Dahlia Flower Fun Fold

 Whenever I see a paper with beautiful, fine scale, contrasting designs on both sides, I immediately think of the dahlia fold flower, because it uses both sides of the paper equally. This design from the All Abloom DSP Stack especially called out "fold me!" (How to below)

I just love the colors in the this collection--the combination of so many blues, greens and pinks that are darker than pastel, but still calm and soothing. 

I love to stock up on retiring colors, but I'm really bummed that I only got one of the All Abloom. I'm going to enjoy the heck out of it, though, and be very happy for the many more choices I have in the current catalog. 

Here is my list of supplies:  (shop here)
Paper:  All Abloom DSP 4x6 Stack (retired)
Blushing Bride
Lost Lagoon
Pistachio Pudding (or use Mint Macaron)
Embossing folder of your choice (try a fine, small scale floral or pattern like the new Elegant Dots )
Whisper White Baker's Twine

 I used a retired edge border punch, but you could just as easily leave the edge plain, and just cut it a little larger than the Blushing Bride Layer.  I also used a button from my stash.  If you don't have a button you like, try a brad or punch out a center from card stock with a 1/2 circle punch or a flower from your itty-bitty punch pack or itty-bitty accents punch pack, and attach with a glue dot.


Making a dahlia fold is not hard, just a little time consuming if you are making multiple cards.  To begin, choose your designer paper and a circle punch.  The paper needs to have a fine pattern or solid color on each side that contrasts with the other side.  The circle should be half of the diameter that you want your flower to be; so if you want a 2 1/2" flower, use a 1 1/4" punch. 





Punch eight circles from your paper, then follow the steps below.

1.  Fold each circle in a criss-cross, unfold.

2.  Fold the two adjacent quarter curves inward as shown: 



3.  Turn over.  Fold two bottom edges to meet the center line, as shown. It is best to do this step while holding the petal in your hands, rather than flat on the table.

 4.  Do four petals this way, and do four starting with the paper facing with the opposite pattern up.  So, in the case of my black-and-white flower, I would start with four petals as shown, but the other four would start this way: 

              and end up looking like this: 









5.  The best way to put your flower together is by using a glue stick.  Punch one extra circle (a little larger than your petals to make it easier) and cover it with paste from your glue stick.  Put a little paste on the back of the pointy half of each petal, and arrange them together.

 I like arranging them with one color always on the outside, and the other in, but they can also be arranged spiral wise, like this:



Either way, the glue stick takes a little while to dry, so you will have time to tug on the petals a little, to get them all nice and even.  

 Add the button, brad, or other embellishment of your choice to the center, and you've got your dahlia!  I also matted this one on a layer of card stock which I fussy cut scallop-wise around the flower, and another which is just a plain circle. 

Variations:  Try using just three petals to form a bud, or four to five to show a flower from the side.  Try using eight identical petals, or arranging the petals in a vine.  Have fun!