Paper Flowers

   It seems as though Cancer is effecting everyone now a days.  It seems to be widespread and doesn't show any signs of dwindling.  That means that there are a lot of people out there looking for ways to encourage a loved one and let them know you're thinking about them.  I was in this situation recently.  I have a very dear friend who was diagnosed with classical lymphoma.  Of course I am crying out to the Lord for her healing, but I was also looking for a way to lift her spirits and let her know she was in my thoughts.  She loves flowers, but because of her chemo treatments she can't be around them.  Well, I thought this will just not do- so I decided to make her a bouquet of paper flowers.

{sorry for the bad picture and not the finished product, but I didn't get a chance to take a picture of the finished product. You get the idea though.}

   I tried a bunch of different ways to make paper flowers using a couple of different tutorials.  These are the ones that worked the best for me:

For this pretty white peonie I used coffee filters and got the tutorial from Michella Marie's Blog.  THEN, I ran out of coffee filters.  Typical.  So I thought I would take a stab at using colored tissue paper instead.  After I found a tutorial on Folding Tree's Website to make carnations, there was no stopping me.

   Making the paper flowers is a little time consuming, but totally worth it.  I loved being able to give my friend some flowers to lighten up her day.  I definitely recommend trying these tutorials out, either to give some flowers away or to make some for yourself.  You can make a beautiful bouquet of flowers that look real but will never die.   Good Luck!

P.S. Some other gift ideas for loved ones going through cancer:

books- especially books on tape (Cracker Barrel has a great program for books on tape)

mints or gum- the treatment gives them bad tastes in their mouth

pictures to put up and surround themselves with

Edible Arrangements- as long as the fruit is cut up

a good cd

magazines

comfy cozy blankets/clothes or houseshoes

housecleaning/cooking/dog walking (even if you can't be there to do it yourself you could pay to hire someone)

gift cards to a favorite restaurant/store/spa for the gloomy days that they need a lift

peppermint or chamomile tea

I'd love to hear any other gift ideas.....