24.9.11

Thermocol Flowers Tutorial


Thermocol Flowers
I am quite recycle crazy at times and try to make things from some crazy materials! I can never bring myself to throw away the dainty thermocol trays and bowls which are so popular packaging materials in our modern world and when the "junk" heap becomes too big I am forced to think up ways to " make them useful"!
Thermocol is a fantastic medium to craft with.If you like to carve you are going to love this!
What you need for thermocol craft
Thermocol Flowers Tutorial
Craft Knife- Use a  a sharp blade and a blade length longer than you would use to cut paper as thermocol is thicker and its much easier if you work with a longer blade.
Adhesive- white glue, glue dots or a glue gun.
Thermocol trays or bowls or plates.We used a variety of thermocol objects in our hoard [ both myself and daughter are big hoarders of all sorts of crazy stuff !] If you have egg cartons made out of thermocol then you can make the most fascinating flowers and objects!
How to make thermocol Flowers
  1. Cut petals of whatever shape and size that you fancy 
  2. Glue them with your glue gun or adhesive of choice.
The first time my daughter and I tried this craft I almost gave up as the petals just wouldn't stick with white glue! Imagine my surprise when where I had failed my 5 year old had succeeded! She just made an additional base to stick the petals !
I recently bought a glue gun from the local market [Yes its available in India!] and using the glue gun making these flowers is a breeze!
If you are using white glue you need to be really patient .
We made a variety of 3 petal, 4 petal and 5 petal simple flowers.
Thermocol Flowers Tutorial
If you are using a glue gun ,just add some glue to the tips and stick the petals together
Thermocol Flowers
How to make Thermocol Roses
I thought making a thermocol rose was going to be tough but I was pleasantly surprised that I could whip up a lovely  7 cm sized thermocol rose in under 15 mins![With a glue gun of course]
  • Cut petals from the sloping part of the tray or bowl and with the tapering part of the petal positioned on the flat part of the bowl or tray - this will give you a petal that stands up so naturally!
    Thermocol Flowers Tutorial
  • Carve out your large petals from the corners of your thermocol tray. If you are working with a bowl then its even better!The corners give such  natural  shaped petals. 
    Thermocol Flowers Tutorial
    You don't need to mark on the thermocol to help you cut as you don't have to be accurate and it looks more natural if your petals are of different shapes and sizes.  
    Thermocol Flowers Tutorial
  • Cut petals of slightly smaller size for the inner layer of the thermocol rose.
  • Make the central bud of your thermocol rose :Cut diamond tipped petals centered on the junction of the sloping and flat part- this will give you a lovely curved shape. 
    Thermocol Flowers Tutorial
    You need 3 or 4 of these petals to make your bud.
    Thermocol Flowers Tutorial
    Stick the edges together to make your rosebud 
    Thermocol Flowers Tutorial
    Cut off the excess length
    Thermocol Flowers Tutorial
  • Apply glue to the upper surface of the tip of your inner petals and stick them around your central rose bud. 
  • You can fit in around 3 petals around your rose bud depending on your petal size
Thermocol Flowers Tutorial
  • Keep gluing outer petals to get  a rose of your desired shape and size.
    Thermocol Flowers Tutorial
    Here is the closeup of another Thermocol Rose- The fun is no two roses look alike!
    Thermocol Flowers
    We made a bouquet of thermocol roses. I first tried wire stems then felt it was too flimsy and added a skewer stick [ again recycled!]. You can make your own leaves or use store bought fabric leaves which you can wind around the stem as shown here
I stuck the wire into the base of the rose and secured it with glue.
The wooden skewers just add some weight and strength to your rose blooms
Thermocol Flowers
Wrap some green floral tape or ribbon around your stem and you have  beautiful rose stems.
We arranged our thermocol roses in a clay pot my daughter had made in summer camp
Thermocol Flowers
Lots of other ideas for thermocol -  make frames, wall hangings, flower vases,swans, butterflies! Here is a link to some of the projects in which I have used thermocol: Thermocol Crafts.
Have fun and do let me know how you like this recycling craft.
Edited:This recycling project won at Crafty JCChallenge
This tutorial was featured at Craft Gossip
I have made flowers from some crazy materials .Here are links to some "non paper" handmade flower tutorials.

