Leis automatically conjure thoughts of Hawaii, welcoming gestures and luaus. Handmade paper leis can be an aid when teaching a class on the customs of Hawaii. They are also a perfect touch for a backyard luau or birthday party. You can make paper leis ahead of time for a personal touch for your party. You can also include lei making as a project to do at a party. Fresh leis are most often made from tuberose, plumeria and orchids. You can choose dogwood, star, hyacinth and buttercup petals to make paper leis. The paper flowers can be made ahead before the assembly process of the leis need to be done. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Place your stencil on paper and trace the flower shape. Cut out the shapes. You can use a paper punch to punch out the flower shapes from several colors of heavy paper. Four to six different petal blossom shapes will work the best. You will need at least 100 blossoms for a paper lei.
2. Place the paper flowers on a soft surface such as a mouse pad. Trace around the rim of the flower shapes with a stylus tool to make an indentation. Press down into the flower center and work in a circular motion to make a bowl shape.
3. Press lines into the flower with the stylus to give the petals more shape and texture.
4. Brush a colored marker around the outer edge of flower shape to add extra color.
5. Punch a tiny hole in the center of each lei flower with a paper punch tool or a large eye needle. When using the needle place the blossom on the pad and pierce the center. Set aside in a container to prevent them from being crushed as you use them to make your paper lei.
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