Handmade Paper Flower Tutorial

Here is the paper flower tutorial I promised. I first made this flower for the Ellie Pooh card, and then again on one of the favor boxes.

Step One:

Start with heavy white paper. With a pair of scissors cut a circle slightly larger than you want the size of your flower to be. I don’t use a punch or a circle cutter because I think the flower looks better if the circles aren’t perfect. Continue cutting circles, successively smaller and in graduated sizes from the first. The more circles you use, the fuller the flower will be. For this example I use nine.

Step Two:

Cut slits from the edge of each circle towards the center. Make the cuts varying lengths and widths apart, while still keeping them fairly close together.

Step Three:

Use a paper scratcher, or the edge of a serrated knife, to scrape the paper from the center outward. This helps to give the paper a worn, aged look.

Step Four:

Color the circles, one at a time, using inks or dyes. For this example, as well as the favor box, I used Tattered Angel Glimmer Mists, but for the Ellie Pooh flower I used Tim Holtz Distress Inks diluted with water. While the circle is damp, use your fingers to crush it into a ball. Use a heat tool to dry the paper while it’s still in the ball. When it’s almost dry, gently unfold the paper circle being careful not to rip the “petals”.

Step Five:

Layer the colored shapes, and glue them together with a drop of craft glue at the center of each circle. Top it off with a button or rhinestone, and voila! You have yourself a super shabby-chic flower that can go just about anywhere.

If you make one, send me a picture. I would love to see it. Have fun!