A few weeks ago I shared a pic of some butterfly punch-outs I had done from a Pottery Barn catalog (it was a really colorful picture of some towels all stacked together). I had seen a picture that Ali Edwards made of butterflies all lined up and punched from many different colors of paper (which gave me some serious inspiration in the butterfly department). I decided that I wanted to do something similar but with a different spin!
I started working on this little project Saturday afternoon. I seem to have loads ideas that do not always turn out as I had envisioned them... so I figured I had better test carefully to make sure this was going to work out!
In my day job I get a lot of really fine paper samples in the mail. It's one of the things I look forward to the most! I hoard them all (taking home the coolest papers for crafty reuse (I cannot just toss them you know!!)).
Cougar paper had sent me sample called Ode to the Earth. It is totally stunning and one I have been hanging on to for quite some time!
I knew this was just the project for it!
Picking the piece to use was the hardest part of this whole thing! The rest was pretty easy!
For this project I used:
Colorful paper (you can use scraps from catalogs (the covers are best), scrapbook paper, paper samples, etc...
2 Martha Stewart butterfly punches (seen below)
Zots
3D-Dots (foam sticky squares)
Cardstock paper
Picture frame with 3D mat board
To get the most variety in the sizes of the butterflies...
I used two punches from Martha Stewart.
I got both of these at Michael's.
You need to cut the paper into strips to fit your punch...
this helps you to have more control over what you punch.
(I was going for the fish faces mostly).
The size of the strips depends on the size of the punch you are using.
These were 1 inch strips (roughly).
Once I had the strips cut - I kept them together so I would have a frame of reference as to how the page went together. I wanted to try to mimic the picture and the color groupings as closely as I could.
As I was punching each butterfly I was laying them out on a white piece of paper so I could keep the like colors together. I was alternating between the larger butterflies and the smaller ones as I was punching.
In order to give depth and dimension to the finished piece, I used a combination of zots and foam 3D-Dots (in the square shape). I would stack them according to how much height I needed in a specific place. I really just eyeballed this as I was going along.
oh and I left the original piece of paper with the butterflies all laid out as is... and got a new piece out to work directly on. This helped to keep them separate so I could really see what I was doing.
I had to get crafty on the placement of the glue dots and 3D-dots because some of the wings were really small. In some cases I actually cut the square 3D dots into 4ths (it can be done with a really sharp pair of scissors)... and then I carefully placed the dot on the wings of the butterflies with a pair of tweezers. I would also then use those same tweezers to place the butterflies on the paper... this helped me to get exact placement in tight spots!
You can faintly see pencil marks in 4 spots on the paper. I knew which picture frame I wanted to use for this project so I lightly marked the 4 corners so I would be sure not to go outside the area I had available. I got pretty close to it! I was having so much fun placing butterflies I just kinda got carried away!
Here is a side view of the finished piece...
The good thing about this paper is that it's bright and colorful.
The bad thing about this paper is that it does not photograph very well. It's almost too bright!
Here is a head-on view. I removed the glass from the picture frame so I could get a better picture, but I replaced it once I was done.
Here is a close-up view of the side of the other picture I made (this was my test picture). I wanted you to be able to see the varying heights I placed the butterflies.
...and lastly...
A head-on view of the other picture.
I am really thinking this can be made even nicer by using a colorful background paper that matches with the butterflies! You can embellish this till your hearts content with a phrase or single word - or just stamps and glitter.... ohhh glitter!!
I hope you'll give this little project a shot! It's really stunning in person. Even RonChops was impressed!
Monday HUGS!
P.S. I'll be back Wednesday with another project share!
P.S.S.T. I am guest blogging over at La Fuji Mama's again today! I made some nifty freebie recipe cards for you to download and print (with a Fuji Flair). Go check them out HERE!
These are so neat! You are so creative:) My husband's grandmother loves butterflies so maybe we will have to try this!
Posted by: Shawna | February 16, 2009 at 09:29 AM
wonderful!
Posted by: elizabeth | February 16, 2009 at 09:52 AM
How fabulous and such a simple idea!
Posted by: Jennifer | February 16, 2009 at 10:14 AM
This turned out so beautifully! I love the idea of recycling catalogs and such...very green of you Lolly! :-)
Posted by: Fuji Mama | February 16, 2009 at 10:21 AM
I love this butterfly project, it looks fantastic.
Posted by: Tammy | February 16, 2009 at 10:44 AM
This is absolutely stunning! Time to start looking at catalogs and junk mail in a different way! By the way, for those in large enough cities, if you have a paper company (normally used by printers) they will be happy to give you paper samples and printed samples - ink and press companies give them away to show how awesome their products can be!
Posted by: MomChops | February 16, 2009 at 11:37 AM
These are so beautiful! I thought the original project, where they were all lined up in rows, was pretty, but your take on it is so much more organic -- I really like that about it :)
Posted by: Glenda | February 16, 2009 at 11:38 AM
I agree with Glenda, this is a much prettier and fun way do this art project. I love how this is easy enough for an elementary aged child to help you with.
Posted by: katie | February 16, 2009 at 11:53 AM
I love this project so much! Thanks for the tutorial!
Posted by: Sister Diane | February 16, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Awesome project!
Love it!
Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Karen | February 16, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Such an awesome project!!! Love love love!
Posted by: Jenn | February 16, 2009 at 12:26 PM
This is stunning! I have that same Martha punch that I bought after seeing Ali's butterfly piece. I love the idea of pop-dotting them at various heights and using "junk" mail to create this beautiful work. Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Michelle | February 16, 2009 at 12:27 PM
oh, wow, is that gorgeous! i will have to try this-- it's going on my list of projects!
