Crepe Paper Flower Tutorial

As promised, here is the tutorial for making the crepe paper flowers I used on the layout I posted about yesterday.

I purchased a package of crepe paper that came in a big sheet (8 ft x 20 in).  I found it in the same section of the store where the tissue paper and gift bags were.

Start with a strip that measures 4" x 20": 

Fold it in half:

Then fold again into thirds:

 This is what it looks like folded into thirds and lying flat:

Cut all the layers into a circle.  I didn't measure (can you tell?) but it's OK...they don't need to be perfect:

When you are done, you will have 6 circles.  (Keep them together in a stack, though).

You can leave them in a circle, or cut a scalloped edge.  Again, I just free-handed the scallops:

Punch a 1" circle from cardstock.  Add a dab of hot glue or a strong liquid glue (like Diamond Glaze).  If you use hot glue, work quickly:

Gather the flower up:

Snip off the bottom:

Press the cut end of the flower into the glue.  Let dry:

Spread the layers out and fluff them:

If you want to add a touch of color, sponge a little bit of pigment ink onto the edges of the flower:

Done!

Here's a tip:  Don't use a spray mist to color your crepe paper flower.  The water content will take the crinkles out of the crepe paper and make a big mess!  It might work on tissue paper, though, but I haven't tried it.

Speaking of tissue paper, here are some similar flowers my Mom helped the kids make this summer.  She cut circles from colored tissue paper.  Instead of gluing them to a base, she poked a hole in the center and threaded a pipe cleaner through.  She folded the tip of the pipe cleaner over to keep all the layers into place and covered that up by fluffing the tissue paper in the center.

 

Don't they look pretty?  I love the different colored layers the boys created.  See what you could do on a layout or card?