I don't know about you but I am absolutely loving that Spring is coming. The mornings are brighter, the birds are chirping and buds are starting to form in the garden.
On my recent dog walks, I noticed that some daffodils have already bloomed and this got me very excited.
As I started my paper flower journey in January 2022, one of the first paper flowers I created was actually paper daffodils. At the time I was so incredibly chuffed with how they turned out as I was new to the art of making paper flowers; therefore every flower I made was the absolute best. Looking back now however, they were not my finest work.
To create my paper daffodil, I first designed a template on Cricut. I look at how paper flower artists and used their work and designs for inspiration, instead of using the real flowers themselves.
The picture below is my first paper daffodil. Cute right?
My second encounter with paper daffodils came this time last year, so 2 years later.
I was in the middle of creating a window display for Laings Jewellers in Glasgow and Edinburgh and I was creating a wide variety of paper flowers for Spring. This time I was using Italian crepe paper. I wasn't sure where to begin as I had never made one without my Cricut machine before. I looked for inspiration in one of my many paper flower books and sure enough, daffodils were featured.
According to the book, I was to use Doublette crepe paper. Something I had never heard about. In true Cat style, I thought f**k it, how important can it be?
Well to this day, I'm not entirely sure as I still have not tried and tested it, but I did create a range of paper daffodils using my trusty 180g Italian crepe paper.
As with my previous paper daffodil, I was completely chuffed with the results. It was the first time I had made them using crepe paper and they looked super cute. I thought they were perfect to add to the collection I had made for the Laings window display, but I still felt like more could be done to improve them.
Now, 3 years on from my very first paper daffodil, I decided to try something a little different.
When it comes to making my paper flowers, I find the best way to learn is by using the real flowers and studying their composition.
On one of my dog walks, I noticed those gorgeous daffodils starting to bloom, and I cheekily stole one.
I deconstructed it piece by piece and analysed each element. I wrote down my findings (something that I never do), and also drew round the petals to create my own templates.
I then used the skills and knowledge I have learned along my paper flower journey to create my own paper daffodil.
I am absolutely delighted with how it turned out, and I am really proud that I was able to create something that truly reflects the beauty found in nature.
I think I will still make some more improvements to my paper daffodil as there are many varieties yet to explore, but for now, I am happy to let this one sit and bloom all year round.
Let me know what you think in the comments.
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