Spring Inspiration: Butterfly String

http://bugsandfishes.blogspot.com/2009/02/how-to-butterfly-mobile.html

Tissue Paper / Mixed Media Hanging Butterflies

I saw a beautiful felt butterfly mobile at http//bugsandfishes.blogspot.com. Check it out it is gorgeous! I was immediately inspired to create one myself. I didn't have the felt and didn't see myself getting to the craft store anytime soon.

I remembered a collage technique I had used to create some of my handmade cards (see photos below butterflies.) I thought this would work beautifully. It looks very delicate and allows the subtleties of your collage show through.




Examples of the technique used to make miniature collages for cards.

Supplies: Contact Paper, Template, Tissue, Modge Podge, Glue brush or Foam brush, Sequins, Thread, Needle, Marker
Age: 6+ with assistance from an adult
Level: intermediate

Step 1:
Download template from bugsandfishes.blogspot.com or use your own
Tape to window and trace onto paper side of contact paper.
(You will not actually ever peal the contact paper from its backing. It is used merely as a surface to work on. You will peal your dried collaged paper off the shiny surface of the contact paper later.)


Step 2:
Tape contact paper (shiny side up) to a work surface. I use an old drawing board so I can move it as we do not have a permanent craft table.
Thin Modge Podge slightly with water.
Working one butterfly at a time -- paint a layer of Modge Podge onto butterfly pattern.
Lay down small tissue pieces, overlapping them as you go, covering pattern
Apply another layer of Modge Podge
Layer more tissue, sequins, or thread
Apply another layer of Modge Podge
Apply a final layer of tissue & Modge Podge
Experiment & have fun. Using different shades of the same color creates a nice effect. Remember to make it at least 2 layers of tissue, 3 would be best. It will make your butterflies more durable.
Lulu (3.5) made the top purple butterfly. She lost interest after doing one. Although she likes to point out her butterfly on the strand!


Step 3: Dry over night
Carefully cut out butterflies.
If you can't see the outline through your layers of tissue -- turn it over and cut using the marker line as your guide. I know this appears self evident but if you have mommy brain...
They may have already started to peal up from the contact paper. So hold them in place with your hand as you cut.
Peal off from contact paper.
I saved my scraps and contact paper butterflies. I will use them in another project. The collaged paper is too beautiful to throw away.


Step 4: Thread. Embellish with sequins & Hang
You can also use your butterflies on packages and cards. Leave me a comment if you come up with some other use for them. Maybe even as a spring luncheon napkin ring...

Monster Craft on Industructables Website

I love this! The mouth zips! It is the little things that put a smile on my face. My girls are too young to do this now hopefully some of you have older kids and can try this. Such a great idea!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Monster_container_with_bottles/

Start Thinking Spring! Lanterns

Beautiful, easy to make spring lanterns. This is a great activity for preteen and older. Obviously, you can make your designs as simple or complex as you like.




Supplies:

Paper Lantern*

Mod Podge with a little water to thin it out

Foam or Craft Brush

Tissue Paper (The better the quality the less likely to fade)

Scissors

Patience

*You can buy a white lantern (they come in all different shapes & sizes!) from Ikea, Pier 1, or your craft store (I just saw mini ones at Michael's in the $1 bin.) You do not have to buy a white lantern -- the pink lantern (see picture) came pink. If you choose a colored lantern remember that light colored tissue will show through the base color. It is a very nice effect. I used tissue to make the blue globe blue. It was originally a white lantern.

It helps to have a clear idea of what you want to do before you start! Be creative! Please send me photos of your finished lanterns!

The technique is very simple.
Paint a little glue on lantern
Gently apply your piece without getting glue on your fingers
Using your brush paint some more glue over top to flatten
Layer the tissue for depth and interest
(Notice the butterfly is made up of several layered pieces on the Cherry Blossom Lantern)
Don't forget your lantern will be viewed from all sides
When your lantern is dry paint a thin layer of glue over to protect your work
Hang & Enjoy
Exposure to intense sunlight may fade your lantern over time (that's why buying high quality tissue helps)

Note: I used a stencil for the lettering on the globe. I printed out the boys name in the font & size that I wanted. I traced the letters onto tissue and cut then out. You can also purchase electrical kits at Ikea so you can hang a light inside the lantern.