On Sunday we took Clara on a little weekend adventure. And one of our stops was a butterfly exhibit with all sorts of real live butterflies who were doing their thing:
And thanks to something that we picked up while there, I was able to make this new framed art for our built-ins as soon as I got home:
Wait, it’s not what you think. My little craft isn’t made from real butterflies. It’s actually cut from this information sheet we were given at the exhibit (I asked if I could buy it with this idea in mind and they said that they didn’t sell them but I was welcome to take the one I was given home with me – so nice of them, right?).
See, ever since seeing this post over on Little Green Notebook and a few cool faux butterfly shadow boxes on Pinterest (like this one) I was ready to try my hand at some faux butterfly taxidermy.
So my first step of the whole oh-heck-let’s-see-if-this-works process was to cut out the butterflies (the paper was double sided so I flipped it back and forth and picked out my favorites on each side. Oh and the little flier was laminated, so if anyone wants to try this at home, you might want to print out some small butterfly images on glossy photo paper and cut them out so they have the same butterfly-like sheen (or even get regular printer paper with butterfly images on it laminated at a place like Kinkos for the same effect). I was also thinking that folks might be able to get this look with realistic stickers from a craft store stuck to printer paper or cardstock and then cut out.
Oh and my cutting method was just to use my good sharp scissors and go slow. I wasn’t perfect or anything (and all of the antennas had to go since they were too thin to keep) but it worked out pretty well. And I was left with these babies:
They weren’t especially convincing at this stage. So in another fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants-and-see-what-happens move, I decided they would look more convincing if I could get them to fold a little. So I very carefully folded each wing back like a taco:
When I released, they looked like this:
They were suddenly looking a lot more convincing. Then it was time to pad around the house to look for a shadow-box-like frame to use (something with some space between the paper and the glass so they’d have room for the whole folded thing). This old one from Ikea that was already sitting on our built-ins in the dining room fit the bill. And I had zero attachment to the green leafy print inside (an old Ikea poster) so I laid out my nine favorite butterflies atop the glass to play around with different layouts. I decided the three-rows-of-three approach was my favorite:
Then I just used Aleen’s Tacky Glue (it’s the same tube of craft glue that I’ve had since before making Clara’s nursery mobile 17 months ago) to adhere them to a piece of white cardstock that was cut to fit the opening in my frame:
All I did was dab it on the back crease of my butterfly (don’t be thrown off by the blue butterfly image that you see below – that’s the back since the flier was double sided)…
… and then I just stuck them in place (by eye, I didn’t measure but they look pretty good since I tweaked the spacing until I liked it beforehand, and then just glued them down):
I let them lay flat like that to dry overnight before attempting to hang them (I didn’t want them sliding or popping off before the glue had fully cured).
Then in the morning I put my little frame of faux butterflies right back up on the dining room built-ins:
I love how the white frame, mat, and backdrop pop with the moody teal paint behind them (sort of like how all of my other faux animal friends like Mr. Horse, Sir Rhino, and El Bird stand out).
And even if you get pretty close, they definitely don’t look like a free flyer from a butterfly exhibit. In fact I think they could fool my mom (which has been a measure of success for me since I was a tween).
And in case you were wondering where the heck this butterfly exhibit was, I’ll tell ya: Natural Bridge. It’s just shy of three hours from Richmond in Southwestern, Virginia. We picked it as a good little weekend activity because (1) we’d never been there and (2) it was a good place to meet up with John’s BFF Kevin (who’s currently teaching/in grad school at Virginia Tech).
The bridge was more spectacular in person than we had expected. If we understood the guide correctly, it’s what’s left of an underground cavern that collapsed on all other sides. It’s got cool history so it’s totally worth the visit if you’re ever in the area.
Seeing the giant stone bridge was only a portion of the visit. There was also a really beautiful (though humid) path that we all hiked (well, Clara got strollered). It led to a scenic little waterfall, but our only good pictures from that spot ended up being of this butterfly (foreshadowing of the butterfly exhibit to come later, perhaps?)…
We also learned that we have a future geologist on our hands. Seriously, Clara was inexplicably obsessed with this rock:
Speaking of rock obsessions, these beauties in the gift shop did catch my eye. Everyone say it with me: “Oooooooh, shiny.” I didn’t take any home with me (the big ones I loved most were around $80-100) but mark my words: giant shiny rock fragments are the new coral when it comes to natural decorating accents, methinks.
