Thursday, April 7, 2011

Laurie Cinotto’s “Making Paper Flowers”

We’ve been watching the career of artist and decorator Laurie Cinotto for a few years, and so were thrilled to learn that she’s brought her passion to the bookshelves with the publication of Making Paper Flowers, a book and kit teaching foundational skills in this resurgent art form.

There is truly a renaissance going on with paper flower making, and we often are asked by newcomers to the craft where to find books on how to get started. Before, one would have had to dig up copies of crafting books from the 1950s or even the 1920s to learn the techniques Laurie lays out here, straightforwardly and with step-by-step photographs. These instructions—along with the selection of templates for petals, leaves, and other parts—easily make the kit worth picking up if you’re ready to learn paper flower making.

The projects in the book feature page after page of pictures of our beautiful, photogenic crepe paper. We would recommend that anyone trying the projects use paper from Castle in the Air’s stock, like Laurie did, and to use glued strips of it instead of florist’s tape for a great finish on the wire stems.

Congratulations to Laurie on this milestone in her career. The publisher, Sterling Innovation, has offered to send a free copy of Making Paper Flowers to one of our blog readers, so if you’d like to be entered in the May 1st drawing, just reply to this post with a (non-anonymous) comment.

27 comments:

phoebed said...

Looks like fun. A chance to make realistic flowers instead of the rustic elementary school ones I typically create.

peggy gatto said...

I would love a chance to win this book!
thanks!

Maminka Girl - Loribeth Robare said...

I love her work and would love to see her book. Thank you.

karenb said...

I love everything about Castle in the Air - wish I lived in the Bay Area so I could visit more often!

tangled in the briars said...

To have the instructions would bring back the memories of watching Aunt Lydia make these bouquets that could go from table to dress up--I was so much younger

Serena said...

What perfect timing! I just took a class on this very thing at Castle in the Air and thoroughly enjoyed it. Anandamayi and Aimee did such a great job.

Clare said...

I just found out about you as I was reading Victoria Magazine. I would love a chance to win this book

Unknown said...

I have some big bright crepe flowers from a friend's wedding, years ago. They are STILL gracing my living room and adding color. The ones in this book are so perfect!

Elizabeth said...

I would love to channel my inner Frida Kahlo with some crepe paper flowers in red, pink, and orange!

veuvemcd said...

Love to embellish my gift wrapping with handmade paper flowers. What a treat to have her book. Living in bayou country in Louisiana and loving Castle in the Air!

arteriole said...

I remember finding a victorian book on the meaning of flowers in the library, it was seriously falling apart, but I wanted to know for myself, so in my very best hand-writing, I copied it all down in my journal (right next to the spanish words for the colours of horses!)

I would love a chance to make some of these "secret messages" for family and friends!!

Heidi said...

This has wedding written all over it!

Unknown said...

Laurie is so talented! She also does lovely photography and fosters kittens for the local Humane Society. Her "Itty Bitty Kitty Committee" blog is stunning!

So happy to have her featured at my favorite store!

Daimondjake said...

Making crepe paper flowers brings back fond memories of childhood!

Unknown said...

I love making paper flowers, I recently came across an old copy of Dennison's crepe paper flower making...this would make a great addition to my "library"!

Jackie in Alaska said...

I live in Alaska and visit your website often. I wish I could come down and spend the whole summer taking classes, alas it cannot be... Thank you for the chance to win this book. I love your on line tutorials and have made the Easter eggs this year. Your paper is the highest quality I have ever found. Keep up the great work.

Unknown said...

This morning, after searching etsy for vintage millinery flowers and not finding the forget-me-nots I was looking for, I mentioned to a co-worker that I should learn to make my own flowers. Imagine my delight when I opened my email to find your link to this review! Thank you!

Anonymous said...

I'm from Houston, and there is NOWHERE here that carries your beautiful crepe papers, so I will order a large selection along with the book! The best flowers here are made by Mexican and other Latin American crafters; I've been trying to copy some incredible poinsettias that a beautiful woman made but are now torn... The great thing is that instead of completely realistic copies of nature, these creations can be an enthusiastic artistic expression of the joy of nature. Much more fun than "fake" flowers!!!!!
Thanks for having a website to allow a peek into your terrific shop and activities!

Tari F said...

This book looks great--a lot of crafty fun!! I am so glad this tradition is being passed on in this wonderful new book!

kathi said...

Oh boy, I really want this book. Hope I win.

Anonymous said...

I would be thrilled to learn to make these lovely flowers. Thanks for the chance to win!

Jackie zimmerman said...

My Mom is allergic to Fresh flowers. I saw the daffodil and Lily of the Valley flowers being made on on Martha Stewart. They were beautiful and then at the Castle site I found your wonderful book. I hope I win but in the meantime I think I'll order one before Mother's Day along with crepe paper. Mom will receive flowers this year.

Unknown said...

Love the paper! Would love the book!

Anonymous said...

Looks like an amazing book!


Camila F.

Ruth said...

Perfect timing as I just took your Nosegay class this week. Looks like a great book. It was my first class at Castle in the Air and I loved it.

Castle in the Air said...

Today we printed all the names of the commenters on slips of paper and put them all in a fancy black silk top-hat, a spring-loaded one that John McRae found over the weekend. With a reach in, a stirring of the slips, and a pinch, out came the winner's name: Peggy Gatto!

Congratulations to Peggy and a big thank you to everyone who participated in the contest. It was so much fun that I'm sure we'll have another one in the future.

peggy gatto said...

Thank you!!!
I love flowers!!!