"Where Flowers Bloom, So Does Hope"
- Lady Bird Johnson
One of the best things about Spring - the season of renewal - is seeing all the pretty flowers - whether they're fresh or faux. And in these trying times if fresh blooms are not available, why not make your own! It's a wonderful way to uplift your spirits and keep yourself busy as you shelter in place!
Foam flowers are quite easy to make! You only need a few items:
- Foam Sheets
- Square templates - cardstock in various sizes (2-4")
- Scissors
- Iron
- Hot glue
- Acrylic paint (optional)
For these flowers, I used a few old packs of foam sheets I had on hand from the Dollar Tree. I don't think they sell them like this anymore but the sheets are nice and thin, perfect for flowers.
To begin, cut out the foam into squares using templates. I wanted my flowers to be rather large so I started with a four inch square, two 3 inch and two, 2" squares.
And then folded the squares two times.
Next, cut out a petal shape starting at one fold, curving around to the next folded side.
Open the folded square to reveal the four petals shape. Trim petals around folds to make them more define.
Place petal on iron for a few seconds to soften and curl the edges.
Continue to shape petals by using the round end of a tool and pressing down in the center on a soft pillow or sponge, and twisting the edges, as if tearing. Repeat the steps for all the petals.
To make the center bud, loosely gather one of the smallest petals, dabbing closed with hot glue.
Cup the opposite petal and glue the edges around the first petal.
Continue cupping the third and fourth petals around the first two and seal edges with hot glue to form the center bud.
Assemble the flower by applying hot glue to center of the largest petal and placing the next size on top. Continue attaching each petal to the center with glue in gradual sizes, staggering the petals until . . .
the flower is formed.
Isn't this beautiful!
Cut out leaf shapes and use the tip of a phillips screwdriver to add leaf lines.
Use scissors to serrate the edges for a realistic look.
Soften the leaves by placing on an iron for a few seconds and then twist to shape.
Rub on acrylic paint with a damp towel to shade the leaves.
Cut out sepals to encase the flower at the bottom the same way to make the petals, except cut a center point instead of curving.
Then heat . . .
and twist . . .
and then glue on the bottom of the flower.
They look just as pretty as real flowers!
Meet this month's co-hosts!
