Fun paper flower embellishments tutorial

As part of my OWOH giveaway, I offered the piece below. Several people asked me how I made the flowers.


Unfortunately, they are not nearly as pretty in this scan as they are once they are fluffed up. Since I had several requests for these, and since it's been awhile since I've actually done a tutorial on my blog, here is how I made them. Although they are easy, they are time consuming. Of course, you can't make just one, either, and I got a bit carried away making them.


Supplies (from top left, clockwise):
Deli paper (I used Kabinet Wax brand by Dixie from Sam's Club)
UHU glue (or any clear liquid glue)
Fluid acrylics (colors of your choice)
Inexpensive craft paint (colors of your choice)
Sharpie pens (various colors)
Craft sheet, or some way to protect your work surface)
Scissors (not shown)
Credit card or paint brush (not shown)


Lay down at least three coordinated colors of paint directly onto your deli paper. Be sure your paper is on your craft sheet. Using either a credit card (my tool of choice) or a foam or bristle brush, completely cover one side of the deli paper with paint. Spread some areas with single colors, others by mixing your colors.


Allow to dry. Don't get too concerned if you have a bare spot or two on your paper. It will never show in the final piece.


Continue making papers with various complimentary colors until you have several sheets completed. Make sure there is a distinct difference in the final pages, even though you use the same paints.


Audition your pen or marker colors and pick a few that compliment or go well with your color scheme.


Write your favorite word or words. I even wrote a few tips I wanted to share. Here are some of the things I wrote.

You can scribble all over the page with words of inspiration and affection because the words get cut around and no one will know for sure what they are or what they read. If your paint colors are dark, you will need to use black or white ink. If the words or sentences don't make sense, it doesn't matter. Use coordinating colors and keep within the same color family. You will want the best looking or least discernible words for the top layer. If you don't like your handwriting, try griping your marker like a child does or use your non-dominant hand.

Write words of inspiration or a favorite sentiment in other colors between the darker words.


Once your pages are finished, grab your favorite scissors and at least four sheets of paper.


Stack them and begin cutting circles. Keep your pages together to maximize the number of circles you can get from one stack. Alternately, use decorative scissors to cut your circles.


Cut an equal number of large, medium, and small circles. You can make your flowers with four or five petals, but I thought three was a good number.


Since you don't want all your flower petals the same color, leave the largest stack as is. Take the top circle from the middle stack and place it on the bottom.


Take two circles from the smallest stack and place them on the bottom of that stack.


Take the top circle from each stack and place them together, with the smallest circle on top.


Place a small amount of clear liquid glue in the center of each circle. For this project, I do NOT recommend white glue (Elmer's or equivalent) or glue stick. White glue is too wet and will tear the deli paper, and glue stick doesn't have enough surface area for good coverage.


Grab the assembly in the center, then gather and twist until you have the shape you desire.


This is how they will look on the back after they have been pinched and twisted. Hold the flower a few seconds to make sure the glue has started to set.


You now have one completed flower. If you don't like the way it is laying, you can always twist and smoosh some more. Be sure your "petals" are separated, too. Now go make more.


When finished, you will have some darling flowers for assemblages. Or use them in a wreath. Or add a piece of wire to the twisted area and turn them into a stunning bouquet. Or use them to decorate a package or gift tag. I don't suggest using them in an altered book or in any art where they will have to lay flat. They will flatten, like they did on my scanner (see first photo, this post) and you will be refluffing them a lot. They really look best when they are allowed to be themselves.

You can add anything in the center, including a button, glitter, tiny beads, pony beads (what better way to use them up), or leave the center as is.

These took a long time to make, and I stopped after 14 due to time constraints. Although I love deli paper because of its softness, ease of use, and the way it handles, you can shorten the time it takes to make them by beginning with lightweight patterned scrapbook paper, book pages (just make sure the pages aren't brittle), or maps. I hope you have fun with these, and make a few. If you do, I will link your post to this page, which can be found on my tutorial page.

Yesterday I was searching for a blog for the day, and clicked on a random link I found on Lori's blog (Ravenpainting) called Eclectic Visions of an Altered Journey. The owner of the blog is Linda Baldock. What I found was a blog filled with fun, color, and most of all, techniques and art that include paint and resin together, and rust and paint together. There is plenty of eye candy for everyone.