You can use any type of card stock paper to make this card. I recommend using 60 lb card stock.

Directions:

1. Print out template:  Paper Rose Template
2. Attach template to card stock
3. Cut out design from card stock using template
4. Carefully fold the card in half, creasing along all of the dotted lines

I hope you enjoyed this very simple tutorial.  Let me know in the comments below who you gave this card to.

The post Simple Rose Pop Up Card Tutorial and Template appeared first on Creative Pop Up Cards.

History of Paper Flowers

I only recently discovered the art form of making paper flowers.  Therefore, I was surprised that paper flower making is actually one of the most popular crafting art forms that date back centuries ago. According to the Old Testament Book of Kings, Queen of Shelba asked Solomon to determine which of the 12 lilies were not real.  Solomon was able to identify the real flowers by watching which flower the insects would land on.  Over 2,000 years ago, China made many crafts out of paper such as paper lanterns, paper fans, paper cut art pieces and of course, the paper flower.  The paper flowers were used in religious ceremonies as offerings to the deceased and for meditation purposes.  In the Middle Ages, silk, paper and metal flowers were used to decorate alters and statues.  In the warmer seasons, real flowers were used.  There was an entire industry of paper flower making, which was led by Italy.  By the 1800’s, France became well known for making artificial flowers because of their dominance in fashion.   The French used paper flowers as decorations for clothing, hats and other accessories.  It’s obvious that people many years ago saw the countless uses for paper flowers, but why should we make paper flowers?

The Many Uses for Paper Flowers

Whether you are a beginner crafter or an expert paper artist, making paper flowers is a great art form that has many exciting uses.  I’ve made a list of cool things you can do with paper flowers:

• Decorate your home with floral arrangements that last forever
• Make a heartfelt paper flower for the love of your life for Valentine’s Day or their birthday
• Impress mom by making a paper flower and giving it to her for Mother’s day
• Spruce up a party(birthday, bridal shower, baby shower) by placing paper flowers on tables and walls
• Embellish a wrapped gift
• Create barrettes, head bands, and other accessories
• Brighten up a wedding by making giant flower decorations or delicate flowers to garnish a wedding cake
• Make simple flowers as art projects for kids
• Add color to your car interior with colorful paper flowers that don’t die or require water
• Sell paper flowers on etsy.com or to your local market; it’s amazing how much paper flowers cost…just do a quick search on etsy.com

The list goes on and on.  Why do you want to make a paper flower?

Materials For Making Paper Flowers

Depending on what kind of flower you will be making, you will need different materials.  For example, a rose will typically require a flatter and more rigid paper while a carnation will use a softer and thinner paper.  The material you use for your flower will also determine how realistic your flower will look.  Some materials are more expensive than others, so if you are just starting or if you are making many flowers, you may want to use a cheaper material.  Also, you may want to use a cheaper material if you are making paper flowers with kids.   If you are really trying to impress someone or make something that looks ultra-realistic, your materials will most likely be more expensive.  There are numerous techniques for making paper flowers but here is a general list of materials that are commonly used.

• Printer paper or regular colored paper: This is the most common and accessible. You can make flowers directly from some printable templates.
• Card stock: This is of course my favorite material since  I make all of my pop-up cards card stock. You can use card stock for flowers with rigid petals like roses, orchids, tulips and bird of paradise flowers.
• Crepe paper: This is surprisingly hard to find and comes in many different qualities.  You can stretch crepe paper and worked it into many shapes. Therefore, crepe paper is great for flower petals because most petals have a curvature to them and you can work the curvature into the paper.  Crepe paper comes in large sheets so it is used to make giant flowers.  Crepe paper typically comes in standard (60 gsm), heavy (100 gsm) and Extra heavy (180 gsm) thicknesses.  The heavier the paper is, the more you can shape it.  Party streamers are made of crepe paper and are typically 60 gsm.  If you buy crepe paper online, many suppliers are overseas so delivery can take a while.  The best quality crepe paper you can buy domestically is Lia Griffith’s paper.
• Foam core sheets: Foam sheets are great for flowers that have more rigid petals like a calla lily.
• Coffee filters: These make great materials because they are soft, thin and when painted, make great colorful designs because the colors bleed through the paper.
• Metallic paper: Metallic paper is can have different thicknesses but the main reason it is used is because it gives off a subtle shine.  If you want a realistic looking flower, use metallic paper.  It’s also the most expensive material.
• Wafer paper: Wafer paper is an edible material used to make flowers that you can eat and is used for making cake decorations.
• Felt: You can make soft flower petals with felt.  I find it a little hard to work with unless you have very sharp scissors.
• Floral wire: Make flower stems with floral wire. You can buy them pre-cut or wound in a roll. They also come in different thicknesses or gauges.  The lower the number, the thicker the wire.  For example, 18 gauge wire is thicker than 22 gauge wire.  Thicker wires usually come precut.  For most flowers, 22 gauge wire is adequate.  If you need something really rigid, or if you make a flower with a very long stem, then you may want to use a thicker wire (18-20 gauge).
• Floral tape: Floral tape is really one of the key items that was created specifically for flowers.  Floral tape is stretchy, and has a coating of a weak wax based adhesive.  It only sticks to itself and is water resistant.   You can also wrap live flowers for this reason.  You will use floral tape to attach flowers to stems and to wrap floral wire.
• Pipe Cleaners: Use pipe cleaners for flower stems, typically for children’s projects.
• Clay or play dough: Use clay or play dough to make the thick spadix in the center of calla lilies.
• Pom poms: Use pom poms for the center of simple flowers.

