Monday, April 19, 2010

Shabby Chic Flower Tutorial

As promised, here's how I made the flowers I've been showing on here recently. 

I've used the thickish handmade "Lokta" paper to make these, but it's worth trying different papers too as they'll all give different effects.  As you can see, I've managed to acquire quite a lot of this stuff - it's lovely for covering books and boxes - especially when I make boxes for special cards as it not only looks opulent with all the paper's knobbly texture , but it also makes for a really sturdy box.

Anyway, on to the flower project....

You'll need
a piece of paper - about A5 will be enough
Glue
Scissors
Stickles Glitter Glue - I like Crystal Ice Stickles
Circle punch (abt 5cms) or cut by hand

There are a lot of photos, so I'll add them in small view - you can click on them for a larger version
1. Cut heart shapes, either using a multi sized die, or just freehand with scissors.
You'll need at least three sets of different sizes,  I prefer to use four sizes of hearts but I think it really depends on what sort of paper you're using
For the 1st and 2nd sets you need to cut 8 hearts
for the 3rd and 4th sets cut 4 hearts in each size
Use a dot of glue to stick the points of the hearts together in pairs - this photo shows all the hearts at that stage, the ruler will give you an idea of sizes I've used


2.  Now put a dot of glue in the middle of one pair of hearts and add the second set of the same size as shown here.  Repeat for all the sets of hearts ending up with something like this
3. I've made a few of these flowers now, and find you get a nicer result by making a base piece.
For this, cut/punch a 5cm circle, fold it in half, and half again then cut as in pic 2 below.  When you open it out you should have something like picture 3 shows.  Set this aside for later. 

4. Now build up all the layers from the largest at the bottom, toi the little ones at the very top, add a little dot of glue at the centre of each floret between each of the layers.  Allow to dry for a few minutes

5.  When the layers are firmly stuck together, take the flower and start to crumple it all up into a ball.  Roll it between your hands as though you were making a meatball!  The crumplier, the better. 
When you uncrumple it you'll have something like on the second photo - if you think it needs a few more wrinkles just crumple it up again till you're happy with the effect.




6.  Next apply some Stickles to the edges of the petals, or wherever you think will look good.  You can use your fingers to move the glitter about a bit.  Leave it to dry thoroughly
Punch or cut a circle of card and stick this to one side of the base section you made earlier.

7. For the flower centre you can use a large brad, or a button, or you could make something like those I've done here
The first is made with  Card Candy. which are domed circles just perfect for flower centres, or to use as faux brads etc .  I wanted to cover this one with black Stickles so I used a beaded pin with a bit of blutack on to secure it on top of the bead while I applied the Stickles - it's a bit easier to do it that way rather than when the Card Candy is stuck to the flower - I always end up with the Stickles getting onto the flower petals when I do that.

8.  Once the flower is dry, apply glue to the punched circle on the base piece and stick the two sections together.
Make a hole through all the layers for attaching a brad, or just glue the Card Candy, button or jewel to the middle of the flower and leave it all to dry for a while.
You can do some extra "tweaking" to get a better shape - but try to get your fingers in between the flower and the base layer when you do this.


The finished flower

Here's another idea for the flower centre


*Punch two or three 1.5cm circles from card and stick them all together to get a firm base
*Apply a thick layer of Glossy Accents all over the card circle
*Drop beads of a single colour, or mixed colours to match your project into the GA, trying to cover the whole circle
*Apply more GA over the top of the beads then leave to dry thoroughly before adhering to your flower.


There you go, all done - I warned you there was a lot of photos, but often pictures help more than words!
I hope you'll have a go at making one of these flowers and will come back and let me know how you got on

Happy Crafting


18 comments:

Crafting Queen said...

Wonderful flower, thanks for sharing. Anesha

tracy said...

those are wonderful,thank you so much for sharing :)

Jo said...

These are gorgeous, Kathy, I am gonna have a go at these (once I have crossed off the million and one things on my to do list LOL)

jo x

Karen said...

WOW Kathy...thank you for the tutorial on these gorgeous flowers XXX

Angelnorth said...

Gorgeous result Kathy, thanks for sharing the process!

Lynda said...

Fabulous flowers and a great tutorial - thanks Kathy you're a star!

Love Lynda xxx

Anonymous said...

Great tutorial Kathy, I really need to have a go at my own flowers, there's so many great tutorials now in blogland for so many different types of flowers. Seems a shame not to give it a go. I've never heard of that paper you've used though.

See you Weds no doubt!

Brenda

CraftCrave said...

Just a quick note to let you know that a link to this post will be placed on CraftCrave in the Cutting category today [19 Apr 02:00pm GMT]. Thanks, Maria

Smita said...

What a super tutorial, Kathy. :) thank you for sharing. :)

Ruth (ooffee) said...

Oh wow! Thanks for that - I am definistely going to have to try this! Ruth xx

Janice said...

Nice work Kathy. I must save that for later.

lisa said...

Thanks for sharing such a detailed tutorial, Kathy. I love this handmade paper you've used.

Lisax

Gez Butterworth said...

Your flowers look gorgeous Kathy. Thanks for sharing your great tutorial. Look forward to giving them a try. :)
Hugs, Gez.xx

Unknown said...

this are stunning flowers Kathy - i like the sound of that paper - i'll have a look for some of that.

Paula x x x

Diana said...

Wow that flower looks beautiful. It really is possible to make such things for oneself, I've now seen it for myself ;)
Thanks for coming by my little blog! I love that I've linked into so many UK scrappers and cardmakers thanks to finding that blogpost!

Kate said...

These look lovely Kathy, I must have a try, if I ever get the time, lol!

** Kate **

Kirsti said...

Hi…just stopping by to say hello via the Clips-n-Cuts Birthday Blog Hop…Hope you are having a great day…

These flowers are gorgeous and a great way to use up that paper...xoxo

Julie said...

Beautiful flowers, thanks for the tutorial!! Juliex