5.05.2011

Paper Flower + Handmade Cards {tutorial}

Everyone in my family knows that I send handmade cards rather than store-bought ones for all sorts of occasions - birthdays, Mother's and Father's Day, etc. My cards vary in their quality and attractiveness, usually depending on the amount of time I have, how tired I am, the materials I have on hand, blah blah blah. But guess what, fellow DIYers?! I believe I have created my signature card.

Without further ado, I present to you..... 
The Scrapbook Flower Card
Dear family, you will be receiving lots of these sorts of cards in the future.  :)

The clear focal point of this card design is the flower. Would you like to know how I made the paper flower? It is unbelievably easy and fast to make! 

     Materials:
  • Scrapbook paper { < $0.25} (multicolored paper works best in my opinion)
  • Water (I can hear you saying, "hmm?" We will revisit this in a sec.)
  • Cute design scissors {$1} (Not sure of the technical name - it's the kind that you use for crafting to get a curvy cut.)
  • Needle and thread {probably you will have this on hand}
  • Button {optional}
      Time:  4 minutes/ flower (c'mon, you have time to make this)

3 Steps to Make a Scrapbook Paper Flower

Step 1 - Cut out 5 loose circles with your fancy pants scissors. No guide is necessary. Just eyeball it and try to make each circle a little bit smaller or bigger than the last. Circles that are not perfectly round work best because it gives that natural, organic feel to your flower.

Step 2 - Water your 5 cutouts. That's right - sprinkle a few drops on the paper until it's damp. Now the paper is more malleable and ready to bloom!! {hehe} Take each circle of paper and squish them in from the center, as shown below.

Step 3 - Lay the 5 circle cutouts on top of one another, and then sew together in the center. 

{Optional} Step 4 - Why not add a button to top it off? Cute :)


What do you think? Me likey :)

To create the handmade cards, I used  mod podge and scrapbook paper to cover some card forms (or you can make your own out of construction paper). Then I added a band of a different scrapbook paper going horizontally across the card. This combo seemed to please my eyes the most. Alternatively, you could make smaller flowers, which would save room to write Happy Birthday or anything you want on the card using sticker letters.

Here are some more pics: 

(This is the one shown in the steps. This card was before I discovered using buttons and bands of scrapbook paper.)

I think the brighter ones are pretty too.


All together now.



Do you have any tips for making other sorts of paper flowers? I'm kind of obsessed with this one right now, but in a few weeks I don't doubt that I will be looking for a different flower to make.  :) 

17 comments:

  1. It was fun making these this morning - yes, I immediately pulled out the scissors and started cutting - shhh!-don't tell the Moms!

    I used little heart-shaped pink brads instead of buttons. The flowers turned out very nice. Thank you for the idea.

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  2. I've seen some paper flowers around but none as cute as this. Love all the layers!

    I retired from sewing a few years back (!) but I think I could manage a needle and thread . . . if I can find one, ha!

    Thanks for sharing!

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  3. These are so cute and easy! I wish I would have found your blog before Mothers day! I have tons of scrapbook paper. Girl, I love your blog, such great ideas!

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  4. I love this! I agree with what Gin said, I would have loved to make this for my mother. Nothing is better than a handmade card. I'm definitely going to be trying this out.

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  5. I made a similar version of these and you made it so much more simple and even more darling. Thanks for sharing!!!

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  6. I'm passing on a blog award to you! You can check it out at:

    http://ahousetofill.blogspot.com/2011/05/bloggy-award.html

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  7. These are beautiful cards, I would love to try them with my artistic daughter:)!! I came to check out our blog as you were just awarded a blog reward. If you get a chance, support a newbie blogger and come see me at huberhang.blogspot.com

    Have a great day!
    Beth

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  8. Hey! I just awarded you the Versatile blogger award here: http://funkymonkeyinthemiddle.blogspot.com/2011/05/i-got-award.html Congratulations! While you're there, take a look around :D

    Alyssa

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  9. Such a great idea :) they turned out really cute!

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  10. Very innovative..I have tons of buttons and felt ... now I know what I need to do! These are super cute! Thanks for sharing!

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  11. oh my goodness, these are so stinkin adorable!! love love love it. <3 EverRubyGirl. blogspot.com

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  12. Thanks so much for all the lovely comments! I really appreciate the blog awards too! You all are the best! :)

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  13. These are great! I am not a "scrapbook-er-maker" person but I did pick up a stash of some great scrap-booking paper at a yard sale (for 25-cents!) because I thought it could be used for cards, just did not know how. Now I do!!! Thank you!!!

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  14. These are darling. Thanks for linking up to the Throwback Thursday link party. Linky open through Sunday.

    www.luxeboulevard.blogspot.com

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  15. Just seen this tutorial. I'm going to teach my dementia groups how to make these this week. Thanks for the inspiration.

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Thanks for your kind comments!