October 07, 2011

{tutorial} Make a PAINTED or DECOUPAGED bird feeder from recycled cartons


Our Colorful Bird Feeders!


Alright, so my kids begged me to buy bird feeders all Summer and I kept saying we'll make them! ...Well, we made these about 3 weeks ago, the end of Summer! Too bad it snowed today, we had to take them down :( Poor kids!

Initially I found simple instructions to make a bird feeder @ allfreecrafts.com


Easy materials needed for a DIY Bird Feeder:



-milk carton (we used granola cartons)
- white paint
-knife
-skewer sticks
-acrylic paint, or to decoupage you need strips of fabric (I repurposed material)
-Mod Podge
-brush
-hole punch
-string/wire


My kids painted with window paint, Crayola Window Crayons, & oil pastels...


Easy photo DIY *tutorial*below:
1- Paint the carton white -creating a blank canvas. (We had three to paint- I love Sweet Home Granola- Yum! They make excellent bird feeders too.)


2- Draw the door in a house-like shape 1"+ from bottom of carton.


3- Cut out door with a knife and keep the cut out shape for a roof.


4- Cut a slit in the top of the roof shape and fold in three places (shown in the photo).


5- Decorate the bird feeder carton and roof shape.


6- Use a brush to apply a coat of Mod Podge to protect drawings. I used Mod Podge to adhere repurposed material (my friend A gave it to me) to my bird feeder.


7- Glue the roof shape to carton. 
8- Make holes for 2-3 skewers, evenly on the front and back of carton and push skewers through front and back.
9- Make a hole with a hole punch to hang with string or wire.


VOILA!

 

I hope you will make one too!

(It was another week before I went to the store to buy bird feed!)

Oh Happy Birdies!


7 comments:

  1. Anxiously awaiting the Halloween art for decorations or simply fun.....

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  2. Oh Julie, they're coming! Unfortunately I'm not going to throw up all my Halloween decor this year because I will be moving soon and it takes a couple of days to put up and take down. So I am on the chill side this year for Halloween. Hopefully I only make Halloween creations I don't have to store away, maybe just make edibles :)

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  3. What a fun project... the kids will love it:)

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  4. Victoria, send me a photo when you make one!

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  5. I absolutely love these Candice! I'm finally able to feature today!! xo

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  6. Thank you Suresh! I really enjoy posting all of the fun things I am able to do with my kids/family.

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  7. Thank you for sharing this interesting idea!

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