I really want to start making paper flowers to put on my greeting cards. I want something big, unique, and fun.  Does anyone do that? I know there are probably a million ways, but I'm looking for ideas and suggestions. And tips! They can't be super thick, because if they're on a greeting card, people still need to be able to mail them.

Ideas? How to's? Tools?

Thanks in advance!

Hi Sarah- long time, no see!  I have to say I LOOOVVVEEE my Sizzix Big Shot, and make a lot of  paper flowers with it- there are tons of flower Sizzix dies.  There are also some great blogs that have tutorials- this one is great: Carla's Scraps 

Personally, I started with flower punches and went from there.  My BFF, who is also a PBS Swappers member, gave me a tip- flip the punched flower over and rub over the petals in a circular motion with a rounded tip, like the tip of a paint brush, from the outside of the petal toward the inside.  It helps to do this on a flexible surface- I use an old mouse pad.  This will give it dimension and make the petals kind of curve downward like a real flower.  Another tip- get an embossing tool- kind of a stick with a ball on the end- it is great for making veining for leaves and petals.  It is illustrated really well here: http://www.carlas-scraps.com/2009/11/poinsettia-punch-art-tutorial.html  I have made these poinsettias before, and they are kind of a lot of work, but they are beautiful!

Hope this helps!  Lesley

I have a large rose stamp that I will use with tone on tone ink and paper - for example, red ink on pink paper.  Then I cut out the rose and mount it on the card, sometimes with cut out leaves too.  Sometimes I just cut petal shapes and stack them over each other in a circle, then put a button in the center.

Have you see this website?  Tons of card ideas, mainly using Stampin Up stamps, but you could substitute anything.

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/

I love stamping and card making.