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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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.