I'll post more about the classes when the time comes, but for now, I'm in preparation mode. A key element of these classes is keeping the costs down - both for me and for the students. So I've decided to make a load of flowers instead of buying them. While I'm waiting for a special punch and emboss product to arrive on my doorstep, I'll settle for these steps:
1: Gather together your paper scraps.
2: Tool up!
3: Prepare the paper: let yourself loose on what you want your flowers to look like. You could use patterned, textured or plain old paper or cardstock:
You could stamp:
You could emboss (with a Cuttlebug if you have one, you lucky people):
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvPMSV1FOC3M5abJE2xdHpmbU-BGFqeHz3uTLqAdAxaH4ftoxGLrJuMNEaXdNQPP0dpuN8xn4x6hxLmgOxTq98bE2Z3rc7a5jPAUEQLCcP66oIXTvL-vuzPg8UTO1omzH_36I_emB3HZk/s320/flowers5.JPG)
Or try out any other techniques: paint, glimmer, gloss, flock, distress, acetate...
4: Punch or cut flowers:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hH14f-bY9kYLrwXcl-PeDI4_4SH19Z-Yn_J-tWXYg_I2iMdgNHaX-BjCWblsbAZ9RdV5PBW1tQGqBSTIHw24k2IKX8th5y2FcGJAEDDPkKxNGjbyuE_nZztKn9SK3F7Mvjeys-Om4an6/s320/flowers8.JPG)
Or try out any other techniques: paint, glimmer, gloss, flock, distress, acetate...
4: Punch or cut flowers:
5: To achieve a look that is much more textured, much less flat, and much more attractive in general, use an embossing tool (if you have one) or the end of a thin paintbrush (if you don't) and do it by hand. For this technique I used a vellum flower:
With the end of a paintbrush, slowly work on each petal by moving the paintbrush in increasingly larger circles, pressing down quite firmly:
Then turn the flower over and repeat the motion in the centre:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifeqVDg20NNxgzA3E9cxlPBik2kMzXBThCUpqn9mb330PlMQRrH1ffjC2UXUZbh8Cw0fnaO_WankOd8ZQanvBOu2T28BJNIaAdd-6y0QwIcDwpf0OHQz0Mrte3jmOf1l8HO8y9JqgFn1aC/s320/flowers14.JPG)
If you like, give the flower extra 'plump' by curling the petals around the paintbrush:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQDDSaIV9bj8MxyRKQ_qDB1ZxjkCxYi3WGs-qPjK9KoKoFTs7m-g74qcI77a-tFQQpcRpTTJzy3Q48Anoo1eYiwdSNMrwpR8kxxgA7q3hIqiHDzV6ChH3kaXxAOpEKlmv71BwzemueOo1/s320/flowers15.JPG)
And there you go - no more flatness:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2ibsnkMCwGngZP8s4iSfyrSmXQL1rtzH5Q6IZpe8-K-LAw5EQ2WBHbgLVy7P3XVnImHOKp0VCnUlHc4B8zDPGqyhUxAFhG6fqDUBskF_sqH6qK1UDA86D8H5xZFjc4DBVXSDLsxhFkxN/s320/flowers16.JPG)
I actually used the grouting lines of my tiled kitchen table for this pink flower to achieve a deeper fold:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkMdEIi9XickCkJaua-RyE0uRsOyjZtQdFdpCRjK_At8yDl1H5h4tcIzUPjSlBDgoy7npBU4UKnnXZdN8jyuCwnkH-nTa6hcJW_KORbjv2UL0UFUNWKCuVWmboFFArbJV2ryVgCvxw4BD/s320/flowers10.JPG)
6: Store flowers in a really neat box.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsi4PT_IjD9T1VML5bDD8DbRzF_wyJ7gJhlklRDg3FNSHAbpMI_5LWYvRaV5D78-oedIHJXrMf54fcK9gCE5Dxcuc_x2ue3DXnn4tNfCg6fOj_ZDbg6Pm1XYtpbgp_ZQ2sW5867x_Izun/s320/flowers17.JPG)
And OK, after an afternoon of work, the box is half-filled. Just how many flowers will teenagers want to use, anyhow? Hmmm...don't answer that. I don't want all my work to be in vain!
Then turn the flower over and repeat the motion in the centre:
If you like, give the flower extra 'plump' by curling the petals around the paintbrush:
And there you go - no more flatness:
I actually used the grouting lines of my tiled kitchen table for this pink flower to achieve a deeper fold:
6: Store flowers in a really neat box.
And OK, after an afternoon of work, the box is half-filled. Just how many flowers will teenagers want to use, anyhow? Hmmm...don't answer that. I don't want all my work to be in vain!
Great information and ideas. So, about this new punch you have bought....do tell!!!
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