Crepe Paper Poinsettia

These can be ideal for embellishing wrapped gifts or fastening to a tree.

What you will need:

• Pink, green, and maroon crepe paper
• Scissors
• Floral wire
• Floral tape
• White glue

Instructions for the project:

To make both the small and large petals you can use a template or simply cut out by hand. You will need 4 to 6 small petals and 10 big petals out of the pink crepe paper; and 1 or 2 big leaves out of the green crepe paper. Cut out all shapes. To make the center buds, cut three 2-by-1/2-inch strips of maroon crepe paper. Holding 1 strip vertically make a fold about 3/8 inches from the top; fold down the corners of this portion to form a point. Use your fingertips to then roll point into a ball while tightly twisting the stem. You can repeat this to make the other buds. Attach each of the buds to a 12-inch piece of floral wire with floral tape, stretching the tape slightly to make it adhere. Be sure to wrap floral tape around top of wire twice. Now you can add the petals, beginning with the small ones, by wrapping tape around the base of each and then adhering it to the wire stem. Continue adding the larger pink petals, then the green leaf or leaves. Be sure to wrap tape around a few more times, working your way down the stem. When finished gently fluff and shape leaves with your fingertips. Carefully cut pieces of floral wire that are two inches longer than green leaves. You can then affix wire to the underside of each green leaf with glue, allowing excess wire to extend below the base. Let dry about 10 minutes, and then attach the loose ends of wire to the flower’s stem using floral tape.