How To: Make Paper Roses

Today's free scrapbooking tutorial is courtesy of Suzanne Sergi. I love Suzanne's blog, it's full of eye candy and inspiration. I spotted this beautiful Valentine's Day piece and asked her to share her technique for making these fun paper roses with us. Aren't they sweet? Here is how you do it:

Step One: Gather Your Supplies
These are the basic supplies, I used to create the glittered paper roses. You will need a hot gun, or glue dots, glitter glue, white glitter, Pebbles metallic chalks, pink cardstock, scissors, and circle punches. You can make them in different sizes with different size circle punches. Now you could freehand your circle, but it is easier to simply punch your size circle, and begin.

Step Two:  Punch Circles
Punch a circle approximately 21/2 inches in diameter. (For the larger roses, I use a 3 inch circle punch.)
Using a natural color cardstock, will allow you to choose any color of the metallic chalks to create a richer color.

Step Three: Cut A Swirl
Begin cutting at any edge, in a swirl pattern. It might help if you drew lightly a swirl pattern onto the cardstock, and cut along the lines. However, you do not have to cut in a perfect pattern. The important step is to begin thin, and end up wider toward the end of the rose. It should look like this:

Step Four: Add Chalk

The next step is to add Metallic chalk to the paper rose. If your paper has a pattern or texture, remember to add the color to this side. The side with the color, will be the outside of your rose. I apply the metallic chalks in a circular pattern. I do tend to just put a bit of color on the inside too.

Step FIve: Roll Tightly
Begin, rolling, ensuring the side with the metallic chalk is on the outside. Continue to roll tightly, until you reach the end. You can use tweezers to help guide you until you reach the center. Remember, while you are rolling to keep the bottom edges flushed.

Step Six: Create The Bloom
You may use a hot glue gun or glue dots, to adhere the center of the paper rose to the very end of the flower.
You now have a beautiful bloom! At this point, I love manipulating the flower, by cutting at various edges, sanding any rough spots, etc.

Step Seven: Add Sparkle
Now this is where you can make your bloom extra pretty, by adding a touch of sparkle. Using a glitter glue, apply adhesive along the top edges of the bloom.
Now pour on the love:

Step Eight: Shake It (Like A Polaroid Picture)
Shake off excess, and allow to dry.

And now you have a beautiful paper rose!