DIY Bird and Butterfly Decorations

July 27, 2011

1 of 26

Bird Thank-You Notes

Jim Cooper

Dainty Victorian-era engravings of birds culled from a clip-art book and then color-photocopied become elegant winged messengers bearing tiny three-dimensional missives of thanks.

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 26

Bird Favors

James Baigrie

Paper birds keep watch over colorful chocolates. To create, use scissors to carefully cut tulle, which comes by the yard, into 8-inch squares. Deposit several dragees onto each one. Gather up the tulle around the candy, and secure each pouch with twine. Place a die-cut bird on top, knotting the twine around the bird's leg to anchor it. Set the pouches out on trays for guests to take home.

3 of 26

Embroidered Birds

Make personalized gifts by embroidering tea towels or pillows with our beautiful bird designs.

Advertisement

4 of 26

Bird Favor Boxes

James Baigrie

First have a calligrapher write out the bride's and groom's names and a message, and then have the writing made into rubber stamps. The boxes come flat: Stamp the lids as shown; let ink dry overnight. Poke a small hole in the center of the lid with an awl (available at hardware stores). Fold box and lid. Slip bird's foot through the hole.

5 of 26

Sweet Bird Box

Use craft glue to edge the box top with metallic ribbon and to attach the bird. Place a treat inside the box, then set the box in a nest of shredded kraft paper. A calligrapher can create the sign for you.

6 of 26

Bird's Nest Cookies

These thin chocolate cookies with ganache icing dipped into grated coconut make the perfect nests for two or three miniature chocolate eggs.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 26

Dove Note Tree

Maura McEvoy

Let guests' well-wishes take flight on paper doves. These birds are traditional symbols of love, happiness, and harmony. Anchor bare branches (these are manzanita) in a large, sturdy vessel filled with stones or gravel. Use wire to secure nests, available from craft stores, to branches. Set dove cards -- available precut -- in a dish. Place pencils alongside your tree with a sign asking guests to inscribe a card and to place it in a nest.

8 of 26

Winged Place Cards

Perch a dainty paper bird on the rim of each glass so guests can identify their seats. The pretty die-cut cards from Tiffy New York come in pastel colors. With a utility knife, make a slim, 1/4-inch-long notch at the bottom of each card. For the eyes, use a 1/16-inch hole punch. Print guests' names on cards.

9 of 26

Pussy-Willow Nest

Here, the downy, gray catkins of pussy-willow branches soften a densely woven nest, while dried grasses inside cushion fragile decorated eggs. Perfect for a table decoration or at an entrance table with your guest book.

Get the Pussy-Willow How-To

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 26

Petits-Fours with Butterflies

These decorative petits fours with butterflies, a recipe from Karen Porter of Tilly's Cakes, makes the perfect treat to serve at bridal showers and outdoor weddings.

Get the Petits Fours Recipe

11 of 26

Floaty Butterfly Place Card

Charles Maraia
Get the How-To and Template

Paper butterflies alight on the rims of champagne glasses, staying still just long enough for guests to find their seats.

12 of 26

Butterfly Flower Girl Dresses

Amy Neunsinger

Flower girls look enchanting with butterflies fluttering on their dresses. The appliques are easy to attach with a needle and thread. Ribbons streaming from their bouquets are decorated with the same butterflies, which appear to fly through the air when the girls walk.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 26

Table Linens

Cream-colored linen tablecloths and napkins are embellished with iron-on transfer paper printed with clip-art butterflies.

Get the How-To

14 of 26

Program Cover

g

Easily dress up ceremony programs, or any paper element, with butterfly rubber stamps.

15 of 26

Beaded Hair Accessory

Bridesmaids and flower girls will love these beaded butterflies for their hair.

Get the How-To

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 26

Butterfly Paper Lanterns

Let a flock of colorful paper butterflies loose, and you'll instantly give plain paper lanterns a lift.

Get the Paper Lanterns How-To

17 of 26

Barrettes for the Flower Girls

Flower girls will love these beautiful butterflies in their hair as they walk down the aisle.

Get the Barrettes How-To

18 of 26

Bridesmaid Slippers

Butterfly slippers make lovely handmade gifts for your bridesmaids.

Get the Bridesmaid Slippers How-To

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 26

Butterfly Patch Flower Girl Dress

Embellish a solid-colored flower-girl dress with bright butterflies in flight.

Get the Butterfly Patch Template

20 of 26

Butterfly Drinks

For topflight cocktails, make 2 slits in the center of a butterfly cutout, and then slide a straw through.

Get the Butterfly Drinks Template

21 of 26

Pressed-Leaf Butterflies

Make these framed butterflies shine at your reception or shower. Hang them on the walls as decorations or give them as gifts to your bridal party.

Get the Pressed-Leaf-Butterflies How-To

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 26

Butterfly Favor Bags

Butterfly Favor bags will surprise and delight your guests. Best of all, they are easy to make and make a beautiful favor table display.

Get the Favor Bags How-To

23 of 26

Beaded Butterfly Ornaments

Christopher Baker

Glass beads from vintage tree garlands form a butterfly that would look beautiful in any bouquet or table arrangement.

Get the Butterfly Ornament How-To

24 of 26

Shell Butterflies

Shell butterflies make perfect accents for your bouquet or scattered on a table as decorations.

Get the Shell Butterflies How-To

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 26

Butterfly Bouquet

Get the Butterfly Bouquet How-To

Bride Laura Normandin fashioned her breathtakingly beautiful butterfly bouquet from silk and feather creatures secured on thin wires so that they float and flutter realistically.

26 of 26

Winged Place Cards

Get the How-To

The bride calligraphed the place cards, then rubber-stamped each one with a butterfly, which she cut into a silhouette before folding the card.

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next