You’ll Be Surprised of the Many Creative Ways to Use Coffee Filters, Like Crafting Coffee Filter Butterflies with Your Kids

I recently commented on  beautiful flowers at a wedding shower I was at and was surprised to learn that they were made from coffee filters.  Yes!  Coffee Filters!  I was told they are easy to make so I started to do some research, again surprised at ALL the creative ways to use coffee filters, including adorable butterflies.  What a great way to make memories on a rainy afternoon with your kids!You can attach magnets to the back of each butterfly and use them as refridgerator art.  Attach fishing line and hang them from the ceiling or make an old fashion mobile using a wire coat hanger and attach to the ceiling light.  The skies the limit, but first you need to make them!

SUPPLIES:

• pipe cleaner (black preferred, but not necessary)
• Paper coffee filter
• Water color paints
• Paint brush
• Water

DIRECTIONS

• Flatten the coffee filter and place it on a plate or newspaper to paint, remember, the paint and water will soak through. (unless you choose to use crayons).  Set aside on paper towels to dry.
• Fold the pipe cleaner in half/ . Remember, you are only using half of it to begin with.
• Fold the coffee filter accordion style, in about ½" pleats.
• Position the pleated coffee filter into the bent end of the pipe cleaner stem. Center the filter at the bend.
• Twist the pipe cleaner stem around the filter to secure it in place.
• Bend the tips of the pipe cleaner stems over about ¼" to create the antennae.
• Fan out the butterfly wings.

Tips:

For a more vibrant butterfly, be sure to paint all white areas with paint.

Instead of using all the colors on one filter, make some with warm colors (red, yellow, orange) and some with cool colors (blue, green, purple).

Instructions from kaboose.com