Video Workshop: Frosted Paper Peonies in Plum
Purple Reign
Allow me to reintroduce this next project: these new and improved Frosted Paper Plum Peonies! Tune into my live tutorial on February 28th at Noon PT right here on our site and on YouTube where I’ll show you how to make these purple beauties for yourself! I designed this flower ten years ago (I can’t believe it’s been that long!) and I knew they’d be stunning after a frosted paper makeover. These elegant flowers offer something a little darker for your spring decor, but they’re certainly no less lovely than the pastel blooms that dominate the season. Looking for more peony inspiration?
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These Frosted Paper Plum Peonies are very beginner friendly. Even though she may look like a complicated show stopper, the techniques we’ll use are surprisingly simple. These plum peonies come together effortlessly and I’ll break down each technique so you feel confident as you create. You don’t need to be an expert to make beautiful things for your home — just a little creativity and the right materials.
Peonies are deeply meaningful across various cultures. Known as the “King of Flowers,” peonies are celebrated for their large, fluffy petals and vibrant hues, much like the frosted plum petals we’re working with today. In Chinese culture, they symbolize prosperity, good fortune, and wealth, making them the perfect addition to your Chinese New Year celebrations!
Our frosted paper gives each petal of these Plum Peonies a soft, delicate finish. However, the real beauty of these flowers comes from a printed watercolor wash technique, which creates a stunning depth and variation in color — just as if mother nature was holding the brush. Additionally, the rich, plum color of the petals is absolutely mesmerizing. This deep, luxurious hue brings all the drama, and is perfect for ushering in the coming spring while embracing the very last bit of winter.
You can pre-print your metallic paper by trimming it down to letter size, then print the plum watercolor wash design (see downloads below) on both sides of the paper. You will need three sheets of paper for each flower. In addition, you can add a green wash to both sides of one sheet of frosted green paper for a gorgeous effect.
Once your Frosted Paper Plum Peonies are complete, you’ll want to show them off in style! These beauties are so versatile — they can be arranged into a stunning bouquet or you can add the stems to punch up your other arrangements. However you choose to style them, we want to see your vision for these Frosted Plum Peonies. Post them to your Instagram with the hashtag #MadeWithLia, or upload into our crafters’ community. See you soon!
A Beginner's Guide to Frosted Paper Flowers
This master class can help you gain paper flower design roots and learn to make sculpted flowers with text-weight frosted paper. This course is free for annual members.
Tools
Materials
- Materials Bundle
- - OR -
- Lia Griffith Frosted Craft Paper –Citrus Pack, Berry Pack and Succulent Pack
- Thick Stem Wire
- Floral Wire – 18-Gauge Paper Covered Green
- Floral Tape or Extra-Fine Juniper Crepe Paper
- Bearly Art Precision Craft Glue
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Discussion
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Leave a Commentcan this pattern be made with crepe paper
No, I would not use it for crepe paper. The petal groups would not align with the crepe lines of the paper and you will have floppy petals. However we do have some gorgeous crepe versions that you can make in plum. https://liagriffith.com/?page_id=81363&preview=true
When I downloaded the cut file only the petals were shown. The leaves and center did not appear. Is this a problem on my end?
That is very strange. I just looked at the file again and everything is there. When you upload the image, in the first visual you see, are there 6 petal sets along with the leaves and stamen? Let me know and we can trouble shoot this.
Your flowers look more red to me. The wash looks more red when I opened it up but when I printed it on the berry pack the first color it just looks darker purple grey black. I checked my color cartridges and they are good to go?
I am going to say it really depends on the printer for the color. The red will be gorgeous too!
Beautiful flower. When I look at a picture of the flowers, my eye is automatically drawn to the white edges of the petals. Is there anything that can be done about this?? I know they have card stock that has color even in the middle of their sheets. Thanks.
Hi Helene! Great attention to detail! You can run a marker along the edge of the paper to mask that white edge. Yes, unfortunately the frosted paper has a white core.
