Paper Flower Tutorial

     

Learn to make these cute little creations!  Follow these easy instructions:

The possibilities are endless with rolled paper flowers.  I wish I could take credit for inventing this great idea but I can only take responsibility for adapting it to my style and color preference.  I have made bouquets for weddings, Christmas wreaths, table centerpieces with candles, and much more!  Here is a super-cute idea that is perfect for a gift for any occasion and it adds character to a shelf in any room of the house!  Be creative with how you use these ideas and you will have a great time adding beauty to your own little world.  So here we go:

The supplies you will need for this project are as follows:

>>Floral wire in white and green<<

>>wooden spools for display<<

>>a colorful selection of buttons<<

>>Glue gun and glue sticks<<

>>scrapbook paper in whatever colors you like, double-sided is best<<

>>scissors<<

>>Wire cutters<<

>>Optional: Ink Pad<<

Step 1: Starting with a 12×12″ piece of scrapbook paper, cut in quarters.  Your cut does not have to be perfect.  Take one of those quarters which is roughly a 6×6″ square and cut that piece into quarters.  You will now have  four 3×3″ squares.

 You will get 16 mini flowers out of one 12×12″ piece of scrapbook paper!

Step 2: Cut an imperfect circle.  No need for perfection here!

Step 3: Cut a spiral into your circle.  You don’t need to trace it with a pencil because that will make marks that you can see.  Just try your best to eye it.  Keep in mind that your rose will look better if you start out cutting a thin layer, progressing to slightly thicker and ending with a circle shape in the middle…

Here is how your spirals should look:

Step 4: Starting at the tip of the spiral, start a tight coil.  This is easier if you lick your finger and thumb before you start rolling…

Keep the coil tight as you roll!

As soon as you have the paper rolled all the way until you reach the center, release the coil and watch your blossom bloom!

Step 5: Apply hot glue to the base of your rolled paper flower and press to hold shape:

After preparing all of your budding blossoms, set aside, and turn your attention to making the leaves.

Step 6: Using a 3×3″ square of your choice of paper for leaves…

Fold the paper in half. This will make less cutting work…

After folding in half, cut the paper in half.  You can get 4 leaves out of one 3×3″ square.

You are cutting two leaves at once because your paper is folded. Starting at the base of the square cut a half circle coming to a sharp point along one side and then the same shape back down the other side.  It is always best to eye your cut, rather than cut along traced edges, as you do not want unsightly markings to show.

Step 7: Gently drag the edge of your freshly cut leaf through your ink pad.  You end up with a nicely finished look…

Step 8: Prepare your floral wire by cutting into 8″ long pieces (or however long you prefer).  Bend the heads of your wires to make a light hook.  More like a short “7″ shape…

Step 9: Fold your leaf in half but only crease it on the wide end, leaving the sharp tip untouched…

Step 10: After creasing the center fold of the base of the leaf, bend the two sides of the crease as well.  This fold will look like the letter “W”.

Step 11: Apply hot glue to the center crease…

… and quickly place your floral wire in the fold and squeeze the fold shut around the wire…

Step 12: Place a dab of hot glue up on top of the flat surface you created by shutting the fold. This is the ‘platform’ for your flower to rest upon…

Quickly press your paper flower in place and hold it there for a few seconds while the glue cools.

If you used double-sided paper, take a moment to enjoy all sides of your creation!

Repeat the process as many times as you like!

After putting your lovely new flowers on display… {I used wooden spools here} … turn your attention toward making a button bouquet to pair with your tiny masterpiece.

You will need your green floral wire.  I recommend using 20 gauge wire because it is nice and sturdy.  Grab your wire cutters.  [You do not want to use scissors on wire - they will become ruined if you do!]  You will also need a choice of colorful buttons.  I like to use vintage pieces because they have so much character.  And if you are like me, you have a jar of mis-matched buttons you have been saving for a rainy day craft project.

Step 1: Bend your wire in half and cut one side of the wire in half to create a shepherd’s hook like this:

Step 2: Stack your buttons from large on the bottom to small on top.

Step 3: Thread the very bottom of your wire through one hole on the top button of your stack…

Follow by stringing the rest of the stack along behind the top {smallest} button…

When you have the whole stack on the wire, bring it half way up to where the other side of the wire is pointing at your stack of buttons.

Insert the tip of the hooked wire into the other button hole of the top button and follow by bringing it through the rest of the stack…

Push the buttons all the way up to make a tight fit into the bend of the wire.

Step 4: Using your fingers at first, start to twist the excess wire around itself below the stack of buttons.  You might need to end this step using the tip of the pliers to tighten the coil so the buttons stay in place.  Also, use the pliers to either press down the end of the wire or cut off the excess.

Finally, cut the wire to the height you desire and you are finished!