Butterfly Gift Topper

This is super simple and made out of pages out of pages from a magazine.  It was inspired by a page in a magazine that had a butterfly on, but it turned out a bit big to use on that package so I ended up using it on another one instead.

All you need is

• Magazine, catalog pages or other paper
• Glue
• Scissors

Just cut a butterfly shape the width that you want it to be (this is about 6 inches at the widest point) then cut a version that is about 1/4-1/2 inch shorter around the edges and the same with the top layer.  Put together and fold at the center. 

Take the layers apart, apply a fine line of glue in the center of the bottom piece, put the middle piece on top of it.  Put another fine line of glue on the middle piece down the center and put the top piece on top.  Allow to dry for a few minutes.   Once dry apply a thin line of glue on the bottom of the butterfly and glue it to the package, bending up each side.

BUTTERFLY MOBILE

This project was for a Mother's Day gift for my son's step-Grandmother. It was originally intended that he do the project on his own, but it turned out to be more of a joint venture as it was tricker than I had estimated.

Nearly everything for this project was purchase from the Dollar Tree and spent $3, as I had scissors, thread and the ribbon on hand already.

The original project with a tutorial was found at

http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/butterfly_mobile

Items used:

• Tissue paper (multi-colored)
• Wooden wreath (medium sized)
• Pipecleaners (multi-colored)
• Scissors
• Thread (could use fishing line also)
• 1/8th inch wide ribbon

The butterfly shapes are made by cutting approx. 9x6 inch pieces of tissue paper folded in half with as curve at the bottom and side (see below) but straight at the top. You then use 3 butterfly shapes for each butterfly. My son chose to use mostly one color for the top and bottom and a contrasting color in the center.

You then choose the color of pipecleaner you want to use with each butterfly.

To make the butterfly, center the pipecleaner then fold it over the lower edge, then scrunch the tissue paper to make the wings and then twist both sides of the pipecleaner together to make the butterfly.

Here is where it gets tricky; tie a piece of thread that is about 12-14 inches long through the pipecleaner at the bottom of the butterfly centering it then tie a knot. Then pull the threads up and tie a knot about an inch from the edge then tie a knot around the head of the butterfly, then trim the thread. It will look like this when you are done.

Cut 4 pieces of ribbon about 10-12 inches long, tie each piece to the corner of the wreath in a knot, then pull all four pieces of ribbon together and center them, then tie knot.

Cut varying lengths of thread, tie to the center of the thread on each butterfly, then tie the thread to the wreath. This is easier if you have one person hold up the wreath and the other one tie the threads. We did this with each of the butterflies except the center one, which we attached with a ribbon to the knot at the center of the ribbons.