Tools Used For Making Paper Flowers

Just like materials, there are many different tools you can use to make paper flowers.  The type of flower you plan to make will determine which tool to use.  You can substitute many of these tools for everyday objects you can find in your home.  Here is a list of common tools for making paper flowers:

• Scissors: Use scissors to cut out petals and other details of a flower.
• X-acto knife: You may need a sharp knife to cut out intricate designs that you are unable to use a pair of scissors for.
• Glue: There are many types of glues you can use.  Faster setting glues are more desirable since many flower tutorials require you to hold a petal in a certain position until the glue dries.
• Hot Glue Gun: This is a great glue to use because it sets very quickly.  There are different levels of quality hot glue guns.  The cheaper ones tend to leak hot glue in between uses.  The more expensive ones have gun-like triggers that allow you to precisely control the amount of glue applied.
• Foam tape or stickers: Use foam tape or stickers in place of glue if you want something to stick immediately.  Foam tape is great to stick objects to the center of flowers to give it a 3-dimensional look.
• Tweezers: Tweezers will help you handle very delicate pieces. You may not need them if your flowers are large enough to work with your fingertips.
• Wire cutter: Cut floral wire with wire cutters .  If you have precut floral wire, you wouldn’t need a wire cutter.  If you don’t have a wire cutter, you can use an old pair of nail clippers.  However, don’t use your scissors because you will damage them.
• Embossing tool: Embossing tools are great tools to help you fold card stock. You can probably get away with using a toothpick or pen with no ink.
• Bone folder: You can use bone folders to make creases in flower leaves.  You can probably use a butter knife or any utensil that is not sharp.

Paper Flower Tutorials

I picked out the top 11 most commonly made paper flowers and researched the best free tutorials on how to make them.  If you want to learn how to make a paper flower, then take a look at the links below.  For each flower, I have compiled between 3 to 5 different tutorials varying in different levels of difficulty.  Some tutorials may be harder, but the flower will look more realistic.  These tutorials are perfect for making hair accessories or one-off gift decorations.   However, if you plan on making many flowers, for example, to decorate an entire wall or for many centerpieces, then you may want to choose an easier tutorial.

• Roses: Roses symbolize love and are perfect for Valentine’s day, Mother’s day, weddings and birthdays for that special someone.
• Daisy: Daisies signify innocence and are simple to make with kids.
• Sunflower: Sunflowers can brighten anyone’s day and reminds us of the warmth of summer.
• Orchids: Orchids are delicate and denote beauty and luxury.  They make wonderful decorations for gifts and hair accessories.
• Calla Lilly: Calla Lilies are elegant and simple and work well for modern decorations. If you want to make a lot of flowers for an event or party, then calla lilies are great to make.
• Tulips: Tulips represent springtime and are another easy flower to make with children.
• Stargazer Lily: Stargazer lilies are great for bouquets and work well with other flowers.
• Iris: Iris’ suggest purity and are one of the most beautiful blue or violet flowers.
• Bird of Paradise: If you want to make a tropical themed flower, the Bird of Paradise is your best bet.
• Carnation: Carnations are easily recognized, fun to make and are also great for Mother’s day and Valentine’s day.
• Lotus: Lotus flowers imply compassion, love, purity and rebirth. They are the most spiritual flower.

Summary

Paper flower making is one of the most common paper crafts.  You will find endless ways to use paper flowers and the ideas will keep flowing.  The best time to make paper flowers is for Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day.  You can show your true love how much you care by making a flower that will last forever.  Try any of the tutorials in the links above to learn how to make a wide variety of flowers.  You can even customize the flowers to give it your own personal flare.   I had a lot of fun making these flowers and I can now incorporate some of these ideas into the pop up cards that I make.  I have decorated the front of my pop up cards with some of these paper flowers for added detail.  Now you can make the ultimate gift of a bouquet of handmade flowers with an amazing pop up card.  If you found any of this information useful, please comment below and share this link.

The post The Complete Guide to Making Paper Flowers appeared first on Creative Pop Up Cards.

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The Lotus Flower

The exquisite lotus flower is nothing less than beautiful, especially as it emerges from the murky water. The ancient Egyptians saw the lotus close its blooms at night and then reemerge the next day.  This is why they associated this remarkable plant with the sun and rebirth. The truth is, however, that the lotus takes about 3 days to emerge from the water and will bloom from the morning until the mid-to-late afternoon.

In Buddhism and Hinduism the lotus is connected to purity and beauty, and each color of lotus symbolizes different things. For example, in Buddhism, the red lotus symbolizes compassion and love, while the white lotus symbolizes spiritual perfection and mental purity.

The lotus flower is more than just stunning, it has long been used for various medicinal purposes. The sacred lotus is usually grown for its edible roots and seeds, while the blue lotus can be made into a tea to help treat insomnia.

Paper Lotus Flower Tutorials

If you’re interested in creating your own paper lotus flower, I listed the 5 best tutorials below. These tutorials range from beginner level to more advanced.   No matter which one you try first, these paper lotus flower tutorials create eye-catching blooms that will wow everyone.

Paper Lotus Flower Tutorial for Kids

If you’re looking for an easy paper lotus flower tutorial that is ideal for novice crafters and kids, then this might be right up your alley. All you need is craft paper in white or pink, and green, scissors, glue, and a pencil. Keep in mind, however, that kids shouldn’t use scissors unattended. You can find this beginner tutorial at Bumps n Baby.

Image from Bumpsnbaby.com

DIY Paper Lotus Flower

This simple DIY paper lotus flower tutorial creates a whimsical bloom that can dress up any package. You can also attach a hairclip to the back of the flower for a lovely hair accessory. All you need is some paper in 3 different colors (one color for the petals, yellow for the center, and green for the leaves), floral wire, floral tape, scissors, and glue. Createsie has the complete instructions available for free.

Image from Createsie.com

Paper Lotus Flower Craft

Here is an origami version of a paper lotus flower.  This paper lotus flower tutorial may take a few tries to get right, but once you do, you will have a pretty and petite lotus bloom. All you need is some light weight paper, scissors, and glue. Visit Petals of Peace for directions on how to make this paper lotus flower craft.