Why do I need to sign-in in order to receive THE freebie?
Hi Linda. You are a member so just log in your membership and you can find everything here. The whole site is available to you as a Craft Circle member. We are here to help you navigate so reach out anytime you have questions. 🙂
Can you give a little more info on prepping the paper in advance – what kind of printer and settings you are using. As well, is there a chance you could do a 12×12 color wash file? I know maybe most people don’t have the printer capacity but for those of us who do we could use the paper more efficiently. Also, can you use any color from the berry pack? Thanks so much – this looks like a really interesting project.
I am using a laser which does not print onto the 12×12. I printed the same color wash onto both sides of the paper. Of course this is completely optional, but I think it looks gorgeous. You can use any of the colors from the berry pack, yes. I even mixed them in one flower.
I have added 12×12 color wash for you. Tell me how it works. We no longer have an inkjet in the studio (maybe need to get one), but I have had good luc printing on the frosted paper in the past.
Thanks so much! I will try it out soon!
Are there any instructions with this project?
I will post them after our live event! Hope you can join us. 🙂
Is there a pdf tutorial for this flower?
Yes! We will add the tutorial with the live video event. Hope to see you there. 🙂
I love this flower. I was wondering if it would also work using felt?
I do not think this would be a good template for felt because the petals are so large and they have a lot of shape created through paper curling. Here is a template for a felt peony template that could work in this color palette. https://liagriffith.com/felt-coral-charm-peony/
clicking the download link shows *.htm
It should be working now. 🙂
I downloaded your cut file #M22777745 and cut all pieces with my Cricut. However, I am totally lost because there are no assembly instructions for this flower. Can you please tell me where the instructions are for this?
Thank you…Carla
Hi Carla! Please email us at hello@liagriffith.com with the name of the flower and/or a receipt so we can help you. I’m not finding anything for the cut file number you mentioned here.
Hello,
Can I ask what camera do you use for your photos? They are stunning!
Thank you! I use a Canon 5D Mark III and a 50mm fast prime lens.
Hi there I’m trying to download the SVG file but when I click to download the SVG just bunch of numbers and letters come up – why –
thanks
What browser are you using? we just tried it on both a PC and a mac and it worked. Please email us at hello@liagriffith.com and we will be happy to help you troubleshot
Hi! First time making paper flowers. Can I do these on cardstock and still get the same effect? I’m making lots for my wedding so any budget friendly material suggestions would be much appreciated!
Yay! I highly recommend text weight paper– cardstock just doesn’t curl and keep shape the same way. Text weight is generally less expensive anyway 🙂
I love this flower. This has motivated me to subscribe and become a member. I cant wait to make the flower. Do you know where i can find the gold paper you used to make the center? Thanks so much and cheers to more paper flowers …btw I am a new cricut machine owner.
Welcome Edith! The gold paper is available here 🙂
Hi Lia! I’m really happy making all these beautiful flowers! I’m from Colombia and my favorites are the roses, camellias and gerveras. However, I’m having trouble with the florist wire. Can you please recomend which one should we buy? Which gauge is the best to work with? I’m using 18 gauge wire but it seem really difficult to curl, and in my local store Ican find 22 and 24 gauge, but I’m afraid it could be weak to hold the flowers.
Regards
Martha
Hi Martha! We use jewelry needle nose pliers to curl the end of our 18 gauge wire. You could try using 22, but it just won’t be as sturdy.
Hi Lia,
I would like to say that I am truly enjoying your website. I just got done with doing the Spider Mum Bouquet. So pretty…
Right now, I have downloaded the Paper Peony, although I am having some difficulty with the Water Color Wash Prints, You had mentioned earlier that they download as a Zip file. Mine downloaded as a JPEG image. What is even stranger, is that I am unable to open them.
Do you have any suggestions?
Monica
I’m so glad you’re enjoying the site! But that is strange you’re unable to open the Jpegs! I double-checked my downloads and was able to open them without a problem. Perhaps you could try using a different web browser?
