Scrap N Grow

Archive for the ‘Tutorials’ Category

Happy May Day everyone.  I am excited to reveal and share a new Paperie In Bloom bouquet with you.  This month’s featured bloom is the lilac, a harbinger of Spring.

Paperie In Bloom: May 2013 Blooming Lilacs

If this is your first time to Scrap N Grow, welcome.  Each month, I select and feature a new bloom with an accompanying tutorial.Then throughout the month, I feature additional projects that highlight the bloom of the month. This month’s tutorial is a different format,primarily pictures. I would appreciate your feedback regarding if the pictures are more helpful or if I should revert back to step by step written instructions.

Step By Step Blooming Lilacs Tutorial

Lilac Die Cut Shape

Apply Color To Lilac Die Cut

Apply Additional Color to Lilac Die Cut Shape

Punch Center Hole In Lilac Die Cut Shapes

Mold Petal Shapes and Complete Final Assembly

Paperie In Bloom: May 2013 Blooming Lilacs

Paperie In Bloom: May 2013 Close Up #1 of Lilacs

Paperie In Bloom: May 2013 Close Up #2 of Lilacs

Due to complexity and weight of a lilac bloom, I used artificial stems.  I disassembled the silk blooms and used the plastic stems to attach my paper petals.Each branch of lilacs has 3 medium sized blooms and one large one. Each branch has about 400 petals and took about 2 hours to complete final assembly. Attaching the petals was very tedious but well worth it.

Thank you so much for stopping by. Have a great rest of the week.

Michelle

Good morning and Happy April Fool’s Day everyone!  I can hardly believe it is already April.  I have an amazing treat in store for you today, a new Paperie in Bloom tutorial.  I absolutely love with this month’s Paperie In Bloom featured flower, forced magnolia branches.

Paperie In Bloom: April 2013 Forced Magnolia Branches

If this is your first time visiting Scrap N Grow, Paperie in Bloom is a monthly blog feature.  Each month on or about the first, I select a new flower/bloom to showcase. Then throughout the month, I feature additional inspiring projects to highlight the chose bloom of the month.  Last month, we made a spring bulb garden box over the course of 4 weeks.

Paperie In Bloom: March 2013, Spring Bulb Garden Box

This month’s Paperie In Bloom is the magnolia. I am smitten with magnolia’s impressive size and sweet smelling blooms that scream Spring to me.  Consider yourself forewarned that the tutorial is a long one…but well worth it. Grab a beverage and enjoy.

Magnolia Branches Supply List:

Provocraft Gypsy and Cricut Electronic Die Cutting Machine

Cricut Cartridge: Flower Shoppe (Image used is 3rd row down and 4th image in from left hand side)

Bazzill Card Stock.

Coloring Agent if not making white magnolias.  I used Distress Ink Spun Sugar and Picked Raspberry

Mini Mister

Jewelry Wire, Flat Nose Jewelry Pliers, and Wire Cutter

Inkessentials Glossy Accents

Hinge Clips of Jaw Clamps

Magnolia Branches Instructions:

1. Select petal shape and size accordingly to your preference (mine are approximately 1X4 inches). I used die cut image from the Flower Shoppe Cricut cartridge.

2. Die cut petals. I cut 12 for each single bloom, 24 for each double bloom, and 6 for each magnolia bud.

3. Color petals as desired with a coloring agent.  I used Ranger’s Distress Inks Spun Sugar and Picked Raspberry. Once colored on both sides, I used a mini mister to blend the colors for a gradation of color effect.

4. Next, cut a length of thin gauge jewelry wire about an inch shorter than the length of the petal.

5. Slightly bend one petal so that you form a center crease.  Place a bead of Inkessentials Glossy Accents and lay wire into adhesive.

6. Lay a second petal on top of petal with wire to create a wire sandwich. Use a set of hinge clips or jaw clamps to hold together until dry. This is to prevent rippling seam edges.

7. Once wired petals are dry, go ahead and lightly shape them as desired.

Pictured below are a few close ups.

