Scrap N Grow

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

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