Columbia's Main Street is decorated with butterflies today! I left one outside of a yoga studio, and one next to the entrance of a very talented florist shop, Something Special.

Two others appeared at Trader Joe's - one in the floral area and one on a shopping cart. As I was leaving, I watched a couple of people examining the package on the shopping cart with some degree of confusion. Many people, it seems, don't know what to make of abandoned art! By the time I am finished, maybe the concept will be more well known in my city.

Oh, hello there, boring, slightly grimy bench.

Have a butterfly!

I also made a visit to the hospital to pay my bill, and left two more butterflies there. One was on the windowsill of a crosswalk, and was gone by the time I went back to my car. The other was in the surgical waiting room. I didn't take photos of those. I wasn't sure it would be okay, as hospitals are a place, like libraries, where I feel people should have an abundance of privacy. I'd rather see on the side of respect!

This morning's butterfly release took place in a fabric store, and because it was crowded, I was not able to get a photo. Instead, I will show this image of one of my other projects - one of my first primitive-style dolls, made using linen I dyed myself.

She was an experimental piece, made without a pattern. I actually liked her so much that I have kept her, so she is still sitting on my sideboard.

The method I used to dye the linen was from the book Color By Accident by Ann Johnson, a title I recommend for anyone interested in small-scale dyeing projects. Her method uses fiber reactive dyes and small amounts of water at a time to yield unpredictable and beautiful results. I got my copy through Amazon.

Two butterflies landed in the parking garage at Richland Mall this morning, and a third on the Richland Library Northeast book drop. At least the first 100 butterflies will be released in the Columbia, SC area, but I am considering ways to spread them further. By the end of one year, I plan to release at least 365.

I thought carefully about my packaging for the butterflies, and would love to hear feedback from friends or finders. While plastic is never ideal, I felt that using a see-through bag was necessary so that it was obvious that my artwork was not a dangerous item. I'm using re-positionable double sided tape whenever I stick them to something in an effort to leave no adhesive residue behind. Hopefully the butterflies will leave no trace behind, aside from good cheer.

While I provide contact information for the blog on each of the butterflies, I do not expect to hear back from the finders with any frequency - it takes time and effort to do so, and I want to attach no requirements to my butterflies - they are there only to spread happiness. Their fates can remain a happy mystery to me!

After enjoying a Father's Day lunch with my folks, I left the next two butterflies near the Mediterranean place across from Whole Foods.

I am visiting Lizard's Thicket tonight with my mom and grandma, and will leave two more there. I hope they make the finder smile!

Two more butterflies have flown free in Columbia! 

One is on a table at Starbucks on Garner's Ferry Road, and the other is in the walkway near the post office in Trenholm Plaza.

Both are in plain sight. I also intend to continue hiding some of my butterflies in library books, with clues to lead to the proper title. I would love for a combination of friends and strangers to find them, and having a treasure hunt with clues seems like a good summer activity for my friends with kids.

I'm having such fun with this activity that it is hard for me to believe I put off starting for so long. Strangely enough, I waited because I knew my photography skills were not impressive. Ultimately, though, that doesn't matter. I don't need to be a pro, I just need to start somewhere! Enjoy the hunt, my friends.

My first butterflies have been released at Richland Library's Northeast branch! One is in plain sight, where anyone could find it, and one is hidden away.

To find the hidden one, think of George Gershwin...a beautifully illustrated picture book adaptation of a famous, seasonal song is on the children's shelves. Inside, you will find a package like the one above.

I chose this location for my first release because of my dedication to our library, and the love I have for literature. Good luck!

In a world too often filled with injustice, illness, and loneliness, an unexpected, small surprise can transform a day from dull to shiny! I will be using this blog to record the release of 100 tiny tatted butterflies into the wild. Ultimately, my goal is to make the finder smile, as well as give examples of an art form that is not as well known as knitting or crochet. I will post photos of the locations of the releases, and the finder may email me to let me know what happens to the butterfly if he or she wishes.

Good luck finding these tiny treasures! The first release will take place tomorrow.