Shabby Chic flower tutorial and challenge

Soo..how many of you have drooled over the new Prima flowers coming out on the market..all the layers upon layers of beautiful fabrics??  I know I have!  But why pay all that money for just a couple flowers when you can make them yourself with your choice of fabric to match your projects!  With just a few supplies that most of us have on hand, you'll be own your way to designing your own little beauties!

Supplies needed:
Sizzix flower die with at least two sizes of flowers ( I use the Large Daisies die..or the Hello Kitty flower die)
Sizzix, cuttlebug or equal cutting machine
3 different colors of synthetic fabric ..think sheers in different textures
heatgun
brads or needle and thread to secure layers
pearls or beads for flower centers
scissors


After you have assembled all your supplies you will need to cut 2 layers each of the 3 fabrics in both sizes to equal 12 layers total.

Next comes the layering. Keep your duplicate colors together and layer the 9 largest ones on the bottom and the 9 smallest ones on top.  Secure all your layers using either a needle and thread or a brad. If you will be embellishing your flower with beads then you should choose the thread option.  I used a brad for mine.

Now its time to heat distress the petals!  Yay!  Using your heat gun turn the flower upside down and start curling the petals towards the front of the flower by passing your heat gun over it a few times in close range to the petals.  The heat will shrink and curl the petals..this is a good thing!  Do the bottom layer first then start working your way to the top layer. While you are doing this you should start pulling the layers apart during the heating process. If you have a pair of tweezers or pliers it would be wise to use them because your fingers can get really hot!

Your flower then should look something like this:

 I have added an adhesive backed large pearl to my center. You have many options here to further embellish your flower. You can use beads, deco brads, flower stamens, pearls, rhinestones..etc.   Now you are ready to use your flower on your project! 

Now its your turn to design your flower. If you don't have synthetic fabric on hand you can use tissue paper instead. You can find packs of colored and decorative tissue paper at your local Walmart or craft store for $1.   When using tissue paper, you will need to cut and layer your flower the same as with the fabric.

Once your flower is layered, start with the top layer and start scrunching up the tissue to crinkle it and give it dimension. Scrunch all your layers working to the bottom layer until your flower looks like a ball of tissue, lol..this is a good thing!  Now start pulling your layers apart and laying them back down. Work your way back to the top layer.

  These look great spritzed with a little glimmer mist..or with glitter added to the edges of the petals. 

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Don't forget to sign into our linky and a link to your flower!  We all love a little love too - so how about a comment?

A lucky participant will be randomly chosen to receive a pack of these flowers to use for your projects!