Tuesday, March 23, 2010

butterfly wreath tutorial


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:

Jolon @ Savvy Chic Saving said...

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

skyerae said...

Another great tutorial. I will be making this with my daughter soon!

Jane LaFazio said...

very fun, wreath woman you.

noell said...

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.
:)

Natalie Elphinstone said...

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 :)

Saundra Lane Galloway said...

SIMPLY BEAUTIOUS!!

Unknown said...

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.

Caryn Lynn said...

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!

starseasons said...

perfect for spring. Thanks

Liberty said...

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!

Randi Nervig said...

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!

Lyric said...

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?

mel said...

this is gorgeous! it would make a great mobile too.

Anonymous said...

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE this!! Alisa, you so ROCK!

CB said...

I feel so happy looking at it!!

minlinhe said...

That is REALLY awesome!! I love it! Thanks for sharing.
Mindy ;o)

Anonymous said...

So pretty!! It made me smile too!! ~Jess

Adrian said...

This is so pretty! I can't wait to make one, too.

Dori Patrick said...

Absolutely love it! I think I need one of those on my front door! Thanks again for a splendid tutorial!

Shoozles said...

made me smile too

Candy Capeless said...

Oh what an absolutely ADORABLE idea!! Thank you!

A'n'G Johnson said...

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!

HollyM said...

I think it's one of my favorites too. I love the butterflies and the colors.

Roben-Marie said...

This is beautiful and looks like fun! Thanks for sharing! :)

skinner studio said...

Beautiful! Love the colors and whimsical design. What a fun idea!

Nela said...

Beautiful and so alive. Like it very much :D

Wic said...

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.

Luloveshandmade said...

Looks soooooooooooo beautiful again, I love your wreath tutorials, hope I'll find the time to do them.

Priscilla said...

This is a beautiful wreath. Thanks for a great tutorial.
Priscilla

Kelli @ WhimsiKel said...

I LOVE these whimsical butterflies! Now I need to figure out how I can use them somehow...
Thanks for the tute!

Cynthia Devening said...

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.

Michele said...

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.

Kittyj said...

WOW - sick a couple of days and I missed so much! I just LOVE these butterflies!!!

Beta said...

This project is great! Congratulations! I ask permission to report it on my blog for my readers? Thanks ... Beta

www.bimbumbeta.blogspot.com

even-star said...

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.

Claudia/Ompompali said...

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

prettydreamer said...

gorgeous!! With all caps!~Pamela

Cindy Lietz, Polymer Clay Tutor said...

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!

Joanne said...

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

Lisa said...

This is beautiful! I love the paper choice and your gorgeous bright colors! Just an amazing piece of art!

Sonia said...

LOVE it...your coloring style is amazing!

HeARTworks said...

Makes me smile too even if I've had a strange phobia of butterflies ever since I was a kid!

Amy M in Indiana said...

This is beautiful!!

Queenly Things said...

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.

RebeccaMom said...

I soooooo LOVE this! my daughter saw it and is starting one immediately :) yours is so gorgeous!

Jaimie said...

I love this. I made one too, but a little different! http://yesmom8.blogspot.com/2010/04/my-butterfly-wreath.html

Inge said...

Jus wanted to let you know you inspire all over the world...even in Holland;) Thanx for doing that, love your blog!

Unknown said...

love it!

the thrifty ba said...

best wreath ever!

Kika said...

I love this wreath, thanks for the tutorial. I will be making one of these with my kids for sure!

sara b said...

how beautiful! and clever!

sheabella said...

Great Blog! Thanks for the inspiration.

Tsoniki Crazy Bull said...

LOVE LOVE LOVE this!!! Really want to make one for myself! What a fantastic idea.

Abbi said...

This is so fun! I absolutely love all your recycling crafts!

Lydia said...

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)

Lydia said...

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)

Саша девочка said...

Super idea! Thanx!!! :)

Daniele Valois said...

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!!!

Godelieve said...

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.

Sarah ~ Crafts from the Cwtch said...

WOW!!!! I Love this!!!! I am going to have to make one - it's just beautiful!!! Thanks for the tutorial

:-)

Joanna said...

OMG!! This is beyond cute! Awesome job!

gingko said...

love it! Thank you for sharing!

Amber Benike said...

LOVE. Pure and simple love!
Featured it today - MANY thanks!
http://benikeboutique.blogspot.com/2012/02/tutorial-tuesday-butterfly-wreath.html

ruth3532 said...

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.

BCallahan said...

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!

Unknown said...

What a beautiful tutorial !!
Love your craft. it is easy and fun to make, great job keep it up.. good for kids..

Debbie said...

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.

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails