Hi readers,
I had mentioned my use of different tools for my flowers. It ranges from my stash of paper punches, die cuts and my Klic-N-Kut cutting machine. Any flower punch, die, or flower patterns I had collected for years is fair game for my flowers. A number of them are made by Marianne Designs, Cheery Lynn Designs, McGill paper punches, Punch a Bunch, etc...
As I mentioned in one of my previous blogs, sometimes a punch is not the ideal size for the flower you have in mind, you can always fussy cut them, but I like efficiency when doing my flowers, that is when I turn to my cutting machine. If you have oter brands of cutting machines i.e.: Silhouette you can draw your own shapes and save them on file for future use.
If you don't plan on making many, then a punch or a die cut is the ideal tool for you. For now the punch I want to show you is as follows:
I have cut the punched shape in black, it has 6 petals and comes in numerous sizes (paper punches) but I only have this 2 inches wide size punch in my stash so since I wanted to make 2 sizes smaller, I had to rely on my cutting machine. I (meaning Hubby) also made some slits between the petals toward the center of the flower so it gives you longer floating petals in the end. (roses in the photo are not made with this punch)
This is the paper punch that is 2 inches wide (Paper Studio is a brand that Hobby Lobby sells here in the USA)
If you are interested in giving this a try, read the following:
I like to use various inks, Memento ink pads, re-inkers, Tim Holtz distress ink pads and re-inkers, ink sprays of various brands, shimmer glitz spray, (ink jet printer ink kits (3 bottles) but not recommending you to use this ink if you are not well prepared to use them). When I choose inks, I look for a strong pigment because it is easier to tone down a color, than it is to get a bright color. Going from darker pigment is better, watering down a color is much easier to do than the opposite. If you prefer the chalk type medium, pan pastels are also a way to go. Just telling you my own preferences from learning experiences.
This list might not be complete. It all depends on what flower you make and how fancy you want to get with them.
Tools I generally use, are stylus kits of various sizes, reverse tweezers a must, regular tweezers, quick grab tacky glue, quilling tool (slit to roll paper with) needle tool, forming pad (mouse pad is good to a point but it's a good starter) water spritzer, sharp pointy scissors, paper towels, crafting mat while playing with inks and water, toothpicks to use for glue positionning.
Embellishments for flowers I use half pearls, I only buy the white or off white since I can color them with copic or alcohol markers on hand. I also use stamens, it can either be handmade or purchased. Wilton's Cake decorating Brand makes the stamens, heavier threads can also be used. Stickles glitter, my favorite is the Diamond one, lose glitter is also good (will come off in the long run), Liquid pearls, Flowersoft colors that can be used in the center of flowers, or Sizzix pollen can be used for a realistic pollen look. Metallic stems sold by Flowersoft (easily bendable, not all stems are good for card making flowers). Flowersoft has them in white or green. I like the white because I can color them the color I want to coordinate with projects. Silk and organza ribbons are my favorite ribbons if and when I want to use it, etc...
If you are a beginner at the flower making craft, if you have a few items out of the list I have given you, you are still able to start, I always start with what I have, this way I practice and get better with what I own, if I like more than I thought I would, I go and buy a little more tools and an extra flower punch, but you get what I mean. But inexpensive kits are available out there now, to get you started enough to know if you will want to pursue this craft and get into the nitty gritty of it. I can tell you, I am addicted to my flower making. If you can make your own tools with things you already have in your craft stash, GREAT! go for it!
Flower making is a fun craft. It is a craft for you if you have ambition to see how far you can go with this craft, quick flowers are also beautiful as a start up, then you will know if it is for you or not. It takes time, patience, a will to create something that is pleasing to you. Find what range of colors drives you, Subtle or Bold? Find your favorite shapes and let lose!
Remember,the time you spend making something this elegant, is going to be for someone as equally elegant in your life, family and sprecial friends....
Thank you for stopping by, comments are always welcome. You can also ask questions in the comment box or add special tricks of yours, I will be pleased to read and answer them on my next blog or by email asap.
Have a FUN weekend everyone