Learn how to make these colorful egg carton flowers to create a garland for your Christmas mantel. It looks great with fresh or faux greenery but is pretty enough on its own.
This tutorial for egg carton flowers is super easy. You do have to save as many cartons as you need for your string of lights. In my case, I used a 70 bulb string of lights, which more than filled our large mantel. That meant having six egg cartons to save.
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How to Make Egg Carton Flowers
We do eat a lot of eggs but if you don't perhaps you know someone who would gladly give your their cartons.
This is an example of the type of egg carton that was used for this project. I'm not sure if the styrofoam egg cartons would work with this project. Mostly because I would think that they would be hard to paint, and I like the rustic look of the cardboard.
To start, cut out all of the individual egg cups.
Next, cut a V shape at each of the four corners.
It's already starting to look like a flower.
All you need to do now is round off the pointed edges to create rounded petals.
Poke a hole in the middle from the bottom and place it over the lightbulb. The lightbulb will now serve as the center of the flower.
Test for size. If a pencil doesn't work, try a phillips head screwdriver.
Creating an Egg Carton Flower Garland
Spray paint your flowers in the color of your choice. You can do this before you poke the holes. I did some before, and some after. If you don't have any spray paint on hand you could use regular acrylic paint from your craft supplies stash.
Then simply fit the middle of the flower onto your string of lights. They fit nice and snug, so I didn't even bother with my hot glue gun.
This egg carton flower garland looks great with this fresh cedar, however, I think it's so pretty with or without fresh or faux greens.
I really like how it adds a nice pop of red to our mantel. I could see this flower garland framing an archway, or around a door frame. Of course, you can make it your own, by changing the color, adding glitter, or using different colored lights.
One of many craft projects which cost next to nothing to make. Most of you probably have or have access to egg cartons, an extra string of lights, and paint hanging around the house.
All that is left is a little bit of your time and you can have this adorable egg carton flower garland for any festive event.
More Garland Projects:
Egg Carton Flower Garland
Equipment
- pencil
- Scissors
Materials
- Cardboard egg cartons
- Red spray paint
- String of Christmas tree mini lights
Instructions
- Cut out all of the individual egg compartments.
- Cut a V shape at each of the four corners.
- Round off the pointed edges.
- Poke a hole in the middle from the bottom to place over the lights.
- Test for size. If a pencil doesn't work, try a Phillips head screwdriver.
- Spray paint your beautiful egg carton flowers in the color of your choice.
- Push the egg carton flowers onto the bulbs on the string of lights.
- Hang it with fresh cedar garland or alone for a bright and cheery mantel.
JP
Such a cute idea! I made little egg carton Easter baskets a few years back and adore them, too.
Merry Christmas to you!
JP
Cristina at Ava's Alphabet
This garland is so cool! I love it! My husband always asks me why I am keeping "garbage" in the basement - little does he know that my egg cartons could make something this cool! Ha! Pinned and sharing. Thank you for joining us at Family Joy Blog Link-Up Party.
Ashley
That looks SO nice!! I wish I had one of those!!
Rhonda
The garland looks beautiful on the mantel. Very creative. Thanks for sharing on Sunday's Best.
Julie
I'd completely forgotten, seeing this has reminded me. My Nan used to make daffodils from crepe paper and use egg boxes for the trumpet bit. Such a great idea to reuse something and make it into a lovely and inexpensive decoration. thanks.
handmade by amalia
Clever and pretty. I love recycled projects.
Amalia
xo
FLORENCE @ VintageSouthernPicks
Patti, that is the cleverest thing I've seen in a long while!!! I LOVE it! I will be posting to my FB page, so come on over & "like" & re-share it! (Scheduled to post tomorrow, 12/8). Pinned too.
FLORENCE @ VintageSouthernPicks
Oh well, scheduling on FB didn't work for me tonight. It posted now, so when you have time, go check it out! Loved this!
Jody
This is so very lovely. Not this Christmas but on my list for next year. Two dogs and 2 cats on my lap at night means I do all my crafting during the day.
Patti Estep
Hi Jody,
I have one cat and she is 16 and doesn't like to sit in my lap. 🙁
Mostly she will sit in front of me on the coffee table and beg for food.
She's area entertainment.
Thanks for stopping by,
Patti
Lidy@FrenchGardenHouse Antiques
I love this idea, Patti! What a great, and quite beautiful, idea for adding some color and light to a holiday garland. I can easily see these in pastel colors for Easter, too! Brilliant!
Patti Estep
Hi Lidy,
I agree pastels would be great for Easter, and maybe in the summer with brighter colors for an outdoor party.
Thanks for stopping by,
Patti
Pam Larmore
The garland is beautiful. I would have never figure out that the flowers were made from egg cartons!
Carole @ Garden Up Green
So very Clever.... First glance I had no idea you used an egg carton - very well done my friend. Neat idea and I like it mixed in with the cedar garland. I'm doing very few projects this Christmas because with the house up for sale wasn't even sure how much decorating I should do. I miss it but I'm saving all these ideas for later. Great project!!
Patti Estep
Hi Carole,
You definitely have a pass this year with selling your home and next year you will have your calendar full of ideas so no worries. I'm so glad you liked the garland. I saw something similar in the summer and thought this would be great for our Christmas mantel. I cut them out at night while we were watching TV and made a mess but I was pleased with the end result.
Have a wonderful week!
Patti
guida
love it