Norma Anne Chattin, The Artful Tourist
                             Make something of it
Bloom Binge
This page was last updated: June 1, 2011
Norma Anne is the humble princess of her own domain. Many thanks to all who help and apologies for my mistakes. All artwork and articles copyright Norma Anne Chattin 2000-present. Please do not reproduce with permission.  Contact Norma Anne at NAChattin@NAChattin.com

It's a bloom bonanza!
Paper flowers have lured me in and I'm exploring all kinds of options. See links and overviews below and check back for more photos as soon as I can tear myself away from the creative process long enough to take more pictures.


HeliumJournaling writing prompts
Process











Suggested Supplies

Papers-Try lots of different styles and textures for fun results. Most samples here used old dictionary pages and double sided print cardstock. A small amount of handmade/textured papers were used as well.

Tacky Glue

Scissors

Non-stick drying surface (wax paper or non-stick craft sheet

Optional:

Small hole punches, rhinestones, tiny beads or buttons to use as flower centers

Ink pads, markers, spray on colors and glitters.

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-Rose Blossoms-
oBegin with a circle of paper. Your circle can be torn from paper, cut freehand, or die cut. Cut or tear your circle into a continuous spiral.
oBeginners benefit from starting with a circle about 5” in diameter and drawing a spiral from the center to the outside edges.
oOn the 5” circle leave about .5” between the lines.
oThe edges of the spiral will create more attractive blooms if you gently freehand a scallop edge.

oRoll the spiral cut paper strip from the outside edge all the way to the interior.
oThe very center of the spiral is a small circle that will be used as a base for the rose.
oThe rolling process will naturally create a cone as you roll. The smaller area of the cone will be the base.

oPlace the rolled spiral on a flat surface and allow it to unwind naturally.
oUse a toothpick or other pointed tip to gently assist the very center in opening slightly.
oPick up the bloom and turn it over to squeeze white glue into the base of flower.
oTurn over to work the petals by curling edges outward from the center and manipulating sides to form the rose.
oPeriodically pinch the bottom a bit to maintain desired size.

Once you have a shape that pleases you, set the blossom aside on wax paper for the glue to set.

-The Chrysanthemum-
oMultiple circles are layered and manipulated to form the chrysanthemum style paper flower.
oBegin with 5 paper circles in two to three sizes.
oFor your first project try three 4” circles with two 3” circles of lightweight print paper or tissue paper.
oTorn, die cut, or freehand scalloped edges on the circles add to the dimension of your design.

oCrumple each circle and stack them from largest to smallest.
oFold the layers into halves and then quarters to locate the center of the stacked paper.
oOpen the stack and pinch then twist from the bottom center point forming a small cone shape. Use scissors to cut the tip off the cone creating a small hole in the center of the stacked circles. Apply white glue in the opening then pinch and twist flower base together again.
oBe certain the glue touches the edges of each layer within the center hole.
oHolding pinched base in one hand use the other hand to separate and curl edges away from center of each layer.
oSet on a non-stick surface such as waxed parchment paper for the glue to set up for at least an hour.

For great tips on style and finishing touches see my article on Helium.com
Sources & Inspiration: These all open in new windows so you won't lose your place here :)

YouTube videos:
Roxycar11 (Rosanne) has tons of paper flower tutorials up. This one is the most detailed rose technique.

Stemmed rose from double sided cardstock by Paper Niche.

LeahJohanna has some early videos of Donna Salazar's flowers that explain the carnation technique very well.

Web Sites
Country Living Magazine--Roses from sewing pattern paper. When you get to the slide show view slide 12 to see roses.

Zoe Bradley makes a living out of creating paper flowers. View her portfolio slide show here.

41 Different paper flower tutorials--Really fun set of links to get lost in ....

Way cool paper rose boutinere from sheet music


You can catch a glimpse of the blooms in my Studio Renewal video on You Tube.