Altered Punch Flowers Tutorial
With the huge variety of paper punches available today, there's no shortage of beautiful things that can be created with them. Here's an example of giving a flat, punched flower a completely different look just by doing a little trimming and shaping to add dimension.
The design is one of mine that was in the Australian magazine, For Keeps Creative Paper. Sometimes I make a card without wording on the front in case the recipient chooses to frame it later on. This might be a nice idea for Mother's Day... wrap up a pretty frame to give with the card.
The lavender flowers were created with a cherry blossom punch. (Carl Carla/Craft Large Sakura) I used very cool paper from CustomQuilling that has a suede-like finish. It's actually called velvet paper, comes in beautiful, rich colors, and takes kindly to being shaped. 
This picture of a pearlized paper sakura/cherry blossom shows how to make the lavender flowers. The middle punch is the result after trimming away two petals, and the last one, when folded.
Even tiny punched flowers like the burgundy blossoms (five flower corner punch by Punch Bunch) spring to life when they are shaped in the palm of your hand or on a mouse pad. Rub each punchee with an embossing stylus or glass head pin to gently curve it. 
The shine of pearlized paper makes the shape stand out, especially when it's placed against a dark background; in this case, eggplant velvet paper. The quilled teardrops were made with one of my favorites types of quilling paper - graduated color strips.
If you'd like to learn more about creating punch flowers, Denise Cameron of Custom Quilling [the shop is closed] has a great selection of punch art and quilling supplies. She's offered to email a $10 gift certificate to one lucky reader anywhere in the world!
To enter, just leave a comment on this post by the end of Monday, May 3. Please include your email address within the comment if you don't have a blog or website. Earn up to three extra entries by mentioning the giveaway on Twitter, Facebook, or your blog. Good luck!
I love coming to visit because I love paper crafts!!! I am trying to start making my own cards. Hopefully in a few months I will be able to incorporate quilling and paper punches into them.
ReplyDeleteLove the way you used the flower punch! Of course, totally love the quilling!
ReplyDeleteI don't know what I love more, the flowers you created or the paper you chose to creat them with! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThat is just beautiful. I love how you did that with the punched flower and the paper you chose is awesome.
ReplyDeletei relly like the combionation of colors used. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteang_dag@hotmail.com
Very cute flower. I would like to try my hand at paper crafting.
ReplyDeletemelodyj(at)gmail(dot)com
i love love paper crafts, and you always have the coolest ideas on your blog. the punch folding technique is so clever! it's really impressive what people can do with paper punches.
ReplyDeletei will also retweet the giveaway! =)
The flowers created from paper punches give an extra edge to any quilled creations :) Thats a great giveway...Hope I can win it...
ReplyDeleteHere is my blog address : www.manasa-xpressions.blogspot.com
I have also included your giveway on my blog and on twitter too :)
love the punched flowers, so unique! great to see other ways to use supplies!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love that card!!Very beautiful and elegant!! I have very few punches to work with as there is no where to buy them here, but love the idea of a flat flowere for mailing purposes. I make a beautiful flowere with layers of round scalloped punches but would love to get a punch to be able todo these flowers. Great job and idea!!
ReplyDeleteI posted your giveaway on my sidebar! Great tutorial!
ReplyDeleteJust to say thank you to you both, Denise and Ann, for all you have shared, and I'm sure will continue to share. It's forever appreciated! Love it all!
ReplyDeletedana@bluefrog.com
I love all things quilling. I only learned a year ago. It has been rewarding.
ReplyDeleteI just found out I will be a grandma for the first time in Dec. I will be busy quilling for the new baby.
LKPagan@cablemo.net
Oh your items are beautiful. I'll definitely check back often for ideas!! I'm new so I need all the ideas I can get. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful! I love your site, always such nice things!
ReplyDeleteVicki
whatever you make looks beautiful. I so love your style. I have mentioned the giveaway in my blog.
ReplyDeleteI've never used a punch before, but I'm always opened to learn new things. i love your lavender flowers, as well as some of the others on your site. i hope to come back one day and spend more time here--maybe to find some patterns or suggestions. thank you!!
ReplyDeleteKarilyn from PA (USA)
Just beautiful. I love quilling, but am nowhere near as talented with it as you are. Would love to be able to give this project a try. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I love and do quilling I have not seen the cherry blossom punch used before - not even in punch art so I went out and bought one., would love some papers from custom quilling to play with now.
ReplyDeleteI love your work is all things paper and the opportunities you give us to explore other peoples talents too. Thanks.
Jenny (jacooper@ngvemail.com)
I have just bought a quilling book for begginers (well it's for children really...hhahhaah). I love your creations!
ReplyDeletecal_rubies at yahoo dot es
thanks!
Wow-Thanks to Denise for linking your blog and this give away on Facebook. You are so inspiring! I can't wait to try the punches myself. jansie@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteWell I certainly don't need a giveaway to stop by your blog Ann so it is just icing on the cake.
ReplyDeleteI love your work and inspiration...
Cheryl
Love those lavender flowers. I'll have to try it some day
ReplyDeleteI just completed a unit on quilling with my 3rd to 7th Grade students for Mother's Day. It was a challenge for them! I think a "Curling Coach" would really have helped. Pick me, pick me!
ReplyDeleteIntrigued by the idea of using punched flowers in 3D form.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog
It's neat how simple paper can make things so beautiful. I haven't started quilling yet, but it's on my long to do list!
ReplyDeleteI so enjoy reading your blog and getting inspiration and motivation from your blog and the artists whose work you showcase. Thank you so much.
ReplyDeleteI have done some quilling, so I would like to try some of your unique ideas. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the ideas! There are so many paper punches out there, but I find them expensive. I like that with your technique you can get more out of them.
ReplyDeleteMy e mail is angel85qcca (at) hot mail dot com
I loved this post..I have that exact punch and you can bet your boots I will be giving this a try. Thanks for the chance to enter for the giveaway from Denise. I think I am one of her best customers. LOL. Email addy: agengineer@juno.com
ReplyDeleteI felt greedy about entering another contest after winning the origami book, but I feel lucky today! :)
ReplyDeleteI really like the dimensionality of the punched flowers. Thanks for the chance to win this certificate I checked out this website for the first time a few weeks ago and there are a few things I'd love to buy.
ReplyDeleteI love your ideas and would love to win so I can buy more stuff to make as many of your projects as I can!
ReplyDeleteyour ideas are awesome!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is truly a beautiful card. I printed the directions as it will be my first attempt at quilling - your instructions so easy to follow. Thanks a lot.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy you like the idea - have fun quilling!
ReplyDelete