Are you looking for a unique way to add a little color to a room or a floral alternative for your event? These paper flowers are so simple to make, and look really cool in small groupings.
Skill level: Easy Cost: Minimal (under $10)
Supplies:
- Magazine (These were free at my local public library)
- Wooden sticks (I love shishkabob sticks for crafting, super versatile and inexpensive)
- Floral tape
- Fringe scissors (these will save you so much time, and they’re pretty handy for a lot of projects! I got mine at Michael’s with a 40% off coupon for around $6)
- Optional but highly recommended: Clear tape or a hot glue gun
- Note: As much as I love my fringe scissors, this project is possible without them 🙂
Here’s how it works:
1. Pick a page, any page, and tear that sucker out!
2. Fold the page in half lengthwise, with the colors/image you want to use folded to the inside
3. Fold the page back on itself so your chosen image shows
4. Once it’s folded, start cutting! It’s really important that you put the 2 folds at the top because when you’re cutting, these folds are what make the petals. Make sure you don’t cut all the way down, since you’ll need this “base” to wrap around the stick.
5. Making sure the fringe is up, start wrapping the paper around the stick. Securing the end with a piece of tape or drop of hot glue will save you a lot of hassle!
The next step is the hardest–wrap the paper around itself to form the flower. The wrap needs to be tight, but the glossy paper tends to slide around. Just keep trying, it gets easier, I promise!
I’ve heard that it may help to add a drop of hot glue every so often while you’re wrapping the paper, but I haven’t tried this tip yet.
6. Once it’s all wrapped and you feel happy with how it looks, add another piece of tape or drop of hot glue to secure the end. You can skip this step, but I highly recommend it!
The last thing to do is wrap the stem with the floral tape. Pull it tight as you wrap so the floral tape sticks to itself. Once again, I add a little glue to the ends of the floral tape to help it stick.
And that’s it, all done! 
Tips and Tricks:
If I plan to display them a shorter vase, I’ll only wrap half of the stick since the bottom half gets cut off.
I’ve also made these flowers from plain book pages which creates a cool vintage look.
Heavy papers are a kit more difficult to wrap. Try to avoid the heavy magazines if you can.
Wrapping paper allows you to truly customize the colors and prints, while still remaining cost efficient. If you choose to use wrapping paper, make sure it’s a heavier paper, as the thin wrapping paper tears pretty easily.
History in the Making Special Events 
