Real butterflies and halloween butterflies

For Halloween and yes that was awhile ago, my 2 baby girls dressed up as butterflies. 

We found a butterfly costume that seemed "simple" on pinterest. We created our own brand of butterfly but it turned out so pretty. It required much more glue then I think they meant for it too:)

We have been into the butterfly since last summer. Well, it all started with a caterpillar. And there were several different types of caterpillars. We would find one and then go look it up. ( Don't touch! Look up first! ) My daughters and I were learning things together for the first time. It was really special for all of us. And actually, my husband and parents got into it too.

This was our caterpillar, Yellow. 

Then she went and started her chrysalis. So fascinating. 

It gets darker over time and right before the monarch emerges, the chrysalis becomes more clear and you can actually see through to their wings. See it?

And then she came back! Then her name was Orange. My daughters learned new things and I did too. I can't wait to catch one again next year.

This was my daughters picture of a zebra longwing. I was captivated by the butterflies and caterpillars in my own yard.

 I feel as though we must travel far and wide to experience His earth and we don't always have the time and money. However! I am learning that the Lord gifts us with beauty and pleasure in our slice of earth. And I am grateful.

Happy day to each of you. 

Art School: Butterflies with Oil Pastels

I recently taught art at my churchs' fine arts camp. Oh, it was fun. A bit of a whirlwind carting my children from one place to the other so that I could go and teach, but it was well worth it. 

We studied the color wheel and created butterflies using oil pastels with warm and cool colors. 

 We had a couple of moments ( myself included) where we had to stop and go back and look at our color wheel to make sure we were using the correct warm or cool color.  That yellow-green will get you.

I was impressed with how creative these kids were with color, pattern and design. We decided to add designs to the background, if they wanted to. 

This little boy wanted to add the butterfly's tongue. Smart kid. 

The art class was for rising 2nd and 3rd graders. 

I showed them how to draw a butterfly. We first folded the paper hamburger style, and then hotdog style.

Then, we traced the lines with a pencil. I gave them directions on how to draw a butterfly. A hotdog in the middle, then 4 balloons off of the hotdog. We went over the drawing in a sharpie. And then colored in with oil pastels.

I will show our next project in my next post. My daughter and I tested out all of the art projects, so we have been very "arty" around here lately. My dining room table is filled with art supplies, some used, some not. I love it!

Happy Friday- hope you have a creative weekend!

Butterfly Birthday Party

We had a butterfly themed birthday party for my mother in law and her twin sister last weekend. I bought the fabric seen below on the napkins and therefore, our colors were turquoisey green, pink, purple and green. 

I wrapped the utensils in the napkins and then tied with strips of our fabric. My 4 year old and I did it together. We also made Japanese lanterns out of construction paper and hung with raffia. It was a nice touch. 

Our cake was a chocolate cake with chocolate icing. I decorated the cake with flowers from my yard and thyme( the green stuff.) The butterflies I bought at Joanns which I suppose they are used for wreaths. We also had butterfly wings everyone wore and of course, I don't have a picture. They were cute. 

For the table, I covered it with the pink, purple and green floral. I used vases and cake plates to hold cut flowers from my yard. I always enjoy the final touches of a party- walking outside when there is chaos inside and clipping flowers to put out for people to enjoy. And hopefully, when I come back inside, someone has finished cooking the food!

And supper is ready! The food was good and I especially liked the rolls on the divine cake plate.