Pretty Paper Flowers

Hi Friends! Today I will show you how to make lifelike flower using crepe paper from our sponsor Papermart.

I love how fresh and pretty these blooms look on my mantel. They are really easy to make too using crepe paper, floral wire and tacky glue. Watch the video to see how:

For this tutorial you will need:
Crepe paper 
Tacky glue
Floral wire
Wire Cutters
Scissors

Directions:
1. Cut crepe paper as shown in the video. Pay attention to what way the striation in the paper is going with you cut so you can stretch and shape the paper as needed.

2. Cut a 12″ piece of floral wire and fold in half. Secure a tapered strip of crepe paper to the folded end and roll up to make the center.

3. Attach shaped flower petals to the wire under the center.

4. Twist the wire ends together and wrap the wire with a strip of green crepe paper. Glue crepe paper leaves to the stem.

Tip: Vary the shape and size of the petals and leaves to make any flower you want!

This project will definitely bring a little spring time to your home! These would be great for party decorations too. I just love the way they look on my mantle. Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

 

Hey Parents and Teachers! A craft for the kids!

Weather you have a classroom full of kids or just one of your own this fun project will not only make a lovely decoration for your Christmas tree but also a wonderful memory. I’m rubbish at cooking with the kids but give me crepe paper and glitter and everyone wins, plus there is no cranky sugar crash to deal with later. Let’s make a festive Christmas wreath ornament! Check out the easy to follow video!

You will need:

Crepe paper party streamers (2 rolls for $1 at Dollar Tree) or green tissue paper

white glue

green paper

ribbon or yarn

scissors

pencil or marker

sequins or pom-poms (for decorations)

Optional (circle cutter): Grown ups need to cut the inner circle of the ornament so a circle cutter is great to have or you can get crafty with the scissors!

Directions: Parents, remember ABP when crafting with kids (always be prepared!) Have supplies out, tissue paper squares cut and the inner circle of the wreath cut out. Make a few extra wreaths in case they want to make more, they are so fun!

Kids do this:

1. Cut out wreath with deco-edge scissors, write your name on the back.
2. Glue ribbon to wreath.
3. Use a pencil to mold paper strips (see video) and glue to wreath base.
4. Add decorations!

Viola, a beautiful wreath! Let kids make these for gifts for family and friends, they are sure to bring joy! Merry Christmas and as always happy crafting!

A Fall Collage Craft for Kids! {video Tutorial}

I had a really successful time at the local library last week with this craft. I had a hoard of children all happily tearing and glueing and creating fall masterpieces! This time of year it is hard not to be inspired by the beauty that surrounds us (in Maine anyway!) so why not translate it into a craft? It is perfect for a classroom too! Just remember my rule when working with kids ABP (Always Be Prepared!) that means have all of the supplies laid out and the tissue paper squares cut before you invite them to craft.

 

You will need: 1 sheet of blue construction paper, 1/4 sheet of brown construction paper, a strip of green paper and scraps of red, yellow and orange. Glue sticks and white glue, a pencil and tissue paper or crepe paper (party streamer) squares. I used leftover gift wrappings and party streamers. If you need to buy tissue paper I recommend getting rolls of green, red, orange and yellow at the dollar store. Watch the video to see how easy it is!

You can use the same techniques for other art as well. I don’t know what is so charming about this craft but it captivated all of the children in the library. Twisting and glueing is almost meditative I think and the results are so pretty! If you try this leave a comment and let me know how it turned out! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

Make your own pearls, glimmer mist and rolled flowers…

I think my favorite part of scrapbooking is making homemade embellishments, why buy store-bought ones when they are so fun to make? I’ll share how I made the elements on this page:

The title element on this page was a lot of fun. I used self adhesive glitter fun foam (grab this on clearance at the craft stores after the holidays) and cut them with steel rule dies from Sizzix. (Actually this was a steal, I bought 3 different sets of alphabets that were normally $100 for $1 each at custom crops, can you believe that deal!?!) I always have my eye out for versatile thick steel rule dies because U can cut felt, chipboard, foam and more with my Big Shot. Another bonus is because each of the letters has a frame around it you get 2 letter for each one you cut. Here is a title block I made with the leftovers:

Notice the glitzy background on the title block? I saved the scrap paper I used when I glimmer misted my embellishments and it was so pretty that I saved it and used it here. If you want to make your own glimmer mist you can read my tutorial here.

I love crepe paper, it is so frilly, pretty, feminine and cheap! I pleated a strip for the title border and then tied a length of my homemade crinkle seam binding on top. Note the homemade bakers twine on the knot and on the title strip (thanks UKMaryanne for that tip!) To make a rolled flower I simply took an 18″ length of crepe paper and twisted it so i had a cord then I covered a scalloped circle die cut with low temp hot glue and starting at the middle I coiled the crepe paper pressing it into the glue as I went. For the pearls simply squeeze out circles of high temp hot glue on a non-stick mat and let dry, then dust it with pearl ex and glue them to the flower. I sprayed my flower with cheap hairspray (Aqua Net aerosol) before attaching it to my layout to keep the pearl ex stuck on good! Works for chalk too! Oh, before I forget the homemade button card tutorial is here.

I dug into my old stamps for this layout too, the name/date stamp is several years old and the flourish next to the flower was one of my first stamps from PSX about 10 years ago! Using what you have already in a new way is the best way to save money and be creative when you are scrapping! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!

BTW this page qualifies for the following challenges: Get Hippity with Ippity, Kaboodle Doodles, Make it Monday, Pollycraft, Stamp with Fun, By the Cute & Girly , Scrappy Frogs, Catch The Bug, Sweet Stampin(rolled flowers are new to me:), Crafty Ann’s, Just Add Ink, Paper Cutz , Craft Us Crazy and Digi Doodle Shop’s Best

Crepe paper goodness!

Party streamers, gotta love them! Not only can they set the mood for a festive party but they can also add a lovely touch of vintage flair to your next project and since they are so inexpensive (you can get 2 packs at the dollar store) you can add them to everything. Here I adhered a pleated crepe paper streamer to this card:

Stamps: Crafty Secrets, Ink: Memento, Markers: Copic, PP: DCWV, Other: Crepe-paper streamer, buttons, ribbon

The crepe paper holds the folds well, all that is needed is a strip of double stick tape on the back to hold it, Give this technique a try! I have a bunch of Tea-Part invitations to make for my daughters’ birthday next month and I’ll be using party streamers for sure!

Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!