Red Ted Art

Cute & Easy Crafts for Kids

How to.. make a Paper Flower (from newspapers!)

Hurray! Guest Post day is here!! Today’s “How to” is brought to you by the lovely Nicole over at “Made by Nicole” – as you know – I love paper craft and I love using recycled materials. Finally, a use for all those “junk mail” newspapers and magazines that come through the door… So…ed Ted

Upcycled Paper Flowers - save left over paper, old books or magazine and turn them into these pretty flowers!

How to make Paper Flowers:

These also look great on wrapped presents in lieu of a bow. When we were kids we’d make dozens from newspaper and attach them to our barrettes, headbands, make costumes with them – they’re so fun.

This is so easy it feels almost silly to make a tutorial on it but just in case you aren’t familiar with the technique, here goes:

1. Get ten pieces of thin (not card stock) two sided paper – anything from newspaper to fancy patterned paper works. I used book pages


2. Stack them up and cut out a circle.


3. Cut spokes into the paper. I made this pic big so you can see what I mean.


4. When you’re done it should look like this


5. Separate you circles. This step is vital as it won’t fluff if they’re stuck together


6. Re-stack pile


7. Staple through the center of the stack


When you’re done it should look like this:


8. Don’t panic. I want you take your nice little stack and crumple it in your fist. Trust me, it’ll be okay.


9. Now do it again a few times


10. Voila! You did it! Told you it was easy!


11. But we’re not done yet. Find the back of the staple. You might lose some petals doing this – no biggie.


12. Press the back of the staple side down against your table to make a flat bottom


Some Options

Sprayed With Glimmer Mist:


Sprayed from mister with water and dye re-inker and added a button:


All Done:

Tip: These are VERY dimensional. If you want something flatter use less paper.

——————

Here is my first ever attempt using 10 random pages from a freebie magazine – I was lazy and didn’t use a button, just a scrap of paper for the centre. I think the button is MUCH prettier. I just wanted to have a “quick” go and am pretty impressed with the result. Put a little more effort in and they are even prettie!!

My 1st Ever Flower from a Magazine – 5min to make!

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Filed Under: How To's, Paper Crafts, Recycling 29 Comments

Comments

  4. Ellie says

    May 7, 2010 at 5:36 pm

    I am yet to make these fab paper flowers as we have no newspapers! Am going to pinch some from my mum and dads tonight and make one or two 😀

    Reply

  5. Saved By Love Creations says

    June 10, 2011 at 11:51 am

    Great idea. I tweeted, facebooked and stumbled this post. I can’t sign up to follow you cause something is wrong with GFC at the moment, but I will be back to do so. Got you bookmarked. Blessings…

    Saved By Love Creations

    Reply

  10. Antonella says

    June 14, 2011 at 12:08 am

    Love your flower tutorial, you make it so easy! I love flowers and really love these flowers made from the written word! I am stopping by from the Marvelously Messy Linky Party, I’ve linked up too.
    Hugs, antonella 🙂

    Reply

  13. tina says

    June 16, 2011 at 11:58 pm

    Hi! This flower is actually PERFECT for a project I’m doing right now, so thank you so much for sharing how!.. Have a great weekend! ~tina

    Reply

  17. nicole says

    January 31, 2012 at 5:47 pm

    Going to do this with my girl scout troop and tie into recycling! THanks for the great idea! any thoughts on how to attach them to bobby pins?

    Reply

  18. Vic says

    December 27, 2013 at 5:21 am

    This is wonderful! I use to make them up to the staple and just twisted and turned the petals. Never thought of squishing them.LOL. Great Thanks a million! Happy New Year!

    Reply

  20. Jeanine Fox says

    February 10, 2014 at 12:31 pm

    Love these! How are the buttons attached? Are they glued? Thought about trying to lay the ribbon across the top and capturing with the staple, then tying through the button.

    Reply

  21. Teri Fleenor says

    January 17, 2016 at 10:39 pm

    These are awesome. I think I’m going to make some ad use them to make a wreath. What size circle works best?

    Reply

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