Showing posts with label spring. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spring. Show all posts

Monday, May 9, 2016

Let's Make Tissue Paper Flowers!


Making tissue paper flowers is simple and they add plenty of colorful impact perfect for Mother's Day, parties, or just a pretty vase. They can be made in various sizes from a boutonniere to extra large bouquets. 

One of my craft class students walked us through the making of these beautiful delights. Here's what Sandy showed us:

Materials

  • Sheets of standard sized tissue paper
  • Scissors
  • Floral wire
  • Floral tape

How to make this
  • For a medium sized flower, fold one tissue paper sheet in half

  • Fold the sheet again into thirds, bringing the outer edges towards the middle


  • Cut the folds so that you end up with 6 squares of tissue

 


  • Fan-fold the stack of tissues - starting at one edge of the paper, fold the sheets about 1 inch and crease, then flip the tissue stack over and fold the tissues 1 inch and crease, flip the stack over, and continue until you reach the other edge of the stack. The folds should be even in size.

  • Fold the center of the "fan" in half.

  • Cut the floral wire into a 10 inch length, or more or less depending on how tall you want your flower to stand.
  • Bend one end of the floral wire over about 2 inches.
  • Place the center fold of the fan into the fold of the wire and twist the wire around itself to close it.

  • Wind a strip of floral tape around the wire to hide it.

  • Use scissors to cut an oval shape at each end of the fan. Of course, I don't follow directions well, so I cut my tips into a pointed shape.
               
  • Push each side of the fan outwards into a cup-like shape.
  • Gently separate each sheet and pull them towards the center.

  • Fluff the sheets into a pleasing shape.

To make a large sized flower, follow the above steps but instead of folding the sheets in half and thirds, simply start the fan-fold process and go from there. 

Smaller flowers can be made just by making your tissue stack into smaller squares.

Try using multiple sheets of tissue for a fuller flower or using more than one color of tissue at a time for a variegated look.

How pretty and fun! 




Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Springtime


Nature is amazing. With each season, our earth metamorphoses and brings exciting changes. Spring is spectacular, unveiling itself with new growth and possibilities. A great life lesson!


Springtime Is Here

Spring rains bring floral sprays,
Lilies, lavendar, foxglove, and daisies.
Rainbows of color,
Comehither scents for the bees.

Nature renews what was lost in the frost,
A rebirth of sorts, 
A promise of hope.

Prepare for the future,
The new season is here.
Rejoice in the splendor,
The wonder,
The pizazz!

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Beautiful Daffodils


Winter here in California is wet and cold. No, not a brutal cold like in other states but I am a winter wimp and long for warmer seasons. Thankfully, spring is just around the corner! I finger my sundresses and sandals in anticipation of what is yet to come.

The following poem I wrote when inspired by daffodils I saw in a vase.


With seasons changing
Cold weather to warm,
Birds are chirping, bees are buzzing,
And daffodils raise their heads.

Oh, beautiful daffodil!
You have so much to teach us.
With your bright yellow color
And ruffled collar,
We learn to be playful with cheer.

Your golden petals reach out in joy,
A show of pride and peace.
Like spears of sunshine on stalks of green,
You exemplify strength and passion.

Oh, beautiful daffodil!
Let me one day be as you are,
Hopeful, magnificent, glorious!