Spinner art reminds me of summer- it was something we always did at camp with stunning results and lots of fun!  We wanted to take this process art and turn it into something to keep to remind us of summer during our long winters!

This post was featured on The Crafty Crow!  Check it out for developmentally appropriate, engaging and creative ideas!

CraftyCrowhttp://www.thecraftycrow.net/2014/09/spin-art-butterflies.html

It also appeared on Red Ted Art for their springtime collection of butterfly crafts, where you will find loads of thematic ideas!

http://www.redtedart.com/2015/04/04/35-butterfly-crafts/

Materials

ButterflySupplies

  • Construction paper or cardstock
  • Re-use an old salad spinner (after the use with crafts it is not recommended that you use it with food products.  You can often find them at garage sales or re-use centres for quite inexpensive!)
  • Paint (we used metallic and neon craft grade acrylics)
  • Sticks
  • Glue (glue gun or white glue)
  • Old butter knife
  • Artificial flower stamen (you can find these at craft stores, cooking stores- in the bakery section or online)
  • Craft trays
  • Smock
  • Scissors

Option 1:

  • Magnet buttons or tape
  • Strong hold glue

Option 2:

  • Larger stick
  • Transparent fishing line or beading cord

Option 3:

  • Ribbon

Directions

  • Go out on a nature walk and get a pile of small sticks.
  • Take the basket out of your salad spinner and trace around the bottom on pieces of paper, creating large circles.
  • Place your salad spinner onto a craft tray (especially if yours is like ours and is meant for use in the sink and drains out the bottom!)
  • Place the paper into your basket and put it into your spinner.

Butterflies: Insert Paper from make-it-your-own.com

  • Add blobs, dribbles etc. of paint of various colours.

Butterflies: Add Paint from make-it-your-own.com

Butterflies: Add Paint from make-it-your-own.com

  • Secure the lid of your salad spinner and give it several spins.

Butterflies: Spin from make-it-your-own.com

Butterflies: Spinner from make-it-your-own.com

  • Open the lid and be amazed!

Butterflies: Spinner Art from make-it-your-own.com

Butterflies: Excitement from make-it-your-own.com

  • Using a butter knife, slide it under the edge of your work to lift it carefully from the basket.

Butterflies: Remove Paper from make-it-your-own.com

  • Put it on a craft tray and allow it to dry overnight.

Butterflies: Dry Spinner Art from make-it-your-own.com

Butterflies: Spinner Art Paper from make-it-your-own.com

Butterflies: Spinner Art Paper from make-it-your-own.com

  • Flip your work over (to the side without the paint) and draw your butterfly wings.  Cut out your butterfly shape.

Butterflies: Flip Over Paper from make-it-your-own.com

Butterflies: Draw Wings from make-it-your-own.com

Butterflies: Draw Wings from make-it-your-own.com

Butterflies: Butterfly Wings from make-it-your-own.com

Butterflies: Cut out wings from make-it-your-own.com

  • Glue a stick in the middle for the body of the butterfly.

Butterflies: Apply Stick from make-it-your-own.com

  • Create antennae using artificial floral stamen folded in half (gluing them onto one end of the body.)

Butterflies: Apply Anntenae from make-it-your-own.com

  • Allow to dry overnight.

Butterflies: Drying from make-it-your-own.com

Butterflies from make-it-your-own.com

Butterflies from make-it-your-own.com

Option 1

  • With strong hold glue, attach magnets on the back of your butterflies to dress up a fridge, whiteboard, filing cabinet, metal door etc.

Option 2

  • Hang your butterflies, using transparent fishing line or beading cord to a larger stick to create a mobile or wall hanging.

Option 3

  • Secure your butterfly with ribbon to the top of a present for a personal touch.

Purpose

  • Exploring different tools to use for painting.
  • Getting out into nature.

Safety Notes

  • As mentioned above, once you use your salad spinner with paints, it is recommended that you do not use it for food products.  You may want to label it, “For craft use only” following.
  • Be sure to follow the directions on all products.
  • Use non-toxic paint/glue.
  • Use scissors with adult supervision.
  • Magnets are a choking hazard and should not be accessible to children 0-3 or those that tend to put things into their mouths.  Seek medical attention immediately if they are accidentally consumed.
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