The kids are back in school and here's an AWESOMELY fun new project, just begging for a photo tutorial. Enjoy these EASY and GORGEOUS paper chrysanthemum technique that you will be using for years to come!
First, punch out five Scallop Circles of your desired color of cardstock (regular paper and most cheapo-brands of cardstock not recommended for this project). Yes, I know there's only four scallop circles in the photo. Do you want your flower to be sorry-looking? I didn't think so. Punch out five and be quiet).
Lay them on a paper plate or dish (I used an empty stamp case) and mist them with water. Flip them and mist again. Isn't this FUN?? It's like pre-school!
Stack all five circles loosely together (no need to line them up, all you perfectionists out there) and punch through the center with your handy-dandy Crop A Dile (definitely not for pre-schoolers). Then put in a large brad of some sort (small ones aren't up to the size of this baby).
Then, layer by layer, start bringing the scallops up around the brad and crunching them into petals. It's really easy, because the paper is extremely pliable. If it starts to dry out too quickly, just mist it again.
When you get them all scrunched up (technical term), it should look like this. Only in whatever color you chose, of course. If you chose Daffodil Delight cardstock and your flower looks like this, then Houston, we have a problem. Let it dry like that. it won't fall apart, and it won't noticeably come un-scrunched, either. It will take a bit to completely dry, maybe say three to four hours or so. For sure overnight.
Since I was using Peach Parfait, one of the new In Colors, I used the new Glimmer Brads from the Holiday Mini, which starts September 1st! If you use something pretty on the inside, it won't matter if the brad peeks out at you from between the petals. You might want to separate them a little so it shows on purpose (although then you can't really call it a chrysanthemum (although, considering I've typed that three times now and had to use spell check every time, not calling it a chrysanthemum might be a plus).
So what does one use your little bitty masterpiece on? Anything! Cards would have to be hand-delivered, of course, but it's too adorable on little boxes and bags. try it on the Bitty Box for sure. Here's a gift bag idea for you that I made as part of a hostess gift this week.
There you have it! Easy and FUN to make little flowers... but I'll warn ya, they're totally addicting. My stamp room table is covered with these little guys left out to dry from yesterday. I think maybe they multiplied in the night.
Wanna see something TOTALLY amazing? This technique can be done with the Scallop Circle die for the Big Shot, too! Click here.
If you liked this tutorial or think you might use the technique, please leave me a comment and I'll be so encouraged I might do more. Happy Stamping!
Lyssa,
How cute!! I have had that silly scalloped circle die for a couple of months now and I haven't even used it yet!!! What Ihave I been doing??? well, new catty, new mini just to name a few!
Thanks for the pics!
Dawn
Posted by: Dawn Repovg | 08/31/2010 at 09:52 AM
More, more, more!
Posted by: Pam J | 08/31/2010 at 11:37 AM
Great tutorial. I will definitely try this! Thanks for all of your inspiration. I'm loving your blog for demos, too!
http://willrun4stamps.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Elisa | 08/31/2010 at 11:54 AM
Brilliant. I love the "I can't believe I didn't think of that" ideas.
I can't believe you didn't spray them with "shimmer spray"!
Posted by: Jane B | 08/31/2010 at 01:08 PM
Thank you for the great Photo Tutorial. I'd love it if you did more tutorials like this. Thanks for all your inspiring projects.
Gwen
Posted by: Gwen | 08/31/2010 at 03:03 PM
Jane, I did think of Shimmer Spray, but the rubbing alcohol dries too quickly. Plus, you're manipulating them with your fingers, you'd be COATED in the stuff ; )
Posted by: Lyssa | 08/31/2010 at 03:44 PM
Great idea and tutorial! Love your instructions. You could always use the shimmer spray after you scrunch them :)
Posted by: Serena | 08/31/2010 at 05:19 PM
Lyssa,
Fantastic idea! I love the tutorial, educational, but whimsical! You have a delightful presentation style that shows in your written demonstration! The only better would be a video! Please share these with us more often!
Posted by: Lori B | 08/31/2010 at 08:25 PM
Thanks Lyssa! Awesome tutorial, and surely would love to see more! Love your style! TFS
Posted by: Dee in N.H. | 09/01/2010 at 05:48 PM
So cute and looks so easy! I love your prose too - cracked me up!
How do you attach the flower to things? Be it a scrapbook page or a paper bag, or whatever?
TFS!!
Posted by: Jenny | 09/02/2010 at 01:21 PM
Jenny, dimensionals are best, because they have the flexibility to grab an uneven surface. Mini Glue Dots are my second choice. Sticky Strip would work, too, as long as you had enough of a flat surface on the bottom of your flower for it to really grab. HTH!
Posted by: Lyssa | 09/02/2010 at 03:43 PM
Lyssa,
These are adorable you and your blog rocks!
Posted by: Barbara | 09/02/2010 at 07:19 PM
Lyssa, this is a great tutorial! TFS your creativity with us...
Posted by: NY2TXPATTI | 09/04/2010 at 09:58 AM
Lyssa,
I just tried one of these last night and oh my how FUN they are! SOOO easy! I was giggling the whole while I was making it cuz it was so adorable. I used crumb cake CS, and the center was one of the retired choc chip (I think?) corduroy buttons. I then sponged on some champaign shimmer paint while it was still wet. SOOOO pretty!! AND what I love about these is that when they dry they are very firm! I've seen other tutorials (since yours here) that actually distress and break down the paper fibers then you crinkle it rather than getting it wet to crinkle it. I haven't tried that technique, but they wouldn't harden and hold their shape like these do. Thanks so much for helping me find a new addicting technique!! :)
Jenny
Posted by: Jenny | 09/09/2010 at 07:37 AM
Lyssa, I LOVE this! Thanks so much for all the work you do and then freely share!
Posted by: Wendy Martin | 10/20/2010 at 12:00 PM
I'm so far out of the loop....this looks awesome! Can't wait to try it!
Posted by: Jen Guarino | 11/05/2010 at 02:45 PM
Hi Lyssa! I just stumbled onto your blog today and have already found two of your tutorials to be fabulous! I can see I will learn a lot from you and look forward to visiting many times. I love making my own flowers so this tut is exactly what I was looking for. I also saw a scalloped circle wrapped with twine on CAS-ual Fridays and found your tut for that too! Awesome!!! Thank you so much!
Ellen
Posted by: Ellen Parker | 07/05/2012 at 07:30 AM