These stunning butterflies are easy to make.  Decorate your home or let your children proudly make gifts out of them!

You will need:
Sturdy paper
Paint
Brushes or spoons
Scissors
Tools to blot with (optional): pencils, spools, etc.

Fold a sturdy piece of paper in half.

Open it, and add dabs of paint on one half of the paper. Experiment with various color combinations and patterns. Make sure some paint is near the fold.

Add black to the center fold to make the butterfly's body and feelers. Body and feelers can also be cut out of black paper or fashioned out of pipe cleaners and added later.

Refold and blot. The child will enjoy the feel of squishy paint through the paper (without getting all messy!) Use fingers, fingernails, hands, fists or various implements to add texture and lines to the pattern. If the utensil is sharp (pencils, etc.) a tapping action will be less likely to tear the paper. Soft utensils (sponges, etc.) will allow a scrubbing motion.

Now open your paper for the surprise!

Let it dry. Refold and cut out a butterfly shape. Mount your butterfly on the wall or window. Small butterflies can perch on a bouquet of flowers or be hung in a mobile.

This "Blotto" idea has many other possibilities. Its colorful abstract patterns can become flowers, trees, insects, animals, masks or imaginary creatures. A series of animal "Blottos" can make a totem pole. Or blot a colorful pattern on a long narrow paper and make it into a colorful crown to wear.