And since we hate to ruin the illusion that we rank up there with only the classiest of travelers, you’ll be glad to know that we most certainly did not visit “Foamhenge” while in the area…
Sure, visiting an all-styrofoam full-scale replica of Stonehenge for free right here in the Virginia mountains a would be tempting for less sophisticated sightseers, but not the Petersiks. No-siree-bob.
And even if we had, we definitely wouldn’t have taken pictures with a life-sized Merlin statue that was constructed to illustrate one of the theories of Stonehenge’s mysterious creation. Please, give us some credit people. We’re mature adults.
Good thing Clara doesn’t have embarrassing parents, right? I’m sure she’ll thank us for being so poised and level-headed when she’s 16 and treasure this picture always.
So that was our little Sunday adventure this weekend. Gotta enjoy summer while it’s still here, right? Especially when you can score a free souvenir-turned-project in the process. Has anyone else out there made any faux butterfly crafts? Mobiles? Art? Jewelry? Tattoos? Foam replicas? Speaking of foam, someone else out there has to have witnessed the hilarity that is Foamhenge. Anyone…?
Psst- My BFF Cat is working on her three month old son Edison’s room, so I dug up ten of my favorite nurseries to inspire her over on BabyCenter. So much cuteness, so little time.
Kristin says
Oh that’s such a fun craft! It looks great!
And I’m loving the office reference…fact- bears eat beets.
Jordan G @ The Happy Homebodies says
You did a great job! They look very real once you folded them and placed them so perfectly inside the shadow box. I have been really liking the butterfly stuff I’ve seen on the internet, so I did my own butterfly art using a butterfly taxidermy poster from Aaron Brothers Art & Framing store. If you’re interested, you can see it at http://thehappyhomebodies.blogspot.com/2011/08/my-latest-piece-butterfly-kisses.html. LOVE your blog! :)
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so much fun! I love the combination of your sketch layered with the butterflies clustered on top!
xo,
s
Rachel H. says
That’s beautiful, Jordan!
AarthiD says
That butterfly display looks amazing! You can’t tell they aren’t real at all, and the folding really gives them some verve.
Foamhenge sounds awesome. It’s a shame you didn’t visit ;) No, but seriously, I love tourist-trappy places like that; they’re so much fun! How did you even hear about that place?
YoungHouseLove says
John’s friend Kevin (who we met there) was the one to suggest it and of course we didn’t jump at the chance to go. Haha.
xo,
s
AarthiD says
Haha, of course not. That would be ridiculous! ;D
Oh! The other thing I wanted to say — I loved that scene. Jim and Dwight mimicking each other was hilarious. And now I can’t think of bears or beets without thinking “Bears, Beets, Battlestar Galactica.”
You know, if you liked The Office as much as I did, you should be watching Community, too!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah we watch that too. In fact we think it might be surpassing all other TV (even 30-Rock) as funniest. Abed and Troy kill us.
xo,
s
AarthiD says
Abed and Troy’s friendship is literally the greatest thing on TV ever. It’s the only male-male friendship on TV that I adore more than the Shawn-Gus one on Psych.
Yeah, Community and Modern Family are probably the funniest shows on TV right now. Though 30 Rock is still the most quotable! Are you watching Modern Family, too? If not, you have to — the pilot is so-so but the show is just fabulous.
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, so funny!
xo,
s
AarthiD says
Favorite character? Mine’s Gloria; she is hilarious and I love how much Manny means to her. There aren’t a lot of positive mother-son relationships on TV.
#WhyYesIKeepReplyingToYourComments
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, Gloria is the best. The hairring/earring thing makes me snort laugh.
xo,
s
AarthiD says
Oh she’s fabulous. Sofia Vergara is amazing in interviews, too; she did a great one with Conan or Craig Ferguson a while back and she was funny and sassy and giving Gerard Butler a hard time. She’s amazing. In fact…
Ah ha! Here: http://youtu.be/CRNG7ln6qOc It’s worth keeping on in the background. She’s totally amazing, she talks about making it in Hollywood despite not fitting the “image” that people have, and about her son, whom she clearly loves dearly. It’s great, you’ll love it!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- hilarious! I love her.
xo,
s
Maureen in NY says
I love this! I always liked how these looked but would never actually purchase one because of the whole dead butterfly thing. :) I am totally going to make this! And cool “Foam Headge” Place. I love kitschy places like that.
