FANCY FOLDS 2 - FOUR SQUARE

 As the title suggests, this project is made from 4 squares.  As long as they are equal sized squares, you can do this in any size.  For the purpose of this project, I used four 6" squares.  These can be cut from from a 12" piece, from two A4 sheets (slightly less than 6"), or as I did, from a 6" paper pad.  I used double sided heavyweight papers, but as you cover the joins, double sided isn't necessary.

 
 Begin by scoring and folding each piece in half ***if you have a direction/a right way up, on patterned paper, you will need to do two vertically and two horizontally in half.  Your first join will be attaching what will be the 'top' fold out section, to the upper right quarter of the 'left fold out section'.  Use a craft mat or similar, as a guide to where the quarter section actually is.  Alternatively, you may feel more confident if you lightly mark this section using a  pencil and a ruler.  Then fix the 'right fold out section' to the lower right quarter of the previous paper.  You are in effect overlapping/weaving the papers together. The photo on the left shows the last section where I have flipped the paper over, simply to demonstrate that this last piece needs to be joined to the lower left of the third paper, then attached underneath the first paper.  Now to decorate.

Close up by overlapping each quarter, tucking the last one in.....similar to how you would close a box up if you didn't want to completely seal it with tape.  It is important to decorate the front whilst it is closed, as the folding process can alter the position of margins.  I cropped my photos to 6 cms squares, and matted on complimentary coloured mats of 6.5 cms squares.  I positioned them approximately 1/4" from the two outer edges, thus having a frame all the way around when all four photos were placed.  You could use some or all of the squares for wording or numbers e.g 18th, 50th etc.

For the inside I used one large photo on a mat and placed it centrally.  I printed a verse and split it between the top and bottom sections, and used some scraps for a little bunting at the sides.  You could add more photos, especially if it is for a special birthday or anniversary.  Looking at how people have changed as years have passed can lead to a wealth of  chatter and amusement as memories are relived.



Have fun and more importantly...have a go.  Happy Crafting !!
Christine

PYRAMID BOX

Using a sheet of 12 x 12" card, score into 9 equal sections, by scoring at 4" and 8" intervals.  Then mark the mid point of each side and score up to this point, as shown in the diagram.  You will then need to measure and mark a 1 cm width around all these last diagonal score lines.  This will form your cutting line.  Taper the cuts at the top points to enable you to fold your box up without excess bulk.

The close, you will need a 9 cms square of card (or 2 glued together to give extra strength), with a centre section cut out, approximately 4 cm square. On two opposite triangular sides of the box, you will need to make a small hole, approximately 3.5 - 4 cms down from the top point, to enable you to slot a wooden kebab skewer through.  I did all my decorations before I made these holes.  I cut the skewer down to a length I felt was reasonable, with some overhang either side.  I sanded both ends so they wouldn't cause injury, and decorated one end with tied ribbons and beads, just to add interest.

The photos show how I have decorated mine.  I decided on a pink theme, but an ecclectic mix of colours would work equally as well.  The square used to hold the box closed also needs decorating, but avoid anything overhanging the cut out centre square, or it will cause an obstruction.

I'm not a huge 'peel off' fan, but sometimes they have a place.  The butterflies perfectly matched one of the metallic pink cards I had chosen to use for some of my flowers.  I attached them to the pale pink paper, and cut around them, then shaped their wings a little to give them dimension.  As I was using a pale pink paper on white card, I inked all the edges so the mats would 'pop' rather than simply blending into the background.  If you use strong contrasting           paper/card, you may find there is no need to ink. 

The box could be used to hold a gift, or, as I have done, hold a card in its base.

When you've had a go at this particular box, why not try different sized and shaped pyramids.  You still need to use the initial principle of 9 squares, but your first score lines to produce these 9 squares, will vary.  So for example, if you score at 5" and 7", you will have a taller box with a smaller base, or 3" and 9", a shorter box with a larger base.  As long as you score an equal distance from your mid point along each side, everything will fall into place.  Try an 8" or 6" square of card to produce even smaller boxes.

