Paper Flowers

I have been working on handmade Paper Flowers for an online swap in which I am participating. I have joined in for three groups, so I have to do three different sets of 25 flowers in 5 flower sets. Confused? lol. Basically, each group has 5 people and we send 5 flowers per person to the host, prepackaged for the individuals. so 25 flowers per group x 3 groups = 75 flowers.

So far, this is what I have completed(note - I actually have 3 of the 5 flowers completed, this picture was taken before I really got this post going - I will update later):

This is for the first group. I call them pinwheels flowers, although that isn't really their name(I don't remember the name). I saw these at a crop I attended over a year ago. I liked them so much I sat down and with a little trial and error, I figured them out on my own and made one to take home as a template.

I am doing a set of 5 different colors and sizes for this group

Yes, there are 6 instead of 5. Partly because I always make an extra or two just in case and also because I was able to get 6 flowers from each piece of 12x12 paper. Perfect! no waste! 12 strips of 1 inch paper = 6 flowers. You have to use two strips for each flower to have more flexibility for the flowers

Trial and error led me to some shortcuts. First I scored the paper at 1 inch intervals, then flipped the paper over and scored in between those scored lines. So the scoring was ever half inch mountain-valley-mountain-valley.

Then I cut the paper in 1 inch strips across the scored lines. This was much easier than cutting the paper and then scoring each strip. Another shortcut - cardstock is more difficult to work with on the smaller flowers. It tends to rip and tear easier and is not as malleable.

{To know what sizes to use for how large your flower will be: first decide how large you want your flower to be. 3 inches wide, 5 inches, 2 inches? Then divide that in half. That is how wide the strips of paper should be. When you fold and add them together, they will be approximately the size you want. The scoring measurements decided how thick the flower will be. 1/2 inch sores = 1/5 inch thick.}

Next, I glued the ends of two strips together, then glued their ends together forming a loop. I like to over lap the fold, versus gluing side to side. It seems to make a more secure connection. Setting it on its end, it looks like this. Not much yet.

Another shortcut I use: jar lids. I keep a variety of sizes around to use as forms for different flowers. They are especially helpful with these flowers as they like to pop out of your hands when you are forming them.

I put the loop into the lid

And using BOTH hands, I push the top sides to meet in the center

And with a little wiggling, it lays flat in the lid. Keep your finger on the center as it will still try to pop out!

I use tacky glue in the middle and a punched circle of glitter cardstock for the center. I also keep slightly heavier items nearby and set them on the center of the flower until the glue takes hold and keeps the flower together. Then I flip it out of the lid and turn them over and -another shortcut - using a circle punched from thin copy paper, I glue it to the underside of the flower for added stability and to help keep the shape.

Then embellish the centers as you like. I love the hand-dyed skittles, so that is my center of choice lately.

Here is a sneak peek on some more pinwheel flowers that I will be finishing soon!

After I am finished with this set, I still have two more flower designs to create and share with you!