I took the challenge!

For each flower, I started by cutting each out from the ribbon strand, and then using some Alcohol Inks to add a bit of dimension into the middle of the flower.  Once that was dry, I added a combination of Distress Stain and Distress Inks to what I wanted to be the “petals” on each bloom.  Once dry, I actually also got out my Copic Markers just to add some highlights down at the base of the petals – they worked so well!  I finally dragged a bit of Distress Ink in Walnut Stain across each to give them a bit of a weathered look.

Once I was finished with the flowers, I tackled the leaves.  These have a bit of a suede feel to them, so I simply used two colours of Alcohol ink, added a few drops to each leaf, and then “smushed” them up (I know, I am so technical), in my hands until the ink covered the whole leaf, front and back.  I then took a Paper Smooches stamp with the word “Thanks” and used a coordinating Distress Ink to stamp the work on each leaf.  I didn’t want the stamp to be too obvious – almost so that from a distance, the leaves would simply look like they had some veins on them.

Finally, I grabbed some white silk ribbon, inked them up and created a few rosettes and a big bow to coordinate with the leaves.  I also used my Copics to do a bit of doodling on the bow.

But, you know it wouldn’t be a true Scrappy Canuck project unless it was interactive, right???  As I was attaching a few of the flowers to the wreath base, I added a circle flip tab underneath to include some of the things I am thankful for.  It you look closely, you will see three flowers that flip-up to reveal a little reflection from me underneath!

Now, I wonder how many brave visitors I will have in my home that will actually try to find the messages!

So there you have it – my entry for this month May Arts Ink It challenge.  I can’t wait to see what everyone else came up with too!

Paper Flower Tutorial – PART 5

My own little garden in my scrappy corner. The Echo Park paper makes these little blooms pop!

So today is the last day of my week long flower power tutorials!  It’s been fun to create all of these along the way, and I think I have saved the best tutorial for last!

A few nights ago, while I was watching a Startgate Universe with my hubby, I decided to see how many different flowers I could come up with only using my trusty circle punch and some pretty paper.  Two episodes later, 6 pretty flowers were in bloom around me!  I’ve picked a few of them to share with you today.

So, all you need for these pretty daisy-like flowers are circles, circles and more circles.  You will need two different sizes – I used 1″ and 3/4″ for the tutorial, although you can make them any size you would like!  And since the printable pdf tutorials have been popular this week, I decided to do one more in that format for you!  Take a look here for your copy.

I call these "Flower 1". Original, isn't it!?

Over at Scrap a Little, you can find a cute origami flower that would make a great flat embellishment on a project.  Go check it out! And if you are looking for a great, simple design with no special tools needed, check out this post at scrapbook.com.  CrimsonMama was kind enough to share her step by step guide with me for my post this week!

I hope you have had fun this week making flowers with me!  Be sure to visit again soon because I think I need to come up with some projects with flower embellishments now! Have a great weekend everyone!

Paper Flower Tutorial – PART 4

The repeating pattern on these lovely blooms make me want to fold little squares of paper all night!

MODIFIED JAPANESE KUSUDAMA FLOWERS

Years ago, I used to teach dance – ballet, tap and jazz.  At the end of each year, I would fold paper flowers for my students as a little congratulations for all they had accomplished that year.  I can still remember spending may nights with bright paper trying to figure out origami folds (and getting a few paper cuts too). I was always facinated to see how such geometric folding patterns could be used to create some really organic looking shapes!  So naturally, I decided to see what I could find in the world of paper folding for our floral tutorial series.

Today, I wanted to start by sharing a link with you to a great flower tutorial, and then share with you a way I modified it to use on a flat surface. This beauty,  the Japanese Kusudama flower over at Folding Trees, is a great way to create beautiful flowers for a home decor or altered item project.  But if you need something that will lay a little flatter, try this modification that I came up with:

Made with 5 -2" squares, this makes a great addition to a card or scrapbook layout.

Oh, and don’t forget to come by tomorrow for the last day of our tutorial series.  Let’s just say – it will be worth the wait!

A PDF version of this tutorial will be available soon!  Please check back for updates.

Paper Flower Tutorial – PART 3

They look so much like the real ones that I can almost convince myself that they smell!

DIANTHUS

My husband is the one with a green thumb in our family! While we both enjoy being out in the garden that we have just started to develop in the last couple of years, he is the one with flower power – he can name almost anything he sees, and he knows what to expect from so many blooms.  That works out great for me – I simply have to use my uber technical botanical terminology (something like, “Honey, I want smelly pinkish flowers”) and they magically appear.

Our pretty pink Dianthus are some of my favourite smelly floral treats.  So, creating a paper version was pretty easy since I often see them up close when I am stuffing my nose in them!  The pdf printable tutorial I posted yesterday received some positive feedback, so I thought I would create another one for today!

A little shimmer and ink makes these pretty blossoms shine!

Enjoy this little tutorial that will have you growing paper Dianthus as well as my hubby can grow the real ones!

Oh, and over at Flying House by Travelling Mama, there is a super simple, but very cute flower tutorial that you need to check out!  I can see a few different variations for this one too!  Have fun!

Last but not least – I hope you have been keeping up with the tutorials because tomorrow I’ll announce a challenge to help us celebrate this series and to get you involved in this fun week of flower power!  See you tomorrow!