Paperie In Bloom: April 2013 Magnolia Flower In Bud Close Up

Paperie In Bloom: April 2013 Single Magnolia Bloom Close Up

Paperie In Bloom: April 2013 Double Magnolia Bloom Close Up

Final Assembly Instructions:

1. Gather supplies including: faux branches, hot glue gun and heat safe mat, and tweezers.

2. For each branch, I made one magnolia bud, one single bloom, and two double blooms for a total of 4 flowers on each branch.  To save time, I used fuzzy faux branches for mine and repurposed 1/2 inch plastic cup circles from my stash of artificial stems.  Other viable options include using real branches or floral tape wrapped wire branches covered with Flower Soft or Flocking Powder.

3. Using a hot glue gun, adhere 3 petals in a triangular pattern. Adhere next 4 petals offset to the first three for a single bloom and for the bud.  Repeat this step 2 more times for a double bloom. NOTE: If your center base does not have a center hole already, be sure to punch one before adhering petals. This is where your flower will attach to the faux branch. For the bud, I used a tiny Styrofoam egg shape in the very center to help shape and give substance to the bud.

4. Once all flower assemblies are complete, attach flowers to faux branches and shape again as desired.

Magnolia ID Tag Supply List:

2 Tags

Twist Tie

PSX Magnolia Stamp

Versamark Embossing Ink Pad

Ranger Black Superfine Detail Embossing Powder

Heat Tool

Non Stick Craft Sheet

Ranger Water Brush

Distress Paint: Spun Sugar, Picked Raspberry, Peeled Paint, Forest Moss, and Walnut Stain

Tumbled Glass Distress Ink Pad

Magnolia ID Tag Instructions:

1. Stamp and emboss magnolia image onto tag using Versamark embossing ink and Ranger’s Superfine Detail Embossing Powder.

2. Color as desired using various colors of Ranger Distress Paints with a water brush.

3. Adhere additional tag to backside of tag for a clean tag back.

4. Lightly ink the edges with a complimentary color around the edges.

5. Lastly, secure tag to magnolia branches with either a ribbon, string, or a twist tie.

Pictured below is a close up of my magnolia tag.

Paperie In Bloom: April 2013 Forced Magnolia Branches ID Tag

Finally, display your new faux magnolia branches in a desired vessel. I used a tall glass cylinder for mine and placed polished river rock in the bottom for accent.

Paperie In Bloom: April 2013 Forced Magnolia Branches

Thank you so much for stopping by today.  I hope you enjoyed this month’s featured Paperie In Bloom flower.  Stay tuned for I have completed additional VerDay projects from week two of my ongoing online class.  Have a fabulous day and Happy April Fool’s Day.

Michelle

Good morning everyone! How are you?  I am excited to share with you the final spring bulb for this month’s special Paperie In Bloom feature, build a spring bulb garden. The final spring bulb is the daffodil.

Paperie In Bloom: March 2013, Spring Bulb Garden Daffodil Close Up

If this is your first time visiting, Paperie In Bloom is a monthly blog feature here at Scrap N Grow. Each month, I select a new flower/bloom to showcase, and then throughout the month, I feature additional inspiring projects that highlight the chosen bloom of the month.  However, this month, I changed things up a bit. This month, Scrap N Grow is showing you how to build your very own spring bulb garden from paper.  In week one, we made crocuses. Click here to view crocus tutorial. We made tulips in week two. Click here to view tulips tutorial. Last week, we made hyacinths. Click here for hyacinth tutorial. Lastly, this week, we are going to make daffodils as pictured above and complete final assembly of our spring bulb garden. Are you ready? Let’s get started.

Supplies Used:

Card Stock. Daffodils come in many colors and cultivars.  I chose to recreate dainty Jonquils. I used Diamond Bazzill card stock for the petals and yellow fabric for the center.

A 6 sided star flower die cut or shape punch for the petals.  I used Flower Shoppe Cricut cartridge. I used my Gyspy and hid the center hole.  I made two different sizes for added interest. My flowers measure: 3.0 Height and 2.47 Width for one and 2.50 Height and 2.06 Width. You will need 1 flower shape and one circle shape for each daffodil.

I used a Sizzix steel rule die to cut 1 inch fabric circles for the centers.  There were a few loose threads after I die cut them. I found that I liked the slightly frayed edges that resulted from die cutting.

A coloring medium for petals and centers. I chose to leave my jonquil daffodils a pristine white. If you choose a different color combination, color them now. Examples of coloring mediums include: Distress Inks, watercolor pencils, Gelatos, paint, etc.

