Tissue paper flower balls

I know these have been around forever, and most know how to make them, but they are coming back in full force, and some would love to learn how. So, I took some pictures along the way and wanted to share these fluffy fun fantastic ummm....ran out of words, but they are just cute and easy and I am surrounded by a ton since I am making them for my daughters shower and wedding. :) Here we go!

Supplies you will need:
Tissue paper
Scissors
String or wire

First you want tissue paper, you can find it in craft stores or just buy ones at the local store where you buy the gift bags, but if your making a ton like me, it's cheaper buying the bulk ones at a craft or dollar store.

Step 1- Now your going to pull it out and cut it into 1/4ths unless you want one big gigantic ball? (If so do not cut it at all-skip this part and proceed to step 2) Take all sheets and fold the tissue paper in half, pull back and cut straight down the line you just made. Now you have two halfs. Take each half and fold in half again, pull back and cut your new line in the middle. Do it to both halves. Now you should have 4 seperate tissue groups-each with at least 8 layers of tissue paper. (most tissue paper comes in layers of 9 tissue papers, you can use all nine together but 6-8 is sufficent for fluffiness fun!)

Step 2- Now your going to start folding them back and forth like an accordian style. Most people only fold them in an inch size, but you can fold them over in wider sections, it's up to you, just not too wide or you will have issues with the other steps.

Keep folding until you have reached the other end, and hold together for step 3.

Step3- Bend the piece in half to find your center point.
Then tie a string, wire or ribbon in the middle. Tie it snug but be carefull not to tear the tissue up.

Step 4- Now your going to cut your edges on each side. You can cut them to a point, or give it a rounded edge like I did with this one.

Step 5- Fan out the accordians on both sides.

Step 6- Start peeling back one layer at a time towards the center-(Warning! Tissue paper is thin and tears easy, this is the step that you have to take the most care with in order to have a fun fluffy ball) do two to three layers on both sides first.

Now turn your tissue upside down and start pulling the other layers towards their center now. This will insure you have a round ball- (otherwise you will have a fluffy flower which is pretty too, and can be used for all sorts of decorating like on your little girls walls or put in a flower pot on your table or so much more) you can now pull the tissue all around the ball to fluff it out more and get your desired look.

Another trick is to leave a long string on when you do the center part so you will have string to hang them up with, or string several together to make a fun garland.

Enjoy all the fluffy goodness! :P