Learn to make these easy scrapbook paper flowers DIY to add dimension and texture to your scrapbook layouts from scraps you already have!

I love making my own embellishments for my scrapbook layouts and these scrapbook paper flowers DIY is one of my all-time favorites. They're fairly basic and can be made using die-cut machines and your dies, Cricut cutting machines, or fussy-cut from a pattern.

scrapbook paper flowers DIY hand-made distressed and glazed

Hand-made paper flowers add beauty, dimension, and texture to scrapbook pages.

These particular scrapbook paper flowers DIY are my hand-drawn design - I know, who hand draws anymore? Me. I do. I am so technically-challenged that I just haven't figured out how to design these in any computer designing programs yet. Maybe someday, but for now I'm good with the hand-drawing.

How to hand-draw and make a pattern for paper flowers in Word

Using paper and pencil sketch out a five-petal flower any size
Scan this flower into Word and insert into a new document
Right-click on the boxed flower and Wrap Text - Square. This enables you to move the box around the page freely.
Right-click on the box again and copy it 2-4 times which will allow you to have a three or a five-layer flower when done. These layers will be on top of each other so you will need to grab each one by clicking on it and sliding it off the other.
Resize the layers by grabbing a corner and moving it in or out so they vary from larger to smaller. I prefer my largest layer to be between 3.5" to 4" and my smallest layer about 1.5" to 2" for my scrapbook layouts, however, you can make yours any size you need for your project.
Save this page you've created as a PDF in a file folder on your computer to use over and over again.

Hand-made scrapbook paper flowers DIY add special touches to scrapbook layouts

I don't know about you, but I'm not a scrapbooker who has a goal of scrapping all my photos before I die. I scrapbook my family but it's mainly for me. Oh, they'll get the books eventually, but I scrapbook because it's how I can create art. It's my art. It's an art I can do and I've been told I do it well. I love the freedom to create a scrapbook page my way - no rules, no guidelines. And creating my own embellishments is a big part of that art and paper flowers are just so diverse. This style is only one of so many you can do. I'll be sharing more in the future, but for now lets get back to these.

Here are the supplies needed to make these adorable scrapbook paper flowers DIY

You'll need a paper flower template or cut three-to-five layers using a die-cutting machine or a Cricut.
Detail scissors if you're fussy cutting. Detail scissors are much easier to use for fussy cutting with their fine, thin blades, and their precision tip.
A fine-mist water bottle for spritzing the paper layers.
Distress ink and applicator in your favorite color for inking the flower edges. My favorite and go-to colors are usually Tim Holtz Vintage Photo or Walnut Stain.
A non-stick craft sheet or parchment paper to protect your work surface.
A glazing medium. I often use whatever clear-drying medium is close at hand. This time I use Tim Holtz Collage Medium, but a gloss or matt decoupage medium or varnish will work as well. I always suggest to use what you have.
A piercing tool and mat. I made mine from an old mouse pad that I cut into workable pieces and a push pin.
A heat-drying tool.
Paper Towel

Making the paper flower layers

Step 1: Gather the paper flower template, scrapbook paper scraps, and detail scissors if fussy cutting. Follow my step-by-step tutorial below.

scrapbook paper flowers DIY paper scraps and paper flower template

Gather the paper flower template, paper scraps for flowers, and detail scissors.

Step 2: Separate the flower layer patterns by cutting them apart.

scrapbook paper flowers separating layers by cutting apart

Separate the paper flower templates by cutting them apart.

Step 3: Lay the paper flower template over two-to-four layers of pretty scrapbook papers. Hold tightly in place while cutting around the template with detail scissors. Cut one layer of each size to create one flower. I usually stack the papers and cut two to four at a time to make a few different flowers.

scrapbook paper flowers DIY cutting out layers of flower patterns from paper scraps

Hold template in place on scrap papers while carefully cutting around the pattern.

Giving life to each paper flower layer

Step 4: Once all the flowers are cut use Distress Ink and an applicator to ink the edges of each flower layer.

Step 5: Once all the layers are inked place a paper towel or cloth on your work surface and spread a few flower layers out at a time to lightly mist with water. This makes the paper layers more pliable for scrunching and pinching.

scrapbook paper flowers DIY light mist with water

Step 6: Use your fingers to pinch and scrunch the petals, giving them dimension.

The moist layers are much easier to scrunch and pinch to create dimension without tearing.

Step 7: Use a heat tool to dry any layers that are still damp or let them air dry.

scrapbook paper flowers DIY drying with heat tool

Assembly and finishing touches

Step 8: Dry stack the paper flower layers from large to small with large on the bottom. No need to be concerned with how the layers stack. You'll be able to twist and turn them after assembly.

scrapbook paper flowers DIY dry stack paper layers

Step 9: Place the dry-stacked flower on a pushy pad and use a push pin or piercing tool to pierce a hole in the center. Insert a brad through the top and spread the prongs on the bottom to secure the paper flower layers stay together.

Step 10: Apply a clear coat to each petal using your finger and a glazing, collage, or another clear medium. This helps to stiffen the petals and maintain the beautiful dimension you've created.

Apply a clear coat medium to each petal to help maintain its dimension.

And look what you've accomplished

And now you have your beautiful hand-made scrapbook paper flowers to use on your next scrapbook layout. These also look nice on a decorated canvas! Here's a layout I created recently where I used these hand-made paper flowers. I think they fit the layout perfectly!