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.
Becca says
Glad you enjoyed Natural Bridge! I went to VT as well and I live in Roanoke so we are about an hour away from Natural Bridge. When Clara gets a bit older you should go to the Safari Park there. We took my 2 1/2 year old niece and she loved it!
candace @ thecandace.com says
I’m lovin’ you DIY art that you pulled together from what you already had – you have a knack for making it look amazing! Foamhenge is outrageously ridiculous – the family photos cracked me up!
Also, I am a fan of any Office reference so that clip totally made my day.
Kelly says
I love the butterflies! What a cute idea =)
Mary says
so cute! I know where I’m stopping on my way to blacksburg next time. Did you go to the creepy wax museum too?
YoungHouseLove says
We didn’t this time (worried Clara would be scared) but maybe next time! Have to go back for the caverns and all the other fun stuff (the whole robotic dinosaur thing).
xo,
s
Jessica says
So glad to know that Foamhenge is still standing. My husband and I discovered it on our way to Graceland on our first-ever trip together – good memories. Now I think we need to introduce our little boy to this national treasure as well!
Sarah says
I love your faux butterflies! Totally thought they were real at first. I have some origami butterflies hanging from my daughter’s ceiling. When one of my good friends got married a few years ago, we spent weeks making tons of origami flowers and butterflies to hang in the lobby as people arrived at the church. She let me keep a lot of the them, and now they fly around Nat Nat’s ceiling.
Kellie says
Oh my gosh, one of my all-time favorite Office moments!
I DID use some paper butterflies, as a matter fact! I bought them here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/beachcottagestudio. I got 50 and ordered them without any pushpins or clips. Then I used some in a sweet little mobile for my daughter Evelyn’s nursery. I had others “flying” out of frames, and others I used to decorate giftwrapping.
YoungHouseLove says
That sounds so cute!
xo,
s
Amanda says
I love your butterfly shadow box! So simple and real looking!
My sister lives in Natural Bridge and we stay with her often, especially on our way to Virginia Tech football and basketball games. It’s such a cute little town – it has to be with foamhenge right!? Next time you should go to the Pink Cadilac to get some ice cream. And if Clara wants some upclose time with some cows I’ll give you my sister’s number! :)
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so sweet of you! We’ll have to drop you a line the next time we’re out there. Not only is cow one of Clara’s favorite words, if you ask her what they say she moos! Haha.
xo,
s
Rachael says
Ahh! Just last week did I make a faux-butterfly shadow box myself! I used mini feather-dyed butterflies I found over at Hobby Lobby for $2/6 butterflies. I have been flattering myself that I was also creative and thrifty like you guys, but this is just too awesome.
Thanks for making such a fun, inspiring blog! I read it every day, and I LOVE it!
Rachael
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, you’re sweet! Your version sounds really pretty too!
xo,
s
lara says
are you watching Breaking Bad? perhaps Hank’s obsession w/ “rocks” is rubbing off on you!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man, we’re not watching that. Maybe we’ll have to add that to our list.
xo,
s
Chelsea M says
My family is from Natural Bridge! It’s a little known place so I’m glad you enjoyed it. My grandfather attended VT as well so we are big Hokies fans. Did you stay in the historic Natural Bridge Hotel while there?
YoungHouseLove says
Sadly we just did a day trip- but going back someday and staying over would be fun!
xo,
s
kristen f davis says
ahahaha, my husband and I definitely accidentally drove by, then had to turn around and visit “Foamhenge” on the way back home from visiting my brother in DC…it is definitely one of the weirdest/awesomest things I’ve ever seen…what about how dude took a mold of his dead friend’s face to capture Merlin? YIKES.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah. Totally forgot about that part!!
xo,
s
Mike and Tasha says
We have been looking everywhere for faux animals (Mr. Horse, Sir Rhino, and El Bird)like you have on the shelves. Where were you able to find those?
YoungHouseLove says
The bird was from a garage sale ($2) and the rhino was from zgallerie a while back. The horse head was on clearance at Target. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Erin says
a) I love your blog!
b) My fiance and I were JUST at Natural Bridge and Foamhenge several weeks ago ourselves! Too funny! I was so happy to see you guys had visited and we weren’t the only ‘weirdos’ that thought Foamhenge was sort of awesome. ;)
Love your stuff!
