TUTORIAL FOR LOLLIPOP FLOWER

Well this is the first time I have ever made one of these flowers for the challenge this week, but I really enjoyed it and most certainly will be making them again in the future - in fact you will probably get fed up of seeing them on my cards!!!! I decided to do this in addition to the YouTube video, just in case there were any problems in accessing it in readiness for your Challenge creations this week. I have also listed it separately from the main Tutorial section so that it can be printed of in isolation if you want to refer to it whilst making your flowers.

Materials
Gesso – or white emulsion paint
Glimmer Mist – or Perfect Pearls Recipe (see below)
Spray bottle with water if not using Glimmer Mist
Edge Distresser – or scissors
Squares of paper
Brads or buttons

1. Cut your paper, using a range of pretty papers that co-ordinate with your project into rough squares of varying sizes, you will need about 5 or 6 different ones to make a flower approximately 6cm in diameter. Then cut them into rough circles by just cutting off the corners all the way round. Vary the circle sizes to form your flower layers

2. Next use your edge distresser, or if you do not have one of these, open up your scissors and carefully use the jaws of the two blades at the hinge point to pull down the edges of your circles

3. Then pour a very small amount of Gesso (or if you do not have this use a small amount of white matt emulsion and mix with a tiny amount of water) and use your finger just to put a small amount around the edge of your circles. It will dry white so use sparingly or it will cover over the colour of your paper too much.

4. Line up your circles and punch a small hole through the centre all the way through, or use a piercing tool to make the hole. Put a brad through to hold them all together. You can either add your finished brad at this point, or a small brad just to hold them together and add a button or ribbon over the top at the end to finish. Do not close the brad at this point; leave the point so that you can hold it to get a good grip while going through the next step.

5. Start to crumple the papers layer by layer – do not be afraid to really work the papers. Then spray liberally with the Glimmer Mist or your Perfect Pearls alternative mix (see below). If you do not have either of these just use a mist of water. Spray each layer of your circle so that the paper is quite flexible. Then again shape each layer until you get the desired effect.

6. Close the brad when you have finished shaping the flower and then leave to dry.

Alternative to Glimmer Mist
If you do not have Glimmer Mist, get a small spray bottle such as a Mini Mister or travel size spray bottle and put in a 1/4 teaspoon Perfect Pearls (not Pearl-Ex) and 1 ounce water.
Shake the bottle vigorously before you use it as the particles will split out and need to be combined.
Optional: Add additional colour from a reinker if you want a darker spray as opposed to just pearlescent.

Have fun, cheers Ann xxx