Pleated Flower Tutorial

I've been meaning to post this for literally...weeks...but finally, here it is! Please forgive me! This is a tutorial to make some cute and easy pleated flowers. They're a great way to use scraps, too! Let me know if you try them...I'd love to see them!

1) Here are the materials you will need. The strip of paper is 1" x 12" and can be solid or patterned. I prefer to use a paper that is neither too thick nor too thin for ease of pleating.

Step 1: Begin to fold pleats at one end of the paper strip. Be sure to slowly angle your pleat around in a circle like the photo below.

This is the finished product once you pleat the whole strip.

 

Step 2: Use a glue dot to adhere one end to the other. You may not want to use all of the pleats, so cut off the excess pleats to get your desired flower size.

Step 3: Add a button or brad in the middle and you're done!

Here are some finished pleated flowers. Note that you can even stack the pleated strips for a layered flower! Just cut smaller 1/2" strips for the second layer!

Here is a variation of the pleated flower! For this one, I used a corner rounder punch to create a scalloped strip. Then, I folded the pleats the same way!

And here is the final product! You can add a layer or two on this variation too!

I love making handmade flowers, so maybe I'll have another tutorial soon! 'Til next time!

Spring Has Sprung!

Yowzers, it's getting hot in Texas! And with the rain we've had lately, it's also HUMID!! Not the best weather combination! And did you know that summer doesn't officially start 'til June 20th @ 7:28am EDT?!?! Yeah, I know...I'm full of random facts lately! Anyway...in honor of the Spring season, here's a DT layout for A True Friend Challenge Blog! The theme for this challenge is to scrap your pet's favorite season! Come participate- we'd love to see your layouts!

This layout is based on a sketch by the fabulous Jana Eubank...she's got an awesome blog full of sketches that you have to check out here!

It's getting late, and work awaits me tomorrow! So, 'til next time!!

A Layout and Giraffe Facts

I'm happy that I have another stack of pictures that I can scrap from our recent trip to Colorado. I just love that place! Not sure that I'd enjoy shoveling all the snow during the winter, but it's nice to visit for a week or so! We had beautiful weather while we were in Colorado Springs and got to explore the area....Pike's Peak, Garden of the Gods, Manitou Springs, US Air Force Academy, The Royal Gorge...and here's a layout from the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo! It's based on another sketch by Helen Croft!

That giraffe reminded me so much of the Toys R Us giraffe "Geoffrey!" Don't you just love that totally adoring, goofy look on his face??!! Anyway, that day, I learned that giraffes seem taller in person (18 feet!), have really long eyelashes and VERY long tongues...18-20 inches, to be exact! Can you imagine having a tongue as long as a full term newborn baby?!? LOL! 

I leave you today with those pieces of useless trivia! Have a great day...'Til next time!

Smiles on a Gloomy Day

Rain is predicted here in Texas and I'm having a hard time locating my scrappy mojo...anyone seen it around? I seem to have found a little bit of it, but I'd like to keep it going. Here's a layout that I got accomplished today. Hoping it puts me in a happy, smiley mood and maybe I'll get my scrap on later today!

This one's based on a sketch by the fabulous Julie Bonner. Check out her blog...it's amazing and full of inspiration!

And here's my take on her sketch:

I kinda stepped out of my norm on this one. First time I've used that cool twine, and I'm kinda diggin' it! I'm also usually into the brighter, more vivid colors...but I sorta like these muted tones. Must be the gloominess that's lurking around these parts. Hmmm...

OK, that's it for now, but hopefully I'll be back soon! Thanks for visiting!

April Giveaway Winner!

I promise, I didn't forget about my last giveaway! I was playing in the snow in Colorado! (Yes, in May!!) See?!!!

So, here are the results for my April Heidi Grace Giveaway! The winner is KimR!

KimR said...

What a great LO! I love that little lace detail under the button! I also became a follower.
April 1, 2010 9:35 PM
 
Please send me your addy at v_trias{at}yahoo.com so I can get your goodies out to you!

Scrap A Little Goodies!

Exciting news! Helen Croft's Scrap A Little Ning site is up and running! Come check it out and join the fun! She's got a Scenic Route kit giveaway to celebrate the one year anniversary of her blog! And she's giving away not one, but TWO of these wonderful kits! Here's a layout that I did with this fun kit! Love the bright, fun colors!

In other news on the Scrap A Little front, we've got a May Challenge going on! It's a fun Basic Grey Challenge...use 90% of Basic Grey products on your layout and upload it to the gallery before May 31st. You'll have a chance to win a beautiful Basic Grey collection pack! Here's my DT layout using 90% Basic Grey!

So, as you can see...lots of fun stuff going on at the new Ning site! So head on over and join the fun...we'd love to see you there!!