Trude says
LOL hooray for Foamhenge! Too awesome. How could you possibly resist? ;) Those butterflies turned out beautifully, I would never have thought of that!
RachelW says
I have always dreamed of going to Foamhenge (ie: threatened my friends that I’ll drag them there one of these weekends). I live about an hour away. It definitely looks like it is worth the drive.
(Oh & you’re right to keep Clara out of the wax museum. I ran screaming from there at age 27.)
brett says
Well, after passing up “Ohio’s only life-size bible-themed wax museum” on a recent drive from the midwest I am now figuring out how far Foamhenge is from our WV weekend house …
Emily says
This is really cute! I LOVE souvineers but seriously, how many coffee mugs, t shirts and other crap can you have? This is PERFECT!
Suzinrva says
What?! No Dinosaur Kingdom? Ha!
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/10790
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- we were actually sad not to be able to squeeze that insanity in. Next time for sure!
xo,
s
Chrystal says
Love Natural Bridge! We live just a hop, skip and a jump away in Lynchburg. We haven’t been since the butterfly garden is open though. Now I want to go just to get the brochure! I don’t think the caverns are anything to shout about, but you should totally go to Luray caverns up past Harrisonburg if you haven’t. They are awesome and so huge the bean wouldn’t mind at all!
YoungHouseLove says
I went there as a kid and loved it! We’ll have to go back and take Clara!
xo,
s
Christina Marie says
This is too funny… my b/f and I were just in SW Virgina last month and almost stopped at both Natural Bridge and Foamhenge. We opted for Stonewall Jackson’s House and hiking in the Cascades…when we drove by Natural Bridge it looked like a tourist trap. Whoops. Did you by chance happen to notice all the dino-related stuff around there? Bizarre.
YoungHouseLove says
Yes that was so funny! We might have to go back for it because we hear it’s insane slash amazing.
xo,
s
Katie says
So, because I am pregnant and currently stalking your old baby gear and getting ready posts, I am curious to know what happened to the Joovy? I am going between that and the Baby Jogger Mini and it looks like you got a new stroller???
YoungHouseLove says
We still love and use our Joovy every day! John asked for a jogging stroller for Father’s Day so since he couldn’t jog with the Joovy or take it on rocky hiking trails (like the one at Natural Bridge) we use the jogging stroller for that stuff and the Joovy for everyday stuff like walking around the neighborhood, mall, etc (the jogging stroller is a lot bigger, so it’s good for outdoor trail stuff). You can find more info on the jogging stroller purchase here. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Misty says
Not necessarily related to butterflies, but have you visited this site? http://www.virginia.org/ I follow it on facebook; it’s chock full of great ideas for things to see/do in Virginia. We live in a state full of fun and wonderful places!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks so much for the tip!!
xo,
s
CG says
Joss and Main is featuring a company with small white ceramic items!
YoungHouseLove says
Checked it out and love it!!
xo,
s
Bonny says
Sherry have you ever thought of using Flower Stamens like these http://www.dealtime.com/flower-stamens/products?sb=1 as antenna? You can paint them whatever color you need. You can usually find them at craft stores… just thought that you butterflies might want some antenna in the future.
great craft, love how it looks in your shelves!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s cute! Never thought of that!
xo,
s
Denise says
I LOVE FOAMHENGE!!!! But I think the best thing that guy has created is the Dinosaur/Civil War exhibit, totally hilarious. It’s one of my favorite places to take a simmer day trip, also lot’s of good hiking nearby like Devil’s Marbleyard
YoungHouseLove says
We’re a little too excited to check that out the next time we’re back. Haha.
