Iris Folding Technique for Paper Crafting

I want to share my most recent card, I made it using an iris folding technique.  This style of paper crafting technique was featured in Australian Papercraft Essentials Issue #23.  The cutting and folding of the strips was easy using my X-ACTO Designer Series Self-Healing Mat.

The Australian Papercraft Essentials came with patterned papers and die-cut elements.

Using the instructions provided in the magazine I decided to make my own version.  Here is the magazines version.

I took my own card and cut an aperture shape.  I then folded several strips of thin paper and started to glue them to the back of the card.

Here is the front version of the card.

I then glued one of the die-cut images in the center.  Next, I cut out a piece of patterned paper to glue to the front of the card.

I also attached 3/8" satin ribbon at the bottom of the card.

To finish the card I attached patterned paper to the inside.

I used the Mini Bowdabra to add a small delicate bow to the card.

My card is finished and I am thrilled with it.  I will have to use this technique again with a variety of shapes and paper widths.

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3Birds Straight from the Nest Love Birds Congrats Card

I have gotten so much use out of my Cricut cartridge 3Birds Straight from the Nest.  The designs are perfect for so many different occasions.  I created a love birds congrats card that would work wonderful for a bridal shower, wedding, or anniversary.

3Birds Straight from the Nest Love Birds Congrats Card by Sarah Forhan

Interested in 3Birds Straight from the Nest?  I invite you to visit the item on Amazon.com.  It has received great reviews!  And, it is on sale for 68% off right now!

• Use with all Cricut machines
• Six creative features: layer/shadow, corner, slider, border, phrase, and phrase shadow
• Contains 50 images with layers and shadow
• Includes decorative corners, sliders, borders, and phrases
• Comes with handbook and keyboard overlay

The cardstock that I used to assemble my love birds card is mambiSHEETS.  I highly recommend this cardstock pad.  It is full of great designs and specialty paper.

 

To make the beautiful bow I used the Mini Bowdabra along with the Hair Bow Tool & Ruler.  Head on over, to the Bowdabra Blog for the step-by-step tutorial along with links to purchase these great bow making tools!

Click here to go to the Bowdabra Blog for Step-by-Step Instructions

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Recycled Altoid Dispenser

So....we have a serious addiction to Altoids here at my house.  However, we like licorice and ginger and I can only buy those in bulk.  I came across a wooden dispenser at Goodwill that I think is some sort of pipe box.  I knew instantly that it would be perfect for an Altoid dispenser to hold all our little metal boxes.

I bought the box at Goodwill for $1.99.  Before transforming it I wiped it down with a wet washcloth to remove all the dust.  I then finished the wooden box with Martha Stewart Paper, Antique Mod Podge, and a Mini Bowdabra Bow.

Here is a list of my materials:

For the full tutorial please visit my detailed instructions on the Bowdabra Blog.

Spring Home Decor Pinwheel Tutorial

Pinwheels are a classic spring and summer kids toy and craft.   Using DIY handmade pinwheels I designed an easy inexpensive spring home decor tutorial.  Please follow my tutorial below along with visiting my fellow Bowdabra Designers and their pinwheel tutorials.

Materials Needed:

• 5" x 5" Double-sided Cardstock
• Mini Bowdabra Bow With Button Center
• Dowels
• Curling Ribbon
• Basket
• Styrofoam
• Basket Filler
• Ruler
• Straight Edge 
• Thin Hole Punch

Instructions:
1. Begin by creating a Mini Bowdabra Bow with button center.  Click for here for the tutorial. 

2. To make the pinwheel cut double-sided 5" by 5" cardstock.

 

3. Using a ruler draw lines from corner to corner to find the center.  Use a straight edge to cut from the corner, 3" in.  Cut a circle for the center.

4. Hole punch a small hole into every other corner.  Thread the Bowdabra Bow Wire through the first flap.

5. Thread the next flap.

6. Thread the third flap and final flap.

7. Knot the Bowdabra Bow Wire in the back of the pinwheel.

8. Make several pinwheels.

9. Wrap dowels in curling ribbon and then place the dowels in the back of the pinwheel.  Twist the dowel around the Bowdabra Bow Wire to hold it in place.

10. Fill a small bread basket with a rectangular piece of Styrofoam.

11. Place the pinwheels in the basket and fill with basket filler.  *I used green construction and my paper shredder to make the basket filler.*

Be sure to visit my crafty friends and fellow Bowdabra Designers for their own pinwheel craft tutorials.  Click on the badge or here for a full list of the tutorials.


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Welcoming Spring with a Banner and Bowdabra Bows

Here in New Hampshire, I am more than ready for spring!  What better way to welcome spring than with a banner!

I cut the scrapbooking paper using my Cricut Expression Electronic Cutting Machine, I then adorned each letter with a bow using the Mini Bowdabra and Hair Bow Tool & Ruler.