Wendy says
Love Natural Bridge! I still remember going there as a child! Love the butterflies art!
abode love says
haha… that last photo is hilarious! I really love the butterfly art- what a great idea! Thanks so much for sharing!
abodelove.blogspot.com
lizkayl says
Cute butterflies! I was totally tricked before you explained it. :-)
I LOVED Natural Bridge (and Foamhenge). My husband and I took our first vacation together there, before we were married. And ate WAY too much.
We stayed at the Natural Bridge hotel and their ‘brownie with hot fudge’- was an deep oval plate filled with hot fudge with the brownie lurking under the surface.
It was a great trip! Did you see the caverns, too? I can’t remember if they were stroller friendly, I just remember cave temperature is in the mid-60s, so it was chilly.
YoungHouseLove says
We didn’t get to check out the caverns because we worried that baby + sealed underground space that echoes could = bad idea. Haha. But she loved being outside and exploring!
xo,
s
Danielle says
I looove the butterfly idea! Thanks so much for sharing!
jess says
LOVE The Office, extra love for that scene!
Maureen in NY says
*Henge
Amy says
Watch out! Geologists are lushes. I should know … I’m married to one!
P.S. Just kidding. Or am I?
P.P.S. In COLLEGE they were all lushes. Not as much any more. Usually. :)
Lisa says
Oooh love the butterfly frame project. I might just have to copy!
Amanda @ Our Humble A{Bowe}d says
In that first shot, the butterflies look 100% real You fooled me. And Foamhenge? Ha!
As for butterfly art, I made a mobile for my niece: http://ourhumbleabowed.wordpress.com/2011/06/16/lots-of-work-and-some-play/ I also have a scrapbook paper butterfly art similar to yours: http://ourhumbleabowed.wordpress.com/2010/06/09/how-to-add-a-custom-touch-to-framed-pictures/
YoungHouseLove says
Cute and cute!
xo,
s
Amber Wallace says
I love that! Great job! We recently went to a butterfly exhibit at our zoo and it was amazing. The experience was tainted at the end when a butterfly landed on my daughter and she freaked out and tried to kill it “death by stomping} and then one flew on my son and he followed suit. And now they are terrified of butterflies! We are working on it. The zookeepers must have thought I was crazy!
Alle says
Oh, heavens. Butterflies are my nemesis (yes, I know that sounds ridiculous). When I was 12, my mom took me to the “Blooms and Butterflies” exhibit at our local conservatory with some friends for a school project. Apparently, there are certain people who give off a pheromones that attract butterflies. And apparently, I’m one of them. It’s one thing to have one of those cute little guys land on your finger for a few minutes – it’s another to have dozens trying to land all over you constantly. When mom caught up with me later, I was hiding under a cement park bench trying to get away from them. Alas, I’ve never liked them since – in fact, I will just say it – I hate butterflies and they give me the willys!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh my gosh, you’re the butterfly whisperer!
xo,
s
Jess says
Any chance you live in Columbus, OH? That sounds like Franklin Park Conservatory to me!
Kate says
Actually, Foamhenge looks sort of fun if you’re already nearby! I’ve been to Stonehenge before, but you have to stay far back from the stones, so it might be fun to take crazy photos close up (alas, we had to take crazy, teenage girl pics from a distance – because you know the Charlie’s Angels pose would have been SO much better close up, lol!).
Brandy says
You guys rock! So creative! I look forward to your posts and pretty much have your page up at all times in case you post something new!
Kristen @ Popcorn on the Stove says
The butterflies totally fooled me! It looks great. I always prefer self-made art that has sentimental meaning.
Beth says
I’ve always wanted to go to the natural bridge…. and I feel like a life-sized Merlin statue would convince my husband that taking the trip is a *wonderful* idea!
Nancy says
Oh my gosh ~ Love your artwork!! It is precious! Looks like a fun time!
Elizabeth says
Awesome post!!! Good job making that free beautiful artwork!!
Julia @ Chris loves Julia says
What a beautiful, dainty little project! I have to admit, the title totally screamed Dora the Explorer to me! Probably because I have a toddler.
