Monday, June 2, 2014

The one about the really BIG flower...

I have completed all the projects I had pending on my desk and found myself with a bit of time to make something of my choosing (love those kinds of days).  I have been inspired by many of the flowers I have seen recently from Karen Hayselden and on Instagram, Aida Haron (aidaville),  so I decided give my Jumbo Tattered Florals die a try.  I admit it...I have had this die for a while and have only used parts of it.  Today is a new day, so lets see what I can do with it! 

I decided to use Ranger Manila Cardstock for the flower because it's nice and thick.  I cut 4 each of these three shapes from the die. 
Then I set about to color the pieces with Distress Stain.
You know the drill:
1. Squeeze out the 2 colors of Distress Stain next to each other (I like an S pattern) on your craft sheet.
2. Spritz with water.
3. Smooch each flower into the mix, then quickly pick up and dry with a heat tool, dabbing off excess stain with paper towel.
4. Repeat over and over to built layers of color.
Once dry, quickly ink the edges with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.
I made a stack of the large petals and the middle sized petals (leaving the small for later).  There is no hole in center, so I made one with my paper piercer and added a Long Fastener to secure.
I spritzed the petals with water and started rolling the petals.
I also spritzed the smaller section at the top of the flower but I wasn't sure what to do to make it look natural.
So I took drastic measures...I spritzed on more water and then crumpled the whole darn thing in a ball.
Till it looked like this.  Remember, I used the heavy weight Manila cardstock which can take a beating like this.  If you were to use regular cardstock, I'm sure the unfolding of this flower would prove to be tricky.
I left the flower to sit all crumpled up so I could concentrate on the smallest 4 petals that were still sitting on the table.
I followed the same steps as the large flower.  
Poke hole in center...
add brad to secure...
spritz with water and crumple into a ball.
I unfolded the large flower then added the small flower to the center with Multi Medium.
Once the flower was together, I arranged the petals just a bit, then dried it with a heat tool.  Once dry, the flower is super sturdy (even after all the misting, crunching and unfolding).

The final touch is to use the Spritzer tool and a Distress Marker to add a fine mist of Walnut Stain ink over the flower.
Love the texture that
I am going to be very honest - this flower is big.  About 4.5" across.  Remember, I used 4 of each size of the petals so the flower would be full.  If you choose to use fewer petals or a different configuration, the flower may turn out smaller.
So the question becomes...what to do with a flower of this size?
You will have to stay tuned to find out...i've got an idea a brewing.

now carry on,
paula


47 comments:

  1. Gorgeous! I would use it as a wedding gift wrap embellishment.

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    1. Dorothy, that is a great idea! This die would be perfect for wedding or birthday! thanks for the tip!
      paula

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  2. Love it! When in doubt, just wad it up--so funny. I was thinking these would be beautiful in autumn colors to decorate my little table selling jewelry at fall craft shows. Looking forward to seeing what you do with the flowers!

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  3. Another great idea Renee! Fall colors...I'm thinking a napkin ring for Thanksgiving dinner.

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  4. Thank you for this .. I've had the die and just didn't know where to start .. you've given me the motivation to get it out and do something with it :) Have a great day !!

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  5. Evening Paula wow Im off to make flowers now I've seen this post its stunning. Xx

    Debs xxx

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  6. I'm seeing a bow on your head after a few drinks? Hah. This is freaking beautiful... Love the colors.

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  7. It looks fantastic I have to say, but that sure is one big flower.... now I can't wait to see what you'll do with it....

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  8. Well Paula, you never disappoint! you are amazing! I hoping a kit is in the near future, I am having Paula withdrawals! ;)

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  9. Fabulous flower! Can't wait to see your idea for using it!

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  10. Utterly gorgeous Paula. Love how the Vintage Photo mixed a little with the two pink shades to give a hint of a more peachy colour. Spritz with rosewater and this could be mistaken for the real thing! BTW, I'm a huge fan of Karen too - such a talented lady. Jenny x

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  11. Wow! That's amazing !!! Everlasting rose , love it xx

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  12. Gorgeous! I love that lady's artwork, too. I looked at her tutorial and wondered. Well, your flower shows it works. Can't wait to see what you do with it. I wonder what would happen with fabric if you starched it after you cut the shapes and stacked them, then crumpled. ???

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    1. Mari, I think the fabric idea is wonderful! When TIm's new fabric is released in June, I think I will have to try it!

