Tissue Paper Craft

Is there a specific kind of craft paper that emulates the feel/texture of petals?

So it's sort of needs to be tissue like but a lot stronger and smoother than tissue of course.
I'm doing a table decoration that needs a LOT of petals but I don't want to use real flower petals since it's sort of expensive. Is there any cheap alternative easy-to-find paper that can be used and could just be painted on so it looks like real petals?
Fabrics are also alright as long as they're inexpensive.

I wonder if you could try the non-woven fabric that is used for interfacing on sewing projects, like Pelon (as shown at the link)?

http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog.jsp?CATID=cat3136&PRODID=prd14631

It would be cheaper and easier to find than any paper that might imitate the texture you need.

Deb

Craft Project: Tissue Paper Daffodils