xo,
s
Future Mama says
Oh my goodness!!! Totally squealing over here! We were just at the Natural Bridge on THURSDAY (we did a road trip/babymoon from Georgia). I’m posting on it TOMORROW on my blog! Wow. Love it! Next time you go, you will have to stop at the Pink Cadillac for lunch or dinner…it’s right past Foam-henge. It’s your old fashioned diner and so much fun. We got the best homemade pie ever. I’ll try to remember to swing back this way to get you the link to my post tomorrow so you can see the pictures. We did go into the caves and you totally made the right call not to bring Clara down there. There was a family with three boys under the age of 5 in our tour group and we thought one of them was going to break a leg. High energy toddlers, wet floors, and darkness was not a good combo…
Much love,
Future Mama
http://expectingablessing.blogspot.com/
YoungHouseLove says
That’s so funny! What a small world! I can’t wait to see your post about it tomorrow! As for Pink Cadillac, that sounds so yummy.
xo,
s
Natalie says
Woah- de ja vu. My family and I just did the same little trip to Natural Bridge this week. Now I’m just bummed I didn’t run into you! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw man, we would have loved to meet you. I bet we’ll bump into each other at Ikea or Target or Home Depot someday!
xo,
s
Andrea S. says
The next time you go to Natural Bridge, or that area of VA, check out Safari Park. My husband and I went there a few years back and I loved it. It’s a Safari that you drive through and you can feed the animals in your car. They stick their heads in the car to eat from a bucket that you can get. It’s so much fun! And it was really cool to get that close to them.
YoungHouseLove says
We’ve heard that it was so cool- we’ll have to go back for the caverns and the crazy dinosaur exhibit and check that out too!
xo,
s
Lauren Renaud says
Love the blog! First time commenter. I have y’all to blame with my current spray-painting-things-I-buy-at-the-thrift-store obsession. Anyway, we have some land in Fancy Gap, VA (ever heard of it) and we spend a good bit of time up there. (Sorry, if I am repeating someone else. i didn’t read all the comments.) The GW at Natural Bridge is George Washington. He was the surveyor for that piece of that land. And he is the reason that the capitol is in land that once belonged to Virginia. (History nerd, alert!) Last time we were there, we saw so many Copperheads that we left. Seriously. All along the wall and MILLIONS of babies in the brush at the water’s edge. (Shivers.)
YoungHouseLove says
Woah- that’s so scary! We didn’t see a single snake there! The official Natural Bridge speaking guide told us the whole GW thing was never substantiated so they honestly don’t know if the GW carving is really him or just someone else. But they have that cool white box drawn around it so you can see it, which I appreciated!
xo,
s
Lauren Renaud says
That’s so crazy, bc they are the ones that told me that! Weird. Get your stories straight, Natural Bridge Guides! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- I wonder if someone called them on it so now they say “it could be but we’re not sure.” Haha. Something about him dying five years before they could confirm it or something.
xo,
s
Lauren Renaud says
Geez, I just re-read that. Very grammatically incorrect and punctuation errors about. I am exhausted and I guess it shows.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- no worries! I do that too!
xo,
s
Katherine says
Before I even read the rest of this post I thought…. “please say you visited Foamhenge!” Hilarious!! We stopped there en route from GA to VA a couple of years ago. It was fantastic!
Love the DIY butterfly frame! Keep it up y’all!
Martha says
The butterflies are so fun! What a great use of a shadow box.
Lori Robinson says
LoL! Love the Foamhenge. We actually visited a similar place on vacation in June. Carhenge. No joke. Made of cars. It was great! Ha!
jenny says
I love the butterfly art! I don’t think that would have ever crossed my mind to do that! What a great idea, I’m looking at all kinds of things differently for potential art this morning!
BTW your post brought backs some great memories. I grew up in Southern VA and remember some great school and impromptu weekend fam trips to Natural Bridge!
Love reading the blog everyday!
diane says
Cute butterfly art but did you know that butterflies only live for like 3 days anyway and die naturally and that is where all those real butterflies come from. Once I learned that I was able to buy some butterfly art that I just adore. Hope this allows you to enjoy the real thing next time you see it!
Jessie says
I was browsing Paper Source this morning and found two butterfly sets (one magnet and the other push-pin) that would also work for your project. Here are the links –
http://www.paper-source.com/cgi-bin/paper/item/Butterfly-Push-Pins/3202.010/413233.html
and
http://www.paper-source.com/cgi-bin/paper/item/Butterfly-Magnet-Set/3202.010/439484.html
Thanks and enjoy!