Image from PetalsofPeace.com

Edible Paper Lotus Flower

Making a paper lotus flower out of wafer paper turns the blossom into an edible piece of art that you can use to adorn cakes of all sorts. This will require a few specialty tools common in the cake decorating world. Along with the wafer paper, you’ll need a bone tool, oval cutter, paintbrush, and water. If you want to add color to the paper lotus, you’ll also need some edible dust in the desired hue. Head over to Cake Central for the step-by-step guide.

Image from CakeCentral.com

Crepe Paper Lotus Flower Bloom

This paper lotus blossom is more realistic than the others, and may take more time and skill to create. However, it will look as close to a real lotus flower as possible without having to use an actual live plant. To create this stunning bloom, you will need tissue paper, fringe scissors, two different types of crepe paper, floral wire, floral tape and a rubber band. Find the complete tutorial at MarthaStewart.com.

Image from Martha Stewart

Summary

Knowing how to make paper flowers is a useful skill that make you the go-to person for homemade party decorations. And once you have become comfortable with the process, you will be making paper lotus flowers in your sleep!

Did you enjoy these paper lotus flower tutorials? Got any tips, tricks, or favorite techniques you’d like to share? Feel free to comment and help others of all crafting levels enjoy the wonderful world of paper flowers.

I reviewed the best tutorials for 10 other types of flowers.   Click on the links below to check out the other flower tutorials.

• Roses: Roses symbolize love and are perfect for Valentine’s day, Mother’s day, weddings and birthdays for that special someone.
• Daisy: Daisies signify innocence and are simple to make with kids.
• Sunflower: Sunflowers can brighten anyone’s day and reminds us of the warmth of summer.
• Orchids: Orchids are delicate and denote beauty and luxury.  They make wonderful decorations for gifts and hair accessories.
• Calla Lilly: Calla Lilies are elegant and simple and work well for modern decorations. If you want to make a lot of flowers for an event or party, then calla lilies are great to make.
• Tulips: Tulips represent springtime and are another easy flower to make with children.
• Stargazer Lily: Stargazer lilies are great for bouquets and work well with other flowers.
• Iris: Iris’ suggest purity and are one of the most beautiful blue or violet flowers.
• Bird of Paradise: If you want to make a tropical themed flower, the Bird of Paradise is your best bet.
• Carnation: Carnations are easily recognized, fun to make and are also great for Mother’s day and Valentine’s day.

The post Paper Lotus Flower: Collection Of The Best Handmade DIY Tutorials appeared first on Creative Pop Up Cards.

Carnations have a beautiful bloom that often invokes feelings of happiness and love, and the paper version is no different. Choosing a paper carnation over a live plant means you can keep the flower indefinitely, something that you cannot do with a fresh blooms since they die after a few days. The longer life of paper flowers opens up the possibilities as to how and when you can use carnations.

The Carnation

The carnation is rich in history, mythology, and symbolism, and expresses various emotions, including love, distinction, affection, and fascination. A debate of where the name ‘carnation’ came from has been raging on for years. Some think that it comes from the Latin word ‘carnis’, which means flesh, due to its original pink color. Others say ‘carnation’ comes from the Greek word ‘coronation’ or ‘corone’ because it was used in crowns during Greek ceremonies.

The meaning of the carnation varies depending on the color of the bloom. For example, white blooms symbolize purity, or pure love, and some people believe that they bring good luck. Dark red carnations show passion and deep love, while light red suggests admiration. Pink carnations are typically associated with Mother’s Day because it was once believed that the pink carnation appeared from the tears of the Virgin Mary.

Paper Carnation Flower Tutorials

You can make paper carnation flowers out of various materials, with crepe paper, tissue paper, and printer paper being the most popular choices. Once you’re comfortable with the paper crafting process, try other materials, such as fabric or felt, for an even more unique project.

I have listed the following 5 paper carnation tutorials from easiest to most complex.   Some of the tutorials require only a few extra items, such as crepe paper and floral wire, on top of common craft tools, like scissors and glue, that you probably already have on hand.

Simple Paper Carnation

This simple paper carnation tutorial is a great starting point for novice crafters who have little to no previous paper flower experience. All you need is some thin computer paper in the desired color – though you can use regular computer paper for a white carnation – scissors, wire, and ribbon. You can eliminate the wire and ribbon if you just want the carnation bloom without a stem. The complete tutorial, in both written and video format, and free template can be found at Dreamy Posey.

Image from DreamPosy

Easy Crepe Paper Carnation

This easy-to-make paper carnation uses crepe paper to create the attractive blooms that look lovely alone or when bunched together to create a bouquet. You can also leave the stem off and use the blooms for a flower crown or wreath. Go to Ruffles and Stuff for the full directions to make this easy crepe paper carnation.

Image from Ruffles and Stuff

Large Paper Carnations

This free paper carnation tutorial is for larger than normal blooms, which makes them ideal for centerpieces and bouquets.  You can make the paper carnations in varying sizes  to give the flower bunch a more lifelike appearance. You will need crepe paper, scissors, pliers, hot glue gun with glue stick, floral tape, and floral wire. Visit Crafted to Bloom for the complete instructions, including a free template for the stem and leaves.

Image from CrafttoBloom.com

Paper Carnation Valentines

These single, long stemmed paper carnations makes a lovely valentine to show someone just how much you care. You will need tissue paper, floral tape, cardstock, floral wire, scissors, pliers, and paper glue. If you don’t want to use this as a Valentine, skip the steps of making and attaching the tag. Find the tutorial over at Vitamini Handmade.

