Kaleidoscope Framed Butterfly + Twine Butterfly

Hello ~ I created this beautiful butterfly using the Bargello technique and the Kaleidoscope designer series paper. I printed the 'Swallowtail' image using My Digital Studio and enlarged it to fit my frame nicely. I printed it onto cardstock and cut it out so it would be easier to trace.

 

I cut 1/4" strips of paper and aligned them side-by-side, then you turn the opposite way and cut so you have the various patterns onto each strip. Once you've cut all your pieces you start to assemble your pattern, I chose a zig-zag pattern. I then traced my swallowtail butterfly onto the paper with the Bargello pattern and cut it out. I used a Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker and outlined the butterfly to make it stand out a bit more from the paper I used for the background.

This technique does take a while, but the results are stunning when you are finished. I am really happy with my final project and have another pretty butterfly frame to brighten up my craft room - who doesn't like butterflies, they are so happy :)

I have another fun butterfly art piece for you today. I had a craft class with my favourite older peeps at the Retirement home not long ago, and I had them make String Art. It's really simple to do... first you select your image and place it onto a piece of wood or canvas (if you use canvas, you would use pins, not nails!) and hammer nails all around your design. Once your nails are in you just start by tying a knot around one of the nails and start to wrap you string until you've filled in your shape. This makes very striking art pieces... it's super fun, and easy to do - the hardest part is hammering your nails! For my piece today, I already had a bunch of the Swallowtail templates ready from my first project, so I went with it... you know re-duce, re-use, re-cycle!! I used the Summer Starfruit Baker's Twine which is in the Sale-a-bration catalogue! For my wooden board, it's actually a bamboo cutting board - it worked perfectly!

 If you make a mistake, it's easy enough to unwrap the twine or string and start again! There are so many design possibilities with this technique, I hope you'll try it out!

I hope you've enjoyed my fluttering creations today, Happy stamping :)