inspiration monday

i was roaming the aisles of my favorite craft store this past weekend, and i came across

this punch that creates really cute paper flowers.  i was really inspired by this idea, so here's another way to create a paper flower using supplies that you probably already have.  to make a flower, all you need is some paper, a paper punch, and strong adhesive.

for the base of your flower, cut two strips of paper about 1/4" wide and 12" long.  

punch out a nice little pile of shapes using your paper punch

(these will be the petals).

now apply some adhesive to your strip of paper.  you can use double-sided tape, glue, or some of the industrial strength red craft tape.....you just want it to be strong!  now lay your paper shapes onto the paper strip, spacing them evenly across the strip.  if you're using a paper that has a pattern, lay it pattern- side-down onto the strip.

now lay the second strip of paper onto the top of the first (the adhesive on your first strip will help attach the second strip).  apply adhesive to the second strip and lay more shapes in between the shapes of your first strip.

once your strips of paper are completely filled with punched shapes, start to roll your paper strip into a coil (you can wrap the end around a pencil to get it started).   roll your strip with the adhesive side out......the adhesive will help the paper stick together as you're rolling.  

once you've completely rolled your strips, place a dot of glue at the end of the paper to keep it from unraveling.  now gently bend the tops of your petals outward to start forming a flower shape.

you can add a decorative brad to the middle of your paper flower......

and then attach your finished flower to a card, small canvas, or art quilt!
these are so much fun to make, you'll have your own little art garden in no time!



{supplies:  scrapbook paper, fiskars heart punch, tombow permanent adhesive tape, decorative brad, glue, pitt pens, 4B graphite pencil, derwent watercolor pencils, strathmore 90 lb. paper}