How to Make Cupcake Paper Carnations

Use standard cupcake papers for craft flowers.

The tiny precise folds of paper cupcake paper liners, mimic the zigzag edges of carnation petals. Swirl several layers of liners into a paper carnation with many tightly packed inner petals, just like a real carnation. Paper cupcake liners are available in a wide variety of colors and prints. Mix striped or dotted liners in coordinating colors to create unusual flowers that are perfect for dressing up a gift wrapped in plain paper. Enhance printed gift wrap with an elegant, classic carnation made from plain white paper liners.

Things You'll Need

• 13 pleated paper cupcake liners
• Awl
• Brass paper fastener
• Green tissue paper
• Scissors
• Pinking shears

Instructions

1. Separate 12 paper cupcake liners. Fold each one in half.

2. Stack the folded liners one inside the other.

3. Use an awl to poke a hole in the stack of liners in the center of the fold. Make the hole through all the layers of paper.

4. Thread the pointed prongs of a brass paper fastener through the hole.

5. Flatten a cupcake liner and use it as a pattern to cut a circle of green tissue paper. Cut the edges with pinking shears. Turn the stack of liners over. Stick the tissue paper circle over the prongs so that they go through the center of the circle. Separate the prongs of the fastener to hold the stack tightly together. Turn the stack over.

6. Grasp the folded edge of the top liner and twist it one-fourth turn to the left. This will shape the liner into a ruffle. Twist the next liner one-fourth turn to the right. Twist all the liners in opposite directions, overlapping their edges to create the fluffy shape of a carnation.

Tips & Warnings

• Use double-stick tape to attach the carnation to a wrapped gift.

• Vary the look of the flower by using smaller liners for the top layers.