Paper Folded Pages

Figure A

Steps:

1. Cut 16 strips of paper (four of each paper) measuring 2" x 4" (figure A). Fold strips in half lengthwise with wrong sides together (pattern will face outward) and use a bone folder or stylus to give a crisp, clean fold line.

2. Create a frame by cutting a 6" x 8" rectangle from the smaller piece of cardstock. Position the oval template or shape cutter over rectangle and cut an oval frame opening. Photocopy and size the iris pattern to fit your oval frame opening. Place the pattern face down over the oval opening on the front side of the frame, centering so the pattern's numbers and placement guidelines show through to the back side of the frame (figure B). Adhere with removable tape.

Figure D

3. Turn the frame over and begin to work from the pattern's outer edges inward to adhere folded strips of paper in numerical order following the pattern numbers (figure D).

Figure E

Place the folded edges inward toward the center of the pattern, overlapping strips as you go and following the pattern guidelines (figure E).

Figure F

4. Continue adhering strips until the patterns are covered. Turn the frame over and carefully remove the tape and pattern, being careful not to tear the paper (figure F).

Figure G

Mount photo behind patterned iris opening and adhere frame to page (figure G).

Louvers Paper Folding Technique

"Haley" page by Pennie Stutzman

Materials and Tools:

3-5 sheets 12" x 12" monochromatic coordinating patterned papers
12" x 12" coordinating sheet solid colored cardstock
bone folder or stylus
metal ruler
pencil
acid-free adhesive
craft knife

Steps:

1. Create the frame by cutting the solid colored cardstock to 11-1/4" x 10-1/4". Then trace and cut out a 9-1/4" x 8-1/4" rectangular window opening, allowing a 1-inch-wide frame. On the backside of the frame, use a pencil and ruler to mark the center point of the frame opening .Then, working out from the center point, mark 1/2-inch tick marks along the two shorter edges of the frame. Set frame aside.

2. To create the louvers, cut patterned paper into 2" x 10-1/2" strips. You will need 16 strips. Fold each strip in half lengthwise with the pattern on the outside and run a bone folder down the fold to get a clean, crisp folded edge.

3. Arrange your louver strips against each other to see how the patterns go together and select the arrangement that you like best. Apply adhesive to the inner edges on the backside of the frame. Begin to mount and layer the folded louver strips horizontally across the frame's opening, aligning them with the tick marks and overlapping the strips about 1/2 inch over each other. Work from the top down and the bottom up, keeping the folds pointed toward the center of the frame. Continue until the entire frame opening is louvered. Adhere louvered frame to page.