Posted by: gardengeekette | February 16, 2009 at 12:28 PM
This looks like a fun project! My kids (13, 12 and 9) could help me punch and place and we have several magazines I think would work. My son could use his Lego mag. My daughters could use their teen-y bop ones.
Thanks a bunch for sharing your craftiness with us.
Posted by: Cyndi | February 16, 2009 at 12:30 PM
I would love to make a picture like that, Ms. Lolly! You sure did a great job. I am still working on my embroidery piece. I took a break yesterday and turned another year older. I bought a cuddlebug with my birthday money. Hope you had a great week-end!
xoxooxoxoxoxo
Posted by: Beth | February 16, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Lolly, you are SO creative!! That is GORGEOUS!! :)
Posted by: Amanda | February 16, 2009 at 01:22 PM
This is too neat! You are blasting past the craft sound barrier into "mach craft"
Thanks again!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: blanch | February 16, 2009 at 01:29 PM
Wow. So pretty. I've been wanting to do one of those for some time now. I love how you varied the heights. :) Great job.
Posted by: kimberlee | February 16, 2009 at 01:35 PM
Lolly your killing me with the butterflies. Part of me wants to pretend to be sick so I can go home and start this project. I have exactly one month until my mom's birthday and I'm going to make her one of these. It's nothing short of stunning.
Are those frames hard to find?
Posted by: Toi | February 16, 2009 at 01:46 PM
I got that frame at a place called Tuesday Morning (for $5.99 - not
kidding). You can get them at Marshalls, TJMax and Ross too (c.h.e.a.p.)!
Posted by: LollyChops | February 16, 2009 at 01:53 PM
I LOVE this project!!! I think I'm going to give it a try. You are so very clever!
Posted by: Britney | February 16, 2009 at 03:01 PM
absolutely. Incredible. I can't wait to try! I like the way it's sorta shaped like the USA.
Posted by: Laura | February 16, 2009 at 03:37 PM
What a great project! It's gorgeous! The colors are so vivid.
Posted by: Shannon | February 16, 2009 at 04:40 PM
hahahaha I'm laughting with your coments about Mr. Choops it seems an ogro? what do you say ogro in inglish? (like a shrek!) :D I think than you are an artist!! I love the green one... is it for a giveaway is it? :LOL
You're very funny, I love this blog very much, thanks "por ser así"... mmmm for to be this way?? Ohhhhhh I need an english's teacher :(
Hugss :)
Posted by: meninheira | February 16, 2009 at 04:43 PM
Lol, they turned out sooooo well. I am Jealous with a capital J. Okay, gonna run and get that punch now (and stop my see-sawing about which one I want). Dang, those look good, girl!
Posted by: Annie Pazoo | February 16, 2009 at 05:22 PM
I must, must, must try this project! I looooooove paper! I am so jealous of your samples! All I get is construction paper at my job...
Plus, this project gives me an excuse to buy another punch... or two... or three... Shhh, don't tell the fiance!
Posted by: Jamieson | February 16, 2009 at 05:52 PM
Oh WOW! I have seen 865,000 versions of this project and I can safely say that this is my FAVORITE!!! I love that you used the different sizes and those colors are AMAZING! After seeing this project, I have to admit I tried to ebay the catalog (LOL!) but no such luck. I think I have some stuff I can use though. I am so excited to straight-up copy you. Hmm. "Lo-ppy" you perhaps?
Posted by: Rachel | February 16, 2009 at 05:56 PM
Simply beautiful Lolly!!
Posted by: Lisa | February 16, 2009 at 06:00 PM
Absolutelty fantastic!!! i love it,really, i see on ali edwards blog, but this with this colors.... uff i love it.
Posted by: Silsine | February 16, 2009 at 06:00 PM
I love how you've done this. It's beautiful.
And that paper is fabulous :-)
I had earmarked this project to do for Valentines, using a heart punch, but I...er...forgot!
Off to find a butterfly punch after all, lol.
Posted by: Sam | February 16, 2009 at 07:02 PM
Just beautiful! I did a butterfly thingy...whatever you want to call it but yours is just gorgeous. I need to find the punch with the smaller butterflies.
Posted by: astrid | February 16, 2009 at 08:40 PM
There you go enabling me again!!! This is SO COOL!! You know I'm trying this right? I need those punches - guess I'm sending DH out again, LOL! Amazing work Lolly! Truly inspiring!
Posted by: Nicole | February 16, 2009 at 08:56 PM
Beautious. Absolutely fabulous. I love the simplicity and boldness... must. stop. planning. new. projects!!!
Posted by: Leigh | February 16, 2009 at 09:48 PM
I knew if anyone would go for this it would be you Nicole!!! That poor
husband of yours is going to become a regular at the craft store!
Tell him I said I was sorry and thanks!!! hee hee
You know.. you could make him that ham & swiss braid from this past
weekend's guest recipe when he heads off to the store????
Posted by: LollyChops | February 16, 2009 at 09:57 PM
Dearest Ron Chops,
I am so excited to hear that you, Lolly, dog chops (x3) and momma chops are moving to St. Louis. WE are all going to have a wonderful time! You won't even have to go to Michael's anymore (yes, I know you will miss the chocolates at the checkout) Please pack your things, and you can Root Root Root for the home team all you want from here, we even have crazy weather, and I am sure I can find people to say YA'LL... if not I will learn it and do it all the time:)
lots of love
Tricia "chops" and co.
Posted by: Tricia | February 16, 2009 at 10:03 PM