About Chantel Simmons
Some girls dream of walk-in shoe closets. Chantel dreams of walk-in craft closets. A former crafter for HGTV, Chantel's now sharing her project plans with you. Check back every Friday as she offers up an easy-to-make or easy-to-bake craft you can give to a friend or keep for yourself.
Fabulously Functional Flowers
make-it session canada
(Aug.20.10)
These chiffon peonies are easy to make and can even double as party favours or wine-glass charms.
What you’ll need:
Chiffon in a variety of shades
Glue gun
Needle
Thread
Buttons/beads
Candle
Tweezers
Branches (found in nature or through your local florist)
Directions:
- For each flower, cut two 4-inch circles, two 3-inchc circles and two 2-inch circles using alternating colours of chiffon. I like to match the largest and smallest circles and use a different colour for the middle layers.
- Using the tweezers, hold a petal over a candle for a few seconds until the edges curl. Repeat process for all petals.
- Stack the petals, placing the smallest petals on top.
- Place a button or bead in the centre, and stitch through the petals to hold in place.
To make the flowers functional:
Use a hot glue gun to secure a paper clip, napkin ring or twist tie to the back of the flower, then use the flowers in your office, at the dining room table, or as a wine-glass charm at a cocktail party. You can also attach the flowers to hair elastics or clips; they make pretty party favours for a baby shower.- Place a few branches in a vase, then clip the flowers to the branches to make a pretty display. If you’re using the flowers as wine-glass charms, you can let guests choose their own flowers when they arrive.
- Alternatively, if you just want to make a pretty arrangement that won’t need water, use a hot-glue gun to glue the flowers directly to the branches.
P.S. This will be my last Make-it Session post. I’ve loved sharing my DIY projects with you, and I hope they’ve inspired you to channel your inner craftiness!
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