Quilling. Is. Awesome.

My mother-in-law, Becky, is always into something new. She is interested in everything and anything! Every time I see her she introduces me to some new craft idea. A few years back, she told be about a long, lost art form known as quilling (or paper filigree). I instantly fell in love! Oh, the delicacy... the challenge... the possibilities!

Quilling involves rolling strips of paper into shapes and gluing them together to make a design. You can make anything from cards, christmas ornaments, Jewelry, scrapbook embellishments...the list goes on and on! Here are a few of my Quilled creations!

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Quilling paper can be bought or made. You can purchase the paper at most craft stores like Hobby Lobby and Michael's. It comes in 1/8th inch wide and 1/4 inch wide and comes in a variety of colors. I personally like the 1/8th paper.

There are a few ways you can make your own paper if you don't want to purchase it. Make sure your paper is 'acid free'. Acid free paper will not yellow with time. The first way to make quilling paper is with a precision paper trimmer. My trimmer is measured out in 1/8 inch increments, so I just move the paper along 1/8th inches at a time and cut.

The second way is with a paper shredder. I found this little shredder at Dick Blick's for a few bucks.

Besides your paper, there are a few other tools That come in handy while quilling. These tools aren't necessary for a beginner, but are really useful and worth the money if you intend to make this a regular hobby. The first thing you need is the actual quilling tool. It is a stick with a slotted end. The end of the paper is threaded through the slot which helps to keep it in place as you twist. If you do not want to purchase one you can just use a toothpick to twist the paper on. The second tool is a quilling board.

A quilling board is made of thick foam or cork and has a plastic template on the top in which there are different sized holes. After twisting your paper into a tight coil, remove it from your quilling tool and place it in the desired size circle. Let go of the coil and the paper will open up and fill the hole you put it in.

The quilling board helps your shapes stay consistent and uniform. If you don't have a quilling board, let the coil slowly open up in your fingers until the desired size is achieved. Other than the Quilling tool and the quilling board, you will also need clear drying glue, tweezers, and a pins.

Quilling may sound intimidating, but I promise it can be really easy and fun! One of the easiest things to make is a flower. Here's the how-to : )

For this flower you will need 2 colors of quilling paper. One color for the petals and one color for the center.

1.) With your petal color, cut 5 12inch pieces.

2.) With your second color, cut 1 6inch piece.

3.) Grab a 12 inch piece and twirl into a tight coil.

4.) If you have a quilling board, place the coil into a 1/2 hole and let it open up and fill the hole. If you don't have a board, slowly let the coil expand in your fingers until it is about 1/2 inch wide.

5.) With your tweezers, grab the outside of the expanded coil.

6.) With a pin, place a small amount of glue onto the outside flap of the coil.

7.) Glue the flap onto the coil and place the coil back into the hole it came from. Repeat this step 4 more times until you have 5 circles total.

8.) After the glue dries for a few minutes, you can handle the circles. Grab a circle and pinch one end between your fingers so that the shape resembles a petal.

8.) Do this with all of your circles.

9.) Place a small amount of glue on both sides of the pinched end of the petals and glue together to form a flower.

10.) Twist your 6 inch piece of quilling paper into a coil and release the coil slowly in your flingers letting it only get slightly bigger. Glue the end of the paper onto the coil and add glue to the bottom. Place inthe center of your petals.

And this is just the beginning! There are so many fun and interesting designs you can try!

If you want to know how to make other flowers, shapes or objects, let me know in the comment section and I will gladly show you how : )

I hope you enjoyed this "Crafty Creation"! Don't be intimidated--you can do this!! Just give it try!

*Jes*