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The life cycle of the butterfly is fascinating and magical for children.

Description:
Butterflies possess a beauty and mystery that have captivated men and women for thousands of years. They've been celebrated throughout history in art and literature as symbols of creativity, freedom, and the splendor of nature.

As you create "Betty", be sure to explain the entire life cycle of a butterfly to your child: from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly. Older children can comprehend the details more easily, but all children can appreciate the wonder.

Step by Step:

1.	Draw a butterfly shape with your marker onto the front of clear contact paper. You can use a pattern, but it is more fun to create an original shape.
2.	Peel off the back of the contact paper and lay it on the table, sticky side up. (Don't cut the butterfly outline yet).
3.	Cut tissue paper into 2-inch squares. Cut, tear, or crumple the small pieces and press them onto the contact paper. Decorate interior of butterfly, leaving as much or as little space clear as desired.
4.	Lay another piece of contact paper on top, placing the sticky sides together so the tissue is "sandwiched" in between.
5.	Cut out along your predetermined outline.
6.	Make a hole at the top of the butterfly and insert yarn to hang the masterpiece you and your child have created. Glue on pipe cleaners as feelers.
7.	Trim with pipe cleaners to finish off.
8.	These butterflies look beautiful hanging in windows as sun catchers and lend themselves to discussions of light, shadow, transparency, translucency, opaqueness, and color.

Materials:
Black marker
Clear contact paper
Safety scissors
Several colors of tissue paper
Yarn
Pipe cleaners
Glue

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