Paper flowers: With a few simple supplies, paper flowers are an easy craft for a cheerful centerpiece, a perfect last minute gift (or should I say a well thought-out gift that took hours and hours – wink), a cheerful reminder of warmth-to-come, or just a fun activity to entertain the kids one dreary afternoon.
This is a no-rule project. There is so much freedom. I’ll share my process and a few of my favorite techniques, but the possibilities are endless.
Supplies:
Paper (patterned cardstock is my favorite, and easiest to shape)
Scissors
Hot glue gun/glue sticks
Pencil
Sticks (I opt for the free kind that fall in your yard, but skewers or dowels work well too)
Optional: Buttons, bells, avocado pits (stick with me here people), etc.
Step 1: Cut out 7 petal shapes
Cut a slit about 1/3 of the way up the petal
Step 2: Using a pencil, curl the top half of the petal around the pencil (curling backward)
Step 3: Grab that nifty hot glue gun (your patience will be tried beaten with a stick if you attempt to use regular glue…I haven’t yet made it through one flower that way). Make a dab of glue on the left side of the slit that was cut.
Pull the right side over and glue it taught (cupping the petal upward). This creates some shape to the petal and gives it more strength.
Step 4: Glue 3 petals to each other, in the shape of a 3-leaf clover. Take the remaining 4 petals and glue them one-by-one underneath the clover, they will overlap and create a more natural look.
Step 5: Grab your stick. Squeeze out a whoppin’ load of hot glue (ok, about a super thick dime/nickel size, but don’t get skimpy here) to the bottom of the flower. Wait a couple seconds until slightly tacky, then take the end of your stick and place it in the center. I find it works best to twist it around a couple times, really working the glue to your favor. If you have patience, hold in place until the glue dries, (ha ha, patience, what’s that?) or prop it up against something reliable.
Step 6: The flower needs a center. When in doubt, a vintage button always does the trick beautifully. But I’ve balled up tiny wads of newspaper, used mini bells, cut out paper circles, and one of my favorites are avocado pits. If you let them dry for a couple days they will naturally crack down the middle leaving two perfectly shaped flower centers (ask Husband how much he loves my avocado pit collection – he knew what he was getting into when he married me!).
Step 7: Leaves. Adding 1 or 2 leaves to the stem is another fun embellishment. Cut out a leaf shape. Starting at one end, fold down the center, but only about 1/3 of the way up the leaf, add a dot of glue to hold the fold. This gives the leaf dimension and also makes it more durable. Glue the folded end to the stem.
As I said before, these can be used for so many purposes – a centerpiece, a get-well bouquet, a gift-wrap topper (instead of a bow), a single stem in the bathroom or as a garland. I’ve used them for a number of wedding showers and baby showers as decorations and party favors. You can add them to the corner of a picture frame, or place cards at a dinner party. Need I say more? Vary the size of the petals and switch up the paper, and the possibilities are endless. Happy creating!
