{Tutorial} Paper Ranunculus Flower - Free Download!

I am SUPER excited about today's post, and not just because I've been working on perfecting it for the past two days, but because i think I have something truly special to share with you guys. If you've been following my page,  or even if you've poked around a bit, you'll have seen that I have a number of tutorials on tissue paper flowers, and centerpieces, etc. I love tissue paper, and how easy it is to work with. Well, while browsing some of the many websites I frequent, I came across this post in Emmaline Bride that showcased paper ranunculus flowers made by Sunny & Stumpy. They are beautiful! Look at them! And they're made out of paper!

Naturally, my first thought was, I can totally make that! I looked online and was a bit disappointed that there weren't any templates to be found. This meant I was going to have to make one myself. So, I searched for a a good picture of a ranunculus that I thought I could duplicate. I found this:

And a couple templates and variations later, I came up with this:

That's pretty darn close if I do say so myself! And of course, I can't not share! Continue on to find the instructions on how to assemble this beautiful flower, as well as instructions as to how you go about getting the Silhouette template download.

The Template

I've provided free access to this template to all subscribers. To become a subscriber you just need to "Follow" my blog through Google Friend Connect or your preferred RSS feed (you'll find the widget to join to the left of this post), then access my blog feed through your Google Reader or other RSS feed. Each post will have an additional link at the bottom of the post that says "Subscriber Only Downloads and Templates!" Click on this link and you'll be taken to a subscriber only page on my blog where you'll find the download links. One of the many benefits to being a D.I.Y. or Don't! fan!  Template provided when you follow the link in the materials list!

**Note: if you have ANY issues locating the downloads, let me know, I'll be happy to provide you with the link! Also, the full template is provided in .studio format but I've also JPEG  the basic petal shape, which you can use to print in 7 different sizes to create a flower in your desired size. Recommended sizes provided for a 4" bloom.**

How to Make

Materials Used:
Ranunculus Template
4 sheets 65lb 8/11.5" cardstock
Hot Glue
1 Floral Pin
1 Floral Stem
Floral Tape

Instructions:
1) Using the Silhouette, cut out all four pages of petals and sort by size. There are 7 sizes.

2) Prep each flower by sculpting each petal. I kind of "roll" each petal between my fingers and thumbs from the base of each petal to the tip so that it curls inwards and then pinch the top of each petal together about 4 or 5 times. The pinching creates creases. Refer to picture to see what it should look like when you've "prepped" the petal.

3) Once you've prepped all the floweres, take the floral pin and apply a bit of hot glue on the underside of the head. Choose the smallest petal and stick the floral pin through it so that the petals curl around the head of the pin. See photo.

4) Now you're forming the inside center of the flower. Curl all the petals up towards the center, overlapping each petal in an over-under pattern. This means that one side of each petal will be over the petal next to it and the other side will be under the petal next to it. Hold the flower in place and carefully use a dab of hot glue under the overlapping side of each petal and press down so that the petals stay together in their shape. See photo.

5) Placing a dab of hot glue on the underside of the bud you just formed, slide on the next petal. This petal should be the same size as the first petal. Make sure to line up the petals so that the crease that was formed between 2 petals of the first cutout falls in the middle of a petal on the second cutout. In essence, you're attempting to stagger each layer so that the petals don't align with each other.

6) Repeat step 4 for the first 6 petals. After the 6th petal your bud should look like this.

7) The remaining petals undergo the same process, the only difference being where you place the hot glue. In the first six petals you were placing it under the overlapping petals so that the petals would stick down onto the petal next to them. After the 6th petal you'll be placing the glue at the base of the underside of the petal and pressing it up towards the center. Doing this will give the appearance of the flower in bloom and not in a bud form. Continue in the same "over-under" overlapping pattern for each petal. See photo (I apologize for the fact it's blurry, I was having a hard time holding the flower and getting a good shot of the glue).

8) After you've finished gluing your last petal on take your floral stem tape the end of the floral stem and the floral pin together. Wrap the floral tape all the way down the bottom of the pin. The strength of the floral pin adds stability.

9) Et Voila! You have now assembled a beautiful paper ranunculus. Make a few more, or stick it in a bud vase and enjoy!

Where to Buy

Shameless Self Promotion Time! I have added these flower kits to my Etsy shop! You can purchase for self-assembly or add on an assembly package and I'll put it together for you! Check out my shop here :)