Sunday, May 1, 2011

May Flowers Tutorial

The other night, to make myself feel better, I decided I needed to paper craft. Easy and pretty, just what my brain needed. I had seen this tutorial, but I needed to put my own spin on it. My way is better for quirky and not perfect (nor found in nature, teehee). They're super simple and fun, and you could probably occupy the kiddos for a bit with this one. So I bring you the April Showers That Soak the Ground and Make Spring Come Late So You Have to Make Your Own May Flowers tutorial. Seriously - I think it rained almost every day in April.


First, you'll need some sturdy paper. I liked making my flowers two-toned, but single colored ones are just as pretty. I used my circle cutter, even though any circular objects will work perfectly. Or, if you can freehand a circle pretty well, go for it. You'll also need scissors and a glue stick or glue dots.


You can make these in any sizes you like--the small ones are really sweet, but mid-sized was easiest to work with. You'll need to cut two circles, one a little larger than the other. My larger circle is about 2 1/2 inches in diameter, and the smaller one is about 2 inches. Precise measurements are not needed here--just use what you have.


I free-hand cut the next part but you're going to need to cut each circle similar to the drawing below:


Snip eight evenly-ish placed cuts around the circle but DO NOT cut all the way--you should have eight flaps.


Now you're going to make a bit of a pinch fold. Take the circle that will be towards the back and pinch each petal with the blank sides together (or, in fabric terms, wrong sides together). Take the circle that will be towards the front and pinch each petal in the opposite direction (printed or right sides together). Don't make your crease too sharp towards the center or you risk tearing the paper (go ahead--ask me how I know this).


Glue the pieces together at the center. Adjust so that the crease in the top piece lines up with the cut in the bottom piece.


Then cut a contrasting piece for the center of the flower (I just used the red gingham again). Glue it on down.


I got a little obsessed so I added two more pieces to the back, which is why the above picture has a few more pieces than where we are in the tutorial. Then I added more. And before I knew it I had a big old flower. Then I made another exactly the same. If you want to do this just cut more circles, each a little larger than the one on top of it.


I wanted to see the effect if I put these back to back and made a flower. So I got some rigid stem wire and my glue gun. I bent the wire so it had a loopy look to it:


Then I put hot glue in the center and combined the two flowers and the wire and pressed until the glue set. If you're wondering if hot glue is still hot through all those layers I assure you that it is.


I made another one using the same colors but reversing their placement. Stuck them in a vase and bam! Cute paper flowers. I did an extra little pinching and fluffing--they got a little bit flattened during the gluing.


You know how I get going on something and I just keep going? So I made a bunch more of the smaller ones in a bunch of different colors (I think they're cuter smaller).


So then I did what I always do and I strung them up on a long piece of embroidery floss and hung them up in front of the kitchen window.


It adds a little something to the window and looks crazy sweet. These would be cute as a party decoration, or used individually as package toppers, or for anything where you need just a bit of easy embellishment. Plus they hardly take any time at all. I should have made a vase of these instead, but I didn't want to waste my huge flowers I had already made :)

One other thing: I had some scrapbook paper with flowers on them already. Check it out:


I cut out two of the same size and snipped on the sides of the petals. Then I folded and glued the same way. The curved petals give a slightly different look, (see photo below) which you could achieve by cutting the edges of the petals. I think the orange flower below is my favorite :)


If you have a brain that functions well with math or can get a compass and protractor to cooperate with you, you can probably make even more petals than the eight this method gives. But I've ruined many a project with my poor math skills so I just went with what was working for me.

So that's that. Cute and easy, right?

I'm linking up here this week:

craft
Sumo Sweet StuffRunning with Glitter
Today's Creative Blog
Anything RelatedTuesday To Do Party
Fantabulous Friday!
monogram
Iron Violet Designs








26 comments:

  1. these are all so cute and fun!! i love them :)

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  2. Ohhh Beth, they're lovely!!! Thank you for sharing this tutorial!!!
    I wanted to tell you also that I'm giving you the Stylish Blogger Award!!!
    http://sewhappiness.blogspot.com/2011/05/for-me-i-cant-believe-it.html
    Take care

    Eleni
    p.s. I'm so glad that you try to find ways to feel better:) That is so good for you!!!!

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  3. I love your creative and beautiful flowers! Thanks for sharing!

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  4. Love these flowers!
    I am starting my own linky party this Tuesday! It's the first one. I would love it if you would participate! It's called $10 Tuesdays and it's for things that cost less than $10 and take 20-30 mins (ish) to complete. I love inexpensive and quick projects and I'm guessing others will too ;) Thanks so much for considering.
    Tina Watschke
    http://sweetfloweret.blogspot.com/

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  5. Adorable flowers! I love them in the vase.

    Found you at Skip to My Lou.

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  6. These are really cute. I hopped over from Sarahndipities. I might have to add this to my MOPS craft list for next year!

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  7. These are adorable...and so simple! Thanks for the idea!

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  8. These are really fun looking, can't wait to try them, thanks for sharing the tutorial!

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  9. Your paper flowers are so sweet and versatile!
    Would love for you to drop by the Tuesday To Do party and share them!
    http://blackberryvine.blogspot.com/2011/05/tuesday-to-do-8-and-7-list-makers.html
    Smiles!
    Jami

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  10. Thanks for your link up to my 20 minute Tuesday party!
    Now you need to come back and claim your FREE button pony tailer!
    The first 50 people in May to follow my blog AND follow on FB and send me their address will get a freebie!
    Come see!
    http://sweetfloweret.blogspot.com/2011/05/may-giveaway.html

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  11. Those are 'sew' much fun! Love may flowers. The garland is really pretty too.
    ~Kimberlee, www.TheSpunkyDiva.com

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  12. Bethany, these are so cute!! What a fun project to do to keep busy, and you can save the completed flowers for other projects - love it! Yes, you're right, it has rained here in PA forEVER...

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  13. I'll take them all. I LOVE the flowers!!! BEAUTIFUL!!so colorful:)

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  14. How sweet, I LOVE them! TFS, Nan

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  15. Love this tutorial...flowers are all the rage in scrapbooking but this is one version I haven't really seen yet...can't wait to try it out.

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  16. Cute! Please come and share it at my link party: http://fabricbowsandmore.blogspot.com/

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  17. These are so fun! Thanks for linking up to Fantabulous Friday. I am featuring you today on my FB page! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mommas-Kinda-Crafty/107448639331002

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  18. Sooo cute, I love how you combine colors!

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  19. These are so cute! Wish I had seen this post earlier this week!! I made some paper flowers for an arrangement in a mini paper watering can for some mommy friends for Mother's Day. These would have been perfect for that project!
    Jaimee @ craft-interrupted.blogspot.com

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  20. It's so cute and coloful! I linked your tutorial on our blog www.craftreport.blogspot.com . Thanks!

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  21. So, So cute! Love the colors!!! Brand new to bloging but very inspired! www.creativyou.blogspot.com Thank you for sharing!

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  22. Great tutorial! So clear and easy-to-follow. I just made one of your flowers for my niece's birthday gift...was getting tired of the standard bow. These are so cute. Thank you!

    Marie K.

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  23. I think I will try this so I can replace the snowman on my front door. :) Either make a 'wreath' or a vertical string of them. Thanks much!
    ~Kat in Boise~

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