May Flowers: Crepe Paper Poppies 1.0

I was a little nervous leading up to the flower workshop that I co-hosted with Anthropologie. So much of my crafting takes place indoors, alone, in my pajamas. The idea of an audience was a little daunting. But I need not have worried. The staff at my local Anthropologie were amazing and couldn't have made it easier, and the ladies who attended were quick learners who dove right in. After the first minute or so, I completely forgot to be nervous. It was a lot of fun and I love that Anthropologie has been hosting these events all over the country - it's such a great way to bring people together and celebrate the handmade. 

We made two projects. First, we decoupaged lace onto ceramic cylinders, probably the most pinned project I have on this blog. Then we made poppies using the beautiful crepe paper from Carte Fini. I chose the poppy because it can take on multiple personalities, soft and pretty, bright and happy, or strong and modern. It really just depends on the color combinations you choose.  With four petals, it's also fairly easy to create, even for absolute beginners.

Here are the directions for making them. Also, check the Resource section at the end of the how-tos. I hand selected specific products that I like to use.

 

CREPE PAPER POPPIES 

Materials

• Poppy template (See attached pdf)
• Black or yellow crepe streamers (one square & two 6-inch strips)
• Colored crepe paper (cut into a strip 4 x 20 inches)
• 1 safety swab (found with baby supplies)
• Floral wire (18 – 20 gauge)
• Self-adhesive floral tape
• Scissors 
• Quick-setting gel glue

 

Stamen

1. Cut off the end of a safety swab and slide it over a length of floral wire; adhere the swab to the wire with floral tape.

 

2. Place a square of yellow or black crepe paper streamer over the swab and gather at the bottom; adhere with floral tape.

 

3. Layer two 6-inch strips of crepe paper streamer and cut slits along the length of it, about ¾ deep.  Put a little glue at the edge of the strip, roll it around the stem, just under the crepe paper wrapped swab. Secure the ends with more glue.  Wrap with floral tape.

 

Petals

1. Take a strip of crepe paper (4 x 20 inches) and accordion fold it along the length, so that there are 4 layers. Holding the poppy petal template over the crepe paper layers with your thumb, cut around it to make 4 petals.  (Make sure that the tiny crinkles in the paper (the grain) run from top to bottom of your petal, as pictured above.)

2. Separate the petals and flute the top edge by stretching the crepe paper along that edge. Stretch the crepe paper in the middle of the petal so that it forms a slight cup.

3. Loosely accordion fold the petal and squeeze it to create a wrinkled petal (which is more like a natural petal looks as it springs from the pod). 

 

 

4. Put glue along the bottom edge of the first petal and adhere it under the stamen, wrapping it around so that it covers half of the stamen. Glue the second petal to the opposite side, wrapping it around so that both petals meet.

5. Glue the third and fourth petals on the opposite sides, over the seams where the first two petals meet.  Wrap the bottom of the flower and the entire length of the floral wire with floral tape.

 

Tips:

Fluting Crepe Paper:  One of the details that make these poppies work is the ruffled edge of the petals. It's easy to achieve this with crepe paper, but you do have to be careful to use a light touch - stretch the crepe too hard and it won't bounce back into a ruffle, it will just be stretched out. To do this, hold the edge of the petal between your thumb and forefinger of both hands, with your hands close together, and gently stretch the paper in opposite directions. Move to the next spot and repeat. Do this all along the edge. 

Using Floral Tape: Floral tape can be a little tricky, even for experienced users. The key is stretching the tape (which activates the adhesive) and pulling downward while twirling the stem. If you're wrapping your tape and it's staying at the same level, try moving your hand (the one holding the tape) downward. This will help you wrap your tape at a diagonal, down the length of the stem. 

Using Glue: Technically, you can get away with just using floral tape on your flowers. But I like to use a combo of glue and tape. I use a lot less tape that way and I also like the added stability it gives to my flower, especially if I want to go back and shape the petals more after assembling my flower. I like to use Beacon 3-in-1 Adhesive, my go to glue for most crafts, because it won't bleed through the crepe paper and will set fairly quickly, much faster than standard white craft glue. 

 

Extra Credit:  Making green pods for your arrangement is very simple. Crumple a small piece of tissue and form an oval around a piece of floral wire. Using a square of green crepe paper or tissue, wrap it over the oval shaped tissue and secure with floral tape (just as you did when making the center of the flower).

 

Resources:

Crepe paper - Beautiful flowers start with beautiful paper! I love the crepe paper from Carte Fini. It comes in a gorgeous array of colors and it's easy to flute and shape, yet sturdy enough that your flowers won't wilt. You can buy it from their online shop.

Colors I used:  #548, #569, #574, #576, #581, #582, #603

Glue - Beacon 3-in-1 Advanced Craft Glue from Beacon Adhesives.  If you're a regular reader of this blog you know that I use this glue for most of my crafting. In fact, I love the entire line of Beacon adhesives - I find them to be more reliable than anything else I've tried! Available at most craft stores.

Scissors - Easy Action Micro Tip Scissors from Fiskars. This is another product that I use for just about all of my crafting, but they're perfect for paper flowers. They're handleless, which means less fatigue when doing a lot of cutting, and they're great for precise, detailed cuts. Available at most craft stores, as well as through their online shop.

 

Download Printable Crepe Paper Poppy Tutorial and Template 

 

**I thought this post was lengthy enough for one day. I'll be back with a quick tutorial and tips for the lace decoupaged container, as well as a giveaway  - 2 flower kits with all the supplies and tools needed for both the flowers and the containers. I'll try to get that up tomorrow if possible.  If not, look for it on Wednesday! 

Comments

[Betty J Schaub]

You did an AWESOME pictorial tutorial! You go girl. I love the decopage vase!!!

[Margery]

These are so beautiful! Wish I could have taken your workshop, I bet those ladies had a terrific time. I've been looking for an excuse to buy crepe paper.... thank you!

[Suzonne]

Thanks, Megan. They really are fun and once you get started, rather addictive. And this craft has been around forever - I have vintage books from the 1920s with unbelievably detailed flower designs. Some things just keep coming back around!

[Megan]

These are so fun! I made something very similar in art class in middle school and was just recently thinking about making them again. And now I'm even more intrigued by the idea--thanks!