paper flowers!

Another fabulous idea from the lovely Martha Stewart. I check her website all the time for fun little things to make, and I definitely wanted to share this one with you all. I want to make a TON of these flowers and put them everywhere. I just love them :) And of course, this is a fun one to do with the kiddos. I know Andrew will love it- he is a craft-a-holic just like his momma, yay! OK, here are the instructions for you...

Kids' Paper Flowers
Tools and Materials

Tissue paper

Crepe paper

Pipe cleaners

Floral tape

Pinking shears

Barrette

Basket

Ribbon

Hot-glue gun

1. Cut out five 4-inch squares of tissue paper; stack, and fold into quarters. Draw petal shapes along the two folded edges. Cut out shapes, and unfold.
2. Bend one end of a pipe cleaner to form a round nub. Use the other end to pierce a hole in the center of the stack of petals; pull it through to form a stem.
3. At the flower base, scrunch the petals closed so they resemble a loose pom-pom. Wrap floral tape around the bottom inch of the flower's base and down the stem. Pull the layers of petals apart.
4. Cut out five 4-inch squares of tissue paper; stack, and fold into quarters. Draw a quarter circle along the two folded edges. Cut out shapes with pinking shears; unfold.
5. Bend one end of a pipe cleaner to form a round nub. Use the other end to pierce a hole in the center of the stack of petals; pull it through to form a stem.
6. At the flower base, scrunch the petals closed so they resemble a loose pom-pom. Wrap floral tape around the bottom inch of the flower's base and down the stem. Pull the layers of petals apart.
7. Using two different colors and the pinking shears, cut two pieces of tissue (or crepe paper) into rectangles whose lengths are 6 inches and whose widths vary (ours were 2 1/2 inches and 3 1/2 inches). Center the smaller rectangle on top of the larger one, and fold, accordion-style.
8. Pinch the folds in the middle; hook the end of a pipe cleaner over them, and twist it. Fan out the paper until the ends meet. Lift up the small layer to form the daffodil center; trim with pinking shears. Wrap floral tape tightly around the bottom inch of the flower's base and down the stem.
To fasten a paper flower to a barrette, cut the stem to the length of the barrette. Lay the stem along the barrette's top (the bottom of the stem should be at the barrette's opening). Starting at the top of the stem, attach the flower by wrapping with floral tape. If you choose to add a leaf, secure with the floral tape as you wrap the stem. Bend and adjust the flower so it covers the barrette.
To affix paper flowers to a basket, wrap the handle of the basket with ribbon; apply hot glue to the ends. Cut two same-size sheets of crepe paper; measure along the rim from handle to handle, and then measure basket height; adding 4 inches to each. Attach one sheet to the inside rim with glue, and drape over the outside, gathering it into the basket shape. Glue to the bottom. Repeat with the other sheet. Glue on paper flowers.