***This is one of the most popular posts I have had on my blog, just today alone there has been over 75 hits just looking for the wondeful crepe paper roses. These are ones I made for Halloween a few years back but can be made in any color, perfect for Valentine's day and the best part, they will last forever.... enjoy
I have had this idea in my head for months and months and I finally got around to finishing them until I make more that is. I loved the Martha crepe paper flower kits and purchased quite a few of them and then when they went on sale I snatched up as many as I could find. But the problem was that I also wanted other colors of crepe paper so the search was on. I found a huge assortment at a really low price at MisterArt.com (I just noticed that they are on sale as well)
First part of my project was to use the same template that came in one of the Martha roses kit. I scanned it so I also had extra copies to make unlimited amount of roses. You can use these templates as well, just print them at 70%.
****right click and save these to print them out to the correct size.
To make the roses you will need 5 inner leaves and 12 of the large outer leaves. The Black Crepe paper came in a big sheet that was folded. At each crease it was the perfect size for the template. I stacked 8 sheets on top of each other and then laid the template on top and stapled it all together and then cut each petal out.
To make the leaves have a little life to them you hold one with both thumbs in the center and your forefinger on the revers side. Gently pull and stretch the paper with your thumbs sculpting into a petal shape. After that step use a toothpick to round the top edges of the petals in the opposite direction of the "cup" of the flower.
Now that you have them all stretched, rolled and ready to go. You will now need floral wire and floral tape. I found 18 inch 22 guage wire at Michaels and the Martha Stewart crafts has some great floral tape.
Wrap the wire with some floral tape and stretch it as you wrap it. That makes it sticky and will be easier to attach the petals too. Starting with the smaller inner leaves around the wire overlapping each petal over each other at the half way point.
After the inner leaves wrap the base with tape and then start with the larger leaves doing the same thing, overlapping as you go. Wrap with floral tape after 3 or 4 petals to make sure things are tight.
Once all 12 outer petals are attached wrap them with the floral tape one last time, making sure to stretch it as you go and wrap along stem for 3 or 4 inches.
Next step when they are all done, I used a Martha glue pen, one of my favorite tools, and just rubbed a little glue on the edge of some of the petals. Not all of them, just 5 or 6 per flower.
Then I poured some of the best glitter you will ever find, Martha Stewart fine glitter in Ebony onto a sheet of paper and then just dipped and rolled the top of the flower lightly into the glitter
I have made 17 so far, I think I want to make at least 15 more for a huge bouquet. And the best part, I will have them for years to come. And there you have it, just in time for Halloween Spooky Crepe Paper Roses.....
If you make some let me know how they turned out.