How to...

As promised, here's a butterfly finger puppet tutorial (please excuse the wonky color)...

• Step 1: Choose felt colors and find a template. I already had a Martha Stewart butterfly shape, so I traced that onto card stock. Once you find a clip art butterfly shape that you like, make sure you like the size, print it onto card stock, cut it out, and you're ready to go!
• Step 2: Trace your template twice; one butterfly shape per color of felt. I used a sharpie marker so it would show up easily for the tutorial, but chalk would also work (and would come off).
• Step 3: Cut out two butterfly shapes.
• Step 4: Cut a small half circle out of your left over felt. This little half circle is what makes the puppet a puppet.

• Step 5: Sew the half circle onto the back of butterfly.
• Step 6: Draw out your butterfly design. I drew freehand tear drop shapes, but you can make it any shape you wish. Again, I used sharpie for the tutorial but it would probably be better to use chalk.
• Step 7: I couldn't find my tiny scissors so I used my giant beasts and simply cut small slits in the middle of each tear drop shape to get it started.
• Step 8: Trim around the edges of each tear drop shape.

• Step 9: Lay your two butterfly shapes together. Make sure that the half circle shape is on the outside/back BEFORE you sew the two shapes together (can you tell that I made that mistake?)
• Step 10: Sew along the edge to join the two shapes together. I just used a simple running stitch.

• Step 11: Your two shapes, like mine, may not line up perfectly. Use a small pair of scissors to very carefully trim along the edge. I would recommend just trimming the back edge instead of both at the same time.

• Step 12: For this puppet, I used french knots to make the spots. Here is an excellent french knot tutorial that I found online. For the first puppet, however, I just used puff paint which proved to be waaayyyy easier.

Enjoy your puppet and please let me know if you have any questions!