MOJO MONDAY, Vintage Vogue Friendship & Flower Mum...

We squeezed in a Family Fondue Night tonight!  Yummy, yummy... and I love having everyone together!   It doesn't happen very often with everyone working and going to school nights, so it's doubly nice.

Working my mojo today with the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge!  I decided to use it for my swap cards at my upline's meeting tomorrow night as well.  Two birds, one stone!  I love these little paper flowers.  I've been making lots of different ones lately.  A call this one a Mum.  A free tutorial for the Flower Mum is at the end of the post.

VINTAGE MELON FRIENDSHIP SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – Vintage Vogue (C #117690 $23.95, W #118598 $17.95)
• Card stock – Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, Very Vanilla, Sending Love Specialty DSP
• Ink – Certainly Celery, Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink Classic, Markers
• Ribbon  – Pretty in Pink 5/8" Satin Ribbon (#117289)
• Punches – Scallop Circle (#109043, $15.95), Scallop Trim Border (FREE with $50 purchase)
• Accessories – Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (#102023, $4.50), 2-way Glue Pen, Brad of your choice (won't show)
• Tools – Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Stampin' Up! Textured Impressions Embossing Folder (#117335, $7.95), Sponge Dauber

FLOWER MUM DIRECTIONS:
1.  Punch at least 7 Scallop Circles.  Sometimes I use 8 or 9 depending on the fullness you would like.  I like to use two complementary shades.  Distress edges with darker shade if desired.

2.  Stack your Scallop Circles and mark the middle of the top one.  Use the 1/8" side of your Crop-a-Dile to punch a hole in the middle of all 7 Scallop Circles at once.

3.  Take each Scallop Circle and crumble, pinch, and or squish similar to the picture or in the manner you desire.  You could also run the card stock through the Paper Crimper instead.  Then unfold.

4.  Stack the circles, alternating colors if you are using two shades.  Put a brad through the center hole of the whole stack and secure the back.

5.  Beginning with the top layer, pull the layer up around the brad as shown, while pinching and squishing it together.  Be sure that the fullness is eased all the way around and not just in some spots.

6.  Continue with each layer.  The flower will get larger and larger.

7.  When finished, it will look tight as shown.

8.  Pull and stretch the layers out somewhat until you are happy with the results.


Variations:  

• Try using a larger brad in the center of your flower and let the layers open up or "relax" more for a completely different look.
• Try the Faux Suede technique on the card stock after punching them out, but before assembling the pieces.  This gives the flowers another distinctive look.

 Hope you enjoy your flowers!