Molding and shaping tools. I prefer to use McGill’s Tool Kit and Molding Mat.

Floral wire and tape for the stems if you do not have access to artificial stems.

Crop O Dile or other hole punch.

A container for your bulb garden.  I used a Smith and Hawken fresh bulbs box purchased from Target.

Assembly:

Die cut flowers and centers  for the number of desired daffodils.

Next, color the front and back side of each petal shape as desired.

Use a Crop O Dile hole punch in the center of each flower and fabric circle.

Then mold each shape. I prefer to use McGill’s tool kit and molding mat. I used their 8mm ball stylus.

Finally, layer all 3 parts of each daffodil together.  I started with artificial center stamens, then attached 1 inch fabric circle, and finally, the outer white flower petals. Each of my stems have 5 flowers. Jonquils specifically have small clusters of blooms on each stem. Many daffodils have single blooms.  It is a matter of personal preference.

In all, I made a total of 7 stems with 4-5 flowers on each.  I intermixed the sizes of flowers on each stem for added realism.

Grand Finale Assembly:

I gathered all my spring bulbs together: crocuses, tuilps, hyacinths, and daffodils.

I changed my mine from my original basket instead to a bulb garden box that I came across on a recent trip to Target. The box is from the Smith and Hawken line.

I lined the interior o the box with floral foam and top dressed foam with green excelsior purchased from Michael’s.

I arranged the spring bulbs in a pleasing manner and added grass filler stems for accent.

Paperie In Bloom: March 2013, Spring Bulb Garden Box

I am so pleased with the results.  What a great way to welcome spring into my home…..now if the snow backdrop could only begin to melt.  Thank you so much for stopping by.  I would love for you to leave a comment and or subscribe to receive email updates when I post a new inspiring project.  Have a great weekend and I will be back next week with some Easter card ideas.  See you soon.

Michelle

Good evening everyone.  How was your week?  The weather was big news here in MN as we shoveled out from nearly a foot of snow on Tuesday. We are under yet another winter advisory tonight as a wintry mix is predicted overnight tonight before it switches over to heavy rain tomorrow. Only in MN can it snow one day and rain the next.  Don’t forget, this weekend is daylight savings time. Most states including Minnesota will spring ahead an hour Sunday morning at 2am CST.  Speaking of spring………..today’s featured tulips below definitely scream spring.

Paperie In Bloom: March 2013 Build A Bulb Garden Week 2

Today’s tulips are part 2 of this month’s Paperie In Bloom, Build A Bulb Garden.  If this is your first time visiting, Paperie In Bloom is a monthly blog feature here at Scrap N Grow. Each month, I select a new flower/bloom to showcase, and then throughout the month, I feature additional inspiring projects that highlight the chosen bloom of the month.  However, this month, I changed things up a bit. This month, Scrap N Grow is showing you how to build your very own spring bulb garden from paper.  In week one, we made crocuses. Click here to view week one’s blog post. This week, week two, Scrap N Grow will show you how to make a bunch of tulips as pictured above. Ready? Let’s get started.

Supplies Needed:

Card Stock. Tulips come in many colors except blue.  I used Bazzill Sunbeam and Lemonade for mine.

A petal die cut or shape punch.  My petal measurements are: 4.58 Height and 2.61 Width. I used Giant Flowers Cricut cartridge to cut mine.  You will need 6 petals for each tulip.

The center is a star flower shape that is approximately 1 5/8  inches. I cut mine from Creative Memories Traveler Cricut cartridge.  I used the starfish shape and used the hide feature on my Gypsy to only cut the outline. You will need just one shape for the center of each tulip. I used Bazzill black card stock for mine.

A coloring medium to add realism to your petals. Examples include: Distress Inks, watercolor pencils, Gelatos, paint, etc.  I used Distress Inks for mine. I used Mustard Seed to enhance my yellow tulips and Spiced Marmalade to enhance my orange tulips.

Molding and shaping tools. I prefer to use McGill’s Tool Kit and Molding Mat.

Floral wire and tape for the stems.

Adhesive.  I prefer to use Inkessentials Glossy Accents as it is durable and dries quickly.

A container for your bulb garden.  I have a shallow spring basket that I am going to use for mine once all bulbs are created.  For now, I placed my tulips in a leaf vase.