Handmade Foam Flower Tutorials


Foam Rose tutorial

Foam cala lily tutorial

Foam Rose tutorial

Handmade Rose tutorial -Clay/playdough,Aluminium foil,Marzipan,Mseal


Playdough Rose tutorial

Easy Ribbon Rose

Edible rose tutorial

Mseal Rose tutorial

Handmade Flower tutorials - Crystal flowers,Easy Beaded flowers, Sponge roses


Crystal Flower tutorial

Beaded flower tutorial

Spoon flower tutorial

Sponge flower tutorial

95 comments:

  1. Really this is a beautiful idea. Love it doctor.

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  2. Wow, these are really cool. Thanks for the tut.
    Happy crafting
    Judie

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  3. Wow- the roses are beautiful- and they will not make me nose run or make me sneeze either! LOL I bet you could spritz them with color too if you wanted to. Wow- what an idea- this NEVER would have occurred to me!

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  4. Okie.. I give up... I will never be able to look at thermocol plates again without remembering these flower.. DOC you are a genius.. I bow to you.. Super work again.. Thanks for playing along with CraftyJC...

    Hugs,
    Khush

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  5. Sonia :-( threw my collection just 5 days back. I saved them thinking of some craft, and my junk piled up so much, finally threw them all.

    The flowers are so fresh looking and neatly cut and arranged. bookmarked this page:-)

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  6. Oh God,,,,,, This is just amazing, a smart idea..superb :)

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  7. Gorgeous♥. Thanks for sharing:)

    Hugs Marita

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  8. oh god... they are looking so pretty! Such unusual way to make flowers... and thanks again for the tutorial...
    Glad that you liked my card... and the bag I made for the ICR meet... Whr u are joining for tanjore painting? Now we will be treated with ethnic painting by you! Even I feel like jonining but the time constraints not letting me do :(

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  9. Oh my goodness Dr. Sonia. You are one amazing crafter, and I love all the recycling you do, what a great idea. They look so wonderful. Thank you for sharing with us. Happy crafting.
    Love Sandra xx

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  10. So Beautiful!!! You are a master when it comes to making 3d projects!

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  11. Sonia, I know I say this a lot, but when I think I have seen it all, you pull an amazing trick out of your hat again. The roses are beautiful!!! Your daughter is quite the crafty person, too...way to go on calling the shots for the base to add the petals!!!
    Awesome my sweet friend...just lovely!!
    :O)
    Jessica

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  12. That is so clever!
    It looks fab too, thanks for sharing.
    hugs
    Zahreen
    xx

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  13. That is absolutely awesome!

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  14. WOW you are so creative!! I just love the roses you came up with! I was shocked when you said they were from the foam trays!! Clever Clever you:)
    ~Kim

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  15. What a brilliant idea! Your roses look gorgeous. I just love what you are able to create with recycled materials.

    Kelly
    http://kellyscraftylife.blogspot.com

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  16. Good Grief! What amazing flowers. I suppose they can be painted or colored with Copics too. Amazing Dr. Sonia. You teach me every time I visit your blog! NancyD

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  17. Wow what a beautiful roses and a very good idea!
    Greetings Baukje

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  18. Bee-utiful crafted Roses. I'm horrible with a knife so not sure I can even come close to mine ever looking like this. For Easter I have made chick eggs and then used cotton balls colored yellow inside them.
    Melissa
    "Sunshine HoneyBee"
    http://CreatedbySunshineHoneyBee.blogspot.com

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  19. Thank You so much for the support dear friends

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    1. wow its awesome, you have created an evergreen rose and your craft is highly appreciable in terms of creativity and above all your way of taking the things in normal life, keep up the bright ideas and grow - with love abdul

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  20. So very clever and very pretty too. I love how you got the lovely curl on the petals.