Caitlin says
I Love the craft! We were just there last weekend, I wish I had thought of taking one of those butterfly sheets :) I decided to brave the caverns with my four little ones (sans my husband who was in WA for a month). It was their favorite part of the trip. I was too afraid to let my 1 and 2 1/2 year old walk any of it so I carried both them whole way, and no one seemed to mind their excited shrieking at all! We also did the safari park, which I loved. My two older kids really enjoyed it but the younger too were terrified so I don’t don’t know how Clara would have felt about it :) A great little adventure for being so close to Richmond!ss
Becca Allred says
Your butterfly shadowbox looks amazing! Great idea. My husband and I honeymooned outside of Lexington and we had to explore Natural Bridge and Foamhenge :) There were no cool butterfly exhibits in January just creepy life-size wax figures.
lindsay says
HAHA! Our little family of four checked out the wax museum last summer. Although creepy… my husband and I are history geeks and thought it was too cool.
Lenore says
Foamhenge! That’s pretty funny. Here in Nebraska we have Carhenge – which is what is sounds like. Old cars painted gray and placed out in a corn field to look like Stonehenge. Honestly, what’s a road trip without weird roadside attractions?
Erin says
We just visited Carhenge a few weeks ago (we’re from Kansas) – I had the link all copied to paste in a comment for them! Definitely an interesting site to see!
http://www.carhenge.com/
The butterfly art is beautiful – what a great idea!!
YoungHouseLove says
That looks so fun!
xo,
s
Julie says
Awesomeness and thanks from all of us that care about animals.
Julie
ilikebeerandbabies.com
aluck89 says
I’m so excited you visited Natural Bridge! I grew up about 20 minutes down 81 from there! :) My senior prom was at The Natural Bridge Hotel… and my husband and I went there for our honeymoon!Also, if you are ever there on a Friday they have a wonderful seafood buffet.Please tell me you visited the caverns, too?
YoungHouseLove says
Sadly we didn’t know if Clara would get freaked out so we stayed above ground. Next time for sure though!
xo,
s
Blair says
I haven’t done anything with butterflies since my obsession when I was twelve and my whole room was done it butterflies. I think that kind of wore out the whole pretty butterfly thing for me. I find it hard to score free things to make crafts with, heck, the best free thing I did was turn mashed potatoes into gnocchi. (I thought it was pretty magical for me at least) http://thefirstapartment.blogspot.com/2011/04/leftover-magic-mashed-potatoes-into.html But now I will be on the lookout for cool crafts that are free. Also, now I really want to visit Foamhenge!
~Blair
Charise says
Your project reminds me of the living room in one of my college apartments. We bought 2 large posters full of butterflies, and framed one to hang over the couch. The second one, we laminated and painstakingly cut out each butterfly and folded them to be 3D. Then we taped them all around the room, in a “swarm”-like path that led to the main poster. Oh, college decor.
Amanda J. says
Kind of glad you replaced the Ikea print…in the photo it looks like marijuana! ^_^ I kind of chuckled.
Ashley says
Did you check out the scary wax museum there at Natural Bridge? A couple years ago I went to Natural Bridge and before we left, we went to the wax museum there. I still have nightmares from it.
If you didn’t go, good. Would have been too traumatic for little Clara!, and probably for you and John too!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, yeah we skipped it for fear that Clara would get scared.
xo,
s
kristen says
Ha! Hi Ashley – I made an almost identical comment below about our trip to the scary wax museum during Bonnie’s birthday weekend :) That was an experience, for sure. See you Saturday :)
Megan says
Love the rocks! My grandpa was a geologist and has collected a ton of rocks over his many years. A good portion is actually in a museum in Harvard! I haven’t gone to see them but my mom and dad went last year and they said it was great to see them! We have a few special ones throughout our family and there is one I’m obsessed with – like Clara and her rock! But I agree, I think rocks are the new coral. It goes well with the whole scheme of adding more color as they come in every color out there, vs coral (well, dried up coral).
Cute butterflies. I did something similar for my daughter’s room but it was just out of scrapbook paper. I like yours better!
Mary K says
That’s awesome! I’m originally from upper east TN, so I’ve been to Natural Bridge before, but I didn’t know about Foamhenge! Now I live in Santa Fe, and there used to be a replica of Stonehenge here made out of old fridges and called, yes, Fridgehenge. http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/10/creative-recycling-fridgehenge.php
Unfortunately, it was taken down due to fears that people would get stuck in the old fridges, so I never got to see it. :-(
Love the butterfly art!