Assembly:

Die cut petals and star flower shapes for the number of desired tulips.

Next, color the front and back side of each petal shape as desired.

Then mold each shape.

Adhere 3 petals together in a triangular pattern.

Next, adhere the remaining 3 petals offset to the first three again in a triangular pattern.

Lastly, adhere the star flower shape to the inside center of each tulip and set aside to dry completely.

For the stem. Cut wire to desired length and wrap with green floral tape. I used 19 gauge stovepipe wire cut at about 12 inches long.

Once cut, I used a small jewelry pliers to bend the very tip 1/4″ at a right angle and adhered this to the base of each tulip.

Finally, place tulips in desired decorative container, arrange and add any filler for accents.  I added artificial grass to mine.

Thank you so much for stopping by.  Please feel free to leave me a comment or any questions you may have.  If you want to make sure you do not miss a future bloom, I invite you to subscribe on the left hand side bar to receive updates via email. Thank you again, I will be back next week with another blooming bulb.  Wanna guess which one?

Michelle

Good evening everyone.  Today is March 1st and that means a new Paperie In Bloom flower.  If this is your first time visiting, Paperie In Bloom is a monthly blog feature here at Scrap N Grow. Each month, I select a new flower/bloom to showcase, and then throughout the month, I feature additional inspiring projects that highlight the chosen bloom of the month.  However, this month, I am going to change  things up a bit.

Later this month, March 20th to be exact, is the official first day of Spring. For me, spring is a season of rebirth and renewal, and as a northern gardener, bulbs including: Crocus, Tulips, Daffodils, etc. are typically the first blooms to emerge.  I love spring, for I love listening to the birds sing their songs, the smell of fresh air coupled with warmer temperatures, as well as the excitement and anticipation of the upcoming growing season.

So in anticipation of spring, I thought it would be fun to forego a flower this month, and instead create an everlasting spring bulb garden. So each week for the next four weeks, I will help you build a spring bulb garden of your own. This week, week one, Scrap N Grow will show you how to make Crocuses.

Paperie In Bloom: March 2013 Build a Bulb Garden. Week One, Crocus

Paperie In Bloom: March 2013. Build a Bulb Garden  Week One, Crocus Top View

Supplies Used:

Card Stock. Crocuses come in many colors including: white, purple, and yellow. I used 2 shades of purple card stock and 2 shades of yellow card stock for mine.

A tear drop die cut or shape punch.  My tear drop measurements are: 2.38 Height and 1.19 Width. I used A Child’s Year Cricut cartridge to cut mine.  You will need 6 tear drops for each crocus.

The center is a snowflake that is approximately 3×3 inches. I cut mine from Don Juan Cricut cartridge. You will need just one shape for the center of each crocus.

A coloring medium to add realism to your petals. Examples include: Distress Inks, watercolor pencils, Gelatos, paint, etc.  I used Distress Inks for mine.

Molding and shaping tools. I prefer to use McGill’s Tool Kit and Molding Mat.

Floral wire and tape for the stems.

Adhesive.  I prefer to use Inkessentials Glossy Accents as it is durable and dries quickly.

A container for your bulb garden.  I have a shallow spring basket that I am going to use for mine once all bulbs are created.  For now, I placed my Crocuses in an oval shaped moss bowl.

Assembly:

Die cut tear drop and snowflake shapes.

Next, color the front and back side of each shape as desired.

Then mold each shape.

Adhere 3 petals together in a triangular pattern.

Next, adhere the remaining 3 petals offset to the first three again in a triangular pattern and set aside to dry completely.

In the meanwhile, take a scissors and carefully fringe each side of the snowflake die cut. You do not have to be precise.

Next apply a small amount of adhesive about half way down the interior side of each snowflake, then adhere them together as a bunch. Once dry, adhere to center of Crocus petals and then refluff the fringe.  See my close up below.

Purple Crocus Close Up of Center Fringe

Lastly, for the stem.  Cut wire to desired length and wrap with green floral tape. I used 19 gauge stovepipe wire cut at about 12 inches long.

I used a small jewelry pliers to bend the very tip 1/4″ at a right angle and adhered this to the base of each crocus.  For a few of mine, I used left over artificial stems.  If you choose to do this, I would recommend to punch a hole in the center of each crocus, place a drop of adhesive on the end and then insert the stem through the hole. Lastly, adhere the central snowflake to the stem portion inside the crocus bloom.

