My Tutorial on Creating Rosebuds

I thought it was about time to share a tutorial on the flowers that I've been making lately.

If you've seen any of my recent creations, you will know that I've been having way to much fun making my own flowers. 

So before we get started, I thought I'd share of couple of my creations featuring these handmade flowers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Upon receiving a few messages asking "how" I do it, I thought it would be a good idea to create a step by step tutorial.  So grab a cuppa... and get ready to watch as I do my best to share with you my "How To" in photos.  

 

Here we go!

You will be amazed at HOW EASY it really is.

 

Creating Rosebuds using an EKSuccess Gardinia Paper Punch.

 

 

Step 1.

 

In this photo, you find everything that was used to create these types of flowers.

Pretty simple really.

 

 

 

 

Step 2.

 

I used basic plain white cardstock.  I usually only use 7 of these petals, sometimes I may feel that I need just one  more.  But 7 usually does the trick.

I randomly ink them on both sides with the lighter color copics, nothing fancy.

You'll see why later on.

 

 

 

Step 3.

 

Here I took the darker Copic marker and just put a few random strokes of ink on the petals,

Only on one side though, when rolled, these darker inked sides will be rolling inside the petal.

(Petals are usually darker on the inside, right?)

 

 

 

 

Step 4.

 

Now I cut them from the paper strip, leaving my bottom edges pointy.

You can see where my scissors are pointing, this is where I cut on an angle, and leave the points on the flower petals.

 

 

 

Step 5.

 

Here I have all 7 petals cut, and ready to begin the rolling process.

I then use my tweezers from my McGill tool kit.

At this point you can roll them with an embossing tool on a mat, just to give them more flexability.

I have skipped this step this time.

It doesn't make a huge difference, but usually just makes the paper a little easier to work with later.

 

 

 

Step 6.

 

Aiming the point of my tweezers toward the bottom of the petal point, I begin to wrap the petal around my tweezer.  No need for perfection, you just want a little bit of a cone shaped petal at this point, which you will see in the next photo.

 

 

 

Step 7.

 

This is what your petal will look like as you wrap it around the tweezers.

 

 

 

 

 

Step 8.

 

Continue rolling up each petal...

 

 

 

Step 9.

 

Once all of my petals are rolled, I take a piece of wire, and curl it so I have a base to build my flower.  You can usually find this type of wire in a craft store.  It doesn't have to be this type of wire, it can be anything that is thin, and easy to work with.  You usually do not see this once you're finished.

 



 

 

Step 10.

 

I have chosen to use a Hot Glue Gun, simply because it takes hold immediately.

Here I have put just one dab on the inside of the first petal.

 

 

 

Step 11.

 

And this is why you need that wire, and that dab of hot glue.

Attach your wire to your first petal.

 

 

 

Step 12.

 

Now wrap that petal around the wire and loop you've created.

This does not have to look perfect, but should be wrapped tightly, as this is going to be the very center of your flower.

 

 

 

 

Step 13.

 

From here, you will begin building your flower

Add a dab of hot glue to the next petal, and position it to the left or right of your center petal

being careful to leave enough room for curling your petal edges.

 

 

 

 

Step 14.

 

Repeat the previous step, adding the next petal to the opposite side. 

I usually build my flower this way, leaving the front of the flower more open,

And then ending with just one lower set petal.

(You will see later on)

 

 

 

 

Step 15.

 

Here you see all of the petals have been added

Notice that the sides and back have more petals, with the front having only the one that sits a little lower.

 

 

 

 

Step 16.

 

Here is where the flower starts to take shape.

I use my little pair of pliers and begin curling back the edges of each petal.

If I'm able to, I will reach in with the tip, and curl the side edges of the petals too.

 

 

 

 

Step 17.

 

Once you're satisfied with how the edges are curled and shaped,

you can either leave the flower as is, or you can define your edges a little more with the darker color.

 

 

 

 

Step 18.

 

I have decided to add that darker color Copic on the edges. 

Still I was not very careful with my coloring, because what I do next will help blend it all together.

 

 

 

 

Step 19.

 

Once I have added my Darker Copic marker on the edges (above)

I held my flower over the sink, and literally poured a bit of Rubbing Alcohol down into the flower.

I have saturated the rosebud pretty well.

Now I have to treat the flower carefully.

I have touched up the curled edges gently,

and then set the flower down to dry.

 

 

 

Here is another photo of this flower as it dries.

 

 

 

I have tried my best to photograph every step that I have taken

I'm sure that there could be many different takes on this idea,

But I just had to share the simplest version I have done.

 

I always clip the metal stem low, unless of course I feel I'm going to need it.  But usually for cards, I clip it off completely, that way you just have the rosebud and can place it on your card or project directly without extra wire hanging around.