Spring Wreath with Paper Flowers and Deco Foil Flock

I can’t wait for spring! I am so ready to say goodbye to the cold, and working on fun spring projects reminds me that it’s just around the corner. This wreath is created using handmade paper flowers with Deco Foil Flock Transfer Sheets used in an unusual way. Join me in this tutorial and learn all about it.

SPRING WREATH 

Wreath Supplies:

iCraft UltraBond Liquid Adhesive 
Deco Foil White Foam Adhesive
Deco Foil Flock Transfer Sheets – White Latte, Sunshine Yellow and Green Envy
iCraft Pixie Spray

Other Supplies: Wreath base, wired ribbon, cardstock, ink, i-crafter i-brush blending brushes, ink, baker’s twine, die-cutting system and dies.

STEP ONE:

So, step one can be accomplished in a couple of different ways. The first way is to use dies you have in your stash to die-cut leaves and paper flowers. The second way is to use an electronic cutting system and do it the way I did.

I started by googling “free clip art leaves.” When I found an image I liked, I saved the photo to my computer. I use eCal software for my cutter so these instructions are for eCal; however, I’m guessing that most of the electronic cutter software programs have similar features. You’ll just need to figure out a similar command for your software. On eCal the command is “trace.” Use this feature to import the leaves to your software. Now you can change the size and/or manipulate the leaves until you have what you want. Now we’re going to cut them out!

If you’re anything like me, you will need to prepare your cutting mat for this project. My mats are all quite used and have little to no sticky left. iCraft Pixie Spray is my new best friend when it comes to cutting mats. Simply give it a good shake, spray onto your mat and wait one minute before placing your paper down. It gives you the perfect amount of tack without holding on so tightly that your paper tears when you try to remove it.

Hint: If my mat is really bad, I spray one light coat of Pixie Spray, wait one minute and spray another light layer. I find this is more effective than spraying to thick a layer all at once.

STEP TWO:

In this step, we will cut out our flowers in the same way we did with the leaves. With the flowers, however, I thought it better to use an existing svg to save time. I have one that I purchased a while back but Etsy has some beautiful options, and I even found some freebies by searching on Pinterest. After all of my flowers and leaves were cut out I inked the very centers with pink Distress Inks using i-crafter blending brushes to give some dimension and make the flowers look more realistic.

Hint: I always cut way more flowers than I think I’ll need because going back and cutting more (if you are short) is always a pain. As a bonus, you can save any extras for when you need a quick paper flower for a later project (i.e. you forgot teacher appreciation day . . .).

STEP THREE:

Step three is to assemble your flowers. There are many different tools out there for shaping flowers, but for these, I just used my hands. Once the petals were layered (largest to smallest) using iCraft UltraBond Liquid Adhesive, I cupped the whole flower in my handheld it in cone shape for a minute and then let go. This left me with the petals curled up. For the leaves, I merely pinched the tip of each leaf to create dimension.

Once you have your flowers assembled, arrange and adhere them onto your wreath using iCraft UltraBond Liquid Adhesive. Use Zots glue dots to hold the flowers in place while the liquid adhesive dries. Do the same with your leaves.

Hint: If you are using paper roses or flowers that require a little more shaping, there are many youtube video tutorials showing how to shape the various types of paper flowers. 

STEP FOUR:

Now the magic happens! Let’s give these flowers the finishing touch they need to be more realistic and add that pop of color. If you’ve never used the Deco Foil Flock Transfer Sheets, you need to give them a try. They are so versatile – you can use them to transfer flock to a sticky surface as intended or you can die-cut them, emboss them, ink them, add shimmer . . . the possibilities are endless. Today we will die-cut them, ink them, emboss them and even shape them.

For the flower centers, I used an existing die I had in my stash and cut two sizes of stamens from Deco Foil Flock Transfer Sheets in Sunshine Yellow. Once I had them all cut out, I used the back end of a paintbrush and pressed it into the middle of the die-cuts while pushing the stamen up and pinching them together. Because the Flock Transfer Sheets have paper backing, they are easy to shape just like the paper flower petals! Once each die-cut is shaped, layer each small piece onto a large piece using iCraft UltraBond Liquid Adhesive and then adhere them to the flowers. Check out that close-up on the pink flower. I wish you could see in person just how realistic the stamen look!

Hint: Do not use a dry adhesive on the fuzzy side of the flock as it will just pull the flock from the paper backing. The iCraft UltraBond Liquid Adhesive will adhere to the pieces together permanently. 

STEP FIVE:

In my mind, I was going to stop there, but I felt the leaves were lacking. So using an i-crafter die (Flower Burst set) I die-cut a few leaves from Deco Foil Flock Transfer Sheets in Green Envy. I used an i-blender brush to ink the inner portion of the leaves for depth and adhere to them with iCraft UltraBond Liquid Adhesive (again, do not use a dry adhesive for this step).

Once your leaves are assembled and dry, shape by folding down the center lengthwise and pinching. Adhere the leaves to the wreath, adding them in where needed.

Hint: When inking the flock use more of a pouncing motion as opposed to a brushing motion to avoid brushing away your flock. This won’t happen unless you are unusually aggressive with your brushing, but I find it easier to just pounce it.

STEP SIX:

Wow, there are more steps to this project than I realized! But we are near the end; I promise.

This step is optional. I created a fuzzy bunny to add to my wreath but I didn’t adhere it so I can use my wreath even after Easter. Take a piece of White Latte Deco Foil Flock Transfer Sheets and fold it in half (flock to the inside) and then die-cut two bunnies. Die-cut a third bunny from Deco Foil White Foam Adhesive.

Emboss the two Flocked bunnies with a polka dot embossing folder and stick one to each side of the Deco Foil White Foam Adhesive to create a more dimensional bunny.

Hint: In lieu of a bunny you could use Tuscan Gold Flock and a wood grain embossing folder and create a cross for the center of your wreath.

Add a wired ribbon bow to the top and… .that’s it. You should have a beautiful spring wreath ready to enjoy. Thanks for sticking with me to the end. Happy creating!