Monday 19 July 2010

Use Those Scraps! Blossoms and Butterflies


I have entered the weekly challenge on the Fiskarettes blog entitled 'Blossoms and Butterflies', as soon as I heard the theme I knew what I wanted to make and this is a great way to use up those scraps.

I am terrible, I keep the tiniest scrap of paper and in all honesty I don't know how I would use it but I just can't bear to throw things away, it's the pack rat in me!

For this project you need:
Thick chipboard, twine, paper scraps of all sizes, hot glue gun, butterflies. I also used a quilling tool which is optional as you can just use your fingers but I find it makes the task a little easier and helps make tighter flowers.

Cut a ring out of thick chipboard, you can use a plate as a template if you wish, I used a compass.

Tie the twine in a knot to secure then glue a portion of the ring and start wrapping twine around to cover the ring, this is a nice job to do whilst sitting in the car or watching TV. I used a glue tape runner to secure my twine. When you get to the back tuck the twine underneath the last loop and tie in a knot.

Using a fiskars shape cutter, fingertip knife or scissors cut circles out of paper in varying sizes, I did not have a set size of circle, I just cut them as big as the scrap I was using would allow.

Take your circle and cut into a spiral. You can also use paper edger scissors to get a pretty fluted or raggy effect.
You can use your fingers to curl the paper into a spiral, I like to use a quilling tool as it allows me to get a tighter coil in the centre. Once coiled you can then loosen the flower to get the look you want to achieve. I then add a dab of glue to secure it in place.

Make as many as you think you need, be sure to make some smaller ones to fit into the little gaps. You can use any colour theme you like, as I was aiming to use up some scraps I went for a rainbow affair!

Using a hot glue gun, glue the flowers to the ring, the twine allows better adhesion. I started by gluing the larger flowers down then filled in the gaps using the smaller flowers. I did need to make an additional 10-15 flowers from what I had originally made to fill the gaps.


Using a hot glue gun, glue a length of ribbon on the back to allow you to hang the wreath up. I then coloured in some digital Hero Arts butterflies from the Winged Friends digi kit with promarkers, added stickles and  covered with glossy accents. When dry I cut them out and mounted them on a thin strip of acetate which I had creased into a Z shape and glued to the wreath, it allows a little bit of movement so the butterflies look like they are hovering over the flowers.

I had so much fun making this and it only took a few hours to do and you end up with a pretty piece of home decor! I hope you like and are having a wonderful week!

20 comments:

  1. Gorgeous project....I will definitely be trying this. Thanks for sharing the instructions!
    bless you,
    nancy

    ReplyDelete
  2. Flippin gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ohit's lovely - a rainbow of flowers. Great project.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Beautiful! I love the flowers. Lovely way to use up those scraps - I'm totally the same I can't throw any little pieces away.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Very pretty, love this! :) :) :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. GORGEOUS! What a lovely thing to have hanging in a craft room! Must give this a try!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. WOW!!!!! so creative and lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is just too pretty! WOW! Lovely project! Congrats on the HA tweet!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow, this is beautiful.S x

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am forever using scraps and diddy bits - mainly on cards and layouts, but this wreath is lovely and a bit more original! I love all the colours and may even have a go at one myself ...

    ReplyDelete
  11. Excellent idea and a very pretty project! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hello! Your cards/projects are one of the best!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Beautiful , I love this everytime i see it. I have written a piece on Fiskarettes (to be published next Tues)to point fiskarettes to your blog xxx hope that is ok ?

    ReplyDelete
  14. absolutely fabulous, what a beautiful piece, love it!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Tat's such a great way to use all the paper scraps!

    I do love making these little flowers - they always look fab and are brilliant for filling gaps in a project

    ReplyDelete
  16. this is soooo cute...great job!

    ReplyDelete
  17. lovely! and i know what you mean about saving the smallest piece of paper!

    ReplyDelete
  18. so lovely!!! very inspirational!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Just come here from uks , love what you have made its gorgeous. :0)
    Kate x

    ReplyDelete

I love to read all your comments and will answer any questions!

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails