Paper Circle flower with tutorial

I am just loving these paper flowers and they are SUPER EASY to make - there were a few requests from yesterday on how to make these, so I figured I would share.

Lets start with a picture of my very first one -

Like I said after roaming on Etsy for awhile. I kept seeing this style flower on Hairbands. I was describing it to my husband and said, "look it's just a circle on top of a circle with it scrunched in the middle". He immediately said, Yep, sure is. So instead of cutting fabric - which I hate, (die cuts are the BEST!) I  went straight to my desk and began creating one with paper. So here are my tips...

Circle Paper Flower How to:
1. Punch about 5 circles each a little big bigger than the last. My smallest circle here is 1 3/4.

2. Make each circle into 2 circles by using your bone folder and rubbing it all over on both sides to distress the fibers and then carefully pull it apart. I learned this awhile ago from Mary Fish's Stampin Pretty blog - You can view that video here http://www.stampinpretty.com/2010/08/ppa-divine-redesign-plus-a-new-video.html

TIP - I use Stampin UP Cardstock which is thicker and is able to divide into two pieces. By pulling it apart it helps it crumple and and then reshaping is easier. Other CS may work, I am just not familiar with it!

3. If you want to sponge and distress the edges, now is the time.

4. Now you have 2 options - 1. take each individual circle and crumple it in your hands, uncrumple it and stack them biggest to smallest then punch a hole in center and stick a brad in there OR - 2. stack biggest to smallest and then hole punch in middle and stick a brad in there.

5. Then start in the center and squish it upright and bring each below circle upwards and squeeze it together. If you do this SUPER tight, you will end up with a flower like the yellow flower featured on the card above. Then spread it flat again, leaving it as tight as you prefer. If you like the softer blue flower, you do this less squishy and spread it flat again, you will have a flower like the blue one above. Both are adorable and can be made in numerous sizes!!!

AND there ya go!!! Did that make sense? First time I had to explain anything. So if you have questions, let me know.

Please leave me a comment! I love them. And it's good to know people are out there! Stop in and say HI!

Recipe:
Stampin Up-
 Paper: Bermuda Bay, So saffron, Crumb Cake
Ink: Early Espresso
Stamp: Afterthoughts
Rhinestones

Enjoy!
Colleen G.