Incorporating Iris Folding Into Card Making

I saw iris folding somewhere in my internet wanderings, and thought it looked really neat, but looked difficult. In my quest to find out how to do it, I found a website called Circle of Crafters. There I found instructions on how to begin and lots of free patterns. It turned out that it's one of the easiest crafts I've ever tried! You can use paper or ribbon to make the designs. It's such a simple technique to learn and it goes really fast! As long as you can cut 1" strips of paper and fold them (doesn't even have to be that neat!), have lots of tape and can count numbers in order, you can do iris folding too. (I've become an addict....) You'll be left with a stunning design that will make any serious cardmaker drool! I made the card below using satin ribbon and when I presented it to the bride-to-be at her wedding shower, the card ended up being passed around instead of the gifts :o).

This card, I used satin ribbon for the ring and the white diamond part, I used sheer ribbon. Then I outlined the diamond in little jewel strips (I just cut off little sections so I could keep the octagon shape, then I placed a jeweled brad in the center of the diamond part. Add some outline stickers, and you're done! The iris folded card part was backed with another piece of cardstock so I could attach it to the front of the actual card, so it's actually a card topper. The ring pattern, I got at Revive! Iris Folding. It's from the wedding set. I will post more pictures later of what the back looks like. It's a mess! -- but the front looks wonderful when you're finiahed :o) Hope I've peaked your curiosity to try a new craft! As always, happy crafting!

Come see my scrapbooking site: Dinglefoot's Decor & More or my eBay store: Miskitpink's Doodles

Using Clear Acrylic Stamps

I keep getting asked the same questions over and over about the new acrylic stamps, and what is needed to use them. I am an addict myself after taking a long time to become "just ok" at using rubber stamps!

I hated those smeared, the off-center greetings I used to stamp (so frustrating), not getting the ink all on the paper....so when I decided to try acrylic stamps, I got hooked really fast. Since they are clear, you can see exactly where you are stamping and can even stamp again in the same place if something goes wrong and your design doesn't turn out the way you wanted.

To start, you will need a clear acrylic block. This is the surface that you attach the acrylic stamp to. Acrylic stamps have a cling surface built right into them. Simply peel the acrylic stamp off the plastic sheet it comes on and place it on the acrylic block. No fuss at all!

When you are finished using your acrylic stamp, simply wash in soap and water and return it to the clear plastic sheet it came on.

The acrylic stamps are such a huge improvement over what we used to have to work with. They're so simple to use and simple to store. You can even punch holes along the side of the plastic sheet they come on and place them into a binder. Happy stamping!

Making a Greeting Card with HOTP Diamond Folds Template #2

Have you tried the Hot Off the Press Templates to jazz up your cards and scrapbook pages? They add flair without a lot of work. This card is one that I made quickly, but it has different focal point that I created using the Diamond Folds #2 Template. I used DCWV Metallic Cardstock for the base of the card. Then I took a piece of matching patterned paper and simply traced a diamond fold pattern onto the front of the paper. Then, using a craft knife, I cut the pattern. Before I folded the diamond shapes back, I inked the white side of the paper with a silver ink pad before folding the cut diamond folds back. I give these templates five stars! They're becoming favorites of mine. You can get one here: http://www.dinglefoot.com/store-products-7312-Diamond-Folds-2-Template_40934364.html

Here's an easy greeting card to make!

I just love getting a handmade card. It makes me feel like someone really card to go the extra mile just for me. Now you can do the same with this easy "Thinking of You" card. It's easy and fast and you can use supplies that you have to substitute for the things I used.

This is a very fast card to make, but it's simplicity makes a statement. You will need:

A4 beige card

beige satin ribbon

dark red card stock

beige patterned paper

sentiment stamp ( I used Kolette Hall ~ you can use any sentiment you wish)

embossing heat gun

gold embossing powder

glue stick

Birds Galore Stamp

black ink pad

2 different sizes of scalloped circle punches (

2" & 1.5" )

INSTRUCTIONS:
Using beige card stock, make an A4 card with the fold at the top.

Cut a piece of dark red card stock slightly smaller than the front of your beige card.

Cut a piece of beige patterned paper slightly smaller than the dark red card stock.

Adhere the beige patterned panel to the dark red card stock panel, centering it.

Tie a length of beige satin ribbon around the dark red and beige patterned paper panel. Place the ribbon towards the top 1/3 of your card and knot it.

Punch a scalloped circle out of the dark red card stock with the 2" circle scallop punch. Punch a 1.5" circle scallop out of the beige patterned paper (or out of a piece of beige card stock as I did).

Using the Birds Galore bottom stamp, ink just the bird and a couple of the flowers. Wipe away any unwanted ink from the stamp with an old rag or paper towel. Stamp the bird onto the beige scallop.

Glue the two scallops together with a glue stick, or to pop them off the page, add a pop dot under each layer and stick the scallops onto the satin ribbon towards the left side of your card.

Stamp a sentiment to the lower right side of your card with black ink, then quickly pour embossing powder over the ink while it's still wet. Shake off the excess embossing powder. Warm the embossed area with your heat tool till it melts.

All done! This is an easy and fun card to send for any sort of greeting. It's nice for a thank you card, thinking of you, even a birthday.

To use supplies from your own home, try tracing around two different sized drinking glasses and make plain circles instead of scallops. For the bird image, use a sticker or maybe some other rubber stamp. Above all, have lots of fun crafting!