Coffee Filter Flower Frame

By: Michelle Moons

Tint regular ole' coffee filters with markers, then layer them for a three-dimensional frame that's vibrant, bold, and, best of all, inexpensive and easy.

Materials:

Coffee filters (about 30)
Colored markers
Bowls of plain water
Rubber gloves
Towel to wipe any spills
Scissors
Pom poms or q-tips

Instructions:

Fold 3 coffee filters at a time in half, then fourths and then again till they resemble a tortilla chip. Color the pointy end of any color marker you want or color the whole filter with whatever colors you want. Dip the filters still folded in your hand, the water will seep the colors thru the filter and the effects will amaze you. Look at the picture. All those colors are just from dipping the filters in water slightly.
Let the filters dry. Then lay them open -- you will have 3 at a time -- put a tiny punch through the three layers. I like to cut them one at a time so that the inside petal will be the smallest petal, middle, the second, etc., at the inside will the shortest, middle...the second, etc. Then push the q-tip thru the hole thru all the layers and you can either fluff the q-tip and glue the excess cotton. Take out the bottom cotton tip on the end. It makes the most colorful frame.

Close up of Q-tip center

Closeup of Coffee Filter Flower Frame

If you loved this project, you'll love our 17 Recycled Handmade Paper Crafts page!

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LotsOCatsLady

Jul 28, 2012

Any chance you could video tape (old term 'cause I'm old!) this process? Maybe someone out there who's' done it could post a video for us older 'folk who need more visual instruction? Thanks....

LotsOCatsLady

Jul 28, 2012

What kind of coffee filters did you use? The Mr. Coffee type (round w/ fluted top), or the V-type one)? Also, I'm not sure that I follow you when you direct to fold the filters. Could you be a little more specific (can't seem to envision the tortilla chip example). Thanks so much! Michele

mnleona

Apr 30, 2011

Buttons would be cute in the center. This would be a good outdoor summer project.

cindigal2

Mar 26, 2011

Reply to MickeyJo: I supppose you can try to prolong the life of the coffee filter flowers but I never had the need to do it. Maybe if you try one of them with acrylic spray and see what happens, it wouldn't hurt. I dont know if you put a really light layer of Mod Podge what would happen. Those things I dont know. You can try and let me know. Good luck. Michelle

MickeyJo

Mar 25, 2011

I wonder if there is anything you could spray on these to give them a longer life?

NancyR

Mar 24, 2011

Thanks for this great craft. It will be a good craft for our Women's day at our church. It is not only good for kids but first time crafters too!

GMarie

Mar 24, 2011

These are great!! WOW what a bold statement on a town float! We enter the homecoming parade every year and are always looking for new ideas to help us win! This craft will give us some great colors and designs to help us grab that trophy!! Thanks

CrystalLily

Mar 24, 2011

I love this idea!! You could do a LOT with these coffee filter flowers! I could make some cute hair accessories for my granddaughters using these flowers, or decorate a dull lamp shade.. Lots more ideas flowing here! :)

cindigal2

Mar 12, 2011

To answer to Member 20731: When I said "I cut them one at a time so that the inside petal will be the smallest petal, and then I trimmed the middle petal the same way so that will be larger than the inside petal, so that all petals will have a layered look. Then proceed to the next petal (middle). When they are finished, they will have a layered effect. When you have all three petals in your hand... and the end, you will snip the pointy edge of all three. A very small hole so that the q-tip will go thru. I hoped that will help the confusion.

Member 20731

Mar 06, 2011

I like this idea but what do you mean by cutting? Do you fold each one back up and just cut the point off or do you take one that is opened up and just trim the edges of it? I hope someone understands what I am talking about. Thanks!

acadiANNA

Mar 05, 2011

This is a great project for my grandniece. Instructions are clear. I know she will want to use the flowers for a wreath. Maybe add a butterfly in it. She is very creative and her ideas keep growing. Thank you.