Saturday, April 16, 2011

Coffee Filter Flowers

After adding the Robin's Egg Garland to our dining room hutch, the ends looked a little unfinished.  I was thinking of adding big bows to each end...but I wanted something different.  So with a new package of coffee filters and a little time to play, I ended up making these fluffy flowers:


They're pretty and super quick to whip up....

Start with a lovely pile of coffee filters - I used 8 for each flower


Crumple them into a loose ball


Then unravel


Start by hot gluing (a dab'll do ya) each of 5 coffee filters together - attaching at the centers




Crumble each layer a bit smaller than  the previous layer by pulling the center in a bit


Once the first 5 layers are adhered, crumple and fluff the filters


Now it's time to attach the remaining 3 filters

Fold the first filter in half



Pull back the first two filter layers and apply dabs of hot glue at the center of the flower to attach the folded filter



Repeat for the additional two filters, overlapping slightly around the center of the circle

This creates a kind of crinoline effect to maximixe fluffiness


For the flower centers, I wanted something a little different.  I saw this awesome felt technique over at Copy Craft and knew that it would work perfect (if you want to see a gorgeous pillow go check out the link - I'm serioulsy in love with it!)

Cut approximately 7 of these cute little 4 petal flowers out of felt (they can be totally wonky - no need for perfection)  I went with a 4 petal instead of 5 just because it was faster for me to cut out. 


To attach them, I used a similar technique to the hydrangea eggs

Pinch the petals together


Apply a dab of hot glue to the center of the flower and press the felt flower down, still pinched


Repeat for all of the felt flowers - add more if you like a larger center

Viola - coffee filter flower



At this point, the white was a little too, um..white for my taste.  To add a bit of color, water down a bit of craft paint (the wetter it is, the better the watercolored effect)



And paint the filters (I painted every layer completely)



Then leave to dry overnight

Crumple and fluff when dry and ta-da



I really wish that I'd have tried these out before my sister's bridal shower last year.  They are oh-so-much faster than the napkin flowers I made!

And here they are dressing up the Robin's Egg Garland


I think I like 'em :)


I participate in the following link parties: Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Skip to My Lou, The Girl Creative, Making the World Cuter, Miss Crafty Pants, Super Stinky Boys, Mad In Crafts, Embellishing Life Everyday, Keeping It Simple, The DIY Home Sweet Home Project, Chocolate Drool & Kisses, Simply Cadence, Polly Wanna Crafter, Sew Can Do, Tip Junkie, My Frugal Family, Coastal Charm, New Nostagalia, Blessed with Grace, The Creative Itch, Funky Polka Dot Giraffe, Home Stories A to ZThe Lettered Cottage, A Bowl Full of Lemons, At Home with K, All Thingz Related, Today's Creative Blog, Not Just a Housewife, Sew Much Ado, Blue Cricket Design, My Backyard Eden, Gluesticks, Extreme Personal Measures, The Thrifty Home, The Trendy Treehouse, Someday Crafts, All Things Heart and Home, Elements Interiors, My Girlish Whims, DIY by Design, Somewhat Simple, House of Hepworths, Seven Thirty Three, Fireflies and Jellybeans, Beyond the Picket Fence, Black Kat Design, Thrifty 101, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Finding Fabulous, Poppies at Play, The Inspired Room, KoJo Designs, Whipperberry, Inspiring CreationsRomantic Home, The Speckled Dog, At the Picket Fence, Little Brick Ranch, Designer Garden, Simply Sweet Home, Simply Designing, Tatertots & Jello, Funky Junk Interiors, Be Different Act Normal, Saturday Morning Blog, It's a Crafty Life, I Heart Naptime, Under the Table and Dreaming, Creative Jewish Mom, Flamingo Toes, The DIY Showoff, Nifty Thrifty Things, Thrifty Decor Chick,

24 comments:

Jenna said...

So pretty! I have coffee filters but no coffee machine so this is a perfect use.

Lotte Lu and Brother Too said...

Thanks for sharing! I saw these last week with your garland post and wondered how you did it. I think I'm going to try and make some to embellish my mother's easter basket! Have a great weekend!

Dragonfliez Made said...

That is such a cute project.

Erin said...

i love these! i'm going to have my fourth graders make these for mother's day!

Saby said...

Ohh I love it! I believe my husband thinks I'm obsessed with coffee filters, but they just have so many possible uses. Thanks for another idea on how to use the stacks I have downstairs!

OurWanderingAdventures said...

Aww so cute!!!

Alison said...

Very cute! Great idea. :)

Kindra-At Home With K said...

Wonderful! They look so real. Can't believe they are coffee filters. :) Thanks so much for linking up to Terrific Under Ten today!

Lindsey Stipes said...

love it...I have seen some really neat things done with coffee filters...but nothing like this yet!! super cute. stopped by from the tip junkie!!

Ginger said...

Thanks for linking up to Mad Skills Monday!

Unknown said...

Super cute!

Nancy

Delightful Order said...

This is so great! Would love for you to link to my delightfully inspiring Thursday Party.
http://delightfulorder.blogspot.com/2011/04/delightfully-inspiring-thursday-party-8.html
DaNita

Cat said...

Awesome tutorial and beautiful flowers. I recently purchased some filters to make flowers also. I'm going to follow your instructions now. Thanks!

Found you on Whipperberry. New follower.

Terry said...

Super cute idea! I actually have some coffee filters that I colored to make some flowers and never got around to making them. You inspired me to get them out and make some flowers! Thanks for sharing. Please stop over this weekend and link up to my party!

Chocolate Drool and Kisses said...

Super cute and simple! I love when you can make something so cute for not to much work. Thanks for sharing all your cute ideas at my monday sharing party.
Crystal

staci @ lizard n ladybug said...

Looks beautiful!!
Love how simple yet stunning coffee filters can be :)

Jennifer said...

Love it! And so easy!!
Coming from the At Home with K linky!

Unknown said...

Isn't it just amazing how something so simple can turn out so pretty!! I would love it if you would link this up to my Marvelous Mess party....each week I pick one project to feature on my sidebar!! Here's the link: http://marvelouslymessy.blogspot.com/2011/04/marvelous-mess-10.html

Vanessa @ {nifty thrifty things} said...

I love the coffee filter flowers! Thanks so much for sharing the tute!
I would love it if your shared @ {nifty thrifty sunday} again! :)
xoxo,
Vanessa

Vanessa @ {nifty thrifty things} said...

I love the coffee filter flowers! Thanks so much for sharing the tute!
I would love it if your shared @ {nifty thrifty sunday} again! :)
xoxo,
Vanessa

Janelle said...

Very pretty and what a lovely idea to add them to the ends of the garland.

Brandy J. said...

I love crafting with coffee filters. These flowers are darling!!

Unknown said...

Thank you for inspiring me to create! xoxo

Unknown said...

oh my gosh, how cute and creative!

www.generationalrose.blogspot.com

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