Friday 7 September 2012

Tattered flowers

Hi there
The other morning I was sitting feeling pretty uninspired and couldn't quite get myself going; I know we all have times like that. Still, I didn't want to mess any of the stuff I was sort of working on up, neither did  I want to waste what time I had..... So I made flowers; quite a few actually. And as a bonus, because I was sort of casual about it I took photos along the way so you can do them too if you like.
Be warned though, If you don't like inky hands then wear gloves. It took me about 20 minutes to clean off my hands with a craft scrubby!

So here goes
To begin with you will need, Tim Holtz Alterations Tattered Floral Garland strip die, white card, Dylusions inks, small brads and water in a spray bottle.

So, I cut around 6 - 8 strips and popped them out giving me a nice pile to work with. Pop the leaves to one side as we won't  use them now.
 Then just start making flowers and fastening them together with a small brad. Be creative and combine different combinations and sizes. Aim for diversity!


Once you've done that then take a selection of the flowers and using a Dylusions stamp, stamp quickly onto the flowers.

Then, working in batches of say 4 - 5 flowers take your water bottle and spray liberally with water, don't be shy.


Follow this with a couple of sprays of Dylusions inks from experience I would suggest only two colours otherwise you end up with a dull green anyway (been there, done that!)



 Once you've done that, then scrunch them up into little soggy balls. Remember that they will be pretty fragile so take care with them. Using a pick/poky tool begin to carefully open them up.


Once you are happy with the look then carefully set aside to dry. I'd suggest leaving them overnight. Once fully dry they are not as fragile so easy to work with.


So, now you've made your first few; your hands are mucky anyway so you may as well carry on like I did..... there are 44 flowers here from one session. Different sizes and styles make them interesting I think.
That's why I really like this die. Endless possibilities and combinations from just the one die. You'd pay good money for these is you saw them in a shop but I think there's something really satisfying about making them yourself; and you can never have too many flowers......





Right. Hope you liked that, now I can find something to add these to!
Have a fab day guys

15 comments:

...the yorkshire fox... said...

...what a gorgeous rainbow of colours Neil, there is nothing quite like a big batch of flowers to bring a smile, great step-by-step too, thanks for sharing I will give this a go over the weekend if my dylusions arrive...have a super weekend...Melxx :)

ARTfulWings said...

Great tutorial and a lovely range of flowers - so satifying making them yourself :O) Polly x

Julia S-W said...

Wonderful step by step and right up my street because I love flowers and dylusions. I will be having a go at this. Enjoy your weekend.
Julia

Beryl said...

Thanks for this. I'll bookmark the page in my 'inspiration' folder.Fabby flowers.
Beryl xx

Sue said...

Two of my favorite people, Tim and Dyan and the genius of combining their products! Great flowers and tutorial, Neil.

Dee in N.H. said...

Love the flowers and the great tutorial too!

Jennie Atkinson said...

Great step by step tutorial and gorgous colours. I've got the die, just need the sprays!! Thanks for some great inspiration.

Irene said...

What a great idea!!DGS will be here soon and I won't be able to get in my craft room so i'll get all the bits&bobs to make some!!!

nikkib said...

Love the colours and think that's a great idea, have a batch flower making session... thats what I'll be doing over the weekend.....

Mrs A. said...

Didn't you just know someone would count em to check. Yep 44 as stated!!! Gorgous colour range.
Have fun creating a project ot put them all on. Mrs A.

ShazInOzCardsCalligraphy said...

what a fab post Neil... and have shown another of dad's painting in my post today, v]called "Consider the Clouds".
I love the dylusions one too above this but the stages shown here are great, thanks for taking the time! Shaz in oz.x

Carol Q said...

oh niiiiiiiiiiiice! that's my task for tomorrow.

Jenny Marples said...

Great flower tutorial here Neil. Love that garland die set. Hugs, Buttons x

Vicky Gould said...

Wonderful tutorial; wonderful flowers, TFS!!!

Mary said...

They are stunning!