Thank you so much for stopping by.  Please feel free to leave me a comment or any questions you may have.  If you want to make sure you do not miss a future bloom, I invite you to subscribe on the left hand side bar to receive updates via email. Thank you again, I will be back next week with another blooming bulb.  Wanna guess which one?

Michelle

Good afternoon everyone and Happy New Year!  Today I am pleased to present January’s Paperie In Bloom, forsythia branches.

Paperie In Bloom: January 2013 Forsythia Branches

For those of you who are visiting for the first time, Paperie In Bloom is a monthly feature here at Scrap N Grow.  Each month, I select a bloom to showcase.  Then throughout the remainder of the month, I showcase additional ideas and inspiration featuring the bloom of the month.  I also provide complete instructions for each featured bloom.

This month’s featured bloom die cut is from the Provocraft Mother’s Day Cricut Cartridge.  I die cut approximate 40 1.5 inch, 30 1 inch, and 20 0.75 inch flowers. I have provided a screen shot below.

Paperie In Bloom: January 2013 Forsythia Bloom Cricut Cut Used

Once all flowers were die cut. I inked both sides with either Squeezed Lemonade or Mustard Seed Distress Ink by Ranger.  I used 2 different colors to provide petals in bloom at different stages.  I also used 2 different colors of card stock, Bazzill Sunbeam and Bazzill Lemonade.

Next, I used a McGill Molding Mat and 6mm Ball Stylus to mold and form each flower.

Paperie In Bloom: January 2013 Forsythia Bloom Close Up

Lastly, in an effort to save time, I used faux forsythia branch stems I had on hand and adhered my flowers to each branch stem. I used the centers from the faux forsythia branches as well. To do this, I used a hole punch through each paper flower and slid the faux center through the hole and then reattached flower to the faux branch.  One advantage to using faux branches, is the fact that they already have the wire encased allowing the ability to manipulate the completed branches.

Thank you so much for stopping by. Stay tuned as I have a few other inspiring ideas that I will feature throughout this month that highlight the beauty and vibrancy of the forsythia flower.  I will be back in Monday with another inspiring creation.  Have a great weekend.

Michelle

Good afternoon everyone.  How have you been?  I have missed interacting with all of you.  I have been so busy with our basement finishing project and truly miss my creative play time.  I am in the process of completing January’s Paperie In Bloom which will debut later this week.

I wanted to thank each and every visitor this past year to Scrap N Grow for your support and encouraging comments.  The Scrap N Grow blog idea was born long before she was presented to the world.  It took a lot of determination and perseverance for me to finally attempt to learn how to blog, edit photos, etc.  I am very grateful for my readers, fellow friends and family for their encouragement this past year. Because of everyone’s amazing support, Scrap N Grow readership has continued to grow each and every month since my first post last April. I still have so much more to learn and ideas to share with you in the coming year here at Scrap N Grow.

I, like many of you, each year seem to pause and reflect on the past year.  I thought it would be fun as I was curious to look at which posts generated the most buzz (readership) here at Scrap N Grow.  I have placed the top 5 posts based upon readership in ascending order along with links to the original post.

5th  Place was a tie between metal embossed picture frames and metal embossed coffee tumblers.

Metal Embossed Picture Frames

Metal Embossed Stainless Steel Coffee Tumblers

4th Place was Paperie In Bloom’s debut bouquet of hydrangeas back in August.

Paperie In Bloom: August 2012 Hydrangea Bouquet

3rd Place was my bouquet of peonies which was recently published in the 2013 Cricut Home Decor Idea Book.

Bouquet of Peonies published in 2013 Cricut Home Decor Idea Book

2nd Place was my bouquet of orange poppies.

Bouquet of Orange Poppies

and the most popular post of 2012 was………………………September’s Paperie In Bloom Sunflower Bouquet.

Paperie In Bloom: September 2012 Sunflower Bouquet

I wish to thank Google Analytics for tracking Scrap N Grow’s statistics.  It is evident that yourself and fellow readers are interested in seeing more blooms and more metal projects.  So in 2013, I will definitely be sure to include more flowers and metal inspired projects.  Stay tuned as I have a few other new ideas brewing for 2013.

