Tissue Paper Flowers

I made these gorgeous paper carnations last year. Perfect gift! Or to pretty up a classroom or desk. They're so easy, I might even try them with the kids...

Materials:

• Tissue paper
• Scissors
• 2 large bulldog clips
• Pipe cleaners 
• Coloured marker pen

Fold your tissue paper in half again and again. Find a circular container or lid and draw around it on the tissue paper with pencil. Cut out the circle, holding the tissue paper together, or use a bulldog clip to help.
Keep the clip on your circles of paper and use a marker pen, in a bold complimentary colour, to gently colour the edge of the circles. Make sure to hold the edges together, use the side of the pen and don't push too hard or the paper circles will separate. Try to saturate all the edges for a bold colour!

Once all the edges are coloured, separate 10-12 circles to begin your first flower. Keep the circles together and pierce two holes near the centre, using the end of a pipe cleaner. Fold down around 3-4cms of pipe cleaner, and push the long end through one hole, and the short end through the other hole. Pull the ends all the way through, and twist the ends of the pipe cleaner together under the flower.

To start the petals: Separate the top circle and crumple it upwards from the centre. Scrunch randomly but focus on the base of the petal. Repeat with each circle individually, focusing on the base of the petal.
Done! Make more to create a beautiful bouquet which stays in bloom for months!