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  21. These are awesome and very beautiful. Love them :)

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  22. Those are such pretty roses. You've created a masterpiece yet again :)

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  23. wow what an idea soniaji :)

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  24. You are amazing! Beautiful project as always; you have such a creative mind.

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  25. WoW! These are so pretty!
    Carri~abusybee
    www.doubleclickconnections.blogspot.com

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  26. wow this thermacol flowers look so lovely,u are undoubtedly the recycling queen.love how u have carved out those petals they look so real.

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  27. Thats lovely and you have made it look easy :)

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  28. oh my god sonia... this is out of the world... superb. hats off to you !

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  29. They are beautiful and thanks for the tutorial, finally we can also try to make some flowers.

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  30. What a wonderful idea. Very clever and a super way to recycle! xx

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  31. This is awesome and you are a genius

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  32. Super pretty n awsome doc !!

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  33. This is wonderful... so real looking. Thanks for sharing.

    xxx Monica

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  34. Those roses are beautiful- I thought they were made from sculpey clay at first, and here they are styrofoam trays- how awesome! Trash to treasure! :)Amy

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  35. You're too creative!!!!! I loooove them! I would have never thought of making these :).

    I'm sorry I keep missing a lot of posts... I am overwhelmed these days! :)

    I'm off to read your other posts.

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  36. thats another beautiful diy Sonia. your art is amazing.

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  37. Hi,
    I came here from patricia's blog :)
    Loved this idea.. Why don't you link it in the artsy-craftsy challenge happening at my blog?
    http://mindfull-meanderings.blogspot.com/2011/09/artsy-craftsy-september.html

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  38. Wow! You are the "flowers-of-crazy-materials"-Queen! How do you get this ideas?

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  39. Very cool. Who knew you could make something so pretty from thermocol tray. I usually just use mine for paint or glue and toss it out when I'm finished. Another great idea.
    http://lorisartsyobsession.blogspot.com/

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  40. WOWWWW!!!! super duper fantastic Sonia!

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  41. Sonia.. how on earth do u think all of this up!!! :)) It takes me 10 days to find time to pull a card to together these days.. and these crafts are so much more detailed. Beautiful flowers and thanks for the tutorial. You are so generous!

    Thanks a lot for playing along at CraftyJC Challenge :)

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  42. Awww.....I am speechless!!!! they look like real! Great job!

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  43. Wow! Where do you get your ideas?

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  44. Truly creative! lovely roses.

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  45. Beautiful white roses! They look so real! Thank you for the detailed tutorial!

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  46. so beautiful and a lovely idea!
    byebye,Lean

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  47. Hi Sonia,
    Thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving lovely comments.
    I am in awe of your beautiful roses made from recycled thermocol...they are amazing! Such a wonderful idea, and very creative:)

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  48. Wow they really are beautiful! thanks for sharing with us at CES this week for our recycling theme, Karenxx

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  49. My goodness....these are beautiful roses and gorgeous in white. Your creativity knows no bounds. :-)

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  50. These looked like real flowers at first.. This is a lovely idea . thank you for the tutorial.. i shall have to give it a go sometime and thanx for sharing it on You had me at Craft..

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  51. These look so real.. thanks for sharing the tutorial, i will have to try it sometime.. thanx for sharing it on You had me at Craft..

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  52. super pretty dr sonia...just discovered ur blog..

    http://megalivingg.blogspot.com/

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  53. Totally amazing. I have some yellow egg cartons with same shape. I must try to make yellow roses. And, I have pink also....pink roses. Thank you for the inspiration.

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  54. Simply amazing! Love these!

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  55. Simply amazing! Love these!

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  56. These are beautiful! Great job. Thanks for the tutorial.
    Candy
    candyscraftcorner.blogspot.com
    Come enter my giveaway!

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  57. Anonymous29/9/11

    Simply cannot believe u made this of thermacol!! Gosh! It's gorgeous!!

