DIY Sunflower Ornament From Egg Cartons

Designer: Marcia Izabel Marchiori

YouTube: MarciaBel Vlog  

Instagram: @marciabel

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Level: Beginner

Nothing says summer quite like sunflowers. With their bright, cheerful petals and sunny charm, they bring instant joy to any space. In today’s tutorial, I’ll show you how to make a lovely sunflower ornament using something you probably already have at home: a recycled paper egg carton!

This is a simple and relaxing craft you can finish in just one sitting. It doesn’t require many supplies, and the best part is that you can play with different color combinations to make each sunflower your own. Whether you hang it on a wall, add it to a summer wreath, or use it as a cheerful gift topper, this handmade ornament is a fun way to welcome the sunny days ahead.

Let’s make it! 🌻

Tools & Supplies Needed 

OLFA FCM-12x17 12" x 17" Folding Cutting Mat

OLFA 9mm SAC-1 Stainless-Steel Graphics Knife with 30-Degree Precision Blade

OLFA 7-Inch SCS-2 Serrated-Edge Stainless Steel Scissors

Egg Cartons

Gouache Paint or Acrylic Paint, assorted colors

Brush

Mini Pompoms you can make them from scratch or buy them at the dollar store)

 Wool Yarn and Needle

Beads

Hot Glue Gun

Instructions:

Step 1: Cut the Egg Carton Pieces

Using OLFA graphics knife and a cutting mat, carefully cut out all the round parts of the egg carton by slicing through each one in a line. Keep the center pointed dividers intact, as shown below.

Step 2: Shape the Petals

Now take your OLFA scissors and start shaping the petals. Cut along the edges of each divider, creating curved and pointed petal shapes. Each pointed divider will turn into one petal piece.

Step 3: Paint the Petals

Using a brush, paint each petal with your favorite gouache colors. I used a mix of yellow and light cream color for a bright summer feel, but you can experiment with any shades you like. Paint one of the pieces green. Let them dry fully before moving on.

Step 4: Arrange the Flower

Before gluing anything, place the painted dividers in a flower shape. They will naturally form a circle. The number of pieces needed will depend on the size of your egg carton dividers, but keep the numbers even. For mine, I used eight pieces.

Step 5: Glue the Petals Together

Once you are happy with the arrangement, glue each piece together to complete your sunflower shape, as shown below. It’s important to align the inner circle of the dividers carefully.

Step 6: Make a Small Flower

To add a second flower to your ornament, use two dividers, gluing them together.

Step 7: Start Assembling the Ornament

•   Cut around 1 yard of yarn and thread a needle. Tie a knot at one end to secure your first embellishment.

•   Add a pompom to begin.

•   Now, leave a bit of space after the pompom and tie a knot in the yarn to hold the bead in place. Insert the bead. Leave more space, just enough to fit the flower while still letting the bead show. Then, tie a second knot to act as a stopper for the flower. After that, insert the flower (add as many beads or pompoms as you like to decorate the string).

Step 8: Attach the Sunflower

•   Now it's time to add the main sunflower. First, tie a knot to the yarn, then insert a bead that will act as a stopper.

•   Use the needle to pass the yarn through the bottom of the sunflower.

•   Insert a brown pompom that will become the flower center.

•   Then pass the yarn through the top of the sunflower.

To finish, tie a loop at the top of the yarn so you can hang your ornament wherever you like. And your sunflower ornament is ready!

This is such a lovely and simple project for sunny days. You can make several and hang them around your home, or even give them as gifts.

I hope you have a joyful day making these, and don’t forget to tag me @marciabel and @OLFA_craft in your finished ornaments, we would love to see your creations. 🌻
Have fun crafting!

Marcia