Butterfly Paper Craft

This project originated out of the need for a craft at Le Foo's birthday party.  This craft can be done by any age group that can handle paper and glue.  The materials can be adjusted to make the project more simple or more complex.  For younger children, an adult will need to do some prep work (cutting, handling a hobby knife.  You can also omit the frame altogether).

Materials for ONE Butterfly:

• Card stock for main structure

             2-4 contrasting sheets for wings, body, and frame (the frame covers the body of the butterfly, but

             I chose to use a contrasting color for the body anyway, since my frame included "windows" on  

             the body).

• Scraps of paper, magazines, card stock for collage/assemblage
• Embellishments (pom-poms, googlie eyes, buttons; pretty much anything your creative heart desires...just remember that heavier objects will weigh the piece down, so it should be mounted on foam core, cardboard, or book board).
• Glue stick (craft bond glue preferred)
• Liquid craft glue; ie:SOBO  (optional)
• Hobby knife

Instructions:

• Sketch/find a butterfly shape for the wings (and body/head if using) on card stock
• cut out templates
• Trace original butterfly wing pattern for frame of the piece
• Cut it out, making sure you cut it slightly larger than the original
• Assemble the wings, head, and/or body if using

• Create an assemblage on the wings of the butterfly

• Coat with watered down craft glue (optional)
• If the project is warped, weight under books for several hours, or until you are ready to continue working
• Cut off any materials that exceed the edges of the butterfly shape 

• Cut the inside of the frame to create "windows" for the assemblage using a hobby knife.  These cut-out sections can be as simple or complex as you would like.  Remember to make sure that your frame is thick enough, so that it can be attached to the main structure.
• Attach frame (you can use glue, but I chose to use 3-D glue dots), mount on heavier backing material if necessary.
• Weight piece under books to secure backing, if used. 

VOILA! Now you have a pretty piece of art.  You can frame it, or mount it to the wall as it is.