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  58. Fantastic!!!. I don't know how you manage to look at a plastic package tray and come up with roses!!! Hugs Mrs A.

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  59. Wow, these are fabulous - what a great idea, they look beautiful!! Thanks for sharing your recycling idea with us at CES challenges this week! Juliexx

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  60. Totally wonderful idea, such marvellous flowers, who would have thought:) Thanks!

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  61. These are so stunning. I would never have thought to use those trays for flowers. You have given me somthing else to think about now..Thank you for the lovely comments you left on my blog. Am off to become a follower of your blog.

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  62. great idea - lovely flowers - one way of avoiding landfill!

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  63. Hi Dr Sonia

    Saw this on your side bar and just had to have a look - these roses are so gorgeous how cleve and creative you are! Keep up the good work.

    Hugs

    Tina

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  64. Unbelievable! I LOVE recycling too and have been crafting with my daughter since she was tiny - we still do! I have never even thought of crafting with those trays - and what a result! We shall have a go, though I fear I lack your patience Thank you so much for sharing all of this :0)

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  65. Sonia...Its awsome...your way of explanation is great...really you inspired me a lot in starting a blog...Thanks a lot.....

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    Replies
    1. Thank You so much dear that is indeed so heartening to hear!

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  66. I love this idea! I always hate throwing away polystyrene and I will try this out. I also like making flowers to give to people. Thanks for posting.

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  67. I am doing all those tharmocal crafts.Can you tell me where I sell all those project in Kolkata

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  68. Dear Friend
    This type of work I am doing at my home.But I have not any opertunities to sell all this.Please tell me where I can sell all my work.My contact number is +91 9775008090

    Thanks
    Parichay Samanta

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    Replies
    1. Parichay I dont sell my work-- for me this is strictly hobby so I wont be able to help you

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  69. Beautiful idea Dr.Sonia.
    Thnx for sharing the tutorial.

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  70. Nice blog . great idea keep it up. pls follow my blog add ur valuable comments.
    www.beenascreations.blogspot.com
    www.cookingatmayflower.blogspot.com

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  71. What a fabulous recycleng idea. Thanks for for your easy to follow tut.
    Sue

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  72. They look so pretty! Great job and great step by step plan!
    DeDe@DesignedDecor


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  73. What a lovely idea :) I never know what to do with these trays/boxes other than the usual seed trays (boring) Thank you for this. Loving the blog too :) x

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  74. Really very cute flowers

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  75. Really cute flowers

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  76. This is awesome and they look so real!

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  77. We have thermocol cutting machine for sale in our ebay shop: stores.ebay.in/ecncshop. It is very useful tool for craft, hobby, school project works.
    sales@ecncshop.com

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  78. its really great i do the similar works its my hobby too.............really awesome work

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Bahvya.Do you have a blog?

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  79. Great idea and beautiul roses!! Thank for sharing, I have put a link from my blog to here

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  80. Wonderful, Wonderful, Wonderful! I saw what Scrap&C did with your tutorial, now I must try too! http://volidicarta.blogspot.com/2014/07/riciclo-delle-vaschette-di-polistirolo.html?showComment=1404769572138#c1097846423188882995

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Chriss and you are such a darling for letting me know

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  81. Really great idea...I never thought of this...

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  82. aayushi10/8/16

    exciting work but also simply hard

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    Replies
    1. Yes Aayushi its not the easiest of crafts but very gratifying!!

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  83. Sonia, the work is very interesting and i get idea from your post.

    I have handy Electric Thermocol Cutter for sale. Just refer the below blog how to use it.
    http://hotwirethermocolcutter.blogspot.in/2016/07/hot-wire-thermocol-cutter.html

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Mr Senthil...I bought one from Itsy Bitsy some time back

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  84. gargi24/8/16

    suberbbbbbbb idea ma'am!! i m an art learner thnx

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  85. THANK YOU FOR GIVING A NICE IDEA.

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  86. Thanks for nice idea

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