Recycling Books - A Guest Post on Tutorial Thursdays Linky Party

Today I have the wonderful pleasure of having Nikki over for a visit.

Let her awe you with her fabulous recycling craft :)

Take it away Nikki

x

Do you have some old books lying around and are just itching to do SOMETHING with them?  Try making these adorable flowers!  The paper are book pages that have been colored using spray inks.  (To see the process check out the post Misted Background.)

Supplies:                                  

• book pages (colored or left plain)
• floral wire
• craft glue
• button, brad or gem for flower center
• floral tape

Tools:

• credit card/glue spreader
• scissors
• pliers/wire cutters
• brayer/bone folder (optional)

To begin with, cut several lengths of wire about 8-10" long each.  You will need 8 or 9 pieces.  Bend and twist each wire to form a petal.  If you want a rose make a short, fat petal.  For a daisy make a long, narrow petal.  Experiment with different shapes and varying the edge of each petal form.

As you make your petal forms, try and vary the size and shape a little.  The smaller petal forms will be the center petals, the larger petals will be on the outer edge of the flower.  If you wish to make leaves, you would make leaf frames using the same method.


Spread an even amount of glue on one side of your book page.  Use a credit card or other tool to ensure you have an even layer of glue on your entire book page.  Place your petal forms on the book pages making sure you leave at least 1/4" between each petal form.  Once your petals are arranged place your second page on top of the flower frames and use your fingers, a brayer or a bone folder to make sure the paper is securely glued together on the inside and the outside of each of your petals.  Allow to dry COMPLETELY!!  I can not stress enough that the paper MUST be COMPLETELY dry.  Not mostly dry, not just a little damp - DRY, DRY, DRY!!! 

 Cutting Semi-dry Flower Petals - A Cautionary Tale

If your paper is not dry your petals will fall apart as you are trying to cut them out and arrange them.  As a result you will then fall apart as well and find yourself in a sobbing, glue covered mess.  The only thing that could possibly save you at this point is a nice BIG glass of wine.  At least, that is what happened to me.

Now that your petals are completely dry cut them out using sharp scissors.  Trim close, but not right up to, the wire frame for each of your petals.  You want to leave about 1/32" of paper (or a smidge depending on how you measure) on the edge of each petal.  Arrange the petals on your work surface from the smallest petal to the largest.  This will help you arrange and place your petals in the flower.

 

Beginning with your smallest petal, began to wrap the wire stems together.  Layer your petals so about 1/4 of the next petal overlaps with the first.  Twist the wire stems to secure then add another petal.  Repeat the process until you have used all your petals, or your flower is as full as you'd like it.

 

Once you are finished wrapping all the petals in to the flower bend and fold the wire in each petal to give them a curved shape.  If you let your paper dry completely up to this point it should go well.  If you did not heed my cautionary tale go wipe your hands, dry your eyes and try again.  (Please don't wipe your eyes FIRST - otherwise you won't be able to see through the gluey mess you have brought upon the world.)

After your petals are wrapped and shaped use a pair of pliers to twist the wires securely together.  This step will ensure your petals do not shift too much, and it will tighten things down so your flower stays nice and tightly secure.  Once your wires are secured wrap the stem with floral tape starting at the base of your petals and working your way down.



Finally, using your craft glue secure your flower center to the middle of your blossom.  I have used a cute grommet, but you could use a gem, a button, a bead, or just about anything of your heart's content.  Get creative!!!

These flowers can be used in jewelry, as accents on home decor projects, as hair accessories and more.  Want to add just one more layer of 'WOW!' to them?  Add a dab of perfume to the petals so you now have a fabulously scented bloom.

Enjoy!!  Nikki Gillette


Nikki has been creating for as long as she can remember.  On her blog My Creative Chaotic Life she shares her art, writing and life journey with her readers.  Living in Northern Michigan she draws inspiration from the beauty that surrounds her, and channels the chaos of daily life into her art.

Visit Nikki at the following places:
My Creative Chaotic Life
CraftyLinkers Art Club
Creating Amidst Chaos - Etsy Store

Thank you so much Nikki for visiting and sharing this amazing craft with us, it was awesome to have you over :)

Don't forget to grab your button if you haven't done so already :)

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If you would like to a guest blogger on Marigolds' Loft please contact me I would love to hear from you :)

xxxxx

And now it is your turn...

Last week's winner of the votes was a tie between these 3 entries:

1. Chocolate Avocado Mousse by Joanna @ Be Creative Mommy
2. Celebrate with Cake by Hannah @ Sew Lah Tea Dough
3. Sunday Brunch by Jamie @ The Koenigs

Congrats :) Your posts were featured here:

Please take a moment and vote for your best link from last week (voting open until Friday 9th August)

Now it is your turn - Link your crafts below!

Rules for todays' Craft Linky Party:

• Firstly, your link must be craft related! 

• Please do not link up goodies which are on other topics. I have a  Sunday Linky Party for Social Media/Blogging Tips and Tricks, if you would like to link up your tips and tricks on this topic you can link them there :)
• Grab my button below and showcase it somewhere on your blog OR create a visible link.
• Do not Link if you are selling or advertising something. 
• Be sure to only link the relevant Blogpost and not your whole blog.
• In linking below you are giving me the permission to use of your image if it is being featured the following week. If I am unable to use your image I can unfortunately not feature you.
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