Piece of cake, right?

For this project, I had some framed butterflies that I’d purchased at the flea market forever ago. Yes, they actually do sell something other than dragon-shaped incense holders at the flea market. Anyway, after years of moving, falling on the floor, and being exposed to humidity in the bathroom, the frame was pretty much falling apart. The frame was a weird size, so replacing it would have been too costly. So, I decided that I would transfer the butterflies into a shadowbox frame.

For my frame, I purchased a ready-made 3/4″ deep shadowbox. The frame came with a swanky black velvet backing and, had I been framing a sweet belt buckle or cigarette butt, I may have used it. But, I wanted the backing to be a little bit more delicate, so I purchased a fabric quarter instead.

Supplies: Frame, fabric, double-stick tape, hot glue, nerves of steel. Knew I forgot something.

To cover the backing, I just cut the fabric a little bit larger than the backing and mounted the fabric using double-stick tape. I wrapped the excess around the back of the backing and taped it down. Since nobody’s going to see the back, I decided it didn’t need to be neat. That’s how I roll, Martha.

You'll need a steady hand and a stiff resolve to complete this project.

Here’s where the game of Operation comes in. You know, the kid’s game Operation? Well, this was like the game Operation but without all the riotous laughter and buzzing. The first butterfly I picked up immediately lost its wing. I decided it was time to bring out the big guns–specifically, the hot glue gun. I used a small dot of glue to reattach the wing (and the other wing after it also fell off). The butterflies were so delicate, just trying to remove the spider web of glue string threatened to destroy them. Fingers shaking, I used a small dot of hot glue to attach each butterfly to the fabric backing (not archival or removable, I know).

I put it all together and got it up on the wall. Finally, I could breathe again. And viola, beauty! Nature! Insects!

Looking purty in the newly painted master bath.

The total cost of the project for the frame and fabric was about $12. Cost of nerves of steel–priceless.

Until next time, happy glue gunning!

March 19 and 20.

Guided tours, art, and living history of Wakulla Basin. For more information and to sign up for tours, visit http://www.wakullawildlifefestival.org/.

Goodwood Museum and Gardens

Jubilee Cottage

Friday, February 4, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Free, No reservations required

By Fred Dietrich

Bluebirds were almost extinct in Tallahassee in the 1940ís when Fred Dietrichís family moved here for a teaching position at the newly co-ed Florida State University. But with recent conservation efforts by wildlife enthusiasts such as Dietrich, the species now thrives. Our speaker will talk about the past and future of this beautiful songbird and how to provide food and shelter in your yard, including how to construct a bluebird box, a simple design which he had perfected over 25 years of building birdhouses.

Dietrich will also talk about hummingbirds. It was once thought that there was only one species of hummingbird east of the Mississippi, the ruby-throated, but we now know that there are 14 different kinds. Dietrich will talk about whatís being done to support these animals and how we can create sanctuary for them in our gardens.

Everyone is getting excited about the coming Flower Show! Lana Arnold is making it fun for everyone. Get your horticulture ready to exhibit or sign up with Marion Dunn to enter a floral design.

Eleven Circles have reserved a space for the Garden Bazaar on the front lawn. Other gardening organizations are being invited to participate. We should have lots of “garden” related items to peruse and purchase. It should be a fun day.

Thanks

Heidi

Join us to see the results of our air layering efforts at Howard Rhodes house. A light buffet breakfast will be served at Laura’s starting at 8:45 on Saturday, November 1. Then we will carpool to Howard’s house to collect our plants (hopefully).

Meanwhile, gulf fritilary caterpillars have almost completely defoliated my passion vine and I’m ok with that cause they are butterfly caterpillars. I think this double standard bears some examination but as I have about 150 forms to fill out (this being the first day of school) it will have to wait until tomorrow.

With all the buzz about creating butterfly gardens, it seems as though our other flying friends have been left out in the cold. As a result of wide-spread pesticide use, aggravated by a virus that attacks their immune system, populations of honey bees have been reduced by one-third over the past several years. Called “Colony Collapse” this phenomenon may have even an impact on some of your favorite fruits and vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, and blueberries–commercial crops which depend on the pollination of these hardworking bees for their survival. (Not to mention delicious Tupelo honey.) So, when you start planning your garden, you may consider adding in a few features to attract our little buzzing buddies.

Go Native!

Try planting native flowering plants or wildflowers. These plants will require less work (i.e. fertilizers and pesticides), and the pollen and nectar in native wildflowers will provide more nutrition than the weaker pollen in hybridized plants available for purchase at most garden centers. The great thing about these native plants is that they are many of the same plants you’d put in a butterfly garden. Get the most out of your garden by letting it do double duty. For a great resource on native wildflowers, please visit: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/EP061

Be sure to add variety to your garden. After all, variety is the spice of life–and bees love variety. Bees can differentiate colors so be sure to vary the color, shape, and the flowering schedule of your plants.

Get Wet!

Just like us, bees need water so, make sure you provide a source of water for your bees. You may already have a this in the form of a birdbath or fountain. Here’s a link to a great (and cheap) birdbath project: Birdbath Project

Bee a Builder!

Lastly, what do we all need? A home, of course. Bees need a home, too. Leave some open areas in your garden for bees that nest in the ground. You can also create a great place to nest by leaving fallen trees on your property. Don’t have fallen trees? You can build a bee house!

To build a bee house, drill holes of various sizes (5/16″ in diameter and 5″ deep works best for mason bees) in untreated lumber and mount them facing in a southerly direction. You’ll want to mount them in an area that gets some cover, and you can cover them with chicken wire to keep birds out. Make sure not to use pesticides in the area and don’t move the houses until after November.

Too lazy to build your own? Gardner’s Supply Company has a great(and attractive) bee house for just $14.95.

Note: After writing this article, I saw two news stories about bees on the same day from CNN and BBC. Apparently, bumble bees in the UK are now going after aphids in order to find nectar!

And, for some fun entertainment, click on the link below:

Bee Boy Dance Crew