Grunge Paper Roses - Tutorial

A couple weeks ago, I took a class at my local scrapbook store (Craft Fancy in Arlington Heights, IL) and learned how to make paper roses from grunge paper. I showed off my creations on the Cricut Message board and many asked how to make them, so I'm going to attempt to do a tutorial. I never considered myself a teacher, but with a Cricut class under my belt, and showing my mom a few things lately, maybe I can teach! If you read through these instructions, and something is not clear, or if you have any questions please contact me. There is a link to the left of this post where you can send me an e-mail. Here goes

First, let me tell you about Grunge paper. It is similar to the Tim Holtz Grungeboard, but it is thinner and has a smooth side and a very slight texture to the other side. It comes in 12 x 12 inch size and can be purchased on line. I purchased it at the local scrapbooking store.

Next, you'll need a template of a 5 petal flower. I had received a template from the class, but I found a great shape on the Cricut. I wanted to make different sizes so I looked through my Cricut shapes and found a 5 petal flower in the Plantin Schoolbook cartridge. But I had to use Design Studio to omit the opening in the center of the flower. (the shape is on page 76 with the Roly Poly Creative Feature selected and with Design Studio, deleting the inner circle). If you don't have Design Studio, there are punches available with a 5 petal flower.

Step 1 Cut 3 flowers from grungepaper.

Step 2 Color the flowers. You can use acrylic paint, or alcohol inks but today, I used the reinker for the Tim Holtz China Blue Distress Ink. I used a makeup sponge and dabbed the ink on one side, let it dry to the touch and then inked the other side. Let it dry thoroughly, as it will take awhile to dry. Using alcohol ink will shorten the drying time. Acrylic paints dry pretty quickly also.

Step 3 With a pencil, place a small mark in the center of each flower for reference.

Step 4 - Make a cut in the first flower, cutting out one petal, using the pencil mark as point to cut to. With second flower, cut two petals out. In the third flower, make one cut to center point.

You will then have 5 pieces....one petal, two petals, three petals, 4 petals and 5 petals.

Step 5 - Curl the edges of the petals. In the class, we used a embossing tool to curve the petal edge of the piece around the metal part of the tool. If you don't have this tool, you can just roll the edges of the petal under. The TOP is the smooth side of the paper (the textured side will be the underside of the flower)

Step 6 - Gluing the edges. Starting with the smallest (1 petal) piece, roll it lengthwise, like a cone, with the points of the petal overlapping. I used a very small dab of gel superglue. It was the only adhesive I used that held. In the class we used glue dots, but I did not have luck with glue dots as the edges kept coming apart. I also tried Zip Dry, but the superglue gel (I used the gel as it did not drip all over) was the best hold. This is what the layers will look like when glued.

Step 7 - Using small tipped scissors, clip out small circles in the bottom of the layers 1 - 3. Make the holes gradually larger from small to large layer, so that each layer fits into the next layer.
Step 8 This shows how the layers will fit together. The picture on the right shows the one petal shape inside the two petal shape. Using Aileen's Paper Glaze, put a small amount on the bottom of the first two petals together, then add the next layer (three petal shape), fit them together, and repeat process with the remaining layers. Paper Glaze takes a long time to dry, so don't put too much. Apply just enough to go around the bottom of where the layers meet.
Once all glued together, this is what it should look like. (s0rry, the pics are a little fuzzy) You can leave the flower upside down to dry.

This is a picture of the finished product.

Here is a picture of several flowers I've made already. They are so much fun to make. I've made them with 1" flowers up to 2" flowers.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and if you are so inclined, please leave a comment!

Thanks for stopping by. Have a great week!

Koala-t hugs,

Cathy