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  13. Cannot wait to see what you do with it! I purchased the die a few weeks ago and have had a blast...the flowers are gorgeous too with the Dylusions and watercolor paper :) Me...I "flower-powered" some tags up for gifts :)

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    1. great idea Dara...I will have to try the watercolor paper next!

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  14. wonderful flower! As always great idea!!! BArbarayaya

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  15. Wow Paula, that is one tattered rose and I love it! Can't wait to see what you will do with it. You always keep us in suspense. Reality Crafting with your hostess, the fabulous, Paula Cheney! So much better than reality TV :)

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  16. Big and beautiful! I love it and I agree with the idea about using it on some gift packaging. I can't wait to see where it ends up.

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  17. So pretty. I did a wedding reception in March for a LOW budget in an ugly church basement and no flowers to repurpose for the ceremony. So I used the new big die and made all the flowers. I have yet to blog specifically about the flowers but they are beautiful- I used all sorts of different papers and textures so I had a bouquet of flowers. I didn't have the time to make each one as gorgeous as your big rose but still they turned out lovely. I still have them all and think I will make a wreath out of them. I'll let you know when I get the blog post up. I have been so uninspired about blogging lately.

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  18. Don't have the Bigz die, but I bet smooshed flowers would work with the regular tattered floral die. Must try! And since Tim talked about the Paula Bow on the June TOM, I think you should add one to your flower. Just because!

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    1. Yep, it works on the regular Tattered Florals die quite nicely!

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  19. Whoa! That is one big gorgeous flower! Thanks for sharing your technique. Ok, this might be a funny question but here goes, what is that pokie tool you used? I recently broke mine using it beyond it's intended use, lol. Looked similar to yours and I had mine so long I can't remember who made it. Thanks.

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    1. Sharon, Mine is really old too. My guess is that it is Making Memories.

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  20. I am staying tuned in to see what you do with this beautiful flower. What vitamins do you take that produce all this creativity? I want some!

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    1. lol, I wish it was vitamins! I would take more!
      xoxo
      paula

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  21. What a gorgeous big blousey flower and I love those two colours together, they are so realistic looking, especially with the additional darker spritzing. I did a class with Hels Sheridan recently and we put three of these flowers on a 12" x 18" canvas - they certainly make a statement! Anne

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  22. Soooo pretty! I can't wait to see what you'll do with it.

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  23. What a GORGEOUS flower, Paula!! I can't wait to see what you do with this--and others? A beautiful bouquet on a hand-sewn bag, perhaps? OH--this big bloom would be cute on a headband!! Endless possibilities in your hands, for sure!! XOXO-Shari

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  24. Brave lady to crumple up and it turns out so beautiful! I am so glad that you mentioned that you apply inks in an S shape on the mat for swiping tags/card bases through. I always wondered if there was a pattern (albeit random) to achieve a certain look. I would love it if you could please please do a tut on just applying distress paints on the mat to achieve that very smooth, blended look of Tim's tags. I tried but mine are never that well blended and swiping too many times creates muddy tag some times. I get lucky some times with good backgrounds. Any tips you can share is much appreciated, thanks in advance.

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    1. I am sure I have done a tutorial on that - I just have to find it in the archives or make a new one.
      paula

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  25. Paula !!! Thank you for the mention ...... and I love your Tattered Floral too !!

    Aida

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  26. Such a beautiful flower Paula!! It looks so real, and the spritzing was a great idea. I made a huge layered flower too with that die, it ended up inside a heart shadow box. Looking forward to seeing the home your flower is going to get!

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  27. This is BEAUTIFUL!! Now I've got to run out and buy this die....

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  28. Gorgeous flower with one of my favorite dies.

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  29. LOVE, LOVELOVE this tattered rose , it's GORGEOUS ... love those colors together used a similar color palette this weekend for one of my roses (CC3) ... not finished yet but soon !!

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  30. That's a big (and lovely) flower! I can picture it on one of those big, floppy summer hats. :)

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  31. Like you, Paula, I've also had this die for some time. That big flower is sort of ... well... HUGE and therefore a bit intimidating, so I have hesitated trying it out. Yours is gorgeous and has inspired me to play with the die now. Love your color choices and the final spritz was the perfect touch.

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  32. Lovely, especially the colours. I would attach this to a box, with a few leaves and a bit of tulle. Look forward to seeing your take - I'm additing you to my blog Reader now!!

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  33. Stunning flower, fantastic tutorial, thank you :) Cathy x

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  34. GORGEOUS flower! Love how it is so perfectly colored and crinkled and the "natural" occurring texture looks great. :)

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