Altered Birdhouse Options

[DEB-D00DLE]

I don't know about you, but I just love birdhouses. I love to see them sitting on my patio. So after seeing all these cute wooden ones in the craft stores I finally decided to try my hand at altering one. Since I'm definately not the artsy type that can paint cute flowers and birds all over one I decided to try paper. And why not? The paper out these days is just so beautiful!!! Let me tell you, it was so easy that I'm ready to do another one. I'm going to give you a few easy step to make your own or as a gift.


Gather your supplies.


















You will need:
Paper trimmer
ruler
sanding tool
scissor
foam brush
craft knife
double sided tape (if you're going to use ribbon)
ink (to ink your edges, optional)
border punch (I used a paricular one, but any border punch would look just as nice)
ModPodge


Before you begin, make sure there are no rough edges or wood splinters on your house. If there is sand them smooth.

I started with the roof because I could tell on this house that is was going to be the hardest. My house had a stacked roof. If yours doesn't you could even layer some strips of paper like singles that have been cut with a border punch or deco scissors.










I just measured the wood strips and cut my paper to that size. I left it in long strips until I attached it , then I cut it with a craft knife at the 45 degree angles. before you put each strip of paper on, using the foam brush apply a thin coat of ModPodge to the part of the roof you'll be attaching the paper too. MP (modpodge) dries very quickly so you only want to coat the area you will be working on at this time. Don't put too heavy of a coat of MP on or your paper will warp. Sometimes if it does that it will flatten out when it's dry, but you just really need a thin coat. Put your paper strip on, smooth it out, and trim it.

Once your entire roof is complete, let it dry for about 10 minutes them apply MP to the entire thing. Just a thin coat. If you want more protection you may add several thin coats. You don't want to leave it too thick because sometimes it doesn't dry properly.



For the sides:
I measured each side and put each side on separately. I tried to use one long piece and wrap it around the house, but due to the roof overhang and the bottom protruding out I couldn't do it that way. I just cut each side about 1/8th of an inch longer so it would wrap around the edge going into the next panel and I wouldn't have any wood showing. Again, put a nice thin coat of MP on each side and lay your precut paper down and smooth it out. It's very important to smooth is so you can get out any air bubbles and make sure that the entire piece of paper is adhered to the wood.

Then I added the border on the bottom. I added this for some added interest, color and definition. You don't have to of course but I like it better that way.





Punch your border out first so once you have the design for the top you'll be able to tell how tall to cut it to end up where you want it. You may want your border taller, or shorter. Put a little MP on the area where you are putting the border and attach that making sure to smooth it out. The border I left in one long strip and wrapped it around the house. As I said, any border punch or deco scissors would work. After that dried I applied MP to the entire house. Let that dry a few minutes and then you can add your ribbon.
The ribbon didn't want to work with the MP so I used double sided tape. Just put on the double sided tape making sure it's straight and put the ribbon over that. You can then MP over the ribbon.

To make the little round flowers I just cut them out of the MME paper, bent them over the end of my Basic Grey Sanding tool, or you could use the bottom of a paint brush. Inked the edges and apply MP to the back. Let it dry. This is for added stability. Once it dries add a little piece of double sided tape, or a mini glue dot and attach it to the house. Add a coat of MP to the front of the flowers. This will keep them from fading, getting dusty and protect them. You can add as many coats of MP to your house as you'd like. Just remember to apply thin coats and let each coat dry before adding another!!! For the little pink Prima flowers I outlined them with a Sharpie. That's totally optional. You could use ink, or stickles too. I applied a thicker coat of MP where I wanted the flower and put it right into the MP and smoothed it down. Then I applied MP over the top of it. The sticker leaves and stems I just stuck them on since they have adhesive already and MP'd over them.

For the front:




I used a different patterned PP for the front. Larger polka dots just because I loved that paper. I used the big flower sticker from the kit to go over the birdhouse door/opening. After I put it on I drew around it with a sharpy just to add depth and cut an X where the hole is and used the craft knife to cut out the opening. Then I used the sanding tool to smooth out the edges. Both of the birds are cut out of the MME Paper. I coated the back of each with a thick layer of MP for protection and stability. Since the large one is hanging over the hole I didn't want him getting bent. I attached him using MP and applied a couple of layers over him. The little bird on the perch I also coated several times with MP and used a couple layers of foam pop up dots behind him to make him a little raised from the surface. I did add those tiny googly eyes that you can get at any craft store. (don't forget to pick them up when you're getting the birdhouse.)

For the bottom I just put more paper cut into strips and used the MP to attach it and I put several coats of MP on it to protect it.

The perch is covered with paper too. I just measured it and attached it with MP. I put the seam on the bottom. The end of it is just one of the little flowers cut from the MME paper that happened to fit perfectly.


So I hope you all do a birdhouse and put it up for us to see. They are really fun!!! I hope my instructions are understandable. If not, just pm me and I will try to explain better.

[Robbie]

Your bird house is just so cute Debbie!! I love it!! Thanks for sharing how you did it!! Precious!!

[Debbie]

Wow Debbie!!! I Love this little bird house and all the cute details!! Thanks so much for sharing your awesome tutorial with us!!

[Ali]

This is STUNNING!! I LOVE IT...

[Pam]

Wow thank you for sharing how to make your beautiful birdhouse...I love it

We were so lucky to have Deb as our Sept. Guest Designer...wonderful work Deb...

[Julia]

This is fabulous Deb!!

[sandie]

Stunning Deb, thanks for sharing how to make this with us!

[Alicia Giess]

I love this...so much! Thanks for showing us what went on behind the scenes!

[Gabrielle P]

Wow!! great job sharing how you made your altered project Debbie....the visuals are so helpful!!

[Juliana]

This is just super cute and I definitely am going to have to do one of these! It would make an awesome Christmas gift...maybe for my mom!!! TFS!!!!

[virginiaabshire]

This came out so wonderful. Very creative. You did an amazing job.