As I sat in my living room this weekend looking around at the boxes of lights, ornaments, and other holiday decor that I should be packing, I suddenly thought of a great way to distract myself from what I SHOULD be doing.  I saw a box of white string lights that never made it into the front window this year and started to ponder the crafty possibilities.  A few cone-shaped coffee filters and a raid on my daughters art supplies and I had beautiful water-colored, paper flower string lights. Of course if I had more time and patience the possibilities for making amazing flowers are endless.

Here’s how you do it:

Supplies:

• String of leftover Christmas Lights – C7 (large bulbs), Clear and any length you wish
• Size 4 Cone Coffee Filters (white)
• Scissors
• Foam craft/paint brush – optional
• Poster Paints – I used my daughter’s “washable” craft paints – Any colors you wish
• Glass with enough water to dilute paint
• small cup or ramekin – for drying
• Clear tape (which I also had leftover in volume from gift wrapping)

Directions:

Stack up a few coffee filters and cut a scalloped edge for the petals.  You can also cut the petals in different shape this is just what I happened to choose.

Dilute paint into your cup of water and mix well.  Again, this can be as much as you want depending on how strong you like the color. Dip you filter flower into the paint and let the color cover the entire filter.  You can use a foam craft brush for this part too.

Shake the excess paint/water off onto a plate and open the filter up carefully to dry. I placed my flowers on tiny plastic cups but you can also use ramekins.  Now, depending on how patient you are there are options for drying your flowers.  Personally I am incredibly impatient so I put my filter flower in the microwave for 30 seconds to dry.  I can’t attest to how safe this is so – use the microwave method at your own risk but it did dry them instantly.

Once you have your completely dry flower, flatten it back out and cut a slit in the bottom about 1.5 inches or big enough to fit onto the base of the light.

Unscrew the bulb from the base before fastening your flower onto it and secure the flower with scotch tape.  You can also tie it with ribbon, lace or something else to make it beautiful. Be careful that the flower is secured to the base and not touching the bulb.

There you have it . . . beautiful repurposed holiday lights with enough time to make them for your springtime wedding! Enjoy.