Large Paper Flower Tutorial with a Spooky Twist

Created with Bazzill Mono Juneberry Cardstock

I'm excited to share with you a large paper flower tutorial perfect for your Halloween party decor! Though this is a Halloween DIY tutorial, the information shared about how to make a giant paper flower can be used all year! 

Supplies:

For Flowers:

• 15-20 sheets of 12" x 12" Bazzill Mono Cardstock - (pictured Juneberry and Pansy)
• Spooky Eye Petal Pattern PDF
• Hot Glue Gun  + Hot Glue sticks
• 6” Cake Cardboard Round
• Dowel sticks (Large- ¾” diameter and small- ½” diameter)
• Scissors
• Distress Oxide Black Soot Ink (Optional)
• Petal Template PDF

For Leaves:

• 1-2 sheets of each color: (pictured Gunmetal Mirror Foil Cardstock, Silver Mirror Foil Cardstock​, Neenah Stardream in Anthracite, Raven Bazzill Mono 12” x 12” Cardstock)

For Eyeball:

• Acrylic Paint
• Crayola Model Magic
• Paint Brush

These spooky flowers can be created with any colored Bazzill Mono Cardstock. Bazzill Mono cardstock is the best because it can be manipulated more easily than the other textured cardstock due to the canvas texture. For this paper flower tutorial, I am using Pansy Bazzill Mono.

Step 1: Creating the Petals. You can use any flower petal template or you can use the PDF templates in this post. I recommend cutting out 8 petals of each size. You may have extras but it is better to have more than not enough.

Step 2: If you'd like, you can ink the petals at this point (optional). ​ This step helps make the petals look wilted and have crispy edges from lack of moisture. Using the Black Soot Distress Oxide ink, brush the ink around the edges of all petals on the textured canvas side. Brush in a circular motion or swipe away from the center.

Step 3: Cut slits into the bottom of each petal.

Step 4: For the X-large, large, and medium petals, use the ¾” in diameter wooden dowel to roll the left and right sides of each petal. Place the petal with texture and ink side DOWN and roll each side toward the center. ​

Step 5: For the small petals, use the ½” in diameter wooden dowel to roll the left and right sides of each petal. Place the petal texture and ink side UP and roll each side toward the center.

Step 6: Place a dot of hot glue onto the left or right tab of a petal. Overlap the other tab on top of the hot glue to elevate the shape of the petal. The more the tabs cross the higher the petal will stand. Repeat for all petals.

Step 7: Glue Petals to Base. The 6” round cake board is for the base. Starting with 4 X-large petals, glue them across from one another to create a plus sign on the edge of the cardboard.

Glue the last four X-large petals into the spaces in between the original four.

Next, glue 4 large petals where the X-large petals meet. Continue to glue the petals where the previous petals meet. If the center is too small or the placement of the petals becomes too tight, you can skip using all 8 and just use four to move on to the next size. Below is an example of what the petals glued together should look like.

Step 8: To create the eyeball center, you will need Crayola’s Model Magic Clay. When dry, the clay is very light and will not add a lot of weight to the paper flower.

Roll a ball of clay to the size of the opening of the center of your flower. You do not need the clay to dry first before painting it. Using acrylic paint, paint in the iris and pupil however you wish. Once the paint has dried, hot glue the eyeball into the center. ​

If you don't feel confident in your painting skills, you can always buy a pre-made eyeball. 

Step 9: Using various textured paper such as Bazzill Bling, Mirror Foil Board and Neeha Pearlescent Paper, create leaves and vines to finalize your flower set. These flowers are great for interior halloween decor.

If you make your own spooky one eyed flowers using this large paper flower tutorial, be sure and share them with us. Tag  @12x12cardstock on Instagram.

-Kathleen