Despite the occasional snow-laden hiccup, we seem to be finally emerging into real spring (that is, spring weather, vs. just spring on the calendar). To celebrate the emergence of the warmer weather (crossing fingers that it stays), I decided to create some lovely spring blooms.
With thanks to Michelle P. for teaching me how to make the blooms and inspiration for the card.
You can see more pictures of these lovely lollipop flowers and spring bloom handmade card in my ALL NEW PHOTOBLOG: The Urban Crafter (it’s still new, and I’ll be adding new photos all the time). I’ll be uploading photos of all the crafts I make to this new photo album, and each week I’ll feature one new craft in Losing It, complete with step-by-step photographic instructions. So, if you want to create some spring blooms of your own, gather up some paper scraps and glue and come join me in my crafting studio. And: if you want to win this card and five other exclusive handmade cards (from me, ’cause I love ya so), be sure to check out the details on my handmade card giveaway!
The first thing you’ll need to do is to gather together all your materials. Actually, I usually don’t do this, but then I wind up wasting a lot of time hunting down paper, adhesive or tools, so it really does make sense to get it all together at the beginning of the craft.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 strips of patterned paper (12″X1″)
- patterned paper or solid cardstock to coordinate with above (2 – 1″ circles)
- solid cardstock to coordinate with above (2 – 2″ circles)
- 1 strip of patterned paper (12″X1.5″)
- 6″ length of hemp cord
- 8.5″X5.5″ piece of dark coloured cardstock that coordinates with 12″X1.5″ strip of patterned paper; cardstock should be scored and folded at 4.25″ to create card base
- 3.75″X5″ pice of light coloured cardstock that coordinates with 12″X1.5″ strip of patterned paper. Extra scrap of this light coloured cardstock to be used for stamping sentiment.
- 4.5″X1.5″ scrap of paper that coordinates with 12″X1.5″ strip and cardstock colours
- two 2″ circles of cardstock (any colour, but preferably to coordinate with your 12″X1″ strips)
- scraps of green cardstock (for lollipop flower leaves)
- two straws or bamboo shishkebab skewers
- two colours of ink to coordinate with your card paper colours
- two-sided tape
- taperunner adhesive (like Tombow Mono)
- liquid glue
- fine-tipped scissors
- straight-edged paper trimmer with a scoring blade
- floral stamp set (with suitable sentiments)
- two colours of stamping ink pads to coordinate with your card paper colours
- 3″ green ribbon (for leaves on card)
- 2″ circle punch, 1.25″ circle punch, 1″ circle punch, lozenge-shape punch
- you’ll also need about 1 hour to complete the crafts.
To make the spring bloom card:
- Using the scrap light coloured cardstock, punch a 1.25″ circle and stamp a floral image in the centre. Put this aside for later.
- Replace the cutting blade on your paper trimmer with a scoring blade (this will not cut your paper, but will create a score line as a guide for folding)
- Placing your 12″X1.5″ strip of patterned paper horizontally in the paper trimmer, score the paper at 1/4″ intervals for the entire 12″ length.
TIP: Don’t press very hard with your scoring blade, or you may tear your paper. The goal is just to create a fine score in the paper to use as a guide for folding later
- Once you’ve scored the entire strip, fold it accordion style (alternate between folding in peaks and valleys), so that your paper strip now looks like a mini accordion!
- Run a strip of taperunner adhesive (such as Tombow Mono) along one 1/4″ section at the end of your 12″X1.5″ patterned paper accordion strip. NOTE: you should not have to unfold anything to do this! Just run a line of adhesive on the very last 1/4″ section of the strip.
- Turn the strip around and attach the two ends of the strip together, using the adhesive you just applied to the last 1/4″ section. What you have now looks like a mini lampshade.
- Using your fingers to form the bloom, press the top ridges of the paper in towards the centre and gently flatten the ring into a disc shape. You’ll need to hold it there! Best to prepare for the next step and cut a 1/2″ strip of double-sided tape and have it ready…
- Place the 1/2″ strip of double-sided tape over the hole in the middle of your bloom.
- Using the taperunner adhesive, thoroughly cover the back of your 1.25″ circle with stamped floral image.
- Remove the backing strip on the double-sided tape.
- Place the stamped image circle directly over the hole in the middle of your bloom.
- Putting the bloom aside for the moment, take approx 2″ of hemp twine and tie the green ribbon around it. Trim the green ribbon (this is meant to
be the leaves, so trim until you’re satisfied with the effect). - Using a liquid adhesive, attach the twine and ribbon to the 3.75″X5″ piece of light coloured cardstock for your card. For the adhesive, I use Liquid Glass by Close To My Heart but white glue will work as well.
