Paper Flowers Tutorial

I received my new scallop punch in the mail Friday, and went to town making vintage dictionary flowers! They are so pretty...and I gave the prettiest one's away...here is what I have left, and I plan on making more, with vintage findings, buttons, tags, lace, and paper to complete unique one of a kind vintage scrapbook kits! For now, I will just tell you all how to make your own. Enjoy!

Materials:

 Jumbo Size Scallop Circle Punch

Tag Board (I used junk mail)

Vintage Dictionary (mine is from 1960)

Brads

Magic Markers, Distress Ink, or Liquid Watercolors

Glitter Glue

Directions:

1. First cut two scallop circles out of tag board, card stock, or junk mail postcard.
2. Fold one in half, and then into quarters. Unfold, find the middle of the X and punch a very small hole there. 
3. Put unfolded circle on top of folded one and punch a hole using the folded circle as a template and punch the hole in the same place.
4. Discard folded circle and keep the second punched circle as a template.
5. Tear out 6-8 dictionary pages together, and punch. Some of mine are inked on the edges, some colored with marker before assembly, and some are sprayed from a mister with liquid watercolor. In addition they are cute plain or even punched from gift wrap, or patterned paper.
6. Cut your circles out all together, if using marker you will have to color each one and re-stack...the other techniques can be done once the flowers are assembled.
7. Place template over stack of scalloped circles and punch a tiny hole in all 6-8 pieces at once.
8. Attach pieces in with brad and scrunch each layer up around the brad.
9. Lightly loosen and shape pulling each layer gently downward.
10. Finish with glitter if desired.

                       

Here they all are!

This was sprayed and saturated with blue liquid water color, a white brad was used, and red Martha Stewart glitter glue was lightly dabbed upon it.

I used Tim Holtz (peeled paint) distress dabber on this one, inking the edge while and spinning the flower.

This one is plain...no ink.

I cut these circles from fancy envelopes that had lady bugs on them.

Another Tim Holtz ink and fancy brad.

This one looks a bit over done. I used 2 colors of ink and heat dried it, and then glued a button over the brad. My cats stole it, bat it around the kitchen for a while and I think it is now under my fridge...and headed for the garbage.

RAK

All scrapbookers know what an RAK is right? Of course, a Random Act of Kindness...and they can really make a person's day! I gave an RAK to my favorite waitress, and found out that her mom (Sylvia, who owns the restaurant) is an avid cropper as well as I. The swapping of tools and ideas then began. As well as RAKs...Sylvia gave me this adorable flower arrangement in a chocolate box, that sits on the bookshelf in my studio.

Then two weeks ago, she shared some pretty paper with me and said she needed birdcages...I told her I would make some for her just tell me what color, what size, and how may. Later, after cutting the bird cages, I put them in a box that my boyfriend asked me if I would like to save from the garbage (of course I did).

Then I remembered the pretty faux suede paper from Sylvia, and her shared love for little boxes. I covered the box with it, added a flower, pin, filigree corners, and a 50% off charm that I glued a rhinestone to and she gasped when she saw it...mission accomplished!

Also this weekend, I introduced my neighbor across the hall, Leah to scrap booking...she caught right on, and loves to paper craft now! I also took her to meet Sylvia, and we ate a wonderful Mexican meal! Leah watched me RAK the box, and I also had something for Sylvia's daughter, grand daughter, and Gail, the other waitress..I couldn't have anyone feeling left out! The next day, my neighbor. Leah, and new cropping buddy (who live conveniently across the hall) gave me an RAK...isn't this delightful? I told you she caught right on!

We then went shopping and I showed her all my goodies spots where I find great vintage lace, and discount doo dads for crafting...we had a ball! My wonderful fiance also jumped right into the hunt, and found me another bag of lace for 2 bucks!