How-To Tuesday: Folded Accordion Flowers

If you have visited my Etsy shop (DeLorenzo Art) then you have surely noticed that I love folded, paper flowers!  I love to make them out of any patterned paper, maps, book print, or any kind of paper you can fold.  Mixing and matching papers for an unique bouquet is rewarding and fun-try it!

This is how I make the little masterpieces:

Step 1: Select any kind of paper you can fold into a small accordion.  Cut each sheet of paper into strips 1/2" to 1" wide.

Step 2:  Begin at one end of the strip and fold the paper, accordion style, with 1/4" to 1/2" pleats. 

Step 3:  Secure one end of your folded strip with the other end to create a continuous loop.  The pattern should match up; in other words, make sure your folded strip is not twisted when you secure the ends. 

Step 4:  Now comes the tricky part which takes a little bit of practice and patience.  Fold one side of your loop inward, and push the loop inward, on a flat surface to create a round, folded flower.

Step 5:  Secure the folded flower in the middle of the piece (glue or a hot glue gun works best) and hold until the glue sets.  This part can be a little frustrating because the folds want to force the flower to pop back into a loop; you can do it!

Step 6: Hold the flower's shape until the glue is set and Voila!



Recollections Fashionably Chic Paper Pad-Product Review

Recollections Fashionably Chic Paper Pad

I love this paper!  This pad of paper features 180 sheets of beautifully patterned paper.  The sheets measure 12"x12" and are one sided.  The pad features six colors (blue, green, brown, yellow, red/pink, and purple).  There are sixty different patterns and three sheets per pattern.

The paper patterns range from large flowers on a colored background to polka dots and stripes.  The pages are ever so slightly washed out in the middle and get darker toward the edges.  My favorites are the damask style patterned papers which feature a white print on the chic colored background. 

I use this paper for my folded accordion flowers (see tomorrow's How-To Tuesday post!).  The paper is not cardstock so it is thinner and easier to fold.  I also love to use this paper in my card crafting.  With the variety of patterns and colors, I can mix and match and still have a simply, fashionably chic craft piece.  The pages are easy to remove which is great for me because I tend to rip other paper pads and lose much of the page. 

Stay tuned for How-To Tuesday's post featuring Recollections Fashionably Chic Paper in yellow damask!

*Note: I did not receive any free samples or compensation for this post.  My opinions are my own and are unbiased.  I would, however, welcome any products in exchange for a review on this blog.  I am just saying.