Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Paper Poinsettia Tutorial

This tutorial was inspired by the Paper Poinsettia's at Bloomingdale's  (you can find pics of them online or on Pinterest)
 I made my own pattern to make some in a similar style. 
So today I want to show you what I did and share my pattern with you. 
The pattern and tutorial are free for personal use.
Happy Holidays!




To use the pattern you can right click and save the image to your computer and then print it out, OR you can right click and select "View Image" to see it on your computer screen (zoom in by holding down ctrl + to get it to the size you like), you then treat your computer screen like a light box, hold a piece of printer paper against it and "lightly" trace the pattern pieces with a pencil. (I say "lightly" because you don't want to damage your screen especially if it's an LCD screen) (sorry guys, I'm not buying anyone a new screen :)

1. Cut the pattern pieces out and trace them onto vintage paper. (I like to use lots of different patterns and papers from old books etc.) I stack 2 sheets together and cut 2 pieces out at a time. You need 2 pieces to make 1 petal.


 2. Next cut some wire about 2-3 inches longer than your petal. You need 1 piece of wire per petal.
I used some steel wire from the hardware store but you can use any wire (floral wire, jewelry wire, etc)
 3. Open up to two halves of each petal and apply glue down the center of each and all over one half.

4. Place the piece of wire in the center and flip the opposite petal half onto it and press over the entire surface with your fingers to seal.
One petal down....
lots more to go....
 Make lots of petals ( I made 20 small & 18 large to make two large flowers)
 5. Tear apart a Christmas pick from the floral dept at your local craft store. They tear apart easily so you can use the small pieces as stamens in the middle of your poinsettia.
 6. Now gather some of those pieces and tape them together. You can use floral tape but I didn't have any so I used some freezer tape I had on hand. Plus the color goes with my flower. :)
 7. Now it's time for bling. Put some tacky glue in a small container and mix it with a few drops of water. Not enough to make it thin but just enough so that it brushes on well. (you can also use mod podge, or gel medium but I prefer tacky glue for the glass glitter as it has a strong bond) Brush the glue onto each petal.
 8. Pour German Glass Glitter onto the glued petal and shake off the excess onto a piece of paper or a paper plate.
 9. Let your petals dry.
 
 10. Now gather some small petals, large petals, and glittered petals along with the center stamens and tape all the wires together. You can add more petals on the outside if you didn't gather enough to start with. You will know when you open them out and it doesn't look full.

 11. Slowly open out all your petals and bend them, the wire in the center of each petal will hold it's shape.
 This is what the back will look like.
 as you can see this pattern will make a pretty large flower
I can image making a bunch of these and decorating a Christmas tree with them.

I hope you like them and I would love to see the ones you make.
Enjoy!

13 comments:

Mrs A. said...

Goood idea and a clear tutorial. Thanks for this Hugs Mrs A.

Gabriela said...

Thanks for the great idea!!!I love them!!!I will sure try and make some!

Sandy said...

Thespa,

These are just fantastic!!! Thank you so much for generously sharing, I can see these as amazing package toppers!

P.S. My guests wanted to steal my mug markers, the little haunted purple house did get away but when a cute little kid wanted it and it made for such happiness that I let it go.

Unknown said...

These are absolutely gorgeous!!! :D I love how creative you are and THANK YOU for this tutorial! :D

Hugs,

Auntie Cake said...

Dang Girl, Did I mention how I wish you lived across the road from me? So wishing I could just run over and knock on your screen door... I am desperately trying to get ready for my boutique this year. I don't feel like doing anything, so it is a bit of a challenge. I did however, manage to get my cousin to chop down a birch tree for me. Loads of beautiful branches and wood coming out of my ears. I am busy putting 8 foot branches all over my house, I can't tell where the outside ends and the inside begins. If my house ever catches fire, it will burn for days with all the logs and wood and branches I have in here now!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend, enjoy getting ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas, hope you are more organized than I am!!!
Kate

sandi m said...

These are awesome. Now I know what to do with the old books I've collected, and my wire, and my glitter, and my tacky glue! Of course my mind is reeling with other ideas, too. Thanks for the inspiration kick!

Peggy Parker said...

I can't wait to make some of these! And I know just who to give them to!

suziqu's thread works said...

What a wonderful tutorial and a new take on the poinsettia using all the things we love to play with.
I am your newest follower. I see one of my fabric journals pinned on your Pinterest Board.
You may like to follow as I'm having a Giveaway at the moment.
Wishing you all the best,
Suzy

Francy said...

Love!

Where do you purchase the glass glitter?

Holly Moore said...

Great tutorial Thespa, thanks for sharing. They turned out beautifully! xo Holly

Christine said...

Thanks so much for the pattern. I'm making it tonight!!!

jakesmrs said...

Absolutely gorgeous!! Great tutorial. Thanks so much for sharing.

Michelle said...

omg gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I will definitely be making these!

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