What could be prettier than brightly colored butterflies fluttering around your cake? The trick to these easy-to-make butterflies is in the shape of the paper – basically a diamond on top of a square. Usually used to make gorgeous paper flowers (see here, here and here), the natural grains of the crepe paper lend themselves perfectly to the creation of these butterflies.

Materials needed: Crepe paper, bamboo skewers, floral wire, scissors, acrylic paints, paint brushes, permanent markers, hot glue gun

Step 1: Cut out pieces of crepe paper – being careful to keep the lines of the crepe paper running side to side, not up and down. The butterflies shown are made from diamonds approx. 3” on each side, and the diameter of the circle is approximately 2”.
Step 2: From the center bottom of the circle, scrunch the crepe paper back and forth.
Step 3: Secure the center of the butterfly with wire. Snip ends.
Step 4: Unscrunch, fluff and smooth the upper and lower wings.
Step 5: Using acrylic paint and Sharpies, decorate the wings. Let dry.
Step 6: Hot glue the butterflies onto skewers.
Step 7: Insert into cake and serve!

PS: They also look so pretty just plain (an even quicker craft project) – and can make a pretty gift-wrapping look above and beyond!

Photography by Tim Gibson