I actually won something!

A few weeks back while surfing YouTube I came across this neat video. It showed how to use empty paper towel tubes and turn them into beautiful flowers, yes I said flowers!

Then around the same time a challenge was posted on the PcCrafter message board to recycle things we would normally throw away into something new, so I decided to try the flowers I saw on YouTube.

I used graphics from "Pansy Garden" by Jane Shasky. I love the colors and graphics and knew they would make a pretty flower. I then added a flattened bottle cap to the centers of the flowers which I added graphics to and sealed with Aleene's Laminate sealer. Oh yeah I sprinkled glitter lightly while the laminate was still wet to make it sparkle :0)

A few tips when making these. I used my Xyron adhesive to apply my paper to the tube, I found using glue made it crinkle a bit and also you don't have to wait for it to dry. When cutting your petals I totally flatten the tube and cut the width I want then I hold it on the remaining tube and make the next cut and so on. You want to make sure all your pieces are the same height or they will be uneven when you add something to the center whether its a bottle cap, button or a cut-out. Once you have them cut out you can just pinch the ends to open them up and make your petals thin or chunky. I used Scotch's Quick Dry glue to glue the cardboard pieces to the paper because its quick and it has a very fine tip because I found out you don't want to much glue oozing out under the cardboard or it makes cutting the paper harder. So remember less is more as this glue holds very well using just a tiny bit. Also us small sharp scissors to cut away the excess paper, dull scissors will not work well especially if you did go a little over board on the glue :0)

And the most important tip I can give you is if you want a hanger for your flower make sure you punch a hole in the top of one of your petals and add your hanging thread/ribbon before you glue the bottom on. Ask me how I know this, LOL!

Ok enough of me rambling on here is how to make them and also please check out all the others that entered this Recycled Challenge as they all are winners in my book and show such creativity using stuff we would normally just throw in the trash.

So go and recycle those paper towel tubes and make some pretty flowers!

Thanks for stopping by