Image from Vitaminihandmade.com

Realistic Paper Carnations

This ultra-realistic paper carnation tutorial makes paper flowers that look like a real live carnation. In fact, you could place them in a vase and people wouldn’t know the difference until they tried to smell the carnation. Because it’s so realistic in its appearance, this tutorial takes more time and work than the others listed above. It will require crepe paper, which you will dip in bleach to get a two-tone effect, watercolor, paintbrush, glue, scissors, floral wire, and floral tape. Visit Why Don’t You Make Me? for the free tutorial and template.  You can find it at the bottom of the page.

Image from WhyDontYouMakeMe.com

Summary

Learning to make paper flowers is a fun and useful hobby. But it’s not without its hassles. If you find a tutorial a bit above your current crafting level, there is no shame with trying one designed for beginners. Once you have a handle on the process, you can move on to the more difficult paper carnations.

If you love making paper flowers and you have made paper carnations, please share your experience.  What techniques have you found success with? What materials do you use for your paper flowers?  This information may help others in their paper flower-making journey.

I reviewed the best tutorials for 10 other types of flowers.   Click on the links below to check out the other flower tutorials.

• Roses: Roses symbolize love and are perfect for Valentine’s day, Mother’s day, weddings and birthdays for that special someone.
• Daisy: Daisies signify innocence and are simple to make with kids.
• Sunflower: Sunflowers can brighten anyone’s day and reminds us of the warmth of summer.
• Orchids: Orchids are delicate and denote beauty and luxury.  They make wonderful decorations for gifts and hair accessories.
• Calla Lilly: Calla Lilies are elegant and simple and work well for modern decorations. If you want to make a lot of flowers for an event or party, then calla lilies are great to make.
• Tulips: Tulips represent springtime and are another easy flower to make with children.
• Stargazer Lily: Stargazer lilies are great for bouquets and work well with other flowers.
• Iris: Iris’ suggest purity and are one of the most beautiful blue or violet flowers.
• Bird of Paradise: If you want to make a tropical themed flower, the Bird of Paradise is your best bet.
• Lotus: Lotus flowers imply compassion, love, purity and rebirth. They are the most spiritual flower.

The post Paper Carnation Flower: Collection Of The Best Handmade DIY Tutorials appeared first on Creative Pop Up Cards.

The iris is a striking bloom that makes a unique statement as a paper flower, and the uses for them are vast. Unfortunately, many of us overlook the iris for the more popular rose. This is a shame since irises are just as amazing as the rose, but not used as often. They are more impressive and unusual. Giving the gift of a paper iris lets the recipient enjoy the stunning piece of art for years to come.

The Iris

The iris is an elegant flower that has been immortalized in paintings by many beloved artists, such as daVinci, van Gogh, and Renoir. It is a genus of flowering plants made up of about 260 to 300 species.  They all have attractive blooms in various colors, including, purple, white, blue, yellow, orange, brown, red, and pink.

The iris is named after the Greek goddess of rainbows, who is also considered the messenger of love. It is revered in the Japanese culture for its purifying properties, and it is believed to protect the person wearing the flower by purifying evil energy.

The color of the iris is how you will convey your message. For example, white implies purity, which makes it ideal for bridal bouquets, blue represents faith and hope, purple is ideal for congratulations, and yellow should be used when you want to show passion.

Paper Iris Flower Tutorials

Below you’ll find 5 paper iris tutorials that range from simple to more complex. Each tutorial is free and includes detailed instructions and a printable template.  I have listed the tutorials from easiest to most complex.   The best thing about these paper iris flower tutorials is that you can customize the paper flowers to fit your specific needs and desires.

Paper Iris Spring Bouquet

This no-frills paper iris spring bouquet is simple yet stunning. It makes a great handmade gift or party favor, and requires only a few inexpensive items. You will need computer paper, scissors, pencil, and a glue stick. The great thing about this tutorial, besides being free, is that it includes the instructions and templates for other spring flowers. This gives you the option of making a simple paper iris bouquet or a more complex paper bouquet filled with spring-inspired blooms.  Step 4 will show you how to make the iris.  Head over to Aunt Annie’s Crafts for the complete instructions and templates.

Image from Aunt Annie's Crafts

Simple Paper Iris

This may be one of the simplest paper iris tutorial out there. It only requires paper, glue, pencil, and scissors. Despite its simple appearance, you can dress up a present or make a corsage by attaching a wrist band to the back.  Furthermore, the template is a scalable image, which means you can increase the size to make a larger-than-life iris bloom, perfect for a kid’s party or room decoration. For the printable template and instructions, visit Inna’s Creations.

Image from Inna's Creations

Paper Iris made with Stampin’ Up! Tool

While this paper iris tutorial is relatively simple, you will require a special tool called the Stampin’ Up! Blossom Punch.  You can find this nifty crafting tool in the scrapbooking section of craft stores. Along with the Stampin Up!, you’ll need cardstock, glue, scissors, rhinestones, and an embossing mat and stylus.  If you don't have the stamp to make the petals, I've created a template in PDF and SVG for you to download.  You may need to resize the template to match the size flower you want to make.  For detail instructions on how to make this paper iris, visit Stampin’ Love & Memories.

Image from Stampin'Love & Memories

Patterned Paper Iris

This fun and whimsical paper iris is made using scrapbook paper, which means the patterns and colors for your paper flower are practically endless! Because of the versatileness of this paper iris, it make a great decoration for parties and events. An example of this is using baby-themed scrapbook paper to make centerpieces for a baby shower. Visit Amy Butler for the free tutorial and template.

Image from AmyButlerDesign.com

Realistic Paper Iris

For a realistic paper iris, give Dreamy Posy’s tutorial a go. It uses coffee filter paper, water colors, tissue paper, and wire to create a paper flower that looks like the real thing. This paper iris looks absolutely stunning in a vase alone or with multiple paper blooms. The tutorial includes both written and video instructions, and you can find the free template at the bottom of the page. The directions and template are available at Dreamy Posy.