Thank you so much for stopping by today.  I greatly appreciate your visit and always appreciate and love your comments. I hope you will stop back later this week for January’s Paperie In Bloom bouquet.  Have a safe and Happy New Year everyone. See you in 2013!

Cheers,

Michelle

Hello, everyone!  I have some exciting news to share with you today. I am officially published not once, but twice within the same publication, Cricut Home Decor Idea Book, on news stands and in book stores now.

Home Decor Cricut Idea Book Cover

I was contacted last June by Northridge Publishing about 2 flower bouquets I recently had featured on my blog, peonies and poppies.  I was over the moon excited to say the least.  Below are pictures of the bouquets I had featured on my blog prior to acceptance of my publishing contract which stated, I had to remove them from my blog until publication is released.

Peony ‘Paperie’ Bouquet

Closeup of Light Pink Peony

Closeup of Dark Pink Peony

Here is a photo of the published pages from Cricut Home Decor Idea Book pages 20 and 21.

Peony Bouquet Featured in Cricut Home Decor Idea Book

Due to space limitations, the idea book does not contain complete instructions.  Click here for complete instructions.

I also had my bouquet of red poppies published in the same idea book pages 56 and 57.

Poppy Bouquet  featured in Cricut Home Decor Idea Book

Below are pictures of my bouquet from my original blog post.

Poppies ‘Paperie’ Bouquet

Poppy ‘Paperie’ Close Up

Again due to space limitations click here for complete instructions in order to make your own poppy ‘Paperie’.

I am so excited to have been published.  My fiance’ comes home late tonight and I am excited to show him my name and projects in print.  Thank you for stopping by today and for sharing in my excitement. It is a real joy for me to be able to combine my passion for gardening alongside my passion and excitement for art.  I will be back on Monday with another inspiring project.  Have a great weekend everyone.

Michelle

Good afternoon everyone.  I am back today as promised to share a Paperie In Bloom bonus, a potted poinsettia, in honor of National Poinsettia Day. Paperie In Bloom is an ongoing monthly feature here at Scrap N Grow.  Each month on or about the first, I feature a different paper bloom. Then throughout the month, I sprinkle in additional ideas and projects that highlight or showcase the chosen bloom of the month.  This month’s featured bloom is the amaryllis. Click here to view. Pictured below is this month’s Paperie In Bloom bonus feature, a potted poinsettia.

Potted Poinsettia

Supplies Used: 

Bazzill Classic Red  and Green Card Stock

Aged Mahogany and Forest Moss Distress Ink by Ranger

Inkessential Ink Blending Tool

Spellbinders Poinsettia Shapeabilities Set

Stampin Up Pearls

Black Pop Dots

Butterscotch Alcohol Ink by Ranger

McGill Molding Mat and 8mm Ball Stylus Tool

18 Gauge Craft Wire and Wire Cutter

Green Floral Tape

Hot Glue Gun

Inkessentials Glossy Accents

Ideaology Hinge Clips

Assembly: 

1.  Die cut and emboss desired quantity of poinsettia bracts. I cut 9 of the largest 3 bracts and die cut 2 foliage leaves for each stem.

2. Using Inkessentials Ink Blending tool, apply ink to both sides of each die cut. I used Aged Mahogany for the bracts and Forest Green for the foliage.

3. Gently mold bracts and foliage leaves as desired using McGill 8mm Ball Stylus and McGill Molding Mat.

4.  Color Stampin’ Up Pearls using Butterscotch Alcohol Ink and set aside to dry.  If you have yellow or gold pearls on hand, then you can omit this step.

5.  Begin to assemble each bloom. I placed a tiny black pop dot between each bract layer for added dimension.

6.  Once bract layers are assembled, adhere 6 colored pearls to the center of the top bract for each bloom.

7.  Cut a piece of craft wire to desired length and wrap with green floral tape.

8.  For each stem, bend the top 1/4 inch over and adhere flower using a hot glue gun.  Repeat for desired number of blooms.

9.  Next, adhere foliage parallel to each other using Inkessentials Glossy Accents.

10. Lastly, place completed blooms into decorative container and enjoy.

PS. To clarify my usage of terms above, I thought I had better provide this useful tidbit from the University of Illinois Extension Service.  The showy colored parts of Poinsettias that most people think of as the flowers are actually colored bracts (modified leaves). The yellow flowers, or cyathia, are in the center of the colorful bracts.

