How to make paper poppies with Tonia Todman and Jimmy Rees

Throughout each week of Make It March at Spotlight, we'll be celebrating everything arts and crafts and sharing fun art projects to inspire your creative side! In this instalment, you can learn how to easily make these beautiful paper poppies with our special guests Tonia Todman and Jimmy Rees.

Known as the Queen of Craft, Tonia Todman is a well-known Australian television personality and craftwork extraordinaire, having an extensive career appearing on shows such as Healthy, Wealthy and Wise, Rove Live and Good Morning Australia - just to name a few. Teaming up with Tonia is Jimmy Rees, although you might remember him as Jimmy Giggles from the ABC hit children's show Giggle and Hoot. Both are extremely passionate about their arts and crafts and will walk you through each step on how to make your very own paper poppies.

What you'll need:

• Crepe paper
• Black Crepe paper
• Paper Scissors
• Pom Poms
• Vivaldi Stem Wire Pack
• Fine Gauge Craft wire

Instructions:

Step 1 - Take the crepe paper in your chosen colour and cut out six petal shapes, all roughly the same size. These can be any size you like depending on how big you want the finished flower to be.

Step 2 - Working on one petal at a time, manipulate the crepe paper by pressing your thumbs into the paper to stretch and curve it into different shapes to create realistic flower petals.

Step 3 - Cut out a 10cm x 10cm square from the Black crepe paper and place 2 x Pom Poms in the centre. Wrap the paper around the Pom Pom's to create an ice cream like shape and then push 1 of the stem wires into the centre to create the stem of the flower. Then wrap the fine gauge wire around the base a few times to secure the stem and black crepe paper in place.

Step 4 - Fold a long piece of the Black crepe paper in half lengthwise so it's roughly 5cm wide and 50cm long. Using the craft scissors, snip into the middle of the crepe paper but being sure not to cut through the fold. Continue snipping every 5mm or so to create one long piece of fringe.

Step 5 - Wrap the fringed crepe paper around the centre of your flower about 3 times and cut off the excess close to the base. Again use the fine gauge wire to wrap around everything tightly and secure it in place.

Step 6 - Next, breathe warm air into your hand and cup your hand over the fringed paper to crush it and create a realistic looking flower. You can also hold the fringed crepe paper over the steam of a kettle to get the same result.

Step 7 - Now it's time to add your petals. Take one of the petals and pleat the base of it and hold it next to the stem and secure it in place with the fine gauge wire. Continue to add petals, spacing them evenly as you go and wrap in wire until all the petals are added. Snip the wire off when finished.

Step 8 - Lastly, cut a rectangle of green crepe paper roughly 10cm long by 3cm wide and wrap this tightly around the base of the flower, working your way down the stem. Repeat this process to create a beautiful bouquet of crepe paper flowers!

Recreate your own stunning version of these DIY paper flowers and upload them to Instagram with #makeitwithspotlight for you chance to win a $250 Spotlight voucher - and bragging rights.