Image from Dreamposy.com

Summary

Making paper flowers can be a challenge, but once you get the hang of the process, you will wonder why you didn’t take up this craft sooner.  Do you love paper crafts? Have you tried to make any of these paper irises? Feel free to share your tips and experience in the comments below.

I reviewed the best tutorials for 10 other types of flowers.   Click on the links below to check out the other flower tutorials.

• Roses: Roses symbolize love and are perfect for Valentine’s day, Mother’s day, weddings and birthdays for that special someone.
• Daisy: Daisies signify innocence and are simple to make with kids.
• Sunflower: Sunflowers can brighten anyone’s day and reminds us of the warmth of summer.
• Orchids: Orchids are delicate and denote beauty and luxury.  They make wonderful decorations for gifts and hair accessories.
• Calla Lilly: Calla Lilies are elegant and simple and work well for modern decorations. If you want to make a lot of flowers for an event or party, then calla lilies are great to make.
• Tulips: Tulips represent springtime and are another easy flower to make with children.
• Stargazer Lily: Stargazer lilies are great for bouquets and work well with other flowers.
• Bird of Paradise: If you want to make a tropical themed flower, the Bird of Paradise is your best bet.
• Carnation: Carnations are easily recognized, fun to make and are also great for Mother’s day and Valentine’s day.
• Lotus: Lotus flowers imply compassion, love, purity and rebirth. They are the most spiritual flower.

The post Paper Iris Flower: Collection Of The Best Handmade DIY Tutorials appeared first on Creative Pop Up Cards.

ABOUT BIRD OF PARADISE

Birds of paradise are some of the most beautiful, unique, exotic flowers in existence. As you might guess, their name comes from the fact that they have a similar appearance to tropical birds. These flowers come in a variety of bright colors, and they tend to reach over four feet in height. Their leaves are banana shaped, and their exotic appearance make them the center of much admiration.

These beautiful flowers are known as the tropical flower, with their bright colors and representation of a tropical area. Thus,  you can use these flowers in situations where you want to create a bit of an exotic, tropical theme. Since real birds of paradise tend to die rather quickly, why not try your hand at making your own? I’ve compiled a list of some of the best bird of paradise paper flower tutorials for you below!

PAPER BIRDS OF PARADISE FLOWER TUTORIALS

These tutorials vary in complexity, variety of materials, and use. You might want to make some origami bird of paradise flowers if you’re planning on handing them out to friends. A basic paper version might work better if you want to make dozens of them as wedding centerpieces or bouquets. I’ve arranged the tutorials below from simplest to most complex, so you can choose what works best for you.

NAPKIN BIRD OF PARADISE

Paper Folds is a blog filled with beginner-level origami tutorials, and, lucky for us, they have a simple bird of paradise tutorial. The video tutorial uses a napkin, which is a great way to learn how to make paper flowers without wasting expensive crafting supplies. Once you’ve mastered the origami on a napkin, try out some crepe paper or regular colored printer paper. This is a great guide in that it’s simple while allowing for some creativity and flexibility.

Image from PaperFolds

INTERMEDIATE ORIGAMI BIRDS OF PARADISE

Urvashi Gupta has a great tutorial for making origami birds of paradise. The blog post links both to a template that you can print out for the flower petals, and a video that shows her going through the steps. After printing out the stencil for the project, you can follow along step-by-step with the video and have your own origami birds of paradise in under ten minutes! This is definitely the simplest origami tutorial out there, and you don’t need to be an origami expert to give it a go.

 Image from Urvashi Gupta

BEGINNER’S PAPER BIRD OF PARADISE

Penny Duncan Designs is a lifesaver for anyone who’s just starting out in paper crafts. Not only does she offer a step by step video of how to create a paper bird of paradise flower, but she also has multiple files with printable templates and instructions for you to use. This is a perfect guide for those of you who have never made paper flowers before. There is definitely some complexity in parts such as adding ink to the leaf cutouts for more depth of color.  This is totally optional and just another way to make your flower stand out from the rest.

Image from PennyDuncanCreations

CREPE PAPER BIRDS OF PARADISE

ABC TV has a channel dedicated to paper flowers, and their bird of paradise paper flower tutorial is both easy to follow and easy to replicate. All you need is crepe paper, floral tape, scissors, glue, a clear PVC tube, and wire for the flowers! These flowers are gorgeous and eye-catching with their purple and orange petals. Make them with the stem for a nice bouquet, or without the stem as an accent to a card or gift.

Image from ABCTV

COMPLEX ORIGAMI BIRDS OF PARADISE

Joost Langeveld is known for his origami flower tutorials and video demonstrations, and I’d count his bird of paradise tutorial amongst his best. This is a great option if you’re just wanting spruce up your home with a nice vase of paper flowers. It is definitely a bit more complex than the aforementioned origami tutorial, but, if you are experienced in the craft of origami, this is definitely worth a try! The flowers look absolutely stunning and surprisingly realistic!

Image from JoostLangeveldorigami.nl

What use of a paper bird of paradise flower do you think is best or most creative? Have you ever made them before? Sound off in the comments below!

I reviewed the best tutorials for 10 other types of flowers.   Click on the links below to check out the other flower tutorials.

