Friday, May 14, 2010

Fly Away With Me Mobile (Part 2of 3)

Even though I only recently posted the butterfly mobile idea on my blog here, I have actually been working on it since this past winter, in anticipation of my little girl.

After typing up a tutorial, my post was somehow deleted. Much like a sock gets lost in the dryer, my post disappeared from my blog. I was so disappointed that it vanished after putting so much time into it. Has anyone else ever had this happen?  Oh well, so goes life. Enough of my pity party...on with the new tutorial!

I have no idea if this is the "best" method, this is simply the method I used. If you know how to make it easier on yourself or others, please feel free to leave your wisdom in my comments. ;)

I started with a wooden embroidery hoop. I found a spool of metal twine in the bargain bin at Michael's for about .79. It very closely resembles twisty tie line. (Thin gauge wire encased in plastic), but any small wire or possibly even string would probably work. I tied my twine on in pie formation as seen below.

Next I spray painted the whole thing white (wires and all), but I don't have a picture of this step.

I purchased a butterfly punch tool by Martha Stewart, also at Michael's, and created what felt like 100's of butterflies, out of scrapbook paper.

 Then, using a needle and clear fishing line, I createed 2 rows on each line of wire, evenly spaced, one center line and an additional 8 lines on the outer ring, centered between the wires, for a total of 25 strands of butterflies. 
I secured the bottom of each line with a seed bead, both for weight and stability, and tied knots where I wanted the butterflies to "rest" on their lines. So, each butterfly has a knot just below it, holding it in place on its line.
I added one additional butterfly to each row going inward, so the longest row of butterflies, is the center line. Giving it a tiered effect. And, voila! The mobile is complete.  Sorry for the shaky picture, but believe me, the finished result was beautiful! 
 My original plan was to secure this with some decorative ribbon to a hook in the ceiling of my daughter's room. The colors served as the inspiration for the quilt I had my Nana make for her.

When I showed my husband, I held it up under a lamp, and he commented about how it would be  really interesting if I could somehow make it into a lamp. ....I loved the idea, but I will save that for another post!

26 comments:

Beverly {Flamingo Toes} said...

That is turning out soo cute. And I love the idea of it being a lamp. Can't wait to see how this turns out. :)
Thanks for stopping by and leaving a sweet comment!

Bec said...

I have that same punch!!! I made a neat framed art project with it, but now I know what to make for my future expecting friends! So pretty!

http://www.theiheartblog.com

Ann @ makethebestofthings said...

This is too cute and clever, your little girl will always remember her mom made her the butterfly mobile. I think I need a blue one for my bedroom, lots of shades of blue. Hope it is as lovely as yours.

Bec said...

I made some wall art with that same punch- it was super easy and could compliment the mobile nicely if you're going with the butterfly theme ;) http://www.theiheartblog.com/2010/02/fill-in-the-blank/

Stephanie Cameron said...

Really beautiful. I'm sure it took you a really long time... a labor of love!

Allison said...

I love it!!! If we have another baby girl I'm going to make one of these for her nursery.
Visiting from www.designlifeinc.blogspot.com
I love new followers! :)

Your newest follower,
Allison

Cole Franke said...

such a great idea! now I just need to have a girl next. lovely blog.
nicole visiting from
http://lettersfromcoco.blogspot.com/

Mandy @ mintnclandycreate said...

Thanks for your sweet comments. It DID take a long time, but it was well-worth the effort. I can't wait to show you the light!

Suzanne said...

Oh my gosh that is beautiful and so very delicate looking! Love it!

Meredith said...

stopping by from baby week. i love this! such a simple idea using the puncher, genius!

Unknown said...

WOW...you much be patient! Thanks for joining us for Anything Related!
~Bridgette

Alison @ Oopsey Daisy said...

Okay, this is so much fun!! You have so many fabulous ideas--a treasure trove of all things baby!!! :)

Alison @ Oopsey Daisy said...

Okay, this is so much fun!! You have so many fabulous ideas--a treasure trove of all things baby!!! :)

Unknown said...

What a beautiful mobile. It is always much more lovely when made from your own hands- especially when you can beat that awful price tag:)

Jenny said...

So cute! Great idea to use the punch tool, saves a lot of trouble!

http://iheartjennysart.com

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness, that is just too adorable! What patience you must have to do such a tedious project. But boy, was it well worth the effort. I love it!

Trudy said...

Beautiful. I love butterflies. Thanks for the tute.

House of Smiths said...

I LOVE this! It totally looks like the one from pottery barn! I might need to copy this cute idea, in one of my girls' rooms!

And that pasta salad??? Is it lunch time yet? Wanna bring me some? :) jk.

Thanks for stopping by and entering my giveaway!

Shelley

Diane at Perfectly Imperfect Life said...

That is so pretty! What patience you must have!

Sweet European Dreams said...

Love it! I may have to bookmark this and make this a summer project with my daughter - she would be thrilled to have one of these! -diane
http://sweeteuropeandreams.blogspot.com

stephanie h said...

that is sooo cute!

grayzeee said...

Pretty! Easy! Perfect to make for a friend's little girl's room! Thanks for such a great idea!

Annastacia said...

Aw so cute! I absolutely adore this idea and it turned out darling! Thanks for sharing!

Jess said...

This is SO cute. I love it. Thanks for posting on FTF!

kathy said...

This is beautiful.. and so simple.

Elliott and Family said...

This is beautiful, can I ask, did you have to tie all the knots after each butterfly, as in knot, thread knot thread, or did you find a way of tie all the knots first and then threading? I know it's silly question but I feel like tying the knots would get all tangly with the butterflies already on.