How to Make Dyed Coffee Filter Snowflakes

Coffee filter snowflakes are quick, easy, inexpensive decorations! They are also a fantastic craft for young children and the young at heart. A few easy steps and materials and you are ready to start!

Steps

1. Get your coffee filter. This is what will become your snowflake. White coffee filters will yield the most colorful results.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


2. Fold the coffee filter in half.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


3. Fold it in half again, creating fourths.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


4. Fold the filter in half again, into eighths.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


5. Cut out your snowflake's design. This is similar to typical regular paper snowflakes. It can be as simple or as complex as you want. Cutting triangles tend to be easiest, but rounded shapes are possible too.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


6. Unfold your snowflake. It should have a repeating pattern around it.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


7. Color your snowflake with the markers. These have to be the washable kind, which are water based.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Your coloring does not have to be neat; the design will spread and blur into colored blobs.
   
   
   
   


8. Crumple your colored snowflake and submerge it in a bowl of water. The longer it is submerged, the more blurred the colors will get. It only needs to be submerged for a second or two.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Alternatively, you could use a spray bottle and spray water on the snowflake. This will result in a less blurred, more colorful snowflake. It also may be a little less messy when working with children, as they tend to slop water everywhere.
   
   
   
   


9. Remove the flake from the water and squeeze it out.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


10. Unfold your snowflake. Be gentle, as wet filters tear easily.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    


11. Dry it on a surface, such as a towel. Alternatively, you can simply stick it wet on a window and it will hang there until it dries and falls off. Enjoy!
    
    
    
    
    
    
    


12. Do this project again and again! A good project with young children is worth repeating. With a few variations, this project can be done again to easily fit another theme. For example:
    
    
    
    • Do not cut the paper filter - just "tie-dye" it. Just by itself it is pretty. It also creates a nice "stained glass" effect which is nice for a unit on the Middle Ages.
    
    
    • You could also create a flower. Again, skip the cutting steps. When dry, add a green chenille stick and paper leaf. Give the paper a small twist to create a flower!
    
    
    
    

Tips

• The snowflakes don't have to be made with just "snowflake colors" like blue or gray. It could be a rainbow snowflake, or a fire snowflake. Anything goes!


• Several of these snowflakes hung on a string or yarn makes a lovely festive garland.


• This can also be done with watercolor paint and brushes instead of marker.


• After drying, try painting the snowflake with glue and add glitter for a final touch - a great way to extend the activity for older children.


• Coffee filters can be just painted without cutting! (This is great for younger children or a very quick art project)

Warnings

• Cover surfaces with newspaper, old towels, or the like. Your markers might bleed through the filter.


• If you stick your snowflake directly to the window, without tape it will dry and fall off eventually.


• Marker and paint will bleed onto clothing. Be sure to be careful, protect clothing, and use only washable markers or paint.

Things You'll Need

• Water


• A coffee filter


• A bowl


• Water-based (washable) markers


• Scissors

Related wikiHows

• How to Make a Paper Snowflake

source How to of the Day http://ift.tt/1tLbBQj