably in gold to link it in with the motif.  The greeting is off a sheet available from Regal, and I've coloured three little silver rhinestones as a feature.  Again, if I hadn't done this for a demo ("See how you can colour your rhinestones with alcohol markers") I would have chosen red for all three.

I guess that's the idea of a lot of the cards on the blog (the ones I make anyway).  They aren't perfect - just a starting point to get you thinking of what you do and don't like so that you can create something wonderful of your own.

TWO SIMPLE TEABAG FOLDS

TWO SIMPLE TEABAG FOLDS

Here as promised are close-ups of the two folds I used during October's Christmas Card demo.

For the Circle fold you begin (not surprisingly) with a circle.  Fold it in half, then unfold.  Using the line you've made in the paper as the base, fold up a little bit of each side as shown in Fig.1.

Turn the shape over, then fold both sides to the middle line.  The little folds you made in step 1 will pop out to form "petals." (Fig.2).

Its a good idea to wait until you're happy with the end result before squashing the folds down firmly, as sometimes a little bit of adjustment is needed.

The second fold is easier.  Just take a square.  Again, fold it so that you have a middle line down the diagonal, then fold the edges to this line to make a kite shape.  There are lots of different ways to use this basic shape with just a little modification, e.g. turning up the edges, opening one edge etc.

To make a motif from either of these folds its just a matter of placing them side by side and sticking them down.  Again, its worth fiddling around with placement until you're totally happy (and/or use a folded circle or square base underneath as a guide) before you get out the glue or double sided tape.

If you find the middle of the motif isn't quite what you'd hoped, a large rhinestone, split pin or punched shape will cover quite a bit.  (Its OK.....its a "design feature")  Good Luck!  I'm happy to help you with the folds (or show you some more) in the shop as long as you're happy to wait between customers!

VALENTINE'S DAY IRIS FOLDING

FOR SOMEONE SPECIAL

One of the really nice things about working at Regal is that we often have the chance to see some really great cards made by our lovely customers.

Kay brought this one, which she has made for a special person, in today, and has very kindly allowed me to pop it up so that you can see it too!

She has used a white base card but added a red panel with a large and several small heart cut-outs.  Kay has added an individual twist by Iris folding under the large heart but adding roses to the middle, and using the iridescent paper that would more traditionally be used there as an underlay for the red panel.

The result is a beautiful card which is ideal for Valentine's Day, but which could also be given on many other occasions - thanks for sharing your work Kay.

ARUM LILY CARD

ARUM LILY CARD

The gold foiled oval cut-out card and the "blister" covering that I've used in this example both come from Regal Craft Cards.

The backing paper is green marble (or marmor) writing paper and the lily has been made from a rough petal shape with a "V" cut in the bottom.  The edges of the V are slightly overlapped and secured with thin double sided tape which shapes the flower and adds dimension.  Before taping I added a tiny strip of coiled yellow.  The large leaf is the same petal shape, pleated to add texture, and the stems and little leaves are just folded strips.

The "blister" cover protects the finished flower if it is to be posted.  I've left the front very plain, and as such it would be suitable for a Sympathy card.  The same design could be made in different colours and "dressed up" for many different occasions.

DOILY DRESS CARD

DOILY DRESS CARD

This is a really simple card that I made using a white doily.  Cut two slits about 1/3 of the circle apart and then fold the edges inwards to make the skirt and bodice.  I added some rhinestones and ribbon and placed the dress onto one of Regal's rosebud cut out cards.  I put some black card behind the aperture and added a sticker to finish - all up about 15 minutes work!!

TULIP AND DAISIES

This is a cute card, and easily made too. The base is a textured white singlefold card from Regal, and all the papers are shimmer colours.

Strips are cut into three different lengths and woven together.  (I've embossed them first but this is optional).  At each junction I've stuck a white daisy cut with a small hole punch and finished with an adhesive pearl.

The tulip is just a small square folded in half with the edges turned up and its middle and leaves are small hearts cut with a hole punch.  A narrow strip forms the stem.

This is all assembled on a piece of white card, mounted onto pale pink shimmer and finally stuck down to the base card.
Even although it looks complicated, as long as you have all the tools at hand this will only take, at the most, about ten minutes to complete!

PRESENT WITH BOW

This is a pretty card by Leith Laws.  The feature is a little origami cup decorated with a button and bow.  How cute is that!!  Vintage is still popular,  but its nice to see a lot more "clean" cards featuring white as a "colour", appearing too.

TEABAG CARD

I love folding paper - origami, iris folding, teabag folding - all of it!  This example is of the latter.  Its probably the easiest teabag fold of all, but its still one of my favourites as it can be used in so many different ways.

Start with  a square of double sided paper - thinner papers are easier to fold, but if you fold carefully and use a scorer if necessary, then scrapbooking papers are OK too.  Turn the square so that a point is at the bottom and then fold two sided in to meet at the middle to make a kite shape (you might like to crease the square diagonally first as a guide).

Make eight of these and arrange them in a circle.  Its easier if you stick down four in a cross shape first and then fill in the gaps with the other four - you're less likely to end up with unwantd spaces.

I've added a split pin as a feature - purely decorative, as it doesn't actually do anything (although its a good way to hide less than perfect centres.)  I've mounted the folded papers onto some dark blue card and then put the whole thing into one of Regal's white textured three panel circle cut-out cards.