Fifty layered butterflies

When I stumbled across this image...

source

...I just knew I wanted to try something similar out of paper. What better than a few of my favorite GCD Studios papers, a pair of butterfly dies, and a styrofoam ball to bring it all together?

First I created about fifty layered butterflies. I simply die-cut a large butterfly and a smaller butterfly and stapled them together. To give the impression of flight, I bent the wings out from the center. To add the butterflies to the styrofoam ball, I used pearl head pins. If you are looking for a more permanent attachment, I suggest using glue, as well. I love the look of the pearls in the center of the butterflies, but you could use glue exclusively, too.

After playing with a few different patterns for attaching the butterflies, I realized that random was the way to go. Some face up, some face down, others face each other. To cover up any spots where the styrofoam ball was showing through, I added smaller butterfly punches. If you want to be really picky about not seeing the ball, I suggest wrapping it in fabric or ribbon, or even painting it.

To create a handle for my bouquet, I added a Magic Wand from SRM Press. I filled it with white pearl chocolates to match the pearl pins. Ribbon and tulle tied in bows at the base of the ball, as well as a coordinating tag, finish it off.

I think this kind of bouquet would be a lovely gift for a birthday, a bride-to-be, or a special get well. You could hang the ball from a ribbon for a fun variation (little girls room?), or plant the bouquet in a pot for a topiary look. You could even use flower shapes or other punches besides butterflies. Of course, pretty GCD papers are a must:

Glittered Bird Floral

Charcoal Floral

Grey Floral

Pink Floral

Green Floral

Wedding Die Cut

Thank you for stopping by today!