Katelan B says
Just for the record…. I read that just like I would imagine Jim making fun of Dwight. WIN.
The free art is AWESOME- I was a little sad until I realized they are paper :]
Adriane Wacker says
You guys really amaze me every time…seriously! You were meant to be bloggers, because you are so creative! I absolutely love your butterfly art and the post is just too cute…Good Job You Guys!
Erica says
so awesome to see you guys traveled to Southwestern Va…why? Because that’s where I grew up! It’s full of beautiful scenery and I’m so glad you guys enjoyed your visit!!
Teresa says
awwee, you guys were right around the corner from me :) Good old Eagle Rock is about 15-20 min away. They also have a safari park up that way, I have heard it is fun!
Love your new art… it really makes you start looking at everyday items a little differently when you can turn them into art huh?
Katie@Little Things Bring Smiles says
As soon as I read the title, I knew exactly where you guys went!! My husband and I live about 45 min away in Lynchburg, VA and we actually just went to the Natural Bridge for our 2 year anniversary in June. I have to be honest, I would have seriously loved bumping into your family there..even my husband knows who you two are bc I’m always saying to him “oo, Adam, come check this out..look what they did..built..” and so on :) So fun! Thanks for sharing this post, it definitely made me smile this morning! I wrote a post (mostly pictures) of our trip to the Natural Bridge, feel free to check it out :) http://littlethingsbringsmiles.blogspot.com/2011/06/tourists.html
Have a great week you two!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw that looked like so much fun!
xo,
s
Chris says
OMG…Natural Bridge! Flashbacks to my tween self going there MANY times with my family. Back then it was the worst.vacation.spot.ever! I even have a photo of myself in front of the bridge being all emo and dressed in head to toe black in mid-August. Hehe.
The caverns are pretty awesome, but slick and steep. Def. not stroller friendly!
cafenoHut says
I love these butterflies. I also made “hearted” version ;
http://cafenohut.blogspot.com/2011/07/kalpli-tabloya-gelll.html
YoungHouseLove says
Cute!
xo,
s
Lauren says
Oh man! I about fell out of my seat when I saw you went to Foamhenge. I used to work on a horse farm about 5 minutes from there. And you better believe every single person that visited me was dragged over there immediately!
Christina says
This post was so great! That has to be one of my favorite Office scenes. And also, I’ve been trying to get my husband to go to Foamhenge for years now! (I think it’s awesome, he thinks it might not be) We live in NoVa, so not too far away. Of course, now I can show him this post and how we really do have to make the drive down.
Rebecca @ the lil house that could says
Haha my friend randomly texted me “beats, bears and battlestar gallactica” last week. Love that show. Did you hear Pam is going to be pregnant this season?? She’s pregnant in real life so they are writing it in!
ps- I comment on here about tv shows way too much… haha
YoungHouseLove says
Love that!!!!
xo,
s
rachel says
Holy moly! I would have never known those were from a flyer. Great job, Sherry!
Also thanks for talking about the bridge. I am planning a trip to Virginia soon to visit family. Need fun, non-history ideas. (the husb will have lots o history stuff planned)
Briel K. says
I love the butterfly shadowbox! I really need to do the heart one but just haven’t had time. Perhaps soon! :)
{oc cottage} says
Foamhenbge AND Schrute…all before my morning shower! It’s going to be a good day {well, let’s see what the with the 10 year bond before we/me get all giddy, shall we… ;} Love the
flutterbyes too!! A-dorable!
m ^..^
Jess says
Love this project! Gives me a little inspiration :) I actually have butterflies hanging on my wall… wedding gift courtesy of my talented aunt. Check it out here! http://amaranthineaesthetic.wordpress.com/my-home/
laura says
the framed butterflies look great! great idea!
Shawna says
We visited Natural Bridge / Foam Henge 2 years ago on our 2nd Anniversary. Natural Bridge is beautiful and the Foam Henge is neat but my shoes were covered in the reddish mudd by time we were done visiting it!
Nicole says
I love the Office clip. That’s actaully one of my fav’s. Had I named this post, I think Wings, Washinton and Wizards would have been by pick. You can’t ever pass up an opportunity to have the word “wizard” in your post title. Especially on a home DIY site; very rare.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, this is true.
xo,
s