When I was in High School,  I had a brilliant maths teacher who had us making these around Christmas time, although the 1 cms flaps were completely glued up rather than using a skewer to secure.  We would make four pyramids and a cube for the centre, to stick these pyramids to, making fabulous star shaped Christmas ornaments. 

Have fun !
Christine.

 FANCY FOLDS 1

For this particular card I used a plain sheet of 12" square thin card.  If it is too thick you will find it hard to manipulate into position once all the folds have been made.

1.  Faintly mark the centre with a cross - this will help to ensure that the next folds are even widths.

2.  Score at 6" and 9", both ways.  Using the centre cross as a guide, fold in (lining up with the cross) and crease with your finger.   If you do too strong creases at this stage, you can't adjust if needed, later on.  Quarter turn and repeat.

3.   Undo all the folds, then fold all four corners to the centre cross.  Again, only crease with your finger.  These diagonal folds need to be folded back on themselves, in the other direction, to allow extra flexibility in stage 4.

4.  Open out and lay flat on it's base. In the middle of each side you will notice a point where these diagonals have just been formed.  Push inwards towards the centre from all four directions, to form a neat square.  This is where you can make slight adjustments, then sharpen all creases with a bone folder.  As an optional extra, you can fold the top squares back on themselves to form triangles.  Your basic card is now complete and just needs decorating.

5.  On this particular card, I decided to use a border punch around all the edges.  All folds must be made before you do this.  I did this by opening it out to a 12 " square again, and taking my time, punched a border.  I did play about with various border punches or scraps of paper, to make sure the pattern, and corner turning, worked out for this particular size.

6.  To close, I made a simple 'wrap' style belly band, fastening it with a little ribbon and added a topper to draw your eye to the centre.  It just awaits a verse appropriate for the intended recipient

 

This card has been made from a good weight double sided paper.  You will notice that the top squares have not been folded back on themselves, or the edges punched, as I only intended this to be 'an envelope' for the card inside.

Keep it as simple as you like, but have a go !!

Happy crafting everyone

Christine

Double Pocket Card

 This card can be made from any sized square or rectangle.  It is important to note that your finished card will be one quarter of the original size, and because of this I have not worked on anything less than an 8" square.  The one shown opposite is using a 12" square of patterned double sided.  If you are using a patterned paper, make sure it is not directional, otherwise when folded, it may appear the wrong way up !!  You can always use plain heavy paper or thin card, then line areas to give it interest.

Regardless of the size, or square/rectangle, begin by folding edge to edge in both directions, so you have four obvious quarters.  Make sure your folds have sharp creases, unless you are using a card stock that cracks easily.  But should it crack, sponge a little ink around the folded edges to give it an 'aged/distressed' look, as though you intended to do that all along.

In the first photo, you will see the top left corner folded down to within 1cm of the centre crease, and the bottom right folded up about half way up that bottom quarter.  Crease sharply then cut along the centre line from the right hand edge to the centre point.
To fold up, and to get a feel for the folding order...FOLD..
Bottom right over to the bottom left
Bottom left up to top right
Top left over to top right
This should now look like photo 2.  Because there is now bulk with the folds and creases, you may need to trim any slithers that overhang and thus retain a neat shape.

Stick down the diagonals and attach some border edges (photo 3)
Place tape in poisitions shown (photo 4), then seal up in the same order as that described above for folding up.

Your card should look similar to this.

Now all you have to do is decorate it.  Tags are perfect for the pockets.  They can provide a space to add a verse/sentiment, or photographs and perhaps some journalling to make a truly unique and personal card.

I added a ruby and a cream tag into the two front pockets and decided to stamp and emboss 'verses' onto each.


 I then used a third tag for my mat in the centre.  I kept this quite simple as the paper I used (First Edition Noir et Chic) was quite busy.

 This example is using an A4 piece of paper.  I did the fold and cuts from a 'portrait' perspective, but there is nothing to stop you from doing it landscape.



This is another 12" square, but was only single sided.  I lined the back pocket with a pink check paper, and the inside with yellow card to give it added strength.


 Happy Crafting !!!