How many of you are passionate about flowers and/or gardening? How many of you can no longer garden the way that you once did? It has been too many years now since I have been able to climb all over my hillside gardening. Before my hip injury I was passionate about my flowers and covered my hillside in beautiful perennials. Some still remain, but they are not in the same "shape" as they once were, so perhaps this is the reason paper flowers appeal to me so much. I can make these in my craft room without squatting AND at any time of the year :-D
One of my greatest blessings in life has been the friendship and bond I have had the good fortune of developing with Susan! It is such an honor to have her join me for today's lesson in paper flower making. Susan has pioneered the art of paper flower making for the past 15 years. Her work is such an inspiration and it is always so much fun to collaborate with her on projects!!!
This beautiful cake box is the project we worked on together for this month's newsletter. We hope that you enjoy the video we created to share with you today and that it empowers you to give flower making a try. In this video Susan will teach you how to create the beautiful lilies showcased above and below, sharing many wonderful tips throughout. Please grab your favorite drink and settle in for this 45 minute class with Susan as she shares many of the fabulous techniques she has innovated to bring this art form to us.
Please note: To view the video please click on this link --- Easter Lily Cake Box Video. If you do not see controls for the video, change the size of your viewing window to a narrower width and the controls will appear.
Step-by-step written instructions for creating beautiful lilies are included in Susan's first book The Paper Garden. I cannot begin to tell you how helpful her books have been to me as I learn to create beautiful blooms! If you are a visual learner like me you will also find this book a wealth of information.
CREATING THE CAKE BOX
Now that you know how to make the flowers for this project I am going to share just a few basics regarding the construction of the cake box.
I prefer to attach my decorative paper to the Craft-a-Board before die cutting the pieces using the 3-D Cake Box Die. By affixing the paper to the Craft-a-Board with Be Creative (Sookwang) tape I am assured that I will have a perfectly covered project.
To create today's project I used Lilybee's 12x12 paper. For the scalloped top and base I applied decorative paper to both sides of the Craft-a-Board before die cutting.
For the cake sides, decorative paper was applied to only one side of the Craft-a-Board. Being careful to position the paper so that the decorative side is cut all the way through, and the Craft-a-Board only scored, is important. To do this place the paper, decorative side to the die, and then send the die through your Vagabond or Big Shot using the crease pad. This will give pieces as shown above and below.
Carefully bend each piece along the score line before attaching them together to get a more uniform look.
You will also need to cut and score three pieces of cardstock to hold the cake pieces together. Using a strong adhesive affix the cardstock to the die cut pieces on the back or Craft-a-Board side as shown above.
Attach each piece one at a time.
When you have all three pieces attached, form the piece into a circle, affixing the last edge.
Next you will need to attach the base - the piece with the four tabs. I find it easiest to insert this piece from the top. Push it down through the center until it is firmly positioned in the bottom of the circular piece. Using a pair of needle nose tweezers insert a Glue Dot behind each of the flaps and affix these to the cake tube.
To adhere the scalloped top and base I prefer to use Ultimate Glue. The base is easy to affix due to the large surface you will be attaching it to. Apply Ultimate Glue to the base of the cake and position the scalloped piece holding it in place for a few seconds until you feel it is firmly in place. The cap or top is a little trickier. I run Ultimate Glue all the way around the top of the circular form and then position the scalloped top in place. The glue allows you to move it slightly until you have it in the desired position, then hold it for a few seconds until the glue grabs hold. Allow to dry for at least 30 minutes before continuing your work on the base.
To add interest to my cake base I attached a strip of white silk ribbon and then added pearls to either side of it. I also ran a strip of pearls around the top.
I wanted to include just a few close-up photos of the finished project so that you could better see the detail on these beautiful Easter blooms.
The lily was one of Susan's first punch designs back in 2006. Sadly there are others who have taken Susan's work and called it their own, but the truth of the matter is that these designs, the techniques and wording, are copywritten by Susan --- I am so proud and honored to share her designs with you. With Easter right around the corner and spring knocking at our doors it has been a thrill to be able to share this beauty with all of you. Thank you so much for joining us!
We also have something special to give to you today! Leave a comment below for a chance to win an autographed copy of The Paper Garden, as well as the three punches used to create these beauties! You have until midnight Sunday, April 17th to leave your comment and be eligible for this random drawing.
ink: Copic Markers -YG00, YG63, YG95, YR14, Y15, Y17
paper: Lilybee Designs 12x12 Picket Fence and Stationery Designer Paper, Craft-a-Board
accessories: Punch Bunch punches - Mega Lily, Large Alta Flake, Mega Big Sky Flake, Small Caladium Leaf, Small Birch Leaf; Punch Bunch Papercrafting Tools and Magnum Power Punch Aid; The Paper Garden, Sizzix 3-D Cake Box Die, Faber-Castell PITT Pastel Pencils - #104 and #170, Flower Soft - Earth, Toffee, Russet Red, Sunshine Yellow; 12" strip White Pearls, 1/4" White Silk Ribbon, Be Creative (Sookwang) 4 1/2" Tape or Sheets, The Ultimate Glue
WOW!! I am amazed at how realistic these flowers look. Beautiful!!