YoungHouseLove says
So pretty! Love them!
xo,
s
Julia says
Hooray for Natural Bridge!!
Did it inspire you to get the Natural Bridge Vanity plate?
YoungHouseLove says
We saw someone with it while there and were definitely jealous!
xo,
s
Penny says
Oh goodness, this is a fantastic project. You two are just amazing.
heyruthie says
we’re Virginia people, and even decided to honeymoon in our home state–visiting Natural Bridge at the time. as a nod to it, we recently got the Natural Bridge license plates. it’s our little romantic Virginia thing. it’s a little bit of Virginia history and cheesiness all rolled into one ;-)
YoungHouseLove says
So cute!
xo,
s
Allison says
I LOVE the butterfly shadow box! It is sooo cute and looks soo real!
Awesome idea. You guys are great as always. (first time comment, I don’t know why it’s taken me so long:)
Kristen B says
Sherry you are so creative! I probably would have chucked the butterfly info card in the trash and not thought twice about it… I need your creative mind! My house needs some decorative accents on the walls and I just don’t even know where to begin! :)
Love your blog!
Tracy says
Yaya! I can’t believe you guys went to Natural Bridge. I’m from an area near there and also went to Virginia Tech. Anyway, Did you guys go to the Safari Zoo close to there? I’m sure your daughter would have loved it but you could also wait till she is a little older. Anyway, love the butterfly work and an older post I saw with paint chips you made to art because I too can not throw them away. Well, I follow your page and your friend Katie Bowers who I’ve done some projects from. Just wanted to say really enjoy it and heading to Richmond to visit a friend soon. If you ever need a progect she would be great. Just moved into new house and pregnant with twins! Okay rambling aside. Really enjoy your page. Thanks for all the info!!
YoungHouseLove says
I wish we could have fit that in! Next time we’ll have to check out the safari! And as for your friend in Richmond, I bet you we’ll run into her within the next month. Richmond is so small and we seem to bump into so many people- I’ll just keep my eye out for a cute prego lady. Haha.
xo,
s
jessie says
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=539486303052&set=a.510276849032.2047494.9132995&type=1&theater
that’s me on the way to Bonnarro in 2006! carved our names into the foam. what a random place to find, eh?
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man, it’s blocked. Maybe it’s your privacy settings? I’d love to see!
xo,
s
Karen says
Where have I been? Living in Richmond since ’76 and never knew VA had a Foamhenge! Gotta see it before I die.
Erin says
So glad you guys got to go to Natural Bridge! I’m from Roanoke and it’s always been one of my favorites. Not sure if it was mentioned yet or not but next trip you’ll have to check out the Haunted Mansion, Pink Cadillac Diner, Dinosaurland and the Safari Park (always one of our faves!)
Some girl says
Such a small world. I have been reading your blog everyday for about 2 years now. LOVE YOU GUYS!!! Your all super cute and so creative. I coincidentally happen to work behind the scenes on the show The Office…such a wonderful and random surprise in reading this post! Keep up the beautiful work!
YoungHouseLove says
STOP IT! YOU WORK THERE? You’re the coolest person we have ever not met. Love it!!
xo,
s
Some girl says
:)
Shanna says
I’ve made butterflies using clipart gluing one on top of the other so they have double wings but never thought of putting them together in such an artistic manner. You two are clever, artistic and funny in a good way :-)
steph crochet says
i actually have a butterfly-ish tattoo. I wish i could include a photo here for you, but it’s an orange bunny (think sherbert-colored…which is the name of this tattoo) with blue butterfly wings: a fairy bunny. It’s my ‘i heart mom’ tattoo as she’s called me bunny my whole life; and i’m actually going to get a heart with ‘mom’ tattooed on my tattoo’s arm lol. just thought i’d share.
ps-great job, i’m SO stealing this idea :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, the heart on the bunny’s arm idea is hilarious! Love it.
xo,
s