A rainy day today in Eastwell churchyard making Wonderful Willow butterflies, bees and pods, thankfully under a couple of marquees!

To make a willow butterfly:

Willow rods, cut to size with garden shears & bound together with thin masking tape,
Wet strength tissue paper
PVA glue diluted 1/2 & 1/2 with water and applied with a cut up sponge
Coloured tissue to decorate

Make wing shapes by looping the thin end of willow round to meet the thick end, fasten with tape. Tear the wet strength tissue into quarter sheets and spread with PVA solution using the sponge, drape wet tissue over the wings.
Make a butterfly body by creating a thin pod - fasten 4 willow rods at the tips with tape, then make a small circle of willow & fasten this inside the 4 rods about halfway - tip - use only half length rods then the body is smaller than a lantern pod. Join the 4 rods again at the bottom. Cover this with wet tissue.

Decorate the wings and body with strips and cut shapes of coloured tissue, apply with more PVA and brush on.

Fasten wings with clear tape on either side of body & carry with pride!

Supplies of willow rods or withies:
http://www.windrushwillow.com
Supplies of wet strength tissue (I haven't bought any from these but it did take me quite a time to find a stockist, so I'm including them to be helpful!)
http://www.musgrovewillows.co.uk/