Easy Paper Flower Tutorial

I am not sure right now what to call this flower I was originally going for a ranunculus. This kinda looks like a rose/ peony.



You will need: 

Scissors
Hot glue gun
Template
Pencil
Printer paper
Piece of foam(I used an egg crate...a pillow would work.)
Brats
rounded instrument (like the end of make up brush)


Templates:

Print your templates Make sure to "scale to fit page" when printing. I used decrease margins too.


Cut:

Use 2 sheets of paper for every flower. I can cut 8 flowers out at a time...but this will depend on your scissors. I also  cut on the out side line rather than inside...I like big flowers :)I know I sacrifice the top sheet! 

(((Important tip: NUMBER YOUR FLOWERS 1-7 One is the smallest flower and seven the largest )))

I am using my original hand drawn template here. I now cheat and use the printed one :)

Seven happy piles.

Shape:

This is where the magic happens. Get your foam and your round ended tool (I used a kid toy shhhhh)Working on the flat side.  Move the tool along the edge of your petals pressing fairly hard.

 

Like this :)

 Now you have piles of crinkled paper.

Form Your Flowers:

Get your brat and both of your 1 petals (the smallest) pierce them and secure the brat (your flowers center). 

You will be adding petals in this order 1,1,2,2,3,4,3,4,5,6,5,7,6,7

kinda cute

 Make a cabbage and glue the petals together. Be careful not to burn yourself!

Next add both petals #2 

You will end up with something like this.

Add layers to the "cabbage" by gluing the top of each petal and forming around your center. Gradually apply less glue to let the flower open.

Glue and press your flower down on each new layer.

Remember to over lap the layers or your flower will look funny.

Enjoy:

Who knew  just 2 pieces of printer paper could be so beautiful. You can add stems to your flowers by replacing the brat with floral wire and pierce through all the layers... Add stamens or a jewel.  

Chair Covers Oh my!

Ok, we have established I am a bargain hunter.  I have been searching craigslist for wedding things. 2 weeks ago a woman was selling 100 self tie chair covers for $320. You can get 100 self tie chair covers off ebay for $280 with free shipping. I offer her $175 2 weeks ago. She huffed and puffed  telling me "No I'm sorry The lowest I will go is $300 I paid $3.32 plus shipping and half of the cover were not used."

Last night I saw an ad for 100 self tie chair coves for $280.  It was the same woman. I offer her $175. She said "No I'm sorry $280 is what I'm asking you can't even rent 100 of these for that price!"

I can't???? I contacted a rental company and asked for a price quote for 100 self tie chair coves.  The man told me $450. Oh my! I asked him if that included setup or delivery. He quickly said no. I told him I could purchase new covers for $280.

I could tell his jaw dropped. After a few moments he asked me where I could purchase them.  I gave him the name of the ebay seller cvlinnens.  After a long pause he said "Where can I get china dinnerware?" Hahah! I asked him again how much it was for chair cover rental and did it include set up and removal. He told me $190 and yes set up and removal included. Bingo.

I had no intentions of renting. I would have taken the offer if I did not feel like going through the hassle of re-selling them.

Back to the woman on craigslis. I kindly told her again that I could purchase them new on ebay for $280 . I also told her I could rent them including set up and delivery for $190. I offered her $175 and told her I could pick up asap. I doubt she will respond...I will probably purchase them for $280, but for now I will wait until she offers them again :P

Guest book table and the crystal tree

I have have been collecting rocks all summer for my guest book. I thought it would be super cool if I had a crystal tree surrounded with rocks and moss. OMG! Who knew a branch plastered in a pot with some garland would be so expensive.  I am purchasing some 50lb plaster for another wedding project and I have plenty of tree branches available.  I also have a big flower pot... Crystal. I can go two ways on this one the super cheap way with acrylic... or the more expensive way.  I found acrylic garland 30 feet for $22 or 30 feet of glass for $75.

Wedding Dress Part 1(The Tailor)

Ok... so its like 2:30 am Eamon is at work doing some crazy computer stuff...and I can't sleep.  I tried but I'm just too excited! Tomorrow I order my wedding dress! I am going to the tailor with Eamon to get measured in the morning. He is ordering a tux! I felt bad about it because he really wanted to wear a kilt...but with a 2000 price tag for his outfit it just was beyond our budget. A 100 tux  now thats a lot better!

Lets flash back to last week. I woke up sun morning and just wanted to feel like a princess. Haha not really, but I took a trip down to the bridal shop with my sisters. I had a great time.  I tried on several styles of dresses and figured out what looked best on my body. Ball gown...I figured as much.

So, whats the point? Well, I have decided to order my dress from China. I looked up some Chinese dressmakers and checked their reviews. I figure if over 2000 women the only negative feed back is check for pins. Then I think it will be fine. I also have seen real life pictures of the dresses. Heck $200 for my dream dress why not.

 

buying a dress from china

Check for feed back. 

Ask to see a real picture of the dress.

Time dresses can take up to six months to get!

Get properly measured by a tailor

Shipping cost 

A lot of women have had positive experiences with April bridal they have an ebay store as well as a website, but look around. I found my dress maker on alibaba...hopefully it will be ok.

DIY wedding flowers?!?

I love to save money. So, today I took a trip down to the florist to check out prices... I can't believe how much people spend on flowers!  For all the pieces I envisioned for my wedding I was quoted $5800.  Ya, I know... So DIY flower time. Flower ideas so far Roses garden and reg, Bells of Ireland, Green Hanging Amaranthus


I think I can do this!

A few important things about flowers:

2 options for centerpieces low or high ...cus people want to see and talk to each other.

Don't store flowers near fruit. I guess they have a chemical that causes them to ripen and die faster.

Don't pour water on your floral foam. Just drop it in and forget it!

Warm water not cold. Why warm? Flowers take up warm water more readily than cold.

Round bouquet + round body = even more round

Have lots of buckets

Keep your flowers cool and out of the sun

Greenery first.





Resources:

Cheap wholesale flowers with a decent rep :)
http://globalrose.com/

Ooodles of info!
http://www.floraldesigninstitute.com/page004.11.02.904.67.htm

My centerpiece inspiration
http://www.ehow.com/video_2274018_tools-making-tall-wedding-floral.html

How to ez boutonniere
http://www.monkeysee.com/play/1047-how-to-make-a-boutonniere

Flower care when you get it!
http://www.monkeysee.com/play/9515-caring-for-your-flowers-for-your-centerpiece

Foam Foam and more foam!
http://www.monkeysee.com/play/9194-introduction-to-fresh-flower-foam

How to cascade bouquet

http://www.ehow.com/video_5361493_instructions-cascade-bridal-bouquet.html