https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/quilling-paper-eucalyptus-and-lavender • Posted by Meredith A.
Realistic DIY paper eucalyptus and lavender stems are the perfect addition to your home decor. Tie them up with a lacy ribbon or add a few sprigs to your next wreath!
Realistic DIY paper eucalyptus and lavender stems are the perfect addition to your home decor. Tie them up with a lacy ribbon or add a few sprigs to your next wreath!
Both of these plants feature stems made from floral tape wrapped wire. Cut the wire to the length needed for the individual stems and wrap the tape around the wire, overlapping it slightly as you go. The tape doesn’t feel sticky but it will stick to itself as it goes around the wire.
Like some plants, eucalyptus can have a few different shapes, but I chose to make the most recognizable type, the true blue. The true blue eucalyptus features pairs of flat leaves growing side by side up a single stem. I made the leaves by rolling extra long strips of deep leaf green quilling paper into a tight coil. To make yours the same size, try gluing 2 22″ strips together, or 2 1/2 17″ strips.
Once each coil is rolled, remove them from your quilling tool and let it unravel very, very slightly, while still holding it between your fingers. This will allow the center to open up just a tiny bit. Glue the end to keep the coil in shape. To make the eucalyptus leaf, pinch one end of the coil into a teardrop. Then pinch the other end gently between both hands, being careful not to squeeze too hard. You’re not looking to making two more points, but more of a flattened heart shape. Letting the coil unravel a tiny bit allows it to be shaped a little easier.
After all the leaves are made, they can be added to the stems. Think about using hot glue, so you don’t have to hold each leaf as it dries! Each eucalyptus stem will need quite a few of these leaves. The smallest stem I made used 10 leaves.
Each pair of leaves can be glued about a half an inch apart on the stem. To keep a natural look, have all the leaves facing the same way, but allow them to twist on the stem a little bit.
Quilled lavender buds can be made by simply rolling 1-inch strips of light purple quilling paper into tight coils, or pegs.
The lavender buds can be glued directly onto the wire stems. I started with one at the very top. Then, I continued, making rows of 4 buds in a circle around the stem. Each lavender stem that I made has 8 or 9 rows of buds. Try to have your buds angled away from the stem to aid in the look that they’re sprouting out.