Fiesta Flowers

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!

Comments

[gradia]

this is so inspiring..thank you very much, hope you dont mind if i try these for my house

[Flowers Japan]

Some times things created artificially appeal more than the Natural ones. Your Floral designs are just like that, Colors full of variety and finishing at its extreme.

[Celiagart]

WONDERFUL !!
but can you give me the address where you buy the stamens.?
I search for so long...

Have a great day,

[flower Philippine]

Cool! I like it! Thanks for guiding me through this. I will try to make something like that this weekend. Keep posting!

-pia-

[creative recreation]

I have been looking through your blog, I love your projects they are so cute and the fabric projects are awesome.Thanks for sharing,

[Val]

These are some of the prettiest paper flowers I've ever seen. Just lovely! ♥