Spring officially arrived this weekend and I be celebrating one of my favorite seasons with all kinds of projects in the weeks ahead. The first is a wreath made from recycled book pages that have been transformed into whimsical butterflies. I love butterflies they are little creatures full of the most amazing color, details and a true symbol of change. Did you know that butterfly wings are covered in tiny scales, each in a different color? Quite simply amazing if I may say so!
Anyway...I digress...lets get started!
Start with an old book- (I had one left over from my last event where we altered old encyclopedia pages)
Draw an outline of a butterfly- this can be detailed and perfect or a simple doodle- it is up to you!
Fill with paint. I used watercolors so that the words from my page would show through but you could also use acrylic paint, markers, colored pencils, etc.
Create enough butterflies to fill the surface of your wreath.
Cut out the butterflies, leaving a little bit of the extra page showing around the edges.
Use strips of the pages to wrap around the wreath- I used tacky glue.
Once the wreath is covered, begin to attach your butterflies to the surface of the wreath. I applied glue just down the middle of my butterfly and glued down.
Layer and stack the butterflies along the entire surface. Bend and fold the wings to give more dimension.
I make A LOT of stuff and so far this might be my favorite- it just make me smile!
67 comments:
LOVE it! Love the colors and the media! What a great way to repurpose old books... The butterflies work so well but I could see it with aNY shapes
Another great tutorial. I will be making this with my daughter soon!
very fun, wreath woman you.
You make so many beautiful wreaths. I've never made one but I'm feeling inspired to finally do it.
I would love to see your wreaths in their context. Do you hang some of them on the front door? Is there one spot in your living room where you always have a wreath? I'd love to see pic's with some of the surroundings.
:)
I love all your wreaths - but yes, this has got to be one of the best. So bright and colourful and fun, perfect for spring! Beautiful :)
SIMPLY BEAUTIOUS!!
what a fabulous spring wreath, the colorful page wings look like they are going to flutter away. Maybe you should tack an escapee close by on the wall, lol.
It has been years since I last created a seasonal wreath (other than Christmas), but I love this and am inspired to make one too!
perfect for spring. Thanks
this is so lovely!
thank you for sharing it (all sorts of exciting ideas are stewing in my mind now :)
May I ask what kind of brush are you using for the paint?
it is like none I've seen before and looks neat!
Makes me smile too! I just might have to make one for my front door. I've been painting egg cartons and using them for sorting stuff. I love your tutorials!
Absolutely my favorite!!!! I'm going to go pull out stuff to make one tomorrow!
Do you think painting both sides of the paper with something - mat medium, sealer, will keep it from getting soggy in out humidity if I put it on my front door?
this is gorgeous! it would make a great mobile too.
LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE this!! Alisa, you so ROCK!
I feel so happy looking at it!!
That is REALLY awesome!! I love it! Thanks for sharing.
Mindy ;o)
So pretty!! It made me smile too!! ~Jess
This is so pretty! I can't wait to make one, too.
Absolutely love it! I think I need one of those on my front door! Thanks again for a splendid tutorial!
made me smile too
Oh what an absolutely ADORABLE idea!! Thank you!
I just want to say thank you for all your tutorials. I have so much fun with them and never leave your site not feeling inspired! Thanks again!
I think it's one of my favorites too. I love the butterflies and the colors.
This is beautiful and looks like fun! Thanks for sharing! :)
Beautiful! Love the colors and whimsical design. What a fun idea!
Beautiful and so alive. Like it very much :D
I just love it. amazing and amazing!
what a fun idea and the best part is that my boys can paint them and I can use the books nobody will ever read again.
thank you for sharing.
Looks soooooooooooo beautiful again, I love your wreath tutorials, hope I'll find the time to do them.
This is a beautiful wreath. Thanks for a great tutorial.
Priscilla
I LOVE these whimsical butterflies! Now I need to figure out how I can use them somehow...
Thanks for the tute!
Oh, I want that. I tried making my own butterflies awhile back for a piece of framed art and had a complete craft fail. I ended up buying a stamp! But wow your butterflies really rock it. Beautiful.
What a wonderful project to come across on yet another gray and rainy day here in North Carolina. Love the project and will be checking out more of your blog to see what other great projects you've already posted.
WOW - sick a couple of days and I missed so much! I just LOVE these butterflies!!!
This project is great! Congratulations! I ask permission to report it on my blog for my readers? Thanks ... Beta
www.bimbumbeta.blogspot.com
as much as I love this there is no way I could execute it myself to such an incredible standard. It would just suck basically. Beautiful work.
Oh, I just love it!!!! What a phantastic idea - I'm off, looking for an unloved book that I can use. Thank you so much.Greeting from Germany
gorgeous!! With all caps!~Pamela
This is the most beautiful and simple Idea I have seen in a long time! I see why it is your favorite. It makes me smile too!
LOVE THIS! Found you via Whip Up. I'll be linking in my Week in Review post at Ready, Set, Craft! tomorrow. Can't wait to explore your blog some more!
Joanne @ Ready, Set, Craft!
http://www.readysetcraft.blogspot.com
This is beautiful! I love the paper choice and your gorgeous bright colors! Just an amazing piece of art!
LOVE it...your coloring style is amazing!
Makes me smile too even if I've had a strange phobia of butterflies ever since I was a kid!
This is beautiful!!
I was so taken by your wreath that I tried one myself. I posted photos of it over at queenlythings.typepad.com. Thank you for the inspiration and terrific tutorial.
I soooooo LOVE this! my daughter saw it and is starting one immediately :) yours is so gorgeous!
I love this. I made one too, but a little different! http://yesmom8.blogspot.com/2010/04/my-butterfly-wreath.html
Jus wanted to let you know you inspire all over the world...even in Holland;) Thanx for doing that, love your blog!
love it!
best wreath ever!
I love this wreath, thanks for the tutorial. I will be making one of these with my kids for sure!
how beautiful! and clever!
Great Blog! Thanks for the inspiration.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this!!! Really want to make one for myself! What a fantastic idea.
This is so fun! I absolutely love all your recycling crafts!
I want this! Like enough to try and make it as soon as possible-I'm so happy I found your site!!!!
(I too have only ever made Christmas wreaths in the past)
I want this! Like enough to try and make it as soon as possible-I'm so happy I found your site!!!!
(I too have only ever made Christmas wreaths in the past)
Super idea! Thanx!!! :)
This is so wonderful. It is simple and perfect. I think I must show my girls and see if they want to make one. Oh, love!!!
Gorgeous! I hope it's ok if I use one of your photos on our creative links blog Deze is ook leuk, to link back to your tutorial?
Thanks.
WOW!!!! I Love this!!!! I am going to have to make one - it's just beautiful!!! Thanks for the tutorial
:-)
OMG!! This is beyond cute! Awesome job!
love it! Thank you for sharing!
LOVE. Pure and simple love!
Featured it today - MANY thanks!
http://benikeboutique.blogspot.com/2012/02/tutorial-tuesday-butterfly-wreath.html
i'm going to make this, but use the plastic from milk jugs to draw the butterflies (you can trace from books for those who aren't artistic). i'll let the kids color them in with permanent markers. when attached to the wreath along with some old silk flowers...it can be hung outside without damaging anything.
Love it! Planning on letting the kids make one for teacher appreciation...maybe have the kids ask their teacher what their favorite book is. :) THANKS!
What a beautiful tutorial !!
Love your craft. it is easy and fun to make, great job keep it up.. good for kids..
This is gorgeous! The print through the water colors gives a sense of dimension, and of movement at the same time. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Post a Comment