Birds on a Branch

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No power tools for me this week...my vertigo has been, shall we say, winning?  It makes everything a challenge and using power tools is a really bad idea.  In between visits to the chiropractor, eply maneuvers, and resting on the couch, I did manage to get a little staining/painting done.  
This design was inspired by an item I saw at a home decor store.  I wasn't crazy about their version, so I got out my pencil and starting designing my own.  When I was finally happy with what I had, I cut-out my patterns on the back of a cereal box, or it might have been a 12-pack of beer. Every kind of thin cardboard or chipboard is fair game around here!
After cutting everything out from pallet wood, the birds were rubbed with stain on a rag.  
The branch was dry-brushed with white craft paint then rubbed with stain.  Sorry, I don't have pictures of that.  I tend to get a little enthusiastic about my projects and forget to take pictures.  
When I was pretty sure the stain was dry, I brushed red craft paint over the birds.  I wasn't fussy and left the spots that didn't cover well.  When the paint dried, I gave the birds a light sanding and what you see is what you get!
I watered-down some green paint for the leaves and painted them.  
I wanted a more primitive/rustic look.

I also created another one using yellow paint covered with red - another rustic look:
They are both available at Apple Street Crafts on facebook.

Next week, I'll start sharing my Fall-inspired projects.  I'm hanging-on to the last bits of Summer until September 1st!

Come back again soon and enjoy the Summer weather while we still have it!


Linking to:
Saturday Shuffle
Snickerdoodle
Bouquet of Talent
Sunday's Best
Sundays at Home

Comments

  1. DebraAugust 27, 2017 at 8:37 AM

    This is so cute. It makes for a sweet decoration. I am with you about starting fall on Sept 1st. Isn't the year flying by?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnAugust 27, 2017 at 2:06 PM

      Thank you, Debra, and, yes, the year is flying by. I can't believe it's the end of August already!
      I'm so glad you stopped by. Come back again soon.

      Delete
  2. CarolineAugust 28, 2017 at 8:01 AM

    Such a fun little project!
    #handmadeMonday

    ReplyDelete
  3. Gentle JoyAugust 28, 2017 at 8:41 AM

    Your birds are cute and what a fun project! I hope you start feeling better soon. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnAugust 29, 2017 at 8:26 AM

      Thank you so much. Fortunately, the vertigo is starting to subside!

      Delete
  4. Christine @ Rustic-RefinedAugust 29, 2017 at 9:56 AM

    I love this, those little birds are adorable!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnAugust 29, 2017 at 5:57 PM

      Thank you, Christine. Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  5. NikkiAugust 29, 2017 at 10:37 AM

    I had to giggle at the cereal box or beer case confusion. The birds are very cute and you have given me an idea!
    :) gwingal

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnAugust 29, 2017 at 6:03 PM

      Cereal and beer....what's in the recycle bin??? LOL
      Thanks, Nikki. I hope you'll share what I inspired!

      Delete
  6. UnknownAugust 29, 2017 at 11:55 AM

    This is so cute!

    I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/

    Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Rhonda Gales August 29, 2017 at 5:34 PM

    I love how the birds turned out. The red birds remind me of the cardinals in my backyard. Thanks for sharing on Sunday's Best.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnAugust 29, 2017 at 6:05 PM

      They remind me of cardinals too, Rhonda. Glad you like them!
      Thanks for stopping by...

      Delete
  8. LaurieAugust 29, 2017 at 10:22 PM

