Paper Tussy Mussy

Thanks for joining me!  Today, I will be using the super fun and easy to use Party Hat template from Kelleigh Ratzlaff’s August Grab Bag from the Digichick Boutique!  By printing Kelleigh’s party hat template onto cream cardstock, I was able to easily cut out and assemble the cone-shaped holder I need to form my tussy mussy! 

Here are the supplies I used:

• August Grab Bag from Kelleigh Ratzlaff
• Cardstock: Georgia Pacific (cream colored)
• Chipboard alpha and frame: Tattered Angels
• Glimmer Mist: Tattered Angels
• 3-D fabric paint: Scribbles in iridescent white
• Paper Flowers: Brides from Michaels
• Embossing envelope: swiss dots from Cuttlebug
• Ink: Chestnut Roan from Colorbox
• Craft supplies: ribbon, lace, tissue paper and craft wire
• Adhesive: ATG and Fabri-tac

Step 1:  Prepare chipboard and paper flowers by inking the edges and then spraying with glimmer mist.  I used fabric 3-d paint to make pearls in the centers of the flowers.  Allow to dry completely.

Step 2: Emboss the cream cardstock with the embossing envelope.  Assemble the party hat per the template instructions pulling the cone into a tighter, smaller shape.  Adhere with ATG or other strong adhesive at the seam.  Create a flat spot at the rear of the cone by gently bending a crease on either side of the seam in the back.  Line the top front edge of the cone with fabri-tac glue and adhere lace.  Use fabri-tac to adhere the hanging ribbons on the inside of the cone.  Hold in place until dry with clothespins.

Step 3:  While everything is drying, make tissue paper flowers.  You will need squares of tissue that are approximately 6″x6″.  Stack four pieces of tissue together and accordion fold them.  Secure the folds with craft wire twisted around the center point.  Trim the ends of the accordion folded tissue into points to vary the look of your flowers.  Carefully fluff the flowers by separating the layers of tissue and arranging to your liking.

Step 4: Adhere remaining embellishments to the tussy mussy.  Flowers can be arranged at various heights and then twist wire stems together and tape to the inside of the tussy mussy. 

 While this tussy mussy is intended to adorn the top of a gift box, wouldn’t this also look great hanging on the newlyweds wall at home or maybe made in multiple to decorate the ends of the pews in the church where they plan to get married.  No need to worry about wilted flowers or water damaging wooden pews when the flowers are made of tissue.  In fact, tissue flowers don’t get along with water at all.  No tape or nails required to hang these either, just make the ribbon long enough to tie around whatever shape of hanger they will be hung upon.  Also, this wouldn’t break the brides flower budget either.  The most expensive item on here is about 50 cents worth of chipboard   I love beauty for pennies don’t you?

Voila!  A paper masterpiece   Thank you so much for joining me today. 

Other Articles by DanaGustafson:

• Hybrid Shrink Plastic and YOU! - October 14th, 2009
• The icing on the cake... - September 18th, 2009
• Gift Tags Galore! - September 9th, 2009
• It's School Time! {Altered clipboards} - July 17th, 2009
• You're WILD, baby! baby card and gift box - June 26th, 2009