Starting to get going for Easter.  

On Sunday I ran my first ever iris folding card workshop.  It was so much fun.  I have taught a few friends how to do this....in my dining room with wine, conversation & munchies.  I have led numerous workshops, classes & seminars in my professional life but this was my first professional card making activity.  As with all these things, the prep  work is way more than you expect & you do way more than you actually need to so it reminded me a little of my old life but really fun.  However, the one thing I did forget,  was to take some pictures.  It was on my mental list to do but that list just wasn't active enough, I guess.  I will post a pic of the diplay that was in the Art Centre before the workshop to let everyone know all the lovely things you can do with Iris Folding.  
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This workshop had a Valentine's Day theme and participants could choose from a number of patterns.

I learned a lot from my participants.  None had ever done Iris Folding, but some were experienced crafters.  One astute observation was that this craft would be easier to hide than others,  Not a consideration I had before, but definitely a new selling point. 

Well, I finally managed master Canva enough to design a logo which is displayed on the business card above, also thanks to Canva.  I'm sure I will get better at all of this, but it really does take time.  I do wish I could think in pixels.  I'm barely bilingual in imperial & metric.  

What good is a card without an envelope?  Well  actually, these techniques are great for creating post cards, gift tags and lovely bookmarks, but that's another story.  
When you create a beautiful card, sometimes you just don't want to cover it up in a plain white wrapper, so I started making envelopes.  Honestly, sometimes I got carried away and made cards that were such an unusual shape I had no choice but to make one to fit. That is how I discovered the joys of envelope making.  
There are many templates for envelopes on line, but I find the easiest and most versatile tool is the The Envelobox Creator by Crafters Companion. 

This is a really simple choice.  I just embossed the standard white envelope.  
However, this is my first time working on picture taking in my craft room and I wasn't alone. 

This is Shadow and she decided I was not to be trusted with such an important task.  Arguing with Shadow is usually fruitless so, I let her play an important roll. 

Now she is showing just a little too much interest.  Time to go. 

This is a colouring page I used after I had fun colouring.

Sometimes you just don't want to hide the card.  This is when vellum comes in handy.  Not good for mailing,but....

It surprises me how great abstract or simple forms can look with paper and thread. These are good cards for men.  There seems to be many more card choices for women, I would say that is because women like pretty things, but these cards are very pretty and most men I've given them to do appreciate the beauty. 
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I have been making pretty dresses to go along with my shoes and boots.  Who wouldn't?  These are fun to make and give.  My friends all wish they could dress as well as the couture I give them.   

These dress patterns are from one of my favourite designers Jolis DeAngelis at Craftsuprint

These are the little joys in life, at least until you have to make room for them in your closet.  My friends and I collect boots & shoes & purses so it is fun to share that passion in my cards. 

We had cats for many years but when we finally made the big move out to the country, a dog was added to our family.  His name was Jake and he was a Sheltie.  We had him for many years but when he left us, I had to make a "Jake Card", initially to say thank you to our vet clinc as they were all so helpful. I started with a picture to work from.

Then I had to make the pattern and give it a go!

Life was empty after we lost Jake so in a while we added Jesse, another Sheltie.  He was a lively puppy.  My friend Sandra, who I got addicted to iris folding card making,  helped celebrate the occasion by sending us this card.   There is a benefit in teaching your friends your hobby.  

New puppies are always worth celebrating.  This was for my friend's new Labradoodle puppy having her first Christmas.  

I only have one cat right now, but cats have been a big part of my life for many years.  Many of my friends love cats too so they are often the subject of my cards.  

It is cold and snowy out and it reminds me of when I first started making these cards.  My mom had been making them and when I said I wanted to learn, she gave me everything I needed to start for Christmas.  Lucky me, Thanks mom!  My main creative outlet had been my garden, but seed catalogues and garden shows just weren't cutting in on a cold January day.  So, I started creating these iris folding cards and later added paper embroidery cards.  This was just perfect for me.