Hurt No Living Thing
Hurt no living thing;
Ladybird, nor butterfly,
Nor moth with dusty wing,
Nor cricket chirping cheerily,
Nor grasshopper so light of leap,
Nor dancing gnat nor bettle fat,
Nor harmless worms that creep.
- Christina Rossetti
I just started hearing the birds a few days ago. I listen for them every winter - waiting for the spring sounds. In a few weeks I will be able to wake up in the morning and lay in bed and listen to them. It's a happy sound. A fresh sound. It's a "Spring is on her way!" sound.
While I know I will still have days of snow and drudgery, the hope is always waiting. The hope of buds of flowers, tiny green shoots of grass; the hope of sunny skies and wearing shorts and eating fresh cherries.
It's coming!
It's coming!
Today I have a very simple Butterfly decorating project.
In fact, I can hear my friend Dani say "Re-ally."
Butterfly Barrette Project:
For these projects, you need to go to the store and purchase butterflies. There is a huge assortment out there. I found 4" wide sparkled white butterflies at the Family Dollar store. At Michael's you will find realistic and fantasy butterflies in sizes from 1" across to 5" across. You can find sweet little netting and rosebud butterflies at WalMarts for $2. Look around! I found some sparkly sequin butterflies, no bigger than 1 1/2" big on bendable green stalks, in the floral department.
You will also be purchasing an assortment of plain hair clips, head bands and barrettes. You can go three ways - purchase them in the colors closest to you hair color, go with the basic gold or silver; or purchase them in some spring pastels that would match the butterflies.
Now collect some fasteners: low temp glue gun, Aleen's Tacky Glue or another thick glue. The runny stuff (Elmer's) is just frustrating on this project. Some craft wire will work on a few; or sewing thread.
You are going to stick an assortment of butterflies onto your purchased hair clips et al. Ohhhh this sounds too simple - and it is!
*To add butterflies onto a fabric head band I would suggest you use a strong thread with tiny stitches.
*To add plastic sequin type butterflies go with the Aleen'es Tacky Glue. You will have to either hold in place or prop it up, but it will work.
*Thin bendable wire is perfect for headbands or hair clips with a slot in the middle.
*Anything else that you think can handle it - use the low temp hot glue gun. I recommend the low temp as this project is small enough that you will be using your fingers quite close to the glue.
Crafting tip:
If no one has told you, here is a basic tip for hot glue guns. Keep a bowl of ice water very handy. When you burn a piece of your finger (and we always do) immediately stick it in the bowl of ice water. This can prevent blisters and cools the burn down quickly.
Crafting tip #2:
When you use low temp/hot glue you want to 'bury' the object in glue. Don't squirt so much that you have a huge glob with a tiny butterfly in the middle. Just use as much glue as possible for a very firm hold. A little drop of hot glue will not hold an object, no matter how light, for very long.
Also hold the item (example: floral stem) and place glue on the stem, then push the stem where desired. This will prevent getting glue all over places you don't want it.
You now have a beautiful spring touch to add to your girl's day, or even your own.
Think about hot glueing those extra left-over butterflies onto an old purse. How about one in each corner of placemats? I have already added some to a plain basket with a spray of spring buds as a table centerpiece. I plan on adding some around my bathroom mirror in the guest room. I have greenery glued in place as a frame to the mirror. It's time now for me to wire some fresh butterflies to tuck into it.
Tip:
I really like using the Christmas wire hangers that are like green plastic covered paper clip weight, but very easy to bend. They are a perfect size to wrap around something.
glitter stickers from Dover
"Ahh, the wide almond groves in full white flower
Stunning in the morning sun.
Old naked Winter in his garb of grays and browns has run.
Forsythia blooms come and go in the blink of a yellow Eye,
Then, suddenly, mysteriously, Green erupts; and we sigh."
- Michael P. Garofalo, Cuttings
Stunning in the morning sun.
Old naked Winter in his garb of grays and browns has run.
Forsythia blooms come and go in the blink of a yellow Eye,
Then, suddenly, mysteriously, Green erupts; and we sigh."
- Michael P. Garofalo, Cuttings
until tomorrow -
inkspired
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