Craft

How to Make a Butterfly Wall (or any 3D object!)

How to Make a Butterfly Wall on Whisk Together

Craft time!
I have this super cute craft to share with you guys!  I found this page in the Pottery Barn Kids catalog that was just adorable.

Butterfly Wall-1965 on Whisk Together

 

Unfortunately, purchasing all of those pretty white picture frames would cost over $200 total or about $90 at the craft store.  Instead, I bought the Artist’s Loft Canvas Value Pack from Michael’s when they were on sale.  The squares I used were 8×8″ and the rectangles were 12″x16″.  However you can use whichever size works for you!  I just thought this was a pretty and inexpensive way to fill a large blank wall.  My total cost was $15 since I already had scrapbook paper.

I started thinking this would be cute in a boy’s room, too.  You could do bats like I did for Halloween (photo below of my foyer) or bugs like flies, grasshoppers, fireflies, bees, etc.  Anything with wings could go in a boys room.  The canvases could be painted a different color as well before placing the bugs or butterflies on them.  I would recommend acrylic paint (Michael’s carries an inexpensive brand) and a wide foam brush for beginners.

 

Foyer

There are two sets of butterfly walls in these photos.  I made my own butterfly wall (light pink on blue walls) and then my friend Bryn said that would be cool to do, too!  So I took photos of making hers (bright pink).

 

Here are the materials you will need for a Butterfly wall like mine (Please feel free to deviate based on your walls!):

5 – 12×16″ canvas wrap (craft stores)
2 – 8×8″ canvas wraps (a third one would be super cute at the bottom middle)
5-7 sheets of 12″x12″ coordinating scrapbooking paper or cardstock
scissors
hot glue or Zots or craft glue
ruler
pencil
hammer and nails

Directions:

1.  Measure your wall.  Figure out how many canvases and what size you need.  Or use my example as a guide.  If you have a smaller wall, just select smaller wraps like 6×6″ and 11×14″ or 8×10″.  Draw a mock up on some paper, or lay them out on the floor to get a visual.

Or better yet, cut out pieces of scrap paper the same size as the canvases.  Tape these pieces of paper to your walls to get a visual idea of where everything will go.  It’s easier to move tape than to hammer more nail holes!

Butterfly Wall-1961 on Whisk Together

2.  Cut butterflies of various sizes and shapes from scrapbooking paper.  I used scrapbook paper because companies coordinate their colors and prints.  I used my Silhouette machine to cut each butterfly.  You could also simply handcut them out from printables off the internet.  I would advise against cutting out antenna unless they are thick.

Butterfly Wall-1963 on Whisk Together

Be sure to plan your large butterflies and small butterflies.  The butterflies with 2 or 3 smaller ones on one canvas were really, really cute.  Lay out all your butterflies on your canvases like you want them to go.

3.  Take a butterfly and bend its wings using the flat edge of a ruler.  Bend towards the middle.  Or freehand this part.

Butterfly Wall-1976 on Whisk Together

Puff the wings up a bit.  They should naturally stick out on their own.

Butterfly Wall-1977 on Whisk Together

4.  Measure the center of the canvas (or center several small butterflies around a central point) and mark with a pencil.  Here is where you will adhere your butterfly using hot glue (careful!), tacky/craft glue or favorite … Zots. Zots are removable for a short time and permanent when left on.  There is no gooey mess and I just love them.

Butterfly wall-1700 on Whisk Together

5.  Once the glue dries (if using), hang your canvases up with hammer and nails.

Butterfly Wall2 on Whisk Together

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