• Roses: Roses symbolize love and are perfect for Valentine’s day, Mother’s day, weddings and birthdays for that special someone.
• Daisy: Daisies signify innocence and are simple to make with kids.
• Sunflower: Sunflowers can brighten anyone’s day and reminds us of the warmth of summer.
• Orchids: Orchids are delicate and denote beauty and luxury.  They make wonderful decorations for gifts and hair accessories.
• Calla Lilly: Calla Lilies are elegant and simple and work well for modern decorations. If you want to make a lot of flowers for an event or party, then calla lilies are great to make.
• Tulips: Tulips represent springtime and are another easy flower to make with children.
• Stargazer Lily: Stargazer lilies are great for bouquets and work well with other flowers.
• Iris: Iris’ suggest purity and are one of the most beautiful blue or violet flowers.
• Carnation: Carnations are easily recognized, fun to make and are also great for Mother’s day and Valentine’s day.
• Lotus: Lotus flowers imply compassion, love, purity and rebirth. They are the most spiritual flower.

The post Paper Bird of Paradise Flower: Collection Of The Best Handmade DIY Tutorials appeared first on Creative Pop Up Cards.

The Stargazer Lily

Some species of lilies are present in funereal arrangements, representing the soul of the loved one that has passed. The Easter Lily is an example of this. They are the birth flower for May and represent the 30^th wedding anniversary. One species of lily, the alstroemeria, symbolizes devotion and true friendship. Pink Stargazer lilies symbolize prosperity, while Lilies of the Valley are the flower for 2^nd anniversaries.

Paper Stargazer Lily Tutorials

Stargazer lilies are popular in paper crafting. If you would like to make paper lilies, here are some excellent tutorials to get you started.  A paper stargazer lily can require intricate work to reproduce the stamen. Also, few lilies are a solid color, and will require some additional painting or coloring. Websites such as Lia Griffith and Icing Images have some beautiful patterns for paper lilies, with very clear instructions. Here are some more sites you may be interested in.

Printable Paper  Stargazer Lily

The tutorial from Instructables has a free downloadable template with petals that already have colorful patterns.   You can also cut them from solid colored paper for a monochromatic theme, but they won’t be Stargazer lilies then.

It’s best to use regular paper when you print this template so that you can shape the petals easier. Cut everything out and glue them together so that you have yellow on both sides. You should end up with 5 stamens. Make the red tips, curling them with a toothpick and glue them to the stamens.

The petals are numbered, so match up the numbers to get your 6 petals. There will be 3 narrow ones and 3 wide ones. Make a stem out of green paper.

Now, you will place the 5 stamens in one end of the stem and glue them into place. Take each petal and cut a small slit into the base of each. Wrap the petals around a pencil or other item to create the classic paper lily curl. Now, you can glue the petals to the stem by wrapping the two tabs around the stem and gluing them down. Glue the 3 wide petals first, evenly spacing them around the stem, then attach the 3 narrow petals the same way, but alternating with the wide ones. You will cover all of this work with the strip of green, then attach the leaf!

Image from Instructables.com

Paper Stargazer Lily for Gift Decor

This paper stargazer lily pattern is perfect for a table setting or as a decoration on a package. The instructions by Joanne-mainlyflowers call it a “no tool” lily, but you certainly do need tools to make this beautiful bloom. First, cut out the petal shapes from paper and color them as you like.  You’ll make 6 petals and 3 leaves for each lily.

Now, you will use your paper punch to punch out two 6-petalled flowers. Cut off every other petal, leaving 3 evenly spaced petals attached to the center. You can also just use 3 of the same petals you made earlier and glue them to a small circle.  The circle will give the petals support.

Curl the petals down the length of the petal first, then curl the tip down. Glue the lily petals that you have colored so nicely to the flower base that you trimmed to 3 petals (or circle with 3 separate petals). You should have two sets of 3 petals. Then, rotate one and glue them together so that the petals alternate.

To shape the leaves, use a creasing tool to draw “veins” in each of the leaves. It will curl the leaf, giving it just the right curve and texture.

To make the stamen, color a piece of paper green on both sides and cut it into fringe. Then roll the base of the fringe up around a needle and glue it tight. Place the base of the fringe into the center of your petals and spread out the stamen, trimming them to the length you want. Place a little bit of glue on the end of each one to create the “blob” you see on the flowers.

Using a ball tool, draw little circles in the center of the paper lily, this will make the petals stand up. Once it has reached the openness you want, put a drop of glue in the center and stand the base end of the stamen fringe in the glue. Add the leaves behind the bloom, and you have a beautiful paper lily!

Image from Joanne-mainlyflowers

Watercolor Lilies

PaperPendulum has a great tutorial that creates the beautiful petals of the paper stargazer lily with watercolor.  You will need watercolor paper for these beautiful lilies. Cut 5 petals out of watercolor paper and, with your water colors, paint them to look like lilies. This pattern does not have you color both sides, but it would look better if you did.

Once you have the 5 petals painted and dried, take your scrap paper and make five or six narrow strips about the width of a match stick. Color them yellow on both sides. These are the stamen.

Make a stem out of several pieces of floral wire that you have wrapped in floral tape. Tape the stamen in place with floral tape and curl them around a pencil. Then, tape three of the petals to the stem, evenly spacing them. Put the other two petals behind the others, taping it all together. Now, curl the petals down using a pencil. This will open your lily bloom, revealing the stamen. Add leaves you cut out of green paper, and you have a beautiful paper stargazer lily.

Image from PaperPendulum

Paper Tiger Lily

Lia Griffith has a great tutorial on making tiger lilies.  She provides a free downloadable template that you can use to print out the pattern.  You can use the template to cut out shapes from plain paper (or water color paper) and paint them to look like stargazer lilies.  You will need a few items such as a hole punch, glue gun, floral tape and floral wire.

Image fro LiaGriffith.com

Wafer Paper Stargazer Lily

This tutorial by Icingimages teaches you how to make a lily using wafer paper.  This version is a little more complex than the other tutorials but the flower is beautiful.  The wafer paper makes the lilies look very delicate and real.  Be careful not to get your wafer paper too wet, otherwise it will fall apart.

