Friday, May 24, 2013

Altered Box and Satin Flower Tutorial!

Good morning, happy Friday, and upcoming 3 day weekend to you! I am trying to get a few gifts made for Cortney's teachers at school.  The end of the school year is quickly approaching!  I found a couple of paper mache' boxes at Hobby Lobby and thought they would be perfect to place a few small items from Bath & Body.  
As you know I am head over heels for these satin flowers. (Since I've practically beaten you over the head with them!) I just can't get enough of them! I have a tutorial a little further down on how I created them. 
I painted the paper mache' box in a pale pink and covered the perimeter of the lid with white lace.  
I added a thin coating of glossy accents to the top and sprinkled glitter over it.  
Once dry, I was able to decorate the lid with a large satin flower, a felt flower, and a few silk flowers I had in my stash. 
I love the variety of flowers and textures on this box.  :)
I want to share with you how I created these flowers that are reminiscent of a peony.  I found this fabulous variety of satin at Hobby Lobby.  I bought a 1/2 yard of each color for about a $1.50 each.  I love the rainbow of colors and decided on a light and dark of each color. 
I hand cut 5 circles in varying sizes. I used the darker color for the 2 smallest or inside layers where the flower would normally be darker. 
You will need a small tea light candle to melt the edges.  I did this in my kitchen near the sink just to be safe! 
As soon as you bring the circle close to the flame, the edges will melt and curl up.  It's pretty cool to watch!
Here are my 5 circles all melted and curled. 
You will cut 4-6 slits all the way around the circle. This gives the flower a peony appearance.  
You want to seal the inside edges by again holding them over the flame.  You just want to hold it there for a second or two until the edges just begin to curl and melt. 
Here is what they look like after the 4-6 slits have been cut and melted. 
Stack your flower.
I also created leaves for my flower by hand cutting a leaf shape and melting and curling the edges.  I took needle and thread to sew the whole thing in the center.  
(Here are a few of my leaves!) :)

I've been experimenting with what to put in the middle of the flowers.  I found these cute silk flower buds at Hobby Lobby and have used these for the centers.  For my box above I used a little Forget Me Not from the Pink Swan Etsy Shop
I have more projects to share with you using these flowers, that I will share next week. :)

If you have any questions please feel free to e-mail me or leave a comment here.  
I hope you all have a wonderful, restful 3 day weekend!

I am looking forward to spending some time with my family! 

6 comments:

  1. This is just so gorgeous.........love your pretty glittery box! And thanks so much for the great tutorial......Beautiful flowers!

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  2. Thanks for sharing the flower tutorial when you are so busy. it's much appreciated! Very pretty! Have a great weekend!

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  3. This is gorgeous, Michelle. Thanks so much for the tutorial. Now I want to rush out and buy satin and I'm still in my pj's. lol

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  4. Thank you for the tutorial...I'll be digging up my box of satin fabrics today.

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  5. Beautiful!
    This looks great!
    I would love for you to share and link up at my TGIF Link Party. The party is open every Thursday night and closes Wednesday's at midnight.
    http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/
    Have a wonderful week!
    Hugs, Cathy

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  6. This is so pretty - a beautiful way to give a gift xx I'm def trying this out x
    ((Hugs)) Suzie xoxo

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Thank you for taking the time to comment! I really appreciate it!