DIY Accordion Paper Butterflies

Thank you to ASTROBRIGHTS® Papers for sponsoring this post , DIY Accordion Paper Butterflies With ASTROBRIGHTS®, as a part of ASTROBRIGHTS® COLORIZE campaign. All opinions are 100% my own.

This year, for my daughter’s fifth birthday party, she chose Cinderella as the theme. She specifically told me, “No mama, not the book. I would like my party like Cinderella the movie.” She was referring to the newest 2015 release of Cinderella. This news from my four year old was SO exciting to me. I LOVE this idea. In the movie, Cinderella’s father brings her a paper butterfly from his travels. I thought of incorporating the butterflies in hues of blue throughout her party.

ASTROBRIGHTS® Papers is a line of vibrant color paper. It is PERFECT for this project. The colors I chose for the party are (pictured above top to bottom):

• Gravity Grape
• Venus Violet
• Blast-Off Blue
• Celestial Blue
• Lunar Blue
• Terrestrial Teal

Aren’t they gorgeous? I made these DIY Accordion Paper Butterflies, which are absolutely addicting to make by the way!

Materials:

• ASTROBRIGHTS® paper colors of choice
• Circle punches (I used 2”, 2.5”, and 3”)
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Scissors
• String
• Gems or buttons
• Glue and Paper Lanterns (optional)

DIY Accordion Paper Butterflies Instructions:

Step 1: Choose your ASTROBRIGHTS®colors. There are 25 to choose from.

Step 2: Make your template. The butterfly template is simply a circle and a square. You can make it any size you wish. I made three different ones. You want the circle and square to be the same with. For example, if you have a 3” diameter circle, you need a 3”X3” square. I used circle punches but if you don’t have those, you can trace the rim of a cup or something similar. Overlap the square and circle and tape it as shown.

Step 3: Next, trace the templates. I wanted to maximize one sheet of paper so I was able to fit one 3” template, one 2.5” template, and three 2” templates.

Step 4: Cut out each template as shown.

Step 5 (Pictures 5 and 6): Make an accordion fold with your template lengthwise.

Step 6 (Picture 7): Bend the center of the butterfly and tie it with a string in a knot. Trim the excess string and gently pull the wings open by quadrant.

One I tied and opened each butterfly; I added a rhinestone in the center. These are so fun to make I kept going and going!

Next, I glued them onto paper lanterns to hang up outside for the birthday party.

I think I am also going to make these for the invitations we are handing out as well as on some other birthday décor. Stay tuned!

You can find more inspiration and ideas to COLORIZE your life at COLORIZE.tumblr.com and on Facebook.