Endless Possibilties with Paper Flowers

Who doesn't love huge colorful flowers?

Well, let's make some!

Gather up a bunch of patterned papers...card stock works best, but by all means, add in some Vintage Music Sheets or other papers that you love.  This is a great way to use up scraps because the largest piece of paper I am using here is 6x6 so size does not matter.  You can do 8x8 or even 12 x 12!  As long as you have a perfect square you are all set. 

This is great to work on when you feel like creating something, but you are not sure what.  Just grab pretty papers and start cutting petal shapes.  You can store them in a baggie or envelope and they will be ready to go when the mood strikes.  You can make a ton of these little guys while binging your fav Netflix.  This pic below represents a very small number of petals that I have cut recently...there are many more behind the scenes.  ;-) 

To get the flower shape you will take your square of paper and fold it in half and then in half again.  Then starting about one inch up from the corner where all the folds meet cut up and out to the right and then back into the middle.  Stop when you get half way.  Kind of like cuting hearts but in reverse.  Turn your paper over and repeat this step.  In other words each time you cut you will be cutting the right side of your paper.  You can make rounded cuts, pointed cuts and squared off cuts.  The more variations the more interesting the flower.  If you want all similar shaped petals then cut each piece of paper in the same shape.  You can see above that I have a few different shapes.  You also will want to vary your sizes of cuts so you have some larger petals and some smaller.  The larger ones will be the base of your flower. 

Next, you are going to doodle and embellish the papers.  Really anything goes here...you can use a Sharpie, white chalk pen, shimmery acrylic paints and Wink of Stella pens work great as well!  Use your favorite ink pad  to ink up around the edges of your petals.  You can use any color you want.  We will add a bit more fun a little later too.  You then are going to run a pencil or pair of scizzors under each petal to create that "bend" that you see below...kind of like curling ribbon on a gift package.  Just be carefull not to tug too tightly since this is paper.  It could rip. 

Next, we are going to form the proper petal or cone type shape.  You do this by snipping a bit of paper between two of the petals almost to the center of the flower, but not quite that far.  Then, add adhesive tape and a bit of Aleene's Tacky Glue to one of the petals (see photo above).  
Now, bring the petal next to the glued one over and overlap them creating a three petaled flower.  The adhesive tape creates an immediate hold and the Aleene's creates a strong bond, just one that needs a few minutes to set up.  If you see close up in the pic below there is usually an area or two that needs a little trim. 

The petal shape below was created using a double petal type of cut.  This is done when you make your original cuts, you just cut a heart shape rather than straight up and down.  You then need to overlap two petals onto each other.  This takes 8 petals and makes them into 6.  You will see what I mean if you give it a try. 

Next, starts the layering process.  Alternating petal placement add a bit of glue to your largest petal and stack the next one on top.  I used the pointy end of a pencil to hold it down for just a few minutes until a bond was started.  Then, grab you next petal and just keep going until you reach the desired "fullness" of petals working from largest to smallest. 

You can add a bit more detail at this phase with Stickles, glitter and more shimmery paint.  Just add a bead, vintage button or small paper flower to the center of your flower with a bit of hot glue or tacky glue.   Alteredpages.com has so many great items in the embellishments category you are sure to find something awesome for your focal point.  

You are now ready to adorn almost anything with you big beautiful paper flower.  You can add a personal touch to gift wrap or a journal cover.  You can make them to match a theme and color of a wedding or baby shower.  I am adding a whole bunch of these to my art wall in my studio.  I love using all my bits of scrap paper to add color, interest and dimension to really make a fun space...what better way to inspire creativity!  Just a little poster tack attached to the back of the flower will allow me to adhere them to my wall with no damage.  This would also be perfect to add a bit of fun and color to a bland dorm room.   

Thanks so much for hanging out with me today. 

I hope you round up some pretty papers and 

get to making a few flowers for yourself! 

Have a great weekend!

Stephanie