Below is a close up of my poinsettia.

Close Up of Poinsettia

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed today’s bonus Paperie In Bloom poinsettia.  I have some exciting news to share with you tomorrow.  Have a great day!

Michelle

Good morning everyone. How was your weekend? Mine was fair as I found it difficult at times to get motivated due to the weather. It was rather gloomy, windy, and the temperature a bit brisk at times this past weekend here in Minnesota. My fiance and I did manage to complete a few more tasks for our ongoing basement finish project…HVAC is nearly complete and framing should be done later today.

I can hardly believe it is December already.  Where did November go?  Only 22 more days till Christmas! Yikes!!!! Time to kick off this holiday season with December”s Paperie In Bloom, the amaryllis.     For those of  you who are new to Scrap N Grow, Paperie in Bloom is a monthly blog feature where I feature a new bloom each month on or about the first of the month. This month is the amaryllis.  Then throughout the remainder of the month, I sprinkle in additional blog posts that highlight or showcase the bloom.

Amaryllis flowers originate from a bulb and are available in multiple colors. Red, White, and Pink. Red is the most popular selection. Blooms typically appear within 4-6 weeks after the bulb is planted. So if you desire blooms in time or Christmas, one needs to count backwards on a calendar to determine an appropriate planting date.  I typically plant my bulbs the week of Thanksgiving.

If you are a bit impatient to wait 4-6 weeks, then today’s featured tutorial is for you.  After planning, it took me about 4 hours to complete today’s featured amaryllis pot. Enjoy.

Paperie In Bloom: December 2012 Potted Amaryllis Bulb

Paperie In Bloom: December 2012 Close Up of Potted Amaryllis Bloom

Supplies:

Provocraft Cricut Electronic Die Cutting Machine

Provocraft Garden Soup Art Cartridge

Bazzill Classic Red Card Stock

Aged Mahogany Distress Ink

Inkessentials Ink Blending Foam and Tool

Inkessentials Non Stick Craft Sheet

McGill 8mm Ball Stylus

McGill Molding Mat

Quik Kutz Stripes Label Embossing Folder

Inkessentials Glossy Accents

Hot Glue Gun

Decorative Container

Floral Foam

Floral Tape

Awl

Wire and Wire Cutters

Assembly:

1. Die cut 6 Amaryllis petals from the Garden Soup Cricut cartridge. Cut at 3.57 width, real size off.

2. Apply Aged Mahogany Distress Ink using an Inkessentials Ink Blending Foam and Tool to both sides of each petal.

3. Next, stack all 6 petals together and place in embossing folder and run through embossing machine. Note: I embossed all 6 petals at the same time so not to emboss petals too much-just wanted to create a ribbed texture to emulate leaf veins.

4. Then place 1 petal at a time onto a Mc Gill molding mat and use an 8mm ball stylus tool to mold each petal as desired.

5. Cut off approximately the bottom inch off each petal and glue (I used Inkessentials Glossy Accents) 3 petals in a triangular fashion to form the outer layer of petals. I recommend doing this on a non stick craft mat.  Once completed, adhere the last 3 remaining petals offset to the previous layer. Re-manipulate (Fluff) each flower as desired.

6. Next, use an awl to poke a hole through the center of each flower.  This is where you will insert the anthers (reproductive flower organs).

8. Cut 6 approximately 4.5 inch wire lengths using a wire cutters and insert wire lengths through center hole. Wrap with floral tape to secure all lengths together.

9. Place floral foam into base of desired decorative container. I used a chalkboard pot.

10. Cover floral foam with decorative moss.

11. In an effort to save time, I used a floral stem from a silk flower that resembled an amaryllis flower stem.  I adhered amaryllis flowers to each stem using a hot glue gun.  For a decorative accent only, I wrapped a piece of jute string around the base of each bloom.

12.  Lastly, I added a few additional elongated leaves made of paper that were left over from a previous project.

Viola!!! An amaryllis blooming bulb.  No water needed and no need to wait 4-6 weeks for your first bloom.  Thank you so much for stopping by.  Stay tuned as I plan to feature a bonus Paperie In Bloom later this month.  Have a great day!

Michelle