Ruffles with a Fine Edge
Carnations have a way of turning up at every celebration, from first corsages to Mother’s Day bouquets. Ours trades the florist’s cooler for crepe paper, with soft blush petals that ruffle and fold just like the real thing.
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The secret to a carnation is its edge. Each petal on a real bloom is finely toothed, almost as if someone trimmed it with tiny scissors, and that’s how we make ours. We cut the petals from Extra-Fine Crepe Paper in Blush and run pinking shears along the tops for that serrated finish. A light line of Merlot brush marker along each edge gives the petals a darker rim, and a little Hansa Yellow Shade PanPastel warms the base. Cypress extra-fine crepe wraps the calyx and stem over sturdy floral wire, and Double-Sided Crepe Paper in Ferns/Moss makes the slender leaves. Test the marker on a scrap first, since crepe paper soaks up ink fast and a light touch keeps the edge soft.
The carnation’s botanical name, Dianthus, comes from Greek words meaning “flower of the gods,” and pink carnations have long been given as a sign of gratitude and a mother’s love. They’re also January’s birth flower, so a small bunch makes a sweet birthday gift for anyone born in the new year. Gather five stems in a bud vase, or pair them with our Crepe Paper Mums for an arrangement full of ruffles and texture.
If you’re newer to crepe paper, the video workshop walks through each layer at a relaxed pace, and the printable template or SVG file takes care of the cutting. When your carnations are finished, we’d love to see them. Share a photo in our crafters’ community with #MadeWithLia.
FAQs
Can I make the serrated edges without pinking shears?
Yes. Snip small notches along the top of each petal with detail scissors. It takes a little longer, but the look is just as charming.
Can I make carnations in other colors?
Absolutely. Real carnations come in nearly every shade, so swap the Blush for any Extra-Fine Crepe Paper color you love.
Can I skip the brush marker?
Yes. The marker adds a darker rim, but solid blush petals make a soft, classic carnation.
Can I cut the petals with a cutting machine?
Yes. Use the SVG file with a Cricut Maker or Silhouette Cameo 4, and check our Cricut cutting chart for the right settings.
Paper Flower Garden Master Class
Learn the techniques, shaping secrets, and artistry behind Lia’s most-loved flowers in this immersive master class experience. From delicate petals to lifelike movement, you’ll create stunning blooms step-by-step alongside Lia. Free for Annual and Craft Circle members.
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