It looks like rain is in the weather forecast all week, but this is a little craft that will make everyone smile - rain or shine!

You need paper (I like to use double-sided paper, but wrapping paper or even ribbon work very well), scissors (if you have a paper cutter or trimmer - use it!), glue, a paper piercer or strong needle,  a medicine measuring cup (or another small circle shape) some brads, wooden skewers and some tape).

Start by cutting your paper into long strips. My flowers are made of 1/2-inch strips, but I find that 1-inch works well too and is easier to manage for smaller children.

Cut those strips into 5-inch increments and start layering your flower.

One strip at a time, hold one end and bend the other to meet with the first. Select the next strip and layer it on the first, doing the same. You will work your way around until you have the flower in your hand.

For the next step you will need your paper piercer and a mat for this or an old book.

Place the flower on your mat, making sure it will stay in place, and pierce through all layers at once. Remove the piercer and insert a brad.

Now the fun part: take the medicine measuring cup. Have your child trace it and cut out the circle which will be glued into the middle of the flower. 

To finish the project, I glued ours to skewers to decorate our many green plants around the house. But they make beautiful window treatments as well (just hang on string), or table decorations for birthday parties.

Ta-da -- sunny flowers on a rainy day. Have fun recreating a flower garden!

I purchased almost all my materials for this craft at Scrap Tales. They have a huge variety of high quality papers, tools and embellishments.