Christmas Crafting! How to Make Jumbo Flower Gift Toppers!

I promised myself I would finish a Booh Bear this weekend.  Tomorrow is THE day!  In the meantime, I've been making Christmas flowers.  My latest project was another "found on Pinterest" idea (Originating from hilaryscraps.typepad.com).  Pinterest is my favorite place to go for inspiration ... the problem is, I am inspired by so much!  There aren't enough days in the week to make all the things I want to make.  These flowers took me hours to make but they were so much fun.  Using a large Sizzix die, I cut all the leaves, petals, etc. from different types of paper, wool felt, burlap, and tulle.  Then I layered the different textures, splattered with gesso (my new best friend) and sparkles. What fun I'm having!  Below is a tutorial (of sorts) explaining the steps to making these flowers.  Should you decide to make them, be prepared to make a huge mess but it will be well worth the fuss!

I best get to bed now because tomorrow is THE day to finish my latest Booh Bear.  I need to be well rested to make her little face!   I hope you have a lovely Sunday!

Hugs & Blessings,
Janice

SUPPLIES:

Gather any type of fabric, felt, burlap, cardstock, paper, etc. you wish you use
 for the layers of your flowers.
 I used Merino Wool Felt, Burlap, Tulle, Old Sheet Music, Old Books,
Old Dictionary Pages and Various Cardstock Papers. 

A Sizzix Big Shot Die Cutter and a Hot Glue Gun were used,

along with the following supplies, to make my flowers:

Tim Holtz Jumbo Tattered Florals (Sizzix Die # 659441)

Extended Cutting Pads are required for this die

Susan's Garden Tool Kit (Not Necessary but helpful) Sizzix Product # 658437

Dew Drop Brilliance Colors - Used Starlight Silver and Cosmic Copper the most

Versa Magic - Aloe Vera and ColorBox Fluid Chalk Ice Jade for Leaves

Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Vintage Photo for some edges

Martha Stewart Crafts - Water Resistant Fabric Stiffener

(Watered Down Elmer's Glue works just as well)

Liquitex Gesso Surface Prep, Glitter, Rusty Bells,

Hemp String for Bows

HOW TO:

I try to keep my pieces together in regards to fabric

or paper used to make it easier when layering

After all the pieces are cut, I use the Tim Holtz Distress Ink

and the Brilliance Colors to treat the edges.

Then I take the biggest felt flowers and apply Martha Stewart Fabric Stiffener 

to the centers mostly and then lightly treat the petals, as well.

I also use the stiffener on the felt leaves.

For the flowers that I want to use burlap as the second layer,

I place the burlap on top of the felt but in such a way

that the bottom felt layer shows.

Then I apply a coat of fabric stiffener to the center of the flower.

I bend the petals and allow it to dry on top of a water bottle

to create a cupped flower rather than a flat flower.

After the felt flowers and leaves have dried, crumple them in your hands.

For the flowers with Cardstock lower layers,

I bend the papers using Susan's Garden Tool Kit, pencils,

my hands, etc. to create a tattered look.

Now comes the fun part!  Layering! Heat up the Hot Glue Gun

and work your way up from the largest flower cut

to the smallest layer

adding leaves between layers as you go.

On some flowers I don't use all of the cuts.

After the final layer is added, 

I tied a hemp bow on a rusty bell and glued that to the center.

Then taking the Gesso you can splatter, paint, dab -

however you want to get the color on the flower - get messy!

Sprinkle glitter over the wet Gesso so it sticks 

and voila ... you have a tattered flower!

Here are some examples of the flowers I have made.

IDEAS FOR USING THE FLOWERS TO DECORATE

Here is my Tutorial on DIY Mercury Glass, too ...

HAVE FUN!