MAKE ·May 01, 2012

CREPE PAPER FLOWERS

Happy May Day.

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I loved hanging surprise May Baskets on neighbor’s doorsteps when I was a little girl. Did you do this, too? It’s not a tradition I’ve seen in Sweden, but, honestly, aren’t flowers always right? We’re surprising our favorite neighbors today. Is this a tradition you keep?

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This year, I wanted to do something different with the kids. I envisioned waking them up in rooms that were filled oversized flowers! They’ve been so creative on their own all week, I’ve been happily distracted by their creativity and my big idea, didn’t take flight; however, I decided, instead, to surprise them with these oversized “May Flowers” propped by their bedroom doors this morning. It was a fun start to the day and we’ll have these oversized flowers around for decorations now! Happy Flower Making to you all!

Supplies:
Crepe Paper, in green, yellow
Florist Tape (or Craft Paper Packing Tape)
Scissors
Wire for binding
Sticks

Prep:1. Make Flower by

a. folding crepe paper in an accordion fold, then b. cutting out the rounded petals along the edges.

(see diagram below)

– Make a smaller middle section that is approximately 6 inches wide.

– Make the full large flower, using the maximum width of your crepe paper.
Note: For the petals and center, do not cut all the way to the bottom. These flowers work best if they remain slightly attached at the bottom of the paper.

2. Cut individual leaves with longer stems for wrapping around the stick.

Assembly:1. Set the middle crepe paper section on the top of the stick and wrap it’s base with florist tape; attach to stick.

2. Wrap these crepe paper pieces around the stick, encasing this small center, and attach with the florist tape to the stick. Repeat until all flower petals have been attached.

3. Wrap the base of the flower with florist tape; then, wire, then a last layer or florist tape.

4. Last, attach leaves, one at a time, with wire. and cover with florist tape.

Enjoy!