Another handmade flower tutorial

This week at RAQ's Challenge on the Cricut forum, we were challenged to make our own embellishments.  I always enjoy making flowers and trying new techniques.  So this week I combined a Tim Holtz tissue tape flower with a fabric flower that I cut using my Cricut.

Here is the finished product

I started with the tissue tape flower.  Tim Holtz has a great (and simple) video that you can follow Tim Holtz Tissue Tape Flower.  For my flower, I cut a one inch circle from scraps and started the process of pinching the tape around the circle. 

Once that was completed, I created the flower base.  I used Cindy Loo cartridge for cutting the fabric (which I ironed on heat bond interfacing).  I cut six sets of the loops, which I then stamped with Ranger Sepia permanent ink, using a stamp that looks like old writing. It's okay if the edges are frayed, it is supposed to have a vintage feel.

I then proceeded to hand baste the fabric loops to create the flower.  It is really easy and quick to do. And you simply continue from one set of loops to the next.  For this flower, since I was combining the tissue tape, I only used 3 sets of loops.



 I then did the same hand basting with old lace that I had and create a circle for the base.

And voilà, here is the thank you card for my DD to give her manager.

Paper: K&Company TC Blossomwood

Card base Recollections

Top portion of card - embossed with Tim Holtz, stained with Vintage photo distress ink

Punch - Martha Stewart

Base of the "merci" frame inked with Antique Linen distress ink

Cricut cuts: Ornamental Iron 2 for "merci" frame" and Cindy Loo for the flower base

Embellishments - ribbon, button, pearls and gems



Hope you try making your own flowers too!

Sunflower

The weather is getting milder, the snow is melting away and I’m looking forward to Spring!  I’ve been spending a lot of my free time in my craft room making cards for birthdays, special occasions and even Christmas.  Along the way, I’m trying different things and learning new techniques particularly with inks and glimmer mist. 

I thought I would walk you through the steps of my newest flower creation – an amazing sunflower. I want to thank Elizabeth from 217 Creations for her wonderful tutorial that I followed and adapted.  To view her tutorial 217 Creations



To begin, you’ll need a white cardstock – I used an ivory 110 lb cardstock from Staples.  Some Glimmer Mist in Jingle Bells and Distress Ink in Photo Vintage.  You can use a punch, Sizzix die or Cricut for the main petals.  I used Stretch Your Imagination cartridge cutting one at 2 1/2”, another at 2” and smallest at 1 1/2”.  Each petal is then sprayed liberally with glimmer mist on both sides.  Then dried with a heat gun, and inked the edges with distress ink.


Next, to make the center part, you’ll need a kraft colour cardstock which I sprayed with Heirloom Gold mist.  You can again use a die or Cricut for the star shape.  I used Accent Essentials.  Each flower will take about 18 to 20 of these small flowers.  You then need to squish the flower around the end of a stylus or pen, dip it in glue (I used Aileen Tacky) and then place on the outside of the center of your smallest petal. 


Then you simply assemble each layer putting some glue in between.

To use this sunflower on a card, I decided to add some greenery and feathers.  I cut the greenery from Damask Decor and at times not all pieces are attached (see the left corner piece below).  An easy trick to keep the shape intact is to use drywall mesh when removing the pieces from your mat.  You can easily flip it over to add glue before placing it on your card.

So here is the final image, assembled and embellished. 


I can’t show the card yet as it is for my sister’s birthday….in June! 

Hope you're enjoying your free time too!