DIY Ribbon Butterfly Tree For Spring

by Linette

Today I decided to make a butterfly tree to celebrate Spring! I got the idea from seeing Oz the Great and Powerful over the weekend. One of my favorite visual scenes from the movie was when all the butterflies flew out of the tree shortly after Oscar landed in Oz. When I got home I thought it would be fun to make my own butterfly tree, so I searched around for one to model it after and I looked around on Pinterest. Nothing I found matched my vision, so I decided to wing it. Here’s what I came up with!

diy butterfly tree

I started to make the butterflies from tissue paper, then I decided I’d like to have something a little more durable, so I grabbed some ribbon. Here’s what I did:

DIY Butterfly Tree

Materials:

  • 2 colors 7/8 inch sheer nylon ribbon- I used blue and purple
  • black pipe cleaners
  • a branch or two off of a tree
  • floral Styrofoam
  • a vase or floral container
  • some rocks or marbles to add weight to the bottom of your container
  • paper shreds to match your ribbon

Instructions:

1. Cut a 2 to 3 foot branch off of a tree. We’ve been doing a little pruning and cutting back our trees for spring, so I grabbed one of the branches and brought it in the house.

2. Add some rocks or marbles to the bottom of your container for weight so the branch doesn’t make it top heavy.

3. Cut the floral foam to fit snugly in the container.

4. Stick the base of the branch through the floral foam in the center of the container.

5. Add some paper shreds around the top to cover up the floral foam. You could also use some moss, or decorative stones.

6. Make the butterflies by cutting 2 inch pieces of ribbon, one of each color. Wrap the pipe cleaner around a branch on the tree, then wrap it around the center of the two pieces of ribbon. Twist the ends together, leaving a little bit loose on the tips for the butterflies antennae.

diy ribbon butterfly

7. Repeat the process to add as many butterflies as you want.

diy butterfly tree 2

The butterfly tree was super easy to make, and it turned out very pretty. It’s hard to see it in the photos, but I love the splash of color it adds to my front entryway. It’s the perfect touch to celebrate the coming of Spring!

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9 comments

Amanda Tippit March 14, 2013 - 1:56 am

awww that is so pretty. i can just imagine these in a little girls room, decorating the corners. i bet you could add other little bugs for boys. it is so cute!

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Gena March 14, 2013 - 10:35 am

That is so adorable!! My kids would love that!

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Amber K March 15, 2013 - 11:58 pm

I totally love butterflies and could see something like this sticking around long after spring, it’s gorgeous!

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Ellen Christian March 16, 2013 - 9:25 am

That is just the cutest thing! I love it!

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Mel Caluag March 22, 2013 - 3:18 pm

This is pretty cool. I can imagine so much adjustments for my own designs inspired by this.

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Tazim March 25, 2013 - 1:18 am

Love the cute and inexpensive project!

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Emily March 25, 2013 - 12:03 pm

What a fun way to bring a little bit of the outdoors in! I love it!

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Debra Sauvageau October 4, 2013 - 11:25 pm

I love this butterfly tree…would make a great halloween, CHRISTmas or any holiday tree too…just by changing the colors…thanks for the ideas…

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Kathleen November 20, 2013 - 6:19 am

I LOVE this project! You picked great colors for it too! I have to pin it for later… thanks for sharing!

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