Crafty Kids: Fun Summer Projects (page 2 of 2)

Butterfly Window Trim

Country youngster Randal Graves, who hails from Bethel Springs, Tennessee, likes to let his imagination soar... with creatively crafty results. This time, he lit on a bright idea fit for summer trimming.

"I saw a butterfly in our yard and thought it would be fun to make one," Randal relays. "First, I drew a butterfly shape on paper, then my mom helped me cut it out of an aluminum pie pan. I colored it with markers and hung it up in the kitchen window."

Ready to raise your own? It's easy! Follow the simple instructions here.

You Will Need
Pattern
Tracing paper
Pencil
Ballpoint pen
Disposable aluminum pie pan
Tape
Scissors
Old magazine or stack of newspapers
Metal kitchen spoon
Permanent markers (see note below) -- blue, red and yellow or the colors of your choice
1/4-inch round hole punch
5-inch length of red metallic trim or narrow ribbon for hanger


What to Do
1. Trace the pattern onto a piece of tracing paper with a pencil. Lay an old magazine or a stack of newspapers on top of the kitchen table, then place the disposable pie pan on top of the magazine or newspapers.

2. Tape the pattern to the inside of the pan and retrace the lines with a ballpoint pen, pressing hard as you trace over the pattern so that the pattern lines are clearly indented into the aluminum.

3. Remove the pattern from the pie pan and use a pair of scissors to carefully cut out the butterfly shape. (Be careful: The edges of the butterfly will likely be sharp.)

4. To smooth any rough edges, lay the butterfly on the magazine or stack of newspapers and rub the sharp edges with the back of a metal kitchen spoon.

5. Color both the front and back of the butterfly with permanent markers, using blue, red and yellow as shown on the pattern or any colors that you like.

6. Use the hole punch to make a hole at the top of the butterfly's head. Pull a piece of metallic trim or narrow ribbon through the hole and tie the ends together to make a hanger. Hang the finished butterfly in a window, from the handle on a cupboard door or anywhere you like.

Butterfly Trim Pattern
Trace 1—tracing paper

Note: Children's washable, nontoxic markers will bead and rub off of the aluminum when applied. Permanent markers are required for this project. Young children will need adult supervision. Finished size: The butterfly is about 2 1/4 inches high x 3 3/4 inches wide.

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