TIP: Twist the hemp twine slightly to create the whimsical effect of a new flower stem reaching for the sunlight.
-
At this point, use your taperunner adhesive to attach the lighter
coloured cardstock to the front of your darker cardstock card base
(remember, you scored and folded this at 4.25″ already). Centre the lighter cardstock on the card base, and trim any excess hemp twine. -
Tear a rough edge off your 1.25″X4.5″ scrap of coordinating paper
– this is meant to be the grass, so tear until you’ve achieved the
desired effect. Glue this piece across the very bottom of your card. - Finally, turn over your bloom, and using liquid adhesive, fill the hole in the centre of the disc and some of the surrounding peaks.
- Turn it over and attach to the front of your card.
- The final step is to stamp a short sentiment on the remaining piece of light coloured cardstock scrap. Punch it out using the lozenge punch (or you can cut it freehand with scissors or use your paper trimmer if you don’t have a suitable punch).
- Using taperunner adhesive, attach it wherever you like on the front of the card.
- You’re done! Isn’t it beautiful? Give this card to someone really special.
What I actually used:
- Patterned Papers: bloom is from the Emporium collection by Close To My Heart, “grass” is from the Magic Moments collection by CTMH.
- Cardstock: cocoa cardstock by CTMH for card base, buttercup cardstock by CTMH for card front
- Hemp twine and ribbon both by CTMH
- Stamp sets: for flower centre, Treasure Life (CTMH) and sentiment, Shining Star (CTMH)
- Inks: sweet leaf and cocoa (both CTMH)
- 1.25″ punch by Creative Memories
- Lozenge punch by Paper Shaper available through Stampin’ Up
To make the lollipop flowers:
- Make up the two blooms exactly as in the spring bloom flower, using a 1″ circle of either patterned paper or coordinating cardstock in the centre of each bloom.
- Turn the bloom over and liberally apply liquid adhesive to the hole in the back of the flower and down one of the valley creases in the bloom (this is where you’ll place the straw which will be the flower stem).
- Now attach the 2″ cardstock circle to the back of the bloom. Twist it gently to evenly spread the adhesive. It really does look like a lollipop!
- Now, prepare to make the leaves. Using scraps of green cardstock, cut out two leaves (or more, if you like) freehand, using fine-tipped scissors. Then cut two lengths of hemp twine that are long enough to be spread lengthwise on the cardstock leaves.
- Using a liquid adhesive, glue the hemp down the length of the cardstock leaf, forming a vein.
- Now all that remains is to use a dab of liquid adhesive to attach the leaves to the flower stems!
- And your finished, trendy lollipop flowers will look great as decorations in Easter baskets, or try arranging them in a small, opaque stem vase. I used a small ball of sticky tack on the back of each flower and decorated walls with them. We may not have real flowers yet, but I have my own pretty spring blooms now.
What I actually used:
- Patterned Papers: from the Emporium collection by
Close To My Heart. - Cardstock: sweetleaf cardstock by CTMH for leaves
- Hemp twine by CTMH
- Liquid Glass by CTMH
- 1″ punch by Creative Memories
General tips on using liquid adhesives:
- Most liquid adhesives dry very shiny and will have a dimensional element to them (that is, they are bubbly, or poppy).
- Be sure not to use too much (and wipe off any excess immediately) or you will have shiny blobs on your artwork!
- White glue dries clear and very shiny, so the same guidelines apply.
- Get rid of bubbles by popping them with a fine needle before the adhesive dries.
- You’ll need to hold most items in place while the adhesive dries. Alternatively, you can place a heavy-ish object on top to hold the items in place. Stamp pads worked nicely for me in this project – they were heavy enough to hold the pieces in place (freeing up my hands) but they weren’t heavy enough to crush the paper. If you do this, make sure you don’t stick the weight to your project, though!
But most of all, enjoy your creative time, and remember: if you make a mistake, don’t throw it out. It’s supposed to look handmade!
Okay, I feel so dumb!
I’ve been trying to make one of these accordion flowers for the last 2 weeks or so but have never been happy with the way they were turning out… Big duh, as I wasn’t using a scoring blade but was instead trying to fold them by hand with the help of a bone folder… the scoring blade makes so much more sense! Thank you. I’m going to go try it out now! 🙂
Very nice.
