The best scrapbook supplies are often found in the oddest places. I was part way through doing a layout on one of the flowers in our rose garden when I realized that not one of the paper flowers I had in my stash was suitable for the look I wanted. As I was making coffee the next morning, I looked at the brown coffee filter and thought to myself...why not? The roses I created out of the filters were just what this vintage layout needed.



After experimentation, I found this method worked the best. I folded the coffee filter in half, smoothing it out with my hands just a bit.

In my first effort to craft in a greener way, I was able to create two beautiful projects, one for me and one as a gift for a friend. Saving money and reducing waste, two themes we see constantly in the world around us, joined together with the world of papercrafting.



I folded back the top edge towards me and the back edge either way. Folding it forward gives the rose one look and backwards, another.



Next, starting on the right side, I began to slowly roll the filter towards the center and then wrapping the left side down and around the right. The filters are very malleable and, if you are not pleased with how the rose is shaping up, you can smooth out the filter and start again. A final twist at the bottom creates the stem. I used a small tipped glue pen to apply adhesive between some of the folds to doubly secure the rose's shape.



I used a combination of painted on Glimmer Mist, Pearlescent Watercolors and Lumiere paints to get the degrees of color and depth to the roses.

• Brad: leaf (Creative Impressions)




To create the bud on the top right rose, I folded the last of the coffee filter from the left side back over itself and used the clear drying glue pen to secure it.



Each rose turns out just as Mother Nature had intended, different from all the rest.

I am a retired English teacher originally from St. Louis, Mo. I now live in a small fishing village on the Gulf Coast of Florida with my husband and two cats. My adult children live nearby. In addition to being an avid scrapbooker and alterist, I enjoy biking, kayaking and reading. I have been playing with paper for over twelve years and currently design for KnKclub.com and A Cherry on the Top.