DIY: tissue-paper flowers part 2

I'm sick today so I suppose I've got some time to blog. I'm quite antsy though - it's hard to stay home for an entire day - but I need the rest. Anyway, here is a mini-continuation of yesterday's tissue-paper flower tutorial. 

If you notice, the white flowers on the wreath are actually bigger than the pink ones. That's because instead of using tissue-paper, I actually used WHITE IKEA NAPKINS. It's the exact same process, and it's actually pretty useful if you're going to be making a whole bunch because #1: white napkins are CHEAP and #2: they're all the same size so you don't have to constantly measure each flower.

So there you go... giant white flowers made out of napkins. They're multi-purpose because they're pretty AND you can wipe your mouth on them. hahaha.

***************

If you're interested, here are some links to more paper-flowers/pom-pom inspiration:

If you want to make even BIGGER giant flower POM-POMS, here's the Martha Stewart tutorial on how to do just that. I like how she shows how to do everything in 4 easy pictures, instead of my whole 20-image rant. But you like my rant. You know you do. HAHA.

I am obsessed with the warm sunny colours in this photo.

images via marthastewart.com

Here are some Pom-Poms on cupcakes (from Kre8tive Life)

...a yellow+grey wedding reception with a ceiling full of Pom-Poms (from The Sweetest Occasion)

Here's another great tutorial from Honestly WTF on how to make crepe flowers with a similar method to the Pom-Poms.

...it looks like a huge weed-growth from the ceiling, but this crepe-flower chandelier is super crazy! (in a good way).

...this simple outdoor wedding ceremony features colourful crepe pom-poms hung on a tree and tiny furry pom-poms dotting the aisle (from Southern Weddings).

...and this wedding reception just goes all out with colour! (found here).

Last but not least... if you've made a whole bunch of paper-flowers and have no idea what to do with them, you can always wear them on your head.

or... to take it one step further, why wear flowers when you can be one?

...oh so awkward.

the end.

DIY: Mother's Day Flowers

This year, I am miles away from my mother and grandmothers. But that doesn't mean that I can't show my appreciation for them... so mom and grandmas, I hope you're all doing well! I made you all some tissue-paper flowers... but since I couldn't give them to you in person, I suppose I'll keep them in my room for now as a reminder of you. I miss you all!

***************

So here's how to make these tissue-paper flowers. I learned how to do it off Martha Stewart, so you could always find her original tutorial, or just stay with me since you're here anyway. haha. =)

First, you need:

 1) tissue paper          2) floral wire         3) scissors

Stack 8 pieces of tissue paper and cut out a square. You can experiment with the size of your flowers by changing the size of the squares you start out with. (Mine were around 3x3 inches).

Fold your pile of tissue paper squares and make "accordion folds"(approx. 1.5 cm).

Tie the middle of your flower tightly with a piece of floral wire. At this point it will look like a cute bowtie and may give you the urge to proudly wear it around your neck. You may do so if you wish to look like a fool.

Use scissors and round off the edges. at this point, your flower will suddenly look like a raw sausage. Please resist the urge to eat it and kindly move on to the next step.

Now comes the fun part. Have you ever had the indecent impulse to pull all the Kleenex from a tissue box as fast as you can, just for the fun of it? Well you can gratify that irrational desire by carefully pulling up each layer of petals on your tissue paper flower. I guess it's not entirely as satisfying as finishing off a whole tissue box but I suppose it's a less wasteful source of fun!

Here's the flower, half done.

...and here's the finished flower!

The rounded edges gives the flower a delicate feel to it.

In the past, I've coiled a green or turquoise streamer around the flower stem. Or, you could leave the wire as is, and add some paper leaves.

I've also tried making multi-toned flowers. All you need to do is use two different colours of tissue paper, and when stacking them up in layers, alternate between the two colours.

For a "spunkier" flower, you can cut the ends in an arrow shape so that your flower will have more jagged edges.

This is the finished multi-toned flower with jagged edges.

See? It looks spunkier right?

Here's a picture of both flowers, just so you can compare the two different looks. Personally I like the rounded scallop-edges more while Randy prefers the sharpy, jaggedy one. I guess it's not exactly a dealbreaker disagreement, so we're okay. HAHA.

Another option is to create what I call a "teacup effect" where the outer layer is one colour (like a cup) and all the inner layers are another colour.

If you would like, you can add a button or some pearl beads as a centre embellishment.

After making a whole bunch of tissue paper flowers, I combined them all together into one massive flower wreath...

Anyway, I hope this tutorial was useful for future flower-crafting projects! And to all you mothers out there, keep being the amazing and beautiful woman that you are! =) 

<3

strawberry jelly ice-cream

Here's another mindless doodle inspired by this jellyfish I got from Ocean Park. I always thought it looked like a strawberry ice-cream scoop. Her name is Gummy by the way, and she misses her blue counterpart, Jell-O who is currently living overseas.

By the way, I know the giant tissue paper pom-poms in the back are hideous but I'm still experimenting because I intend to make a whole bunch to hang in my room. I'll show you when I finally succeed in making less demented-looking pom-poms! =)

tissue paper flowers

Tissue paper flowers are so easy to make and I think they look gorgeous. I should post a tutorial soon when I have the time, but for now, here are some pictures of the finished flower garland I made. I'm planning to make a whole bunch and hang them all over my room!