Image from Icingimages

I would love to hear about your experience if you attempt to make any of these paper stargazer lilies.  If you have a better way to make them, please let me know.

I reviewed the best tutorials for 10 other types of flowers.   Click on the links below to check out the other flower tutorials.

• Roses: Roses symbolize love and are perfect for Valentine’s day, Mother’s day, weddings and birthdays for that special someone.
• Daisy: Daisies signify innocence and are simple to make with kids.
• Sunflower: Sunflowers can brighten anyone’s day and reminds us of the warmth of summer.
• Orchids: Orchids are delicate and denote beauty and luxury.  They make wonderful decorations for gifts and hair accessories.
• Calla Lilly: Calla Lilies are elegant and simple and work well for modern decorations. If you want to make a lot of flowers for an event or party, then calla lilies are great to make.
• Tulips: Tulips represent springtime and are another easy flower to make with children.
• Iris: Iris’ suggest purity and are one of the most beautiful blue or violet flowers.
• Bird of Paradise: If you want to make a tropical themed flower, the Bird of Paradise is your best bet.
• Carnation: Carnations are easily recognized, fun to make and are also great for Mother’s day and Valentine’s day.
• Lotus: Lotus flowers imply compassion, love, purity and rebirth. They are the most spiritual flower.

The post Paper Stargazer Lily Flower: Collection Of The Best Handmade DIY Tutorials appeared first on Creative Pop Up Cards.

The red tulip is said to represent perfect love. Legend has it that a prince, heartbroken that his true love had died, rode his horse off of a cliff. A red tulip grew in every place a drop of his blood touched. Now, the tulip is the flower for the eleventh anniversary, with the dark center representing the lover’s heart.

Paper Tulip Tutorials

I have summarized 3 very simple tulip tutorials below.  I couldn't find the templates for 2 of them so I created them myself.  The tutorials are easy to follow.  You can make a paper tulip bouquet in no time.

Simple Paper Tulips

One of the most fun things about this paper tulip pattern is that it’s so basic! The general outline of the tulip bloom is simple, as is the leaf. Use this template I created to cut out 4 flower heads and 2 leaves.

Now, you will glue the petals of the paper tulip together. Fold each of the 4 sections in half. Place the “wrong side” one petal against the “wrong side” of a second petal section, and glue them together. Do the same with the other two sets of petals.

Now, you will take a skewer that you have colored green, either with a marker or food coloring. Layer the pieces of the tulip in this order:

• One set of glued petals, face down
• The skewer with 1” of the end in the crease between the petal sections
• The other set of glued petals, face up
• Glue it all together as you layer it

Attach the leaves to the lower part of the skewer, and you have a complete handmade tulip! You can see the full instructions at Craftideas.  Make several of these and place them into a flowerpot with decorative stones, and you have a pot of paper tulips!

Image from Craftideas.info

3D Paper Tulips

To make these 3D Paper Tulips from CoolCreativity, you can use this template I created. When you cut out the different sized discs with the petals, be sure to leave the center uncut. This will be about the size of a quarter or dime, depending on the size of the tulip you are making. You will also need a small circle of matching paper the same size as the center of the disc.

Make a hole in the center of the small disc of petals, and push your florist wire through it. Bend the wire at an angle, and glue the small circle of paper over the wire, attaching it to the inside of the small petal disc. Now, you will begin folding the petals upward, overlapping them and gluing them together. The basic shape will be a small tulip. You can either leave it this way, or keep going.

To make a bigger tulip, thread the large disc of petals onto the florist wire and slide it up to the smaller tulip bud. Start folding those petals up, as well, and glue them.  Leave them a little looser than the previous set. This will create your 3D tulip flower! Now, glue paper leaves to the stem, and you have your lovely tulip ready for decorating or as a gift!

Image from Coolcreativity.com

Free Standing Paper Tulips

Lindi Haws has a cute paper tulip tutorial with a free printable template at Love The Day.   This paper tulip is free-standing! All you need to make this adorable craft tulip is a pair of scissors and glue. Once you cut it out, fold it in half. Since the pattern is only printed on one side, you have a pretty clear indication of which one is the right side, and which is the wrong side. Each page of templates makes one tulip.

• First, glue leave from stem 1 to leaf on stem 2.
• Then glue other leaf from stem 2 to leaf on stem 3.
• Finally, glue other leaf from stem 3 to other leaf on stem 1.
• Make sure the stems themselves are glued together

Now, follow the same process with the tulip bloom. Leave a section in the center free of glue so that you can slide the stem into it, then glue it into place. Always remember to glue the unprinted sides together, leaving the print pattern to the outside.  Once you have the blooms cut out, take the brush pen in hand. Approach the paper from the WRONG side. This way if the pen slips, it will only leave marks on the back of the flower. Lay the edge of the paper against the side of the brush pen, and outline the perimeter of the bloom. Do the same thing with the stem. This will add a finishing touch to the raw, cut edges of the paper. Now, when you glue it together, the edges will blend together and look tailored!

Image from Love The Day

These paper tulips make a great project for kids.  If you get a chance to make any, please let me know how they turned out in the comments below.

I reviewed the best tutorials for 10 other types of flowers.   Click on the links below to check out the other flower tutorials.

• Roses: Roses symbolize love and are perfect for Valentine’s day, Mother’s day, weddings and birthdays for that special someone.
• Daisy: Daisies signify innocence and are simple to make with kids.
• Sunflower: Sunflowers can brighten anyone’s day and reminds us of the warmth of summer.
• Orchids: Orchids are delicate and denote beauty and luxury.  They make wonderful decorations for gifts and hair accessories.
• Calla Lilly: Calla Lilies are elegant and simple and work well for modern decorations. If you want to make a lot of flowers for an event or party, then calla lilies are great to make.
• Stargazer Lily: Stargazer lilies are great for bouquets and work well with other flowers.
• Iris: Iris’ suggest purity and are one of the most beautiful blue or violet flowers.
• Bird of Paradise: If you want to make a tropical themed flower, the Bird of Paradise is your best bet.
• Carnation: Carnations are easily recognized, fun to make and are also great for Mother’s day and Valentine’s day.
• Lotus: Lotus flowers imply compassion, love, purity and rebirth. They are the most spiritual flower.