These are more beautiful than WORDS!! (too excited as I type). I so want to make them, but a laser printer is not in my future. Can I assume I can just make them with the metallic paper without the color wash printed on them? thank you!
Yes! You can make them from a colored paper, but, use a text weight not card stock. Softer petals. 😉 We always suggest that people can go to FedEx Office or someplace similar for laser prints.
I am having a hard time making these. I am generally pretty crafty…but feel like I am missing pieces or missing some important step.
The SVG only has 2 petal types/sizes. One is the dual petal (there is 3) and the other is the 5 petal (there are 3 there too….)
Your tutorial says 3 of each petal. So that means to cut 1 time, via the SVG file, yes? For once, in my craft cricut life, I am lost! 🙁 Help!!
These flowers are stunning.
That is odd. I just opened the SVG and the petals are all there. Can you zoom out and see if there are more petals off the screen. Sometime the import really big which is a glitch that usually gets fixed fairly quick over at Cricut HQ.
Hi, I just found your website. Im a very crafty person. I love making crafts for others to help cheer them up. Its a gift from God. Im excited to try some of your flowers! They are just gorgeous! Kimberly Heller
I am so happy you found us! We have the same feeling that it is our job to share with others. . . hugs. Lia
hi lia! I just found your website and I cant wait to make these flowers!! I don’t understand how the cricut explore air machine will help me in making this flower, can u explain?? howdoes the machine work?? hoping for a response asap!!!!!!
what did u write abt laser printing on the mars a plum watercolor wash?? I cant open the download. can u explain?
The watercolor washes are zip files that you can download and save to your computer. You can then print the washes onto your colored papers and it adds some nice visual texture that mimics real flowers 🙂
You simply have to download and save the SVG cut file onto your computer, and then upload it into your Cricut Design Space so that your Cricut cutting machine can cut the designs out for you perfectly!
How long does the paper generally last before it starts to uncurl? I’m just trying to decide whether I should wait until closer to the wedding date to curl them, or if I could go ahead and complete them.
The paper should last without uncurling. Of course you could give it a bit of a touch up just before the date, but they should be fine if you work on them now 🙂 Congratulations on your upcoming wedding!! I hope you feel inspired by some of the wedding designs that I have on the site!
How do you think I can make this look more unbloomed?
I would say to glue the petals tighter or maybe even leave a few out. Best of luck!!
Why does it have to be laser printer? I can’t imagine going to fedex to get these printed..
You can try your inkjet printer. I am not sure the metallic paper will hold ink unless it is laser, but you can use a regular colored paper too.
I’ve been using an inkjet printer all along, just got a laser printer today (yay!)
I will say that the Inkjet worked fine with the metallic paper. If it’s projects that require a lot of fiddling, you’ll notice the ink start to come off on your fingers. I think it doesn’t quite adhere as well as the laser would. But it’s never been an issue or noticeable.
Congrats on your new printer!!
I can’t wait to make these! In the pictures it looks like there is a watercolor wash on the leaves as well? Do you have a download for that? Thanks for all the awesome ideas!
I just added it for you. 😉
These are beautiful! I made your paper roses & they were gorgeous! Can’t wait to make these for fall!
What color paper did you use for the yellow in the middle of the flowers?
I used gold paper:-)
Is that gold from paper-papers? What weight?
Yes, we used text weight:-)
These are absolutely stunning. I don’t have a laser printer (I’m imagining some workarounds) but ……I do have a lovely new Explore Air and that is mostly because I had so admired your gorgeous flowers on Pinterest etc. ‘You made me do it, Lia’! And I’m so happy you did! Thankyou for your inspiration and generous shares.
Thank you so much, the possibilities are truly endless now:-)
Oh–one more thing. When you print these from Cricut (which I did) did you use 12×12 paper or 8.5×11??? I know you usually use 8.5.11–or at least I do for roses.
xoxo
Susan
I used 8.5×11″ paper.