I hung the banner above my sink to add some cheer and fun in our kitchen.

 

For the step-by-step tutorial for making this spring banner visit the Bowdabra Blog.

Here are some of supplies I used:

Crepe Paper Roses Tutorial

During my weekly trip to the Dollar Store I found purple crepe paper - The exact color of my soon-to-be sister-in-law's accent color for her wedding.  She chose a very deep purple official name: Lapis.

I have searched and collected Lapis silk flowers, Lapis ribbon, Lapis crafting gems...but Lapis crepe paper - SCORE!  I bought every package of purple (Lapis) crepe paper at the Dollar Store!   Below is two of 10 rolls I bought.

I have been assigned the designing and making the table centerpieces.  I have almost everything I need to make them but I needed filler!  You know something not that expensive that I can mass-produce in the hundreds!!

At home with piles of purple crepe paper streamers around me I began making crepe paper roses.  After I finished a few I  decided to do a quick google search to see if any other crafters had made crepe paper roses.  Yep, so many crafting people out there I was not the first to make crepe paper roses, from crepe paper purchased at the Dollar Store, no less!!  Filth Wizardry used crepe paper to make small ribbon roses for her children's class for Valentine's Day.  She even shows a video of how she made them!! The video is so cute with her children talking in the background!  Entertaining and informative.

.....The only thing I did differently when I made my roses is I didn't fold the crepe paper in half but used the full size so my roses are bigger.  Like Filth Wizardry I didn't use a glue gun.  The crepe paper is sticky and holds together very well!

Materials Needed:
Crepe Paper
Floral Stems
Floral Leaves
Floral Tape

Instructions:

1. Create a 6" to 7" tail by folding the crepe paper down at an angle.

2. Start to roll the crepe paper in to create the inside of the rose.

3. To create the rose petals fold the crepe paper slightly and bring the edge to the center and pinch.

4. Continue folding and turning your rose until you are happy with it.  Tear the crepe paper from the spool and twist it around the bottom.

5. Add floral leaves by wrapping the wire around the rose's crepe paper stem.  Add a floral stem and cover everything with floral tape.

6. Create as many crepe paper roses as you would like.  In my case only 97 more to go!

Back-to-School: Homework Monster Journal

Create a homework monster journal using a plain notebook, construction paper, googly eyes, and glue dots.  Lets face it homework is no fun for kids or parents.  I don't know how many times I have sat at the kitchen table helping my children with their homework thinking homework is the most evil chore ever!  These kids should be outside riding their bikes, climbing trees, anything but having to sit here and do homework after a long day of school.

Why not have a little fun with the dreaded homework and make a homework monster journal!

First begin by purchasing a plain inexpensive plain notebook.

Next, have children cut a monster body out of construction paper.

Cut out the monster's features: nose, mouth, ears, tail, and claws.

Using glue dots attach the monster's features to the notebook. Layer the features using glue dots.

Optional: Using acrylic painters pens write Homework Journal along the binding or the front cover.

*This craft tutorial has been donated to Crafts 4 Kids.  A non-profit kids craft site.

Inexpensive Thank You Gift

Sometimes just saying thank you isn't enough.  You want to show someone your love and gratitude with a gift.  A gift doesn't have to be pricey or extravagant it just has to show that you care.  Make these simple thank you mega tags with a seed packet attached.  It is a unique style gift and best of all every time the flowers bloom you will be thought of!  Visit my tutorial at Crafts Unleashed where I am a senior designer.

This craft is also perfect for an end of the year gift for a teacher or teacher's helper!

Elmer's CraftBond and X-Acto Products Review

Who hasn’t heard of Elmer’s glue right? Elmer’s glue is a huge crafting staple. But what I didn’t know is that they also have a whole slew of new products. I was asked by BzzAgent to try some of Elmer’s new products. I was super excited to give them a try.

I used the Elmer’s products I received to make this Halloween Card.

First I began by scalloping the edges of a piece of acrylic paper. I then used the X-ACTO Corner Rounder Punch to “round” the corners. Just a side-note I am completely in love with the corner rounder punch and I think it is a must have scrapbooking accessory!

Next, I painted a spooky scene using acrylic paints.

I designed my actual Halloween card by first gluing tiny little alphabet hole punches that read, “Happy Halloween” to the bottom of the card. I always have a really hard time gluing the small paper punches but the Elmer’s CraftBond Clear Glue Pen made it super easy to attach the punches to the card and it really does dry clear and invisible!

Next using the Elmer’s CraftBond Permanent Tape Runner I attached my spooky painted scene to the front of the Halloween Card. I couldn’t believe how easy the tape runner was to use. I am completely hooked.

Lastly, I made little paper ghosts using the X-ACTO decorative scissors to finish the bottom of the ghosts. To give the ghosts dimension and to make them "pop" I used large Elmer’s CraftBond Glue Spots.

 Disclosure