Fold the coffee filters in half and then in half again. Fold the coffee filters in half one last time.
Cut a rounded petal shape across the wide edge of the folded coffee filters.
Unfold the coffee filters and place the stack on a baking tray. Use your hands to press them out so the pile lies flat.
Step 2: Colour the coffee filters
Add 2 tablespoons of water to a small bowl. Repeat in other bowls for additional colours (1 bowl per paint colour).
Add liquid watercolour paint into the water.We used 10 drops for yellow, 2 drops for red (to make a pink), and 4 drops for orange.
Using an eyedropper, add yellow to the center of the coffee filters. (They should still be stacked in a pile of 4 coffee filters.)
Again using the eyedropper, add another colour (or several colours) to the petals of the flower.
Allow the coffee filters to dry for 3 to 5 hours. (Or 20 minutes in the oven at 130F.)
Step 3: Shape the flower
Separate the coffee filters into 2 piles with 2 coffee filters each. Adjust the top coffee filter so that the petals are off-set from the bottom coffee filter.Place your finger in the center of the flower, then bring the coffee filters up and around your finger. Pinch and twist them together a bit at the bottom.
Repeat for the second pile of coffee filters.
Bring the two bundles together at the bottom.
Place the end of a pipe cleaner about 1/2 inch from the bottom point of the coffee filters. Tightly wrap the pipe cleaner around the coffee filters spiraling down until it covers the bottom point. Leave the rest of the pipe cleaner straight as the stem.
Separate the coffee filters and shape them to look like a flower.