Hey Little Birdie!

So my last feature post about Claire’s “Lemons Into Lemonade” party ideas mentioned my fondness for tissue paper flowers. And since they are popping up everywhere in the blog world as a must-have party decoration, I thought I’d share the easy breezy instructions for making them yourselves. No need to lay down $20 for Martha’s expensive kit- it’s as simple as buying a package of tissue paper in your color of choice, finding a pair of scissors and deciding what you have handy to hold it all together.

Here’s what I started with: 8 sheets of tissue paper, scissors and some floral wire (you can also use string, twisty ties, a staple, whatever.)

Stack the sheets and fold them accordion style. The look will vary depending on how wide you make the folds. I made mine about 3/4 -1 inch thick for this flower.

Then secure the middle of your folded tissue by tying something around it like this:

Next, cut the ends of your paper. I chose to do a pointed end. But a curved, squared or fringed edge would look great as well and totally change the appearance of the flower. (tip: a bunch of flowers in the same shade but with varying edges would look awesome grouped together!)

Then carefully peel apart the tissue layers towards the secured center into a rounded shape. You have to be very gentle so the tissue doesn’t rip and you also want to separate the sheets as close to the middle as you can get to achieve the best look.

It might look funny at first but keep going.

Voila! Instant pretty party!

(another tip: I also make tiny tissue flowers to decorate tabletops, for favors, gift packaging, etc. The basic instructions apply just cut the tissue paper in a smaller size before folding.)

Happy crafting!