How to Make a Paper Rose for Valentine's Day

Grow some Valentine's Day happiness this year with some lovely handcrafted paper roses. A bouquet of the colorful roses make a colorful centerpiece for a Valentine's Day celebration, or a great addition to a Valentine's Day gift bag. You can also create a paper rose for all the special people on your Valentine's Day list.

Things You'll Need

• Tissue paper (red, pink, lavender, purple, white)
• Long green pipe cleaners
• Scissors
• Vase (optional)
• Glitter pen (optional)
• Ribbon in Valentine's Day colors (optional)

Instructions

1. Stack several layers of tissue paper. The more tissue paper you use, the fuller the paper rose will be. Alternate the colors of the papers in the stack so the rose will have a more natural, variegated appearance.

2. Use the scissors to cut the stack in a rectangle. The size of the rectangle will decide the size of the completed paper rose, but 5 inches by 7 inches is a good starting point.

3. Fold the stack of tissue paper lengthwise like a fan or accordion, with the folds less than an inch in width.

4. Place the tissue paper fan on the center of the green pipe cleaner, and twist the pipe cleaner around the middle of the tissue paper.

5. Continue to twist the pipe cleaner together until you reach the end, creating a stem for the tissue paper rose. Pull out some small "thorns" if you want.

6. Pull the individual tissue papers apart, separating and fluffing them as you go. Repeat on both sides, and arrange the tissue paper with your fingers.

7. Create some leaves out of another piece of tissue paper and attach them to the stem. Tie a ribbon around your rose, or make several roses and place them in a vase.