Past Craft Highlight: Iris Folding

I thought I'd show some of the things I've done in the past. This particular project shows how my mind sometimes works when I'm planning out a craft. This is the cover from my Anatomy and Physiology II class from last summer. The first section of that class concentrated on the heart and circulatory system. The heart is my total favorite organ in the body.

What I did for this is I traced an outline of the human heart from my anatomy book and cut it out using heavy card stock. I then used various red origami paper strips that I had on hand to do the actual iris folding. After that I mounted it on a larger piece of red card stock. For my classes I use a basic Circa notebook with a translucent cover from Levenger (great place that I'm totally addicted to, BTW), so that gave me a way of protecting the iris folding while the notebook was in use, plus I can switch out to different decorative covers as the mood takes me. I'm actually currently using the heart for my journal.

I'm a bit of a collector of junk, so I've got quite a pile of papers I can use to do iris folding. I have all kinds of origami paper as I do origami, too, but I also hit clearance wrapping paper or wrapping paper at the dollar store, look for stores with interesting paper bags, things like that. I'm all for cheap when I can get it. I've got a couple of accordion files that I keep paper in, sorted by color. That really helps.

Speaking of cheap, I'm a huge fan of free pattern sites for all kinds of crafts. As I discuss things I'll try to add my favorite free sources to my links area. I'll forget sometimes I'm sure, but I'll try I promise. I love to hear about them too, so anyone reading this, please pass them on. I also like general instruction sites, too, and good solid supply sources as well, so have at it. I'd love to hear about it.