KISS (Keep It Simple Saturdays) with Michelle - Handmade Flower Tutorial

Hi Everyone! One of the things you may know (or not) is that I enjoying watching YouTube videos. Well last week I came across an amazing video on how she created these gorgeous handmade flowers. Now I did not have all the tools she did to re-create them exactly but figured that was okay because being crafty is figuring out how one can create them with what I have on hand. Here are my cards to show you my version of these handmade flowers.

Here is the list of supplies and tools you'll need to create these flowers:

• Circle punches
• Scallop punches
• Die-Cut Machine of choice

*Before I go on, I need to stress that you do not need all of those above tools to make your flowers. If you have a die cut machine that is capable of cutting various sized circles and scalloped circles; use that. If you only have punches, use punches in a size range that each of shapes would nest one on top of the other. Of course if you have a combination of these tools, use whatever is most comfortable to you. For the purpose of my cards, the smaller flowers used only punches and the large flower used a combination of my die cut machine (the Slice) and punches.

• Patterned Paper (preferably coordinated papers from one stack)
• Paper Piercer
• 1 Mini Brad (your choice of color)
• Heavy-duty Adhesive - I used medium Zots dots to adhere my flowers onto my cards

Here are your simple steps on how to create your own flowers:

Cut 3 large scalloped circles either by using your punches or die-cut machine - For my large circle, I used the Slice, Basics 1 design card with each cut measured @ 2-1/2". For my smaller flowers, I used my scalloped circle punch.

Cut 2 medium circles again using either punches or your die-cut machine. - All my flowers used a circle punch.

Cut 1 small circle via your choice of tool. - All my flowers used a circle punch.

Crumple up all your shapes into tiny balls. If you rip the paper slightly by accident, I think that adds charm to the flower when complete. However if the rip is more than half, you will need to replace that piece.

Carefully unravel all the pieces. Keep each piece separated from one other (for now).

Layer and nest starting with the largest pieces on the bottom ensuring you centre as best as you can all your shapes.

Poke a hole using your paper piercer in the centre of all your shapes together.

Insert your mini brad in the centre and secure the prongs at the back.

With all your shapes adhered together with the brad, re-crumple each layer folding into the mini brad or centre of your flower. You will notice that you will not be able to fold into small balls like in step #4. That is okay.

Unravel and separate each layer until your desired shape is formed. Now I must warn ya that this step you can spend a-l-o-t of time on. I suggest not to because like flowers themselves, each one is beautiful in their own unique way. Hence your handmade flowers will look as such as well.

With Mother's Day approaching I hope I have inspired you to look at patterned paper in a different way and to create your beautiful flowers I am sure every Mom out there will love! Until next week, Happy Crafting!

KISSes and Hugs, Michelle