Papercrafting: Dyed Coffee Filter Flowers Part Two

 

In Part One, I shared how I dyed the coffee filters used to make these flowers. In this, I'll share how I made the actual flowers!

Supplies:

• Coffee Filters (I got a 100 pack at Dollar Tree)
• Acrylic Paints (Craft Smart from Michaels)
• Water
• Bottles (Dollar Tree)
• Shallow Tray (Dollar Tree)
• Stamens (80% off JoAnn after Christmas!)
• Dimensional Glue

Once your coffee filters are dyed and dried, it's time to start making flowers. You can do these with or without stamens, or you can use a bamboo skewer to build your flower. The first thing you'll need to design is what petal shape you want. I went with a shape that reminds me of the various cactus flowers we have.

I folded in half, then half, then half, and finally, half! 

Then I cut from each of the corners, and then a point in the middle as shown. 

To build the flower, I grabbed a stamen cluster and pierced the center of one coffee filter.

Add a dot or two of glue (I used Glossy Accents by Ranger) around where the stamen goes through the filter and  push the filter up around the stamen, I just kid of twisted it and then added more glue before adding another layer.

How many layers you use is up to you. I think mine were 5-6. The thing I like about having crumpled the filters is it adds dimension and bulk. WIth each layer added the process is the same. Add a little glue, twist and position, add another layer. 

Once you're all done just eyeball and fluff as needed. I made these to add to my Summer display shelf with my Painted Llamas. 

Papercrafting: Dyed Coffee Filter Flowers Part One

 

I've seen so many Reels pop up in my social media feeds showing how to dye coffee filters for projects and I was excited to try my own. Once you start playing, it's very addictive! It's also a fun and inexpensive craft that is only limited by your imagination. 

Supplies:

• Coffee Filters (I got a 100 pack at Dollar Tree)
• Acrylic Paints (Craft Smart from Michaels)
• Water
• Bottles (Dollar Tree)
• Shallow Tray (Dollar Tree)
• Stamens (80% off JoAnn after Christmas!)
• Dimensional Glue

First, gather your supplies. I chose these colors of acrylic paint (Craft Smart, Michaels) and Dollar Tree has these three-compartment plastic trays that are PERFECT for this! They also carry the small bottles shown which are great for mixing colors. 

I squirted some of the paint into the bottles as shown. Then added water. There's no right formula. I wanted a more watercolor look vs intense colors so I mixed to a thin consistency. Shake well to blend. 

I then prepped my coffee filters and filled the tray with a little bit of water. I tend to crumple my coffee filters to disguise the fluting they come with and give them an even overall texture, plus I have this theory that "working" paper, scrunching, crumpling, etc. strengthens the paper. 

I did the colors standalone in two of the three sections of the tray and mixed them in the third. 

Then I added the coffee filters to their dye bath. I didn't time how long they took to absorb the dye...it's the kind of thing you can do in between other projects. When I was happy with them, I took them out and lay them on some cardboard to dry. 

And here they are all done! Now you're ready to make flowers and I'll show you how in Part Two tomorrow!