April 2005 Project of the Month Felt Butterflies These adorable butterflies are quick and easy to make. Perfect to bring a little sunshine and color into your home. They also are a great alternative to a bow on a present! Materials Needed: Felt in two coordinating colors Ruler Pinking shears Needle and thread Two pipe cleaners Pen or pencil Magnet (optional) Directions: To make the wings, cut two 1 ¼ x 3 ½ inch strips and two 1 ¼ x 5 inch strips from one color of felt with the pinking shears and cut two 1 ¼ x 4 inch strips from the other color of felt with the pinking shears. Center the pieces on top of each other in two piles so the largest are on the bottom and then the medium with the small on top. Pinch the middles of the stacks so the felt bunches up easily and stitch a running stitch through the middle of one stack and then the other. Pull the thread tight and wrap it around the middle a few times then tie off. Fluff and reshape the wings until you reach the desired look. Holding the two pipe cleaners together wrap them around a pen or pencil six times. This creates the body of the butterfly. Place the body over the sewn center of the wings and wrap the loose ends of the pipe cleaner around the wings and then through the body. Pull fairly tight and then separate the antenna. Trim to a shorter and even length if necessary. To make a refrigerator magnet simply glue a magnet to the back of the body. With or without the magnet these are a great substitution for a bow on a gift! You could also use several butterflies to make a mobile. Just be sure to keep it well out of reach of baby as the wire in the pipe cleaner could hurt her or him. Do you have an idea for another Project of the Month for our Crafts for Kids Cubby? We'd love to hear from you. Email our moderators with your suggestions!