Popular Post Sycamore67 Posted October 17, 2017 Popular Post Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 Several weeks ago, the last of the Monarch Butterflies started their journey south to Mexico and the last one left my area. I really like them and have planted Milkweed and many other flowers to attract them. Since they are gone, I decided that I needed to make my own Monarch on a Flower for winter months. The pattern for the Monarch came from Steve Good’s website. I used the pattern to cut out two wings from 1/8” Baltic Birch Plywood and carefully sanded the wings. The wings were painted black. Now, I just needed to put the orange color in the wings. I thought about doing an orange inlay but with the number of parts and the small size knew it would be very difficult for me. I finally decided on filling the holes in the wings with epoxy dyed orange. I took me too many trials but finally ended up using a medium setting epoxy with just a touch of orange Rit Dye powder. The body for the Monarch was a small piece of walnut which I turned on the lathe. Small holes in the head and paint brush bristles were glued in for the antenna. Gluing the wings on the body was one of the most difficult parts. I marked on the body where the wings would go and drilled several shallow small diameter holes and similar holes on the edge of the wings. The holes would make the epoxy have a greater grip. I cut a V-Shape in a 2x4 block which was the angle I wanted the wings and used it to hold the body and wings while the epoxy hardened. I also drilled a small hole on the bottom of the body for the wire to hold the Monarch. The flower is made pine shavings. These shaving were about 1-1/2” wide and on the thick side. These were glued around a short dowel to make the flower. The leaves were also made of pine shavings. The base for the Flower and Monarch is Red Oak and made so that an Acrylic 5-sided box would fit over it and protect it from dust and damage. lawson56, GrampaJim, oldhudson and 14 others 17 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrappile Posted October 17, 2017 Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 A+. That is beautiful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjR Posted October 17, 2017 Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 Gorgeous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam777 Posted October 17, 2017 Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 Just beautiful Thank you for sharing Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
don watson Posted October 17, 2017 Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 A beautiful piece of work. Well done. Don W Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWSUDEKUM Posted October 17, 2017 Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 Excellently done. Thanks for sharing this with us. Now ... do the flower in wood DW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted October 17, 2017 Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 Very creative and a lovely piece. We get Monarch butterflies too here in NZ. They are very beautiful. Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sycamore67 Posted October 17, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 17, 2017 Interesting about Monarchs in NZ. They islanders hopped and got there around 1870. Monarchs are able to fly long distances and must have to get to NZ A type of milkweed was also introduced at same time. The Monarchs are dependent on milkweed for food and for laying eggs. I wonder how or if they migrate anywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newfie Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 Looks great thanks for sharing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spirithorse Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 Absolutely beautiful work! Thanks for sharing and God Bless! Spirithorse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spirithorse Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 3 hours ago, DWSUDEKUM said: Excellently done. Thanks for sharing this with us. Now ... do the flower in wood DW Hi, DW, If I read the post correctly, the flower IS made of wood. Pine Shavings or very think slices of pine. Very well done project. God Bless! Spirithorse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sycamore67 Posted October 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 The pine shaving were made with a LN 4-1/2 plane and 1.5" wide and about 10" long. I flattened them by slightly dampening them and pressing between two wood blocks. It took a bit of effort to get them to a good thickness and uniform. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWSUDEKUM Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 My bad .. I did not read it close enough.. Love that you made it all of wood. DW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
penquin Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 I would call that a labor of love. That came out awesome. Beautiful work. Thanks for showing it to us. jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 9 hours ago, Sycamore67 said: Several weeks ago, the last of the Monarch Butterflies started their journey south to Mexico and the last one left my area. I really like them and have planted Milkweed and many other flowers to attract them. Since they are gone, I decided that I needed to make my own Monarch on a Flower for winter months. The pattern for the Monarch came from Steve Good’s website. I used the pattern to cut out two wings from 1/8” Baltic Birch Plywood and carefully sanded the wings. The wings were painted black. Now, I just needed to put the orange color in the wings. I thought about doing an orange inlay but with the number of parts and the small size knew it would be very difficult for me. I finally decided on filling the holes in the wings with epoxy dyed orange. I took me too many trials but finally ended up using a medium setting epoxy with just a touch of orange Rit Dye powder. The body for the Monarch was a small piece of walnut which I turned on the lathe. Small holes in the head and paint brush bristles were glued in for the antenna. Gluing the wings on the body was one of the most difficult parts. I marked on the body where the wings would go and drilled several shallow small diameter holes and similar holes on the edge of the wings. The holes would make the epoxy have a greater grip. I cut a V-Shape in a 2x4 block which was the angle I wanted the wings and used it to hold the body and wings while the epoxy hardened. I also drilled a small hole on the bottom of the body for the wire to hold the Monarch. The flower is made pine shavings. These shaving were about 1-1/2” wide and on the thick side. These were glued around a short dowel to make the flower. The leaves were also made of pine shavings. The base for the Flower and Monarch is Red Oak and made so that an Acrylic 5-sided box would fit over it and protect it from dust and damage. I had to do a double take upon seeing this gem!Wow!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgman Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 Beautiful work Larry, you should be proud! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodduck Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 Oh wow that is beautiful & so realistic well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarltheScroller Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 Wow! The box makes the whole composition a beautiful piece. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lawson56 Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 Now By Golly! That is 1 Dang Gone Work of Art!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Monk Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 Sure is a piece of art. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveww1 Posted October 18, 2017 Report Share Posted October 18, 2017 amazing job, it's beautiful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wombatie Posted October 19, 2017 Report Share Posted October 19, 2017 That is sooooooooooooooooo beautiful Larry and so realistic. Give yourself a pat on the back. Marg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roberta Moreton Posted October 19, 2017 Report Share Posted October 19, 2017 That is so beautiful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barb.j.enders Posted October 19, 2017 Report Share Posted October 19, 2017 Absolutely gorgeous Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phantom Scroller Posted October 21, 2017 Report Share Posted October 21, 2017 Missed this one Stupendous looking piece. Roly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.thumb.jpg.a8cb2db9c98f402a34caa562781588dc.jpg)
.thumb.jpg.95d348aa76923344a5cab534cc1b3bc1.jpg)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.