Whimsical Paper Flowers to Craft by Hand-Paper to Petal

I have been crafting with paper since childhood and continue to do so most everyday. I have stacks of craft paper and drawers of colored tissue paper. I have always enjoyed making flowers from paper and used to do it freehand without the use of a template. I recently ran across a wonderful book which has breathed new life into my creations. Paper to Petal inspired me to make some beautiful tissue flowers as well as some I made from leftover felt pieces.

In the book I found actual templates to use for some very impressive flower displays for my home. I love the fact that I was able to make my creations in the colors that suited my home decor. My friend was so impressed with my flowers she wanted a vase full for her living room. So I made her some with white tissue paper and every time I visit I can't believe how beautiful the look up on her mantel. She loves decorating as much as I do and we are planning on making some more when the season changes.

I made a copy of one of the templates and used it with some felt piece and it made a more whimsical type of flower. I used the flower which measure about 10 inches in diameter and sewed it to the center of a decorative pillow for my daughter's sofa. She loves the look and has been asked where she bought it by several of her friends. She told them her mother made it for her and they thought it looked like a professionally designed pillow.

I still have a few more project I intend to make with the template designs. One of them includes using some fabric to create my flowers and then sew them across the front of a holiday dress for my grand daughters. The uses for this book are endless and not just limited to paper. If you like flowers you will love this book.

What you need

• circle paper punch – I suggest extra large if a young kid is involved with this craft
• color paper
• paper in a variety of decorative sheets (newspaper makes a great look)
• paper cutter or scissors
• glue
• green paper for stems or skewers
• clear tape (or double-sided works too)

Cut ribbons of paper. There is some trial and error with the next step. Depending on your circle size, paper strips' lengths (and widths) will work. We recommend you first make one strip of paper, make a loop (as seen in the next step), and see if it works with your circle size. Once you are happy with the size of the loop about your yellow circle, start cutting strips of paper in that size.

I urge you do the cutting if you are working with younger kids. Nevertheless, if you make this a classroom assignment and like the kids to complete the cutting on their own, I suggest you use the biggest circle punch, as cutting strips across the width of a letter-sized paper may be too tricky for little kids.

You can create an entire bouquet of these blooms and place them in a little vase as a handmade present for your buddies, household, or educators. They will treasure exhibiting these flowers in their dwellings.

If you are constructing these in your classroom with younger children and are short on time, I suggest cutting out the flower parts before they arrive. This way, all your pupils have to do is fold and assemble the flower.

I expect you and your youngsters enjoy creating these 3D flowers out of construction paper. Holiday time can be an excellent time to make these flowers too. Maybe you could make poinsettia flowers and arrange them in a flower pot as a holiday gift.