Make dollar-bill rosebuds to give to a recent graduate or as a birthday present. The bills become a bouquet of flowers that will not wilt or die. Instead, the receiver takes apart the rosebuds and uses the money as needed. Each rosebud requires just three bills, and does not require any folding. Choose any denomination you wish, and make as many rosebuds for the bouquet as you want.
Cut three pieces of craft wire so each is 12 inches long. Fold each wire in half at center. Set aside.
Hold one bill vertically. Pinch both sides with your forefinger and thumb. Press toward the middle of the bill, going slowly, so that the sides fold in and the top and bottom start to fold up. When your fingers meet in the center, the bill will look like a bow tie. Each side of the bow tie is a petal of the rosebud.
Slip one of the folded wires over the dollar bill so that the middle of the wire rests over the middle of the bill. Twist the wires together underneath the bill. Twist all the way to the bottom.
Rest the pencil across the top of one petal of the bill. Roll the paper over the pencil so that it wraps around the pencil twice. Roll away from the center, so the petal will curve away from the center of the flower. Pull the pencil out. Repeat with the other petal. This curls the petals just a little.
Repeat Step 2 with a second bill. Slip a second piece of wire over the center of the new bill. Nest the new bill inside the first one, perpendicular to the first, creating a cross. There will be a petal on the top, bottom, left and right. Place the wire of the second bill so that one end is on each side of the first bill. Twist the wires together around the first set of wires.
Curl the two new petals with the pencil, but only wrap the paper around the pencil once. This makes a looser curl.
Repeat Step 2 with the third bill. Slip the last wire over the center of the bill. Place this last bill inside the first two so that it rests diagonally. Pass the wire ends underneath the first two bills so that they reach the bottom. Twist them around the wires.
Repeat Steps 1 through 7 to make more flowers for a bouquet.
Tips & Warnings
- Twist the wires tightly beneath the bills so that the flowers stay shaped.
- Cup the finished flower in your hands and squeeze lightly. This will bring the petals closer together and make the flower look more like a rosebud.
- Take the flowers apart by untwisting the wires and slipping them off the bills.
- Take apart a plastic flower and use the petals with the dollar bill rosebuds. Wrap floral tape around the wire stems so they are smoother.
- Paper is fragile. Try not to tear the bills when making the petals or twisting the wires beneath them.
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