Book Flowers - Picture Tutorial

I have made a few book flowers in the past and thought I would try a few more. This time I used more layering and like the effect a bit more since it made the flowers fuller. I also decided to make some graduated sizes of the flowers. The book pages I used were from an old book that I got at my local library. NO, NO, NO I did not destruct public property. My library has a little table set up where you can get take books for free...usually books that aren't popular or too old for them to keep on the shelf. I had to explain that to my daughter before she had a heart attack and thought I tore up someone's book they were reading.

Supplies Used:
Old book pages
3/4" prong paper fasteners
2 3/8" Scallop Circle Punch
2" Scallop Circle Punch
1 3/4" Scallop Circle Punch
1 1/4" Scallop Circle Punch
3/4" Circle Punch

I punched 3 of each size to make the large flowers. For the medium size flower I left off the 2 3/8" scallop circle and then for the smallest I just used the 1 3/4", 1 1/4" and the small circle. I used the same steps of assembly for all sizes of the flowers.

Here is a picture of the layers stacked so you can see how full it is. I tried to align them to the center as much as possible.

For the very center I didn't stack the circles up evenly, instead I layered them unevenly so I could get a little extra fluff. A 1" circle punch might have saved me from having to do this but what's done is done.

Since there were 15 layers of paper I thought I better pull out the big guns and used my Big Bite to punch the holes for the paper fasteners. On a few of the flowers I didn't hit quite in the center but that wasn't a problem as I found you can just turn the layers to even it out once it is put together.

Once you get the paper fastener in place then just start squishing the layers to the center as shown in the picture. I did each layer individually so I wouldn't have the same crumple pattern on my layers and the flower would look more full and natural. 






After all layers are squished to the middle then just start pulling the layers down away from the center. You can give the flowers different looks by leaving the layers closer together and pulling layers further apart.








And TADA this is the end result. I think it resembels a caranation flower. I am not sure I would use these on layouts as I try to keep my embellishements a little thinner as to fit the layout in books but I will use them on projects like mini-albums or shadow box layouts. Actually I might even try a few on some gift bags come to think of it. I think that would be quite nice!





The cool thing is that you can embellish these pretty much anyway you want. On this one I inked the edges with some chalk in and then added a Candi for the center. The ones I made before I used a very decorative brad and sprayed with Glimmer mist. So ya see, it's all in how creative you want to get!

A Menial Task Friday Evening

Yesterday when I woke up I had thought I might make something with my new toys. I didn't have any clients scheduled for the afternoon so the idea starting on crafting early sounded fabulous! WRONG! I got a crisis call around 4pm. Those things can really put a damper on your plans.

So with my original plans shot I decided I better take care of some menial tasks. First I dotted my ProMarkers *okie figures some people are scratching their heads thinking "WTH"*.

I, following the lead of Enfys, got some small dot stickers to put on the caps of my markers. I had to borrow a punch from my friend Linda because I couldn't find dots small enough. I colored each dot and stuck it on the lid of the marker. It will be a lot easier to grab what I am needing.

I also took another little piece of advice from Enfys and used a dot of Glossy Accents on the back of the dot to make sure it stays in place. It took awhile to rub the excess off my fingers but all the time and energy *okie thinks it really didn't take much energy to sit on her butt and do this* is worth it!





I have been wanting the Define Your Life stamp from Stampin Up for like three years and finally got it. Well it is a wood mounted set and doesn't come in the clear mount so I had to put those stamps on my cling mount foam. There are a lot of stamps in that set!! *okie looks to see how many heads are bobbing counting the stamps in the set and cracks up laughin* But once again, well worth the time and effort to have it done!



















Once I got my menial tasks done I thought I would punch some scallop circles out of a book I got from the libary. WAIT! *okie holds up a hand to to shush anyone who is fixin to yell at her* The library had a book sale recently and the ones that were left over were put on a table in the lobby for people to take for free, that is how I got the book. I did NOT just go get a book and destroy it.

I really like these flowers and they are so easy to make. I don't know how many I punched! I was on the phone with my friend Carmen, aka ScrapperDelighted, as I was doing this and told her it would take awhile. Between the two of use we figured maybe I could punch more than one at a time. I was able to punch 3 pages at a time. I might have been able to do 4 but I didn't want to press my luck. I think I need a smaller scallop circle punch, maybe a 1 1/4 or something, if they make one of those. But this will do for now.

I used Tim Holtz Vintage Photo distress ink on the edges, applied with the spongy applicator thing *okie thinks that spongy applicator thing probably is the technical term for the tool*. I thought the pearl brads make great centers for the flowers. I am gonna have to get some more of those brads now!

Don't forget that tomorrow night is the deadline to enter the FABULOUS USED GIVEAWAY.