Lately I've been planning my evenings around which new movies are premiering on the Hallmark Channel. Well, not exactly, but pretty close. A couple weeks ago the new one Expecting a Miracle was on. {loved it...tear jerker}. The movie takes place in a village in Mexico, and the plot sort of centers around an upcoming festival.
Anyway, long story short, they had the traditional Mexican decorations and garlands of crepe paper flowers hanging about in some of the scenes and it inspired me. I've always loved those flowers and the whole handmade nature of Mexican paper decorations. I figured they couldn't be too difficult to make, and I ran and grabbed my stash of folded crepe paper sheets, some scissors and white floral tape. I sat on the couch, ate a bowl of ice cream, and then made some flowers.
I didn't end up stringing them into a garland and I don't think I will, but maybe a bouquet would be nice. I'll wire them to stems and wrap the handle in some pretty ribbon. Just to have it sitting around in my craft room, just for decoration.
It turns out, they're pretty simple to make. Just cut a 4 inch {or whatever size you like, really} band of folded crepe paper from a new pack. Unroll it all and, starting at one end, use your thumb and finger to gently roll one of the long edges of the paper {roll the entire length of the paper}. Then, once you have your rolled edge, you can begin wrapping the crepe around a little bundle of stamens, with the unrolled edge at the base of your flower. Here are some new and old stamens I have gathered from various places....craft stores, flea markets, ebay.
Stamens really bring a flower to life. Otherwise, it's just kind of a pretty gathered paper thing. {I'm so descriptive today.....laughing}
So, anyway, keep wrapping and gathering and pleating the paper as you go around and around the stamens. Then secure it all together at the base with floral tape.
It's a good couch project, at the end of the day when you don't have a lot of energy.
And I think a wrapped cluster of these would make a beautiful gift topper!
After I was done with these, I made another variation of this same idea, but with different paper. I'll photograph and post them soon.
Ok, off to make some dinner!
These are just beautiful!!! I've always wanted to know how to make these so thanks!
Posted by: Emily | January 21, 2009 at 05:29 PM
Beautiful..thanks so much for sharing! Hope you do not mind if I try these?
Andrea.
Posted by: andrea gilsdorf | January 21, 2009 at 06:07 PM
Beautiful, love the colors. They look like real flowers!
Andrea
Posted by: Andrea | January 21, 2009 at 06:12 PM
ohhh....ever so pretty. I think I have everything I need for these. I must try! I have always loved these. They remind me or the decorations they used on parade floats decades ago! Oh, why don't floats look like that anymore? Thanks for your inspiration along with instruction! You are such a gem!
Posted by: Gabrielle | January 21, 2009 at 07:03 PM
How Lovely...... the colors are wonderful and giving me a warm feeling of spring time (which is wonderful with just how cold it has been lately) :) Can't wait to see the others.
Posted by: Becky Caldwell | January 21, 2009 at 07:04 PM
so gorgeous! these are yummy and a wonderful project to lift the winter blues I'm sure!!
chiming in late on your "downsize"...I'm sure this was a tough decision to finalize, but I imagine you are going to truly enjoy the extra time with those adorable littles!!
Posted by: ashley crim | January 21, 2009 at 08:03 PM
~*~just lovely~*~
Posted by: jennifer | January 21, 2009 at 08:31 PM
I love your priorities - ice cream first, then flowers. They are absolutely gorgeous. Thanks for sharing the how-to as well!
Posted by: Beth Evans-Ramos | January 21, 2009 at 10:13 PM
So pretty!
Posted by: Leah C | January 21, 2009 at 10:16 PM
They sure look beautiful, I love the colors!
Posted by: Diane | January 21, 2009 at 10:17 PM
Sooooo pretty!
Posted by: SearchingWellness | January 21, 2009 at 10:43 PM
Man you are so crafty and creative.
Posted by: Monica C | January 21, 2009 at 11:10 PM
Oh I enjoyed that movie and thought it would be fun to make those flowers. Yours are sooo much more prettier. Clarice
Posted by: StorybookWoods | January 22, 2009 at 05:04 AM
These are amazing!
Posted by: Lisa | January 22, 2009 at 07:05 AM
Those are so lovely. You have the prettiest crepe paper I've ever seen.
Posted by: Wanda | January 22, 2009 at 07:18 AM
So pretty! My dad - of all people - once showed me how to do that pulling-thing (guess I'm descriptive today, too!) to roll the edge of crepe paper. He apparently helped decorate the high school gym for quite a few dances in his day. Thanks for a great tutorial - I'm glad you might be posting more, because I really enjoy your blog.
Posted by: Barbara | January 22, 2009 at 11:00 AM
So lovely. . . My creative brain is going crazy with some centerpiece ideas. Love it. . .
Hugs, Kim
Posted by: Kim Caldwell | January 22, 2009 at 11:10 AM
Gorgeous. I can think of so many uses for these flowers. Years ago my mom was into making crepe paper flowers. She could make carnations and hibiscus. Mimi
Posted by: mimisue | January 22, 2009 at 12:38 PM
Hi
These are gorgeous! They look great grouped together and would look terrific on a gift.
Stop by my blog if you get a chance, I'm having a give-away!
romancingthehome.blogspot.com
Posted by: Nancy | January 22, 2009 at 05:28 PM
These are great! Now I'm jonesin' to make some. Need supplies, need supplies...
Posted by: Jeanette | January 22, 2009 at 06:44 PM
sooo fabulous Andrea!!! great idea!!! I LOVE them!! P.S. I haven't had time to comment on your other recent posts,but I don't blame you in the least for scaling back on your store. Just relax and enjoy those darling boys of yours!! I hope you have a really wonderful day sweetie!! hugs! Britt :-)
Posted by: britt- sparkledvintagecharm | January 22, 2009 at 07:12 PM
These are fun, the lighted ones are my favorite. I Love your Blog!
Marcie
Posted by: Marcie | January 23, 2009 at 08:53 AM
I had to try this right away. The paper I found seems to be thicker or crisper than what you used - yours seems almost transparent. Also, the edges were hard to roll. I tried using a knitting needle to get it to curl better, but no luck. I ended up having to fold and crease and then relaxing that as I rolled. So mine look more like roses, I guess. But I love making them. Yes, I am serious about my paper-crafting.
Posted by: Lisa | January 24, 2009 at 10:37 AM
Andrea these are absolutely beautiful. I'm all about color and just because you made some beige ones in your last post does not mean your boring. You are the most non boring gal I have met in blog land (even though there is not one stitch of beige in my house)
Love Claudie
xoxo
Posted by: claudie | January 27, 2009 at 10:02 PM
those are so pretty!
Posted by: aja | January 29, 2009 at 09:13 PM