Fussy Cut Floral Layout Tutorial

by - 3:30:00 PM

Don't have a bunch of pre-cut ephemera? That's not a problem when you have papers with beautiful elements that you can cut out!

Floral scrapbook layout with maternity photo; Creating using Prima Marketing Among the Wildflowers 12x12 paper pad, Spring Twig, White Meadow, Bloom Market flowers, Rub On Transfers; Bewitched Pumpkin Dust flowers, and French Blue Find Me Always flowers.

Hi, crafty friend! Not everyone is a fan of fussy cutting--it requires a lot of patience. Even as someone with chronic pain in my hands, I still like to fussy cut. I find it relaxing. I put on a podcast, TV show or listen to some music and cut my stress away. 

Floral scrapbook layout with maternity photo; Creating using Prima Marketing Among the Wildflowers 12x12 paper pad, Spring Twig, White Meadow, Bloom Market flowers, Rub On Transfers; Bewitched Pumpkin Dust flowers, and French Blue Find Me Always flowers.

And the end results are so rewarding. Not only do you feel less stressed, but you also get a pretty project in the end. I fussy cut 5 different elements for this project--the floral arch, 3 floral clusters, and the watering can with flowers. 

If you'd like to recreate this project, or you just love something you see, I've got a full supply list at the bottom of this post for you!

Tips for Fussy Cutting Like a Pro:

Floral scrapbook layout with maternity photo; Creating using Prima Marketing Among the Wildflowers 12x12 paper pad, Spring Twig, White Meadow, Bloom Market flowers, Rub On Transfers; Bewitched Pumpkin Dust flowers, and French Blue Find Me Always flowers.

  • Take your time. You don't have to do it all in one sitting--your hands will thank you!
  • Use a swiveling craft knife. This helps you cut along curves in a single motion.


  • Don't forget a self-healing workspace or craft mat to use your craft knife on. This will save your workspace and make it easier to cut your elements.
  • Start with as large a sheet of paper as possible. This will keep you from tearing your fussy cut element as you hold your paper while cutting with a craft knife. 

Floral scrapbook layout with maternity photo; Creating using Prima Marketing Among the Wildflowers 12x12 paper pad, Spring Twig, White Meadow, Bloom Market flowers, Rub On Transfers; Bewitched Pumpkin Dust flowers, and French Blue Find Me Always flowers.

  • Start with internal cuts first. This means cutting out the negative spaces in the middle of your element--like the space between the body and handle of the watering can. 
  • Then move to the more delicate areas, like flower buds that stick out from a floral arrangement.  
  • Cut the areas that aren't as intricate last. You can use your craft knife or a small pari of scissors for this part. 

Floral scrapbook layout with maternity photo; Creating using Prima Marketing Among the Wildflowers 12x12 paper pad, Spring Twig, White Meadow, Bloom Market flowers, Rub On Transfers; Bewitched Pumpkin Dust flowers, and French Blue Find Me Always flowers.

  • When using your scissors, move the paper to cut curves--keep your scissors straight and unmoving. You'll get cleaner edges of your papers this way.
  • When using a craft knife, don't be afraid to move your paper so that you cut at the angle that is easiest for you. You don't have to always have your paper facing the same direction the entire time you are cutting.
  • Have a piece of your element popping up and constantly getting hit by your arm or hand? Use some low tack craft tape to hold that piece in place until you are ready to remove your element from the sheet of paper. 

Floral scrapbook layout with maternity photo; Creating using Prima Marketing Among the Wildflowers 12x12 paper pad, Spring Twig, White Meadow, Bloom Market flowers, Rub On Transfers; Bewitched Pumpkin Dust flowers, and French Blue Find Me Always flowers.

For this particular layout, I used the floral arch and watering can from the 2 cutout sheets from the Among the Wildflowers collection's 12x12 paper pad. The 3 floral clusters came from the same collection's 12x12 papers, with the largest from the yellow background with flower print paper. I also like to use scraps of other papers to fussy cut from--it's a great way to use up random papers!  

Floral scrapbook layout with maternity photo; Creating using Prima Marketing Among the Wildflowers 12x12 paper pad, Spring Twig, White Meadow, Bloom Market flowers, Rub On Transfers; Bewitched Pumpkin Dust flowers, and French Blue Find Me Always flowers.

I started by adding some of the flowers from the Among the Wildflowers Rub On Transfers to my background paper. I matted my 3x4 photo with heavy weight white cardstock. Then I framed the photo of my sister from her maternity photo shoot in the floral arch. 

Floral scrapbook layout with maternity photo; Creating using Prima Marketing Among the Wildflowers 12x12 paper pad, Spring Twig, White Meadow, Bloom Market flowers, Rub On Transfers; Bewitched Pumpkin Dust flowers, and French Blue Find Me Always flowers.

Then I layered the floral clusters and watering can fussy cut ephemera round the layout. I used foam adhesive in a variety of thickness to layer my fussy cut elements on the background paper, also from Among the Wildflowers collection. 

Floral scrapbook layout with maternity photo; Creating using Prima Marketing Among the Wildflowers 12x12 paper pad, Spring Twig, White Meadow, Bloom Market flowers, Rub On Transfers; Bewitched Pumpkin Dust flowers, and French Blue Find Me Always flowers.

I tucked in flowers from Among the Wildflowers, Bewitched, A Mermaid's Tale and French Blue to keep with the ethereal white and light pink floral feel from the fussy cut elements. I used hot glue to attach the flowers. 

Floral scrapbook layout with maternity photo; Creating using Prima Marketing Among the Wildflowers 12x12 paper pad, Spring Twig, White Meadow, Bloom Market flowers, Rub On Transfers; Bewitched Pumpkin Dust flowers, and French Blue Find Me Always flowers.

I splattered the layout with white acrylic paint (cover your photo with a scrap of paper) and then added a chipboard sticker and some gems. Because I live in a really dry environment, I add a bit of liquid adhesive to really adhere my gems long-term. Because these are clear, I used a glossy, clear medium. 

Floral scrapbook layout with maternity photo; Creating using Prima Marketing Among the Wildflowers 12x12 paper pad, Spring Twig, White Meadow, Bloom Market flowers, Rub On Transfers; Bewitched Pumpkin Dust flowers, and French Blue Find Me Always flowers.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and my tips for fussy cutting like a pro. Until next time, happy crafting!
Adrienne

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Below are products that I used for this project.
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