Painted Flower Hair Clips

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Here is the awesome tutorial I posted over at Keeping it Simple and Gluesticks (in case you missed it)!

I love making bows and flowers for my daughter's hair (really, that kid has over 70 hair clips...most of which I've made). I especially love making things that match her clothes. I'd been taking white flowers from the dollar store and giving them colored centers to coordinate with her outfits, when one day I had an epiphany. Why not paint the flowers!? So I did!
I'll show you how to go from this...

...to this!

For this project you'll need:

- White "silk" flowers (I get mine at the dollar store)

- Acrylic paint

- Paint brush (I generally use foam brushes because they are dirt cheap)

- Hot glue

- Jewel or glitter for the center (optional)

- Iron & ironing board (optional)

I usually try to get Daises, but you could probably use just about any faux flowers. Here are what mine looked like for this go round.

 Here is a side view of the bunch. This particular group came with 12 flowers.

1. Disassemble the flowers and separate the layers by size. Each flower was double layered but there were three different sizes of petals. I like a three layered flower, so from this 12 flower bunch I actually ended up with 8 flowers.

2. Iron the flowers flat. You don't have to do this, but it gives a much nicer look. Just make sure your iron isn't too hot. 

See the difference? Ironed on the left, not ironed on the right.

3. Paint! This is a great time for letting those little hands help out. Some colors (generally darker ones) will need a second coat once the first one dries. I recommend painting on a non-stick surface of some sort, or moving the flowers before they dry completely so they don't stick to the paper underneath...because they will stick to the paper underneath!

4. Once dry, assemble. Starting with the largest flower, put some hot glue around the center.

Now put the middle layer on top of the bottom, making sure to keep your fingers away from the little hole in the center (the glue will ooze out through that opening).

Continue with each layer until you are satisfied with the look. 

5. Glue the newly assembly flower to a clip (I use alligator clips lined with ribbon)

6. Add a center to the flower. I like jewels and glitter, but you could just use the center that came with the flower.

For a glittered center, put a blob of hot glue right in the middle, like so. The rounder the better, but don't stress about it.

Then just sprinkle the glitter on top. Let it sit for a minute or two before you shake off the excess, so that the glue can firm up.

See how sparkly?!

Look at how perfectly it matches her dress! That's not photoshopped or anything. It really does match that well!

How about a few variations...

1. Super sparkle flower - just sprinkle the glitter onto the flower while the paint is still wet.

2. You can coat the flower in Mod Podge for a shiny finish. And yes, that is a black flower. 

FYI - I've found that the Mod Podge doesn't hold up well on a flower being worn by a small child. Case in point - all that nasty cracking near the center.

Want a few more examples of flowers with their matching outfits? Ok.

Now take your new knowledge and whip up some super awesome customized flower clips...just beware, this is kind of addicting!
I'd love to see your version if you make some!