I may be small but I'm not delicate

as I reminded myself this week.
The amazing Leo gave us quite a challenge on Daring Cardmakers this week - to make cards featuring Origami.
Now origami was originally done by small and delicate Japanese people using small and delicate paper.
I am small - but definately not delicate. Imagine Miranda having been washed on a too high setting - that is me.
I did give it my best shot. I started noting the instructions for a flower but after fold 25 I gave myself a talking too and Googled "origami for children and cack handed adults". Actually it only said "for children" but Google knew what I meant really.

I found a simple fish and then looked for papers. Deep in my file of papers I kept because I loved them so much and now don't really love them at all, I found some "Love, Elsie" and actually - these are still quite cool. I went off them a bit because the paper is thin - which was perfect for folding.

 And even with thin paper and easy origami it didn't all go swimmingly....

So ignore the less than crisp edges and the inky finger splodge and the fact that it really says "Best birthday Fishes" and then I decided that birthday was too much but had already stuck it down and knew that if I attempted to remove it the paper would go with it. But it is cheery!
(Oh and I possibly dry embossed the wrong side of the cardstock but lets pretend I meant it like that)

Here are some more cards I have made recently and not got round to blogging.
This one uses the Avery Elle Laurel stamps and dies. I have loved everyone else's cards using these and then struggled myself until I did this card which is mostly a copy from the Avery Elle blog.

I think the secret for me was using Memento Luxe ink pads which are nice and vivid

 

this card also features a Crate Paper embossing folder and some Cosmo Cricket paper. White gel pen dots help as well.

I have also been playing with more inset dies. I made 6 similar cards as I had that many rainbow pieces cut out:) (Dies are Paper Smooches)

and finally for now

 

Pink Paislee stamps and paper, Clearly Besotted and Lawn Fawn (I think) dies.

I have some layouts to share (this is the trouble with mssing blogging for so long) but will be back soon. Tomorrow I am going to be singing with a choir at Evensong at Exeter Cathedral - I am joining for the first time and am nervously excited. If you are in Exeter at 4pm then come for a listen. Sunday is my last preaching engagement (well apart from a wedding) until the beginning of September as my three month Sabbatical begins on 1st June. 

PS Blogger appears to be playing up and I can no longer see the pictures. I hope you can - if not I shall restore them asap