Thursday, May 10, 2007

Butterfly parade

This is the book I made for my mother for Mother's Day. She called it a butterfly parade, which is really a good title for it.

Butterflies have always had a special meaning for Mom. She was raised by her grandparents and was especially close to her grandfather. Near the end of his life, he told her that when he died, he would come back as a butterfly and sit on her grandmother's apron. Those were the days when women always wore aprons.

This is the book opened up. Each butterfly, printed onto translucent paper and sewn into the book, contains a memory my mother and I have shared.


This is the book closed.


The book from the back. The butterfly paper is from the wonderful Zetta Florence paper shop in Melbourne.
I am really proud of this book, and hope to make a similar one for myself.

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18 comments:

Rebecca said...

What an awesome hobby..I have never known anyone who made books like that, well books of any kind! I have known people who wrote books, but that was the extent of it! Beautiful.

Val said...

That is so beautiful, Val. Thank you for sharing it, my craftswoman colleague said " Ive ALWAYS wanted to make a flag book, its gorgeous"

Annette said...

What a beautiful way to honor a story and the memories you two had together. Such a grand way to share love.

Annette

Unknown said...

Oh,Val. How beautiful, magical and wonderful! When can you give lessons...? My sister-in-law in Townsville plants the creeper that the Cairns Birdwing Butterfly breeds on - so she has them in her back garden a few steps from her back door. She gives creeper clippings to friends and relatives to spread the joy.

Blessings & Townsville

sonia a. mascaro said...

What a beautiful book, Val!
Sure, it is a wonderful butterfly parade!

Alice said...

This is such a beautiful gift you have made with such love for your mother. It quite takes my breath away. It's hard to believe that it's only a matter of months since you began this craft.

Your mom will feel so close to you every time she sees it and she will know just how much you love her. You really are a wonderful daughter.

I hope you also have a very happy Mothers' Day, Val.

catsmum said...

yes a lovely book Val ... very japanese so of course I lurve it:]
How long have you been making these sort of books?

lindsaylobe said...

Hi Val
What a wonderful image and memory to have of your mother, those loving words of her grandfather passed on to you and future generations in such a beautiful book.

You probably know about the Eltham Copper Butterfly (Paralucia pyrodiscus lucida) discovered in 1938 in Eltham, but thought to be extinct until a population was found again at Eltham in 1986. There remain sites in Eltham and at Castlemaine and six separate small populations in the Kiata-Salisbury area west of Dimboola.
best wishes

Amrita said...

very artistic and clever

Jeanette said...

Hi Val, Your book for your mum is really lovely and more special when you give something made with love by your own hands.. May you have a lovely Mothers Day surrounded by family.

Carole Burant said...

Oh Val it's beautiful!! You truly do fantastic work on these books. I've no doubt your mother loved it and will treasure it always:-) Have a wonderful Mother's Day dear friend! xoxo

Susie said...

Hi Val,
Your Mom must have been truly touched by this beautiful gift you created. I loved reading the story of the butterflies :)
Hope your Mother's Day is filled with joy...
xoxo

Meow (aka Connie) said...

Hi Val,
What a beautiful book. You have done an amazing job.
Hope you have a fantastic mothers day.
Take care, Meow

Gwen said...

Hi Val.
What a beautiful gift or your Mother,I'm sure she will love it.
And a happy "Mother's Day" to you.

sonia a. mascaro said...

Hi Val, thanks for your visit and nice comment! I have been thinking to do a post about the similarity between my landscape and yours. May I choose one or two photos from you? Certainly I will add your name on it.

A Happy Mother's Day to you!

Sandy Hatcher-Wallace said...

Awe...your Mother's Day surprise is lovely and what a great idea to put down memories of you with your mother on the pages. You are so sweet Val giving your mother a gift she will always treasure for the rest of her life.

I feel a tear streaming down my face.

Kerri said...

How very clever you are Val. The book is beautiful, and what a sweet gift for your mom. I'm sure she misses you, but this will bring you a little bit closer whenever she looks at it.

Tammy said...

You are such a talent my friend!!
:)