Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Party Post!
Vintage Wallpaper flower ~
Today Artsymama is hosting an Artful Blogger party ~ hope you'll pop on over and check out the fabulous items being created and shared!
Here is the finished flower and the steps to create it follow. You can make this with scrapbook paper as well.


I purchased this huge roll of vintage wallpaper for $1.49 and just had to create something with it. I learned how to make silk flowers when I lived in Japan and that is what popped into my head when I saw Artsymama's post on the Artful Blogger party!


Take floral wire and fold in half. Starting at the top wrap floral tape around the entire wire. Floral tape is sticky - after you get done with the flower you can take a bit of baby powder and wrap it on the stem to take the "sticky" away.

I added some stamens and wrapped those around the wire next (see picture below with first layer of petals). OR you can take a triangle and wrap it around the top and tape it on creating center of your flower.

I used a Xyron because I wanted my petals to be double sided.
Fold the paper in half and cut the petals (very much like a heart shape). 1st layer will be smaller, 2nd layer a bit larger, 3rd larger and finally the 4th layer larger then all of the others.
Put both sides (side by side - color side facing up) and run through the xyron. This will make the petals into stickers.




With the petals side by side you know which one goes with which "other" petal.



Cut floral wire in short pieces and lay on one of the sticky petals about 1/2 the way up. Lay the other petal on top matching up as close as possible. Run your fingers around the wire inside of the two petals to make sure it's secure.
This will allow you to shape your petals once your flower is done.

Start with the small petals first taping one petal at a time. Remember to stretch the floral tape to make it tacky. It will not want to stick to the velvet so make sure you wrap it tight.



After you've layered the small petals, come down just a bit on the stem and layer the next size, repeat step with as many petals that you want to add to your flower ~ making sure that your petals gradually get larger and come down a bit on the stem from the layer above it.


















Painting Hydrangeas
Feel free to copy and print my hydrangea worksheet.
These are such easy flowers to paint. There are several ways to paint them but this is the easiest way.
TRASH to TREASURE
I found this stand at the same place I got the wall paper and it's going to go perfectly next to my computer to prop things up on while the kids are either doing their homework or I'm trying to type directions for my painting projects. PLUS, it was only .99 cents.


I sanded it down with sandpaper.
Painted the entire piece with FolkArt Acrylic paint - Thicket to be exact.
I'll spray it with a non yellowing clear acrylic spray to finish it off.
Have an ArtFULL day!

35 comments:

Linda said...

Great job sis. I love the flower with the wallpaper. Who'd of thought??
Love ya

Miss*Laurence said...

Hello Sandy! Loved the paper flower- I'll try with stiffened fabrics. Hydrangeas are my favourite flowers, especially the soft multi-couloured one ( well, OK I love freesia and lillies for their scent too!!) Always wanted to know how you make your art!!

Laura Bray said...

Thanks for sharing! Love the painting sheet!

Anonymous said...

Hi Sandy,

Just found you from Artysmama's blog! Wow, how beautiful. Love the wallpaper flowers.

Thank You!!!
Carol
http://raisedincotton.typepad.com/

Sugar Bear said...

I love it all! Thanks for giving us two tutorials!
Karla

Anonymous said...

These paper flowers are really sweet. I can't wait to try them. Wish I could paint, but I'm all thumbs at that. :( Yours are gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

sandy - love what you did with the wall paper and other treasures...wish i could be there to go to the fun shops with you!

love, nanc

Bonita Rose said...

thank u for sharing with the rest of us.. so happy to get to know you! hugs

Anonymous said...

so talented! thanks for sharing...looking forward to checking out the rest of your blog after the party!! Happy Day

Dede Warren said...

this is fabulous, and takes talent. or at least a class. you are one creative diva!!! thanks for sharing.

Christi said...

Sandy, I love this!!! Thanks so much for sharing this awesome hydrangea tutorial!!! smiles...

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful idea!!! I love the flowers!

Anonymous said...

I loooove the wallpaper flowers!! Fabulous directions too :)

KagedFish said...

Really beautiful!!! Thanks for sharing

Anonymous said...

I love both the wallpaper flower and the painted hydrangea. Thanks so much!

jennalee said...

love the wall paper flowers. you are so artful.

Carolyn said...

Wow ! Really love these flowers ! I`m having such a good time looking at all of the creations and finding inspiration from you all !

Joy for the Journey said...

Very clever!! I have never thought of that before!!
Sarah :)

Laume said...

Lovely flowers! I wouldn't have thought of using wallpaper.

Alison Gibbs said...

What talent! Great tutorial. Thanks!

Alice J said...

Sandy,
I think I should turn you into "My Teacher is Tops" on channel 13! You are great! And full of ideas!
But I can hardly wait til my next class.
Love the bookstand!!!
God has blessed you with many gifts.
In Christ Jesus,
AliceJ

Michelle said...

You are just amazing...do your talents ever cease???? As soon as the dust settles from "back to school" I am going to have to water my creative juices.

Julie said...

Wow! Talk about taking something old and ugly and making it a work of art! That is so beautiful.

Linda SS said...

Two fabulous tutorials. THANKS for sharing:)

Adele said...

These flowers are sooooo pretty! You are so creative. I love your blog. You are also a very good painter and you make the prettiest things!

Michelle Frae Cummings said...

I love making paper flowers and this is just great! Thanks!

Contessa Kris said...

Wow! Gorgeous flower out of the vintage wallpaper. How ever did you make yourself cut up that roll! lol Just beautiful!

Anonymous said...

what beautiful wallpaper! That's a great find for less than a dollar! I make paper flowers too but use watercolored coffee filters. I bet yours would be awesome by the dozen in a vase! Very pretty! I love your painting too- at first I thought the book stand was painted with chalkboard paint. I love the hydrangeas! You've got the Dewberry touch, sistah!

Justabeachkat said...

Wow...you amaze me with your creativity. Wish I lived closer so I could come learn from you. Beautiful!

Hugs!
Kat

Anonymous said...

Very nice tutorial. I love how you used the wall paper.

carlene federer said...

great tutorial, I'll have to give this a try sometime! Fun blog too!

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

I knew you would do something wonderful with that wallpaper. That flower is great.
I am printing out the sheet on painting hydrangeas... I'll give it a go!

Amy A said...

You're a very talented painter, thanks for the tutorial! The wallpaper flowers are awesome too, great idea! Now if I could just get my hands on some beautiful funky paper...

CG said...

That vintage wallpaper is gorgeous!!! And what a deal!

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

Aren't hydrangeas wonderful? Yours are very pretty!