Easy Flower Tutorials 1

Hello Ladies! 
Jani here to share some easy flower tutorials.

If you have visited my blog, Paper Compulsions, you will know that I am a little obsessed with making my own handmade paper flowers. Truth be told, it started when I was very young. I would draw flowers on paper and cut them out to give to family. Since then I have learned how to make lots of flowers from different materials. I want to share some of that knowledge with you. I look forward to doing several flower tutorials here on the Scrapadabadoo blog over time. 

Now, I did not want to overwhelm you in this first tutorial by sharing too much of this flower power, LOL I am going to start out taking baby steps and will layer on more information in future posts. 

Today we will focus on these flat flowers pictured above and flowers that curl down pictured below.

 

 


I have written all the instructions out in a free PDF document that you can download HERE.

You will find detailed instructions in the download. Let's go over some of the basics.

First of all..don't feel intimidated. You can make any flower you want just by learning small steps and practicing. I promise.

Tools
I use a needle tool , a.k.a. paper piercer, in the flowers shown today. You could use any small smooth round tool such as a skewer, the end of a paintbrush, a bamboo skewer, or the Tonic/Tim Holtz retractable pick. If you really want to expand your flower making skills you should consider getting the McGill Stylus Set and a mat. I can talk you through making all sorts of flowers with these styluses, a mat (I use a mouse pad type mat), and household items. You can use any type of glue, but I find it really important to use a bottle with a narrow applicator tip. You can fill it with any glue you prefer.

If you want to make flat flowers for cards that can be mailed or scrapbooks that aren't too thick, I find that starting with 2 or 3 flower shapes the same size 

 

or you can start with 2 large petals and 2 smaller petals.

Be sure to stagger the petals when you stack the flower pieces. 

Now that is easy enough isn't it! :) 



Now for a simple technique...

Curling the petals down.

Use the piercing tool to press against the backside of each petal while holding your thumb against the front. Slide your thumb and the tool from the base of the petal to the tip. With a light pressure "curl" each petal downward. (Similar to pressing curling ribbon between scissors and your thumb)

 It will look like this when you are done.

Now,bend each petal straight up about 90 degrees (see figure 4) and then 
back down again. 

 


Repeat this for each petal. They should look like this when you are done.

With these easy steps you can shape petals in various sizes to create pretty flowers like these. I show the number of petals and sizes that you need for each.

Again, you will find step by step instructions and measurements in the PDF document. 

Here they are on the cards.

The materials used in the flowers pictured can all be found in the Scrapadabadoo online store.

Tonic/ Tim Holtz retractable pick

Scotch quick dry adhesive

Tim Holtz/ Sizzix Tattered Florals die

Prima Optimist – 6 by 6 paper pack

Prima Optimist – Sugar dots

DCWV Chalk Markers

Zig White Chalk Marker

MME Cut & Paste Recollect 12 by 12

MME Chalk Studio 12 by 12 paper pack

The cut files for the flowers pictured today will be available on my blog.

I have some flower tutorials on my YouTube channel and will post some here on the Scrapa blog soon.  Feel free to visit the flower pages on my blog that are listed under the header.

I will also be sharing the details on the center step cards pictured at the top of this post and the other flowers on them.

Please leave comments on what you would like to see in flower and card projects.
Thanks!