Iris folding - collage paper

At the Club Scrap retreat last year, I picked up this fabulous collage paper that we used to make a project.  The paper was so gorgeous, I needed more.  After we did the iris folding project this week, I got to thinking about what other text weight paper I had around, and I decided to try iris folding with some of the scraps left over from the original project.





The pattern I used is found on page 165 of 460 Iris Folded Cards to Make.  I just ordered this book, and love having so many new patterns available.

I am so happy with the result!  Sometimes with iris folding, you can easily get eye-bending patterns that almost make you dizzy if the color selection isn't good.  I think this paper works because although it is busy, the colors within it are harmonious.  For my second color, I chose to pick black, since it's a neutral, and is prevalent in the patterned paper.

When you're iris folding, look at how many pieces are needed for the first round.  For this example, there are four, and I could:

• Use four different colors so each swirl is a different color
• Use two different colors, so every other swirl is a different color
• Use one color, so all of the swirls are the same color (not very interesting most of the time, but sometimes is a nice subtle effect)

When using multiple colors, make sure to pick colors that don't fight with each other.  With patterned papers, I try to pick patterns that are small enough to show a bit of the pattern in each stripe.

Have fun picking papers and trying new color combinations - trust me - this is addicting once you get started!

All papers and stamp are from Club Scrap.  The ribbon slide is a die cut from Spellbinders.

Iris folding - four cards

This weekend, I'm participating in a really great online event.  It's called "Weekend of Workshops" (aka WOW) and is sponsored by Club Scrap.  I pre-ordered a gorgeous box of supplies that arrived last week, and today they had an online chat and released videos of the projects they sent us.

The first project I tried out was this iris folded card.




Iris folding is a really old technique, and there are lots of great tutorials and patterns available on the web.  This tutorial is a nice explanation of the technique, and this page has a lot of great links to learn more about this technique.

After taking the effort to fold all of the strips of paper, I was inspired to try some different patterns from my collection.  This one is a pear pattern from the The Complete Iris Folding Compendium.





I liked this card, but I saw a pattern where the panel was embossed, and I was inspired to emboss the panel first and then rub ink on it.  I'm still not sure if this is crazy-cool or just plain crazy, but I like it.





Finally, I made a card using a coffee pot pattern from the The Complete Iris Folding Compendium.  I had yet to break out the Mocha Java Remix stamps from Club Scrap, so this was a perfect excuse to get those out.  This is probably my favorite card.  I love the saying (Retirement: world's longest coffee break), and the colors.  Who can resist a coffee stain stamp?





My favorite books for iris folding are by Maruscha Gaasenbeek and Tine Beauveser.  Some of them are out of print, and some are still available.  It looks like the The Complete Iris Folding Compendium is now available - I may have to get that! (edited:  I have it on order!  This book combines nine of their books into one volume.  It really is an amazing value, and their patterns and ideas are fabulous.)

All paper is from Club Scrap - I raided my scrap drawer, so these are mostly mixed kits.

I'm going to tackle the next project in my kit now!

And, don't forget to leave a comment on this post to have a chance to win some handmade goodness from my house to yours.