How to Make Handmade Lollipop Flowers for Your Scrapbook

Flower accents are a staple of scrapbook design. Over the years, they have taken on many forms and mediums, ranging from hand-drawn, stamped, plastic, metal, chipboard-and of course, papercrafting wouldn't live up to its name without the occasional use of actual paper! In this article, we'll look at an easy way to create cute paper flower accents perfect for your next layout.

1. Choose 3 coordinating pieces of paper. I go for a fun mix of patterns and colors, since the look of these flowers is casual and fun, but you can go as crazy or formal as you like.

2. Hand draw at least 3 circles, large, medium, and small, on the back of each piece of paper. This is important, as you do not want pencil marks marring the appearance of your finished embellishment.

3. Hand cut each circle out. Remember that turning the paper as you cut can give you more control, although letting go of a bit of that control is part of the fun of these flowers.

4. Use an edge distresser or the edge of a pair of scissors to rough up the edges of each circle. This gives the pieces a little bit of texture, and the white edge will help each circle stand out from the other ones it is layered on.

5. Gently crumple each circle, pressing the edges up a little. This gives the flowers some dimension, and adds to the distressed look.

6. Mix and match the patterned layers so that one of each kind of paper is included with each flower.

7. Use a paper piercer to place holes for hand stitching.

8. Stitch an "x" in the center of each flower to hold the layers together.

9. Use just a touch of adhesive in between the layers to further secure the layers together and to ensure that none of the layers pull on your stitching once the flowers are permanently attached to your page.

10. Adhere to your page! These embellishments work well on a variety of pages, but especially those with a casual, fun tone. Lollipop flowers can even work well on masculine pages, especially when used without leaves, as the geometric element of the layered circles doesn't come across as too girly.

Variations:

• Use vellum, felt, or fabric for some or all of the layers for a different look and texture.
• Ink the edges or whitewash the layers to add to the distressed look.
• Use beads, buttons, small chipboard elements, or brads in the center of each flower.
• Add leaves in a variety of mediums, colors, or textures.
• Create flowers with felt or fabric and use to embellish clothing, barrettes, or handbags.