Hi Lia–
You KNOW I CAN”T WAIT to make these flowers. I actually made a “prototype” from some too heavy cardstock to give it a try. I went to Paper-papers and couldn’t locate the colors. They have Violet, but not Plum. Do you know the exact colors for the red as well? I have to say, I’ve been printing my own papers for my roses on the office color laser printer —SHHHHH!!! don’t tell!!! They come out perfect every time, but I can’t really do a metallic on the the printer.
Thanks again and I can’t wait for more!
xoxo
Susan
I listed all the colors in the post with direct links to them on Paper-Papers to make it really easy:-) We used ruby, mars and botanic. On the mars paper we printed the plum watercolor to give the flower more dimension. Yes, the cardstock is a bit to heavy:-)
Thank you for sharing your patterns. Where do you get your paper from?
I get my paper from Paper-Papers.com 🙂
Oh Lia!
I can’t wait to try these!! I think I’ll add them to my Thanksgiving arrangement. Beautiful!!!
Xoxo
Susan
They would look gorgeous for Thanksgiving, I am just in love with that plum color:-)
Hi Lia,
what a wonderful tutorial for a wonderful flower (by the way, my favorite flower)!!! I love the colors! Great!
Thank you. I also have a sweet spot for peonies:-) Such pretty flowers, but since they are out of season here I am happy that I have some paper ones to enjoy until next June.
As always, awesome Lia. These are so striking, rich colors are quite lovely to look at after summer lights. Myself I love jewel tones. Even aqua’s I have in living room are deeper tones. They don’t tend to disappear in the room. Such gorgeous flowers. Will be making these. Working on some others right now, look forward to seeing what you have in store for us talented lady. Thanks for sharing all your genius creations.
I’m considering buying a cricut but hesitating as if I’d have to buy lots of other things to use it just can’t do that. Want to be able to help our grand daughter going to college with some extra money and our grandson who goes to college in Lexington, KY. I Know his Dad sends him money if he needs it and grandson worked with his Dad in Palm Springs this summer to make fun money but we want to help him out also since he is such a great young man and excellent student.
Have great weekend Lia and team
I am a huge believer in supporting our kids to go college so good for you. I love my Cricut, if you are considering getting one definitely get the Cricut Explore. There might be a few tools that you would wants as a scrapper and weeder (mats and blade of course) for iron-on and vinyl but other than that I don’t feel like I have bought any extra accessories. My Cricut Explore in Teal at Michaels come with a mat. Although I do use the light grip (blue one) with paper. Hope you also have a wonderful weekend! And thanks for all your sweet messages:-)
Thank you so much Lia!! They are wonderful and I also love the colors.
Thank you so much, I am in love with the colors. It has been 90+ in the last month and I am dreaming of Fall. Can you tell;-)
Thank you so much Lia!!!! Your flowers are absolutely amazing!!!
Hugs from Belo Horizonte, Brasil.
Thank you. I have been really busy in the last couple of weeks making paper flowers so lots more coming on my site:-)
Is there a tool you use to shape the petals or do you just use your fingers? I find that’s where the magic…or lack thereof in my case!…really is!
I used an edge of a pair scissor, or you could use your Cricut scraper to curl it.
My oh my, I can’t begin to describe how beautifully stunning these are. To my cricut I go to make me a bunch!!!
Yay, thank you! Happy crafting!
Lia – these are works of art!
<3
Pia
Thank you, have to say they have already become a showstopper in my dining room.
Thank you for this one Lia ,it is awesome and looking forward to making it .
Sue x
Happy crafting! I just love the colors:-)
Liaa ! These are gorgeous!! Im going to make them ASAP. Can you tell me which color paper you used for the center ?
THANKS! regards from DR! HUGE FAN!
It is called Super Gold. Happy crafting!
Wow. This is like a museum piece. Thank you for your amazing gifts.
Thank you so much! Stay tuned… I have been really busy in the last few weeks making paper flowers you will be seeing the result on the site in the next couple of weeks:-)
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