Have you noticed 3D paper art effects on scrapbook pages and pondered how they were done? Sometimes it takes very little to add a lot to a card or a page. It can seem as though you have spent days making a particular item when in reality, it may only have taken some well-placed presses or a little understanding of how to go about shaping your hand made or store-bought ornaments.
DIY: 3D paper flowers
One of the most useful tools I know for shaping paper flowers is a flower shaping tool. It looks like a flexible stick that is curved on both ends. One end is narrowed, and the other edge has a semi-circle shape that enables you to create your paper flower art. When you purchase a tool, also buy a soft mat (like a more “forgiving” mouse pad) to use when forming your flowers.
If you have some necessary paper punches (hearts, circles), you are in line to make shaped paper flowers. A flower with petals is made up of repetitive shapes. Punch out many hearts to form the petals, then put your flat piece of heart-shaped card stock on the flower shaping mat.
Have you seen that petals have a scanty cup shape towards the core of the flower? Press on the edgy end of the heart and roll the tool to add a cup-like form.
Have you also noticed that many petals have a little lip on edge, or a curved shape? You can create both with a few presses of your tool. Then do the same to all of the remaining petals and gather your flower, using sticky to keep the petals in place. Sometimes it helps to punch out a circle to act as a base to adhere to the petals.
DIY 3D paper leaves
Wanr some 3d leaves? Flat leaves can look beautiful, but adding a 3d element to them makes them look relatively real. To make a pure leaf, pierce a heart shape and cut it down the center lengthwise, then finish scraping the shape into a leaf. You will have a curved end (the stem end) and a pointy edge to your leaf.
If you want rugged edges leaves, cut the edges or shape them with decal edged scissors. If you want a mottled look, now is the time to wipe your leaf with ink or splash it with colors or other paints.
When it is dry, envelop the leaf in half lengthwise, crush the card stock leaf and smooth it out slightly. Again use your paper shaping tool and pad to form a cup-like shape on the curved end and maybe roll the tip of the leaf slightly. You can also create the leaf and ink the edges in the veins and stem lines. I like to use gold ink on the sides of many of my leaves. Then make as many leaves as you want and add them to your layout or card.
If you match these leaves to flat-leaf designs, the contrast can be striking.