This looks a great project for my daughter, to help stimulate her interests. She love crafts, so usually i give her crayons to colour. But to have the material to make these beautiful cards would be awesome. She would be so proud to give these out as gifts. I can imagine everyone would say “Sarah, did you make this?” She would say “Yes” and be so proud of herself. Please pick me so I can get my daughter into this. She would be absolutely thrilled, and so would I!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great looking card……looking forward to making it
thanks
This is a very do-able, attractive project which would be perfect for a sweet, meaningful gift for someone. Thanks for sharing.
I love the three dimensional cards they are so much closer to nature that way. One of the ways I get ideas is to save interesting bags from stationary/gift stores. I recently used a butterfly from a waxpaper bag that I wore out and then glued fine see through craft paper over for a three dimensional card.
The cards are beautiful. This will be my next project!
The cards look so pretty and unique. Would love to get them.
I am the LEAST crafty person you could meet. It took me awhilw to get the nerve up to try these cards. My attempt was not pretty, but fun to try. Thanks for inspiration. I think I need a pre-made kit!!
Very cool – great instructions! I would love to see some cute birthday cards for kids as upcoming projects. Thanks in advance!
I am soo glad I have found your site, I love your projects!
ABSOLUTELY STUNNING – INCREDIBLE
You make it look so easy! I’m just getting in to scrapbooking and I may have to try the little flowers at my next scrapbooking weekend with the girls – they would be so cute in my daughter’s nursery.
Wow, Kath! You have always been creative and these are awesome.
These are incredibly cute! Thanks so much for the instructions!
mistycarole – go ahead and make your request. You can either email me (kath@urbanmoms.ca) or post your request here and I’ll take it on. K
Wicked idea Heidi. I’m definitely adding these to my scrapbook pages this spring!
Such amazing ideas, everyone! Keep ’em comin’!
What a super idea Valerie. Then you could hot glue them to jewelry pins or foundings or even barrettes and pin them on sweaters or in your (or a special little girl’s) hair!
I’m lovin’ these fab ideas for modifications!
Hi Linda – welcome to the wonderful world of papercrafting! A lozenge punch is just a punch in a “lozenge” shape (kinda like a rectangle but with rounded corners). In this project any punch will do for the sentiment, as long as you like the shape. Or you can just cut it out freehand (maybe in the shape of a leaf?) or use your paper trimmer. You could also distress the edges once you had cut it, etc. etc. That’s the great thing about these crafts. There are endless options for adding your own personal touches. As for trimmers, I strongly recommend the Fiskars Euro trimmer (with a triple track) as it is the most accurate and best value for the money (about $20CDN). You can find a wide assortment at Michaels, or try your local LSS (local Scrapbooking Store): the staff there will be able to give you a ton of guidance and support as you get started. Most LSSs also offer classes for all levels. Have fun and Happy Spring!
I am afraid that the closet I will come to handmade cards is to win them. Craft-wise, I am hopeless.
What a beautiful card and the instruction are very easy to follow.
I would like to request the next how-to project.
just lovely
nice project
I am bookmarking this site, I am a little new to all of this and there are so many steps, but you do make every step very concise and clear to follow. I am not nearly as intimidated as I thought I would be! I really want to try this for my weekend project with my daughter. Wouldn’t it be great to use these for her classmates and teachers graduation gifts?
Oh and if someone could tell me what a lozenge punch is, and are all paper trimmers basically the same, I need to buy one.
Thanks!! and Happy Spring!
Beautiful – you make it look easy!
Thank you for this beautiful card and those instructions!!! Love it!!! Will add this to my precious scrapbook collection.
Great springtime craft. Now I can find another super use for all my scrapbook supplies. Thanks for sharing.
Great little project and thanks for the instructions.
They are beautiful! I admire people who can create homemade cards. It looks like so much work. I wish I could do it!! Thanks for demonstrating!
I love it! Handmade cards are just “the bomb” like my teenage son would say.
I want to make pretty cards too! They look beautiful and fun to make.
An adaptation of this idea would be to use fabric scraps. The fold wouldn’t be as sharp, so the flowers would be softer looking.
I just made this awesome bloom!!! Love love love it!!! I’m going to add these blooms to my scrapbook pages!! Thanks for the instructions-I’ll be bringing them along to share with my scrapping friends at a reatreat in a couple of weeks!
I’m so inspired by your card and am going to attempt it this weekend. Perfect for Easter and Mother’s Day!
Very cool…thanks for sharing the instructions on how to make it…