The post Paper Tulip Flower: Collection of the Best Handmade DIY Tutorials appeared first on Creative Pop Up Cards.

Calla Lily Flowers

Calla lilies are some of the most underrated but gorgeous flowers. After all, they are the perfect combination of elegance and fun. Their delicate white color is the one that is most easily recognizable. But, the flower can also come in shades of pinks, purples, yellows, and greens, among others. Despite their name, calla lilies are not actually lilies, but, fittingly, the name for calla lilies comes from the Greek word for “beautiful”.

Native to South Africa, white calla lilies have become a popular bridal bouquet component and floral highlight. They are also known to represent youth and rebirth, mainly because they bloom in springtime. For this reason, calla lilies are commonly seen around Easter— but, with a few craft supplies, you can have calla lilies blooming in your house all year long.

Paper Calla Lily Tutorials

Below are 6 great tutorials that show you how to make slightly different calla lilies.  Not all of them are paper, some use felt or foam, which is a great substitute for paper because it gives the leaves a more thicker feel.  All of the tutorials are pretty simple, since the calla lily only has one leaf.  You will be able to make a bouquet of them pretty quickly.  The bouquet can then be used for table or wall decor or to spruce up a gift.

Crepe Paper Calla Lily

This step-by-step guide from Sweet Living Magazine is the perfect basis for making paper calla lilies. With just four materials—crepe paper, stem wire, clay, and glue—you can have beautiful paper calla lilies to display in your home. You can easily customize the color of the calla lily simply by choosing a variety of crepe paper colors. This tutorial is easy to follow and produces paper flowers you can use for bouquets and décor.

Image from Sweetlivingmagazine.co.nz

Felt Calla Lily

Looking for something with more texture than just paper? Something Turquoise has a great tutorial for felt calla lilies. It’s super simple, but that doesn’t mean the flowers are just as awesome as other, more extensive tutorials. These flowers look elegant and realistic. The materials you’ll need? Just wood felt, hot glue, and floral wire. In a matter of minutes, you’ll have felt calla lilies, complete with stems and leaves.

Image from Somethingturquoise.com

Whimsical Paper Calla Lilies for Gifts

If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, consider checking out this tutorial from Oh Happy Day. These calla lilies look more homemade and whimsical than some of the others, but that’s part of what makes them so special. As you can see from the picture, Chiara used these paper calla lilies as a substitute for bows on top of a present. This is just one of the many—and one of the most creative—uses for these fun flowers! The best part about this guide? You probably have all of the materials lying around your house.

Image from Ohhappyday.com

Foam Calla Lily

If you want to simultaneously make gorgeous faux flowers and be taken back to your childhood days, make calla lilies from foam using this simple tutorial. This is the perfect project to do with the kids or a group of friends. After all, you use Play-Doh for the centers of the flowers, which is bound to be tons of fun. This guide allows for a lot of flexibility using whatever you have on hand. You use floral wire for the stem, along with anything else you have around the house, ranging from toothpicks to toilet paper rolls. They used purple for the flowers, but feel free to try out a variety of colors for a bright-colored calla lily bouquet.

Image from Dr. Sonia

Clay and Paper Calla Lily

This paper calla lily from The Craftinomicon are bit more complex than the others above, but, trust me… they’ll be worth it! Kari from The Craftinomicon is kind enough to provide a template, so this is perfect for those of you who like more concrete directions. Clay adds a layer of dimension to the center part of the lily, while shaping the petals step by step allows for a unique element of depth. These flowers come out gorgeous, especially in this deep purple color.

Image from Craftinomicon

Pastel Calla Lilies

Damask Love has an awesome guide for making pastel-colored paper calla lilies. Using sheets of cardstock paper, some floral wire, a pipe cleaner, a pencil, and hot glue, you can have an awesome paper calla lily in a matter of minutes. The color combination that Amber from Damask Love uses for the flower is uncommon but actually works really well. You can switch it up and try your own color combinations, both with the cardstock and the pipe cleaner. These flowers make the perfect bouquet for any special occasion!

Image from DamaskLove.com

What do you guys think—should paper calla lilies only be white, or do you like them in a variety of colors? I’d love to hear your thoughts and, of course, see any paper flowers you create!

I reviewed the best tutorials for 10 other types of flowers.   Click on the links below to check out the other flower tutorials.

• Roses: Roses symbolize love and are perfect for Valentine’s day, Mother’s day, weddings and birthdays for that special someone.
• Daisy: Daisies signify innocence and are simple to make with kids.
• Sunflower: Sunflowers can brighten anyone’s day and reminds us of the warmth of summer.
• Orchids: Orchids are delicate and denote beauty and luxury.  They make wonderful decorations for gifts and hair accessories.
• Tulips: Tulips represent springtime and are another easy flower to make with children.
• Stargazer Lily: Stargazer lilies are great for bouquets and work well with other flowers.
• Iris: Iris’ suggest purity and are one of the most beautiful blue or violet flowers.
• Bird of Paradise: If you want to make a tropical themed flower, the Bird of Paradise is your best bet.
• Carnation: Carnations are easily recognized, fun to make and are also great for Mother’s day and Valentine’s day.
• Lotus: Lotus flowers imply compassion, love, purity and rebirth. They are the most spiritual flower.

The post Paper Calla Lily Flower: Collection Of The Best Handmade DIY Tutorials appeared first on Creative Pop Up Cards.