Tie-Dye Coffee Filter Flowers and Butterflies

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​(Hover over each image for directions)

Supplies needed: coffee filters (round ones work best); markers; cup of water; scissors; pipe cleaner; tape (optional)

Flatten coffee filter and, using markers, draw any kind of design you want (the more colorful, the better!). You don't need to fill in every white space though-- that's where the water comes in!

Fold the filter in half...

...then in half again...

...then one more time, until you have a wedge shape

Dip the narrow end into the water briefly (don't keep it in too long)

Then turn it over and dip each side of the wide end in briefly too

Then set aside (on a waterproof surface) and watch the magic happen!

When the water has soaked through from top to bottom, open the filter and leave it somewhere to dry, and see the beautiful tie dye patter you made!

To make a flower:

Take the colored, dried filter and a pipe cleaner

Fold into 3 until you get a wedge shape

Using scissors, round off the top...

...until it looks like this

When you unfold it, it will have a definite flower shape

Poke the pipe cleaner up through the center of the filter...

...and on the opposite side, bend and twist the end to secure it

Fluff it from the bottom up, and you have a flower!

Twist part of the pipe cleaner stem into a leaf shape for added effect!

To make a butterfly:

Take colored and dried filter and start folding, alternating back and front (like an accordion)

...keep folding!

...till you have something like this

Use scissors to round the ends

Take a pipe cleaner (any color) and tie twist around the middle

Use a pen or other thin, round instrument to curl the ends

Gently spread the filter apart, and tada! you have a butterfly! :)

Now you have a beautiful flower and butterfly!