Posted by: Ida Faye | April 15, 2011 at 05:48 PM
These flowers are absolutely gorgeous, it's amazing how realistic they look!
Posted by: Sue McRae | April 15, 2011 at 02:21 PM
These are so very gorgeous! I would LOVE to win the supplies to make these beauties! Thanks Ellen!
Posted by: Anne D | April 15, 2011 at 02:07 PM
The flowers look so real! They are just beautiful. I'd love to win the prize so I could learn more and give them a try.
Posted by: Susan | April 15, 2011 at 12:02 PM
What a lovely video. Incredible gorgeous flowers such a delight to watch. I thank both of you for beginning my day with such beauty.
Posted by: Robin | April 15, 2011 at 11:52 AM
Ellen -
Beautiful! Beautiful! I swear those lilies look so real! Come on, 'fess up, you swapped them for the real thing - LOL! This is such an awesome project. Thank you so much for the video too.
Elaine Allen
Posted by: Elaine Allen | April 15, 2011 at 11:49 AM
BRAVO, Susan, and good luck with your new book. I have your Paper Bouquet book aka my Bible for making paper flowers. You opened a whole new world for me...lol I put flowers on most of my atc swaps and my greeting cards. Ellen I adore your stamps, the tiny flowers are great to use alone or with my mini maganolia stamps. "Always Walk In Beauty" Ellen and Susan, Barb Silber
Posted by: Barbara Silber | April 15, 2011 at 11:31 AM
These are just awesome. I'd love to win this prize and get to work! Thanks so much.
Posted by: Karen T | April 15, 2011 at 11:18 AM
These are the most stunning flowers I have seen. So lifelike! I would be delighted to have instructions to make these. Thanks.
Posted by: Terre Munk | April 15, 2011 at 10:23 AM
WOW!!! That is absolutely amazing. I can't believe you can do all that with paper! I love it!
Posted by: jennine | April 15, 2011 at 10:15 AM
Wow!! Love it!! Thanks for sharing!!!
Posted by: Lisa Crutchfield | April 15, 2011 at 09:42 AM
Brilliant! Such beautiful attention to details. Thanks for sharing the video & the box tutorial.
Posted by: Linda Carson | April 15, 2011 at 09:40 AM
I really enjoyed your video, you make it look so easy!
Posted by: L Lee | April 15, 2011 at 09:37 AM
You've just opened a whole new world to me! Your flowers look so real, and are truly beautiful works of art. Thank you so much for sharing your talent. . .I'm definitely going to give this a try!
Posted by: Kathy McDonald | April 15, 2011 at 09:16 AM
these flowers are so beautiful and stunning. love the little box too. i'd love to win and learn how to make these incrdible flowers
Posted by: bethann disciasco | April 15, 2011 at 09:05 AM
Gorgeous creations! Susan's flowers are incredible! I have been a fan of hers for a long time. Thanks for sharing the tutorial with us! I'm off to check out the video!
DeniseB
Posted by: DeniseB | April 15, 2011 at 08:54 AM
Am so excited about the above information! Just received my first set of punches and would LOVE the book and additional supplies to create these flowers. Am just getting started and can't wait to see "what happens"!
Posted by: Trisha White | April 15, 2011 at 07:43 AM
Absolutely gorgeous- they look real! Can't wait to watch the video.
Posted by: Marty | April 15, 2011 at 07:39 AM
These are so beautiful. I would love to win her book. Can't wait to look at the video when I have time.
Posted by: Anita | April 15, 2011 at 07:36 AM
Just lovely, and SO FUN!
Posted by: Gloria L. | April 15, 2011 at 06:47 AM
the "cake" is just AMAZING!! the flower all look so very real. what a fantastic prize!
Posted by: Rosemary D | April 15, 2011 at 06:45 AM
I have Susan's other book Paper Bouquet and this would be wonderful to win! Such a beautiful cake project. I am having so much fun with my cake die and your wonderful Craft a Board.
Mary
www.primitiveseasons.blogspot.com
Posted by: mary puskar | April 15, 2011 at 05:59 AM
That cake box and those FLOWERS! Unbelievable beautiful! Susan's work is always just so stunning!
Posted by: Carol B | April 15, 2011 at 05:48 AM
Beautiful video!! As an "elder", I do appreciate the clear and concise teaching. Thank you, thank you Susan. And thank you Ellen, I have always enjoyed the Classroom aspect of your web site. Even if I don't make the project, I am learning so much about being creative and that keeps me sharp!
Posted by: Jean B. | April 15, 2011 at 05:28 AM
Beautiful Flowers. I'd love to try making this. Thanks for the video and sharing with us.
Posted by: Carol | April 15, 2011 at 05:18 AM