Have you tried the DAHLIA FOLD yet?

Are you wondering where I have been? I got caught up in various things and some personal matters which I needed to devote some time to-it's hard to believe I didn't post to my blog in two &  a half months! I've actually missed it...I'm going to make an effort to get back to it regularly once again, as I do enjoy it and it keeps me regularly stamping and scrapbooking, as well!

I joined a Lenten Prayer group at my church and as part of our program, we needed to send a Thank You card and a Get Well card to people from our congregation who are in need. We had two Lenten prayer groups that met at different times. Since I am a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and make cards for a living, it seemed very appropriate that I would offer to make these cards, rather than the groups purchasing them...so I offered to make the cards for both groups.

I chose to use a full sheet of cardstock, scored and folded in half for each card, so there would be plenty of room for everyone's signatures and comments on the inside.

This card went to someone in our church who just had surgery. Here is the Get Well Card I made along with a matching envelope:

 This first card uses an origami fold that has become my favorite-the Dahlia Fold! I found a site with great photo directions HERE to make the fold. I decided to use Stampin' Up!'s two-sided designer series paper for a lovely contrast and chose Flowers for You D.S. paper. To make the Dahlia  design, you basically need 8 punched circles for each flower so I used Stampin' Up!'s 1 3/8" Circle Punch. Depending on which side you use, you can get two different looks with these papers. I chose to have my center flower be mainly the floral design, and the middle section is more solid.I found that if I attached all the small flower pieces to one punched circle, it was easier to make my flower and keep it from shifting as I assembled it.The section that lays against the background is floral as well, so I needed a contrasting color to layer the flower onto. I used the polka dot paper from Lovely Lilac Prints  Designer Series Paper, then attached the White Taffeta Ribbon, made a bow and layered it all onto Whisper White cardstock. Both pieces were corner rounded.

The center of the flower is made with those VERY COOL new Build-A-Brad kits from Stampin' Up! These are so easy and fun to use! Basically, you punch out a circle (use the 1/2" circle punch) stamp an image and color-then use a mini glue dot to attach to brad base. Next you pop off the "bubble" from the sheet and attach on top of your stamped image-then press. Voila! Instant center brad for your Dahlia flower!

I used one of the Boho Background stamps for the background image on Certainly Celery cardstock.

The saying is from Elegant Inspirations and is stamped with Eggplant Ink on white cardstock. I then stamped the Boho background on top in celery ink. I layered the saying onto eggplant cardstock with Dimensionals to give it a slightly elevated appearance, then layered this onto Lavendar Lace cardstock.

Inside, I stamped the little flower I used in the center of the brad, randomly after tapping off once, all over with eggplant ink. The inside saying "If Wishes could make you well...you'd be better already" (from Curvy Verses) is stamped with eggplant ink on Whisper White cardstock.

I love the end result-this card will put a smile on someone's face who is sick..each and every time! It's colorful, cheerful and I love the 3-D look of that Dahlia flower!!! It sure would perk up my day....but this could easily make a great Birthday, Thinking of You, Friendship, Congrats etc. card as well! Simply change the Bible verse and the inside greeting to suit your need...

Here is another project I recently made for a WOW swap when I attended my upline's Winter Event in northern NJ. This is a Pocket Card, great for adding many little items! Under the ribbon tucked underneath the Dahlia flower, is a hidden post-it note pad in pink! I added a Hershey's Mint Milk Chocolate Stick and this fashionable feather-topped pencil in the pouch...and voila! A cute project, also made with the same Flowers For You Designer Series papers! (just LOVE these....)

Here is a close-up of the finished flower...

So-what do you think of this fold-isn't it awesome? Please leave me your comments...Give the Dahlia fold a try and see if you don't get addicted to this lovely Origami fold! I'd love to see your creations, so please link me to them!

If you would like more information or to purchase any of the  supplies used in these projects, please email me!

I will be back later with the second card I made for the Lenten Prayer groups-a Thinking of You card with a nautical touch....so come back again soon!

Debbie a/k/a passionstamper