Craft Day: Book Flowers

Is it sacrilegious to cut up old copies of the Iliad and turn the pages into flowers? NO?

Good, because that's what I did this weekend! I like to think of it as 'rescuing' a book from the Goodwill right? Ok, wink. 

These flowers are sooo easy to make, and are the perfect adornment for all things from present wrapping to office desk embellishment. 

Here's how to make them yourself, in just a few simple steps:

{First, find an old book with typesetting and graphic features you like. The one I chose cost next to nothing, plus I liked the chapter headings and typesetting.}

Once you've chosen your book, (and it's not like you can go wrong on that,) cut three different sizes of what basically looks like a plane propeller:

(Big petal size, Medium petal size, Small petal size)

Here's an example of one piece, which will become two petals (one on either side of the flower)

Once you have cut out 5 or 6 SAME SIZE dual petals, spread them out to make the bottom layer of the flower:

And then get out your needle and some really think coat-button thread, to attach your petals together:

Now ready for layer #2, with a little bit smaller petals.

* A helpful hint is to fold the petals like this to give your finished flower a little extra dimension

After you've cut out and sewn each individual size, then put the three sizes together and sew the three together. Your finished product will look something like this:

Now comes the fun part! You can embellish with a button, and then add to a present:

Or, place your flowers in unexpected places in your home:

Adorn your shutters

Hang from a ribbon in your window

Spice up a centerpiece

Make your desk space extra cheerful

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My inspiration to try this little project for myself came from this image found while inspiration-searching for an office post I'm working on for my friend Meg. 

It's on the ALWAYS INSPIRATIONAL blog 

design*sponge