Flower Power! Make a Paper Dahlia

I love to create and make things especially during the winter time when there is more than enough snow outside to keep me from enjoying my gardens. I was inspired to make a hanging wall flower for my daughter's room. I thought it would be a nice surprise for her and I loved the fact that it could last as long as she wanted. This craft was super simple to make and only required a handful of supplies. It took a couple of hours to complete and the cost was under twenty dollars. The greatest cost being the spray paint.

Photo by Melissa Caughey
For the cardboard backing, I cut a circle from the side of an empty cereal box and I used heavy duty cardstock to create the flower petals. Here is what you will need to get started:

Photo by Melissa Caughey
- cardboard
- cardstock-I used cream colored
- hot-glue gun
- scissors
- tinted spray paint
- garden twine
First you will want to make a bunch of the petals. To make the petals, cut a piece of card stock into a 6" (approximate) square. Roll it and hot glue the edge into place.

Photo by Melissa Caughey
Begin to hot glue the paper petals in a circular fashion on the outer edges of the circular piece of cardboard. Flattening the bottoms of the petals helps to glue them in place. Stagger the petals so that the next layer can sit between the lower petals. Continue working in the same fashion into the center of the flower, building upon the previous lower layer of petals.

Photo by Melissa Caughey
As you move to the center of the paper dahlia, you will cut smaller squares of paper to achieve the more delicate smaller petals in the center of the flower. Next gently flip the flower over and hot glue a bit of garden twine on the back of the cardboard cirlcle to make a loop for hanging. Now it's time for paint!

Photo by Melissa Caughey
Working in a well ventilated area, gently spray the tips of the flower petals with the tinted spray paint. Allow it to dry thoroughly. Once dry, it's ready for hanging.

Photo by Melissa Caughey
For a fun conversation piece and big impact, try making a few of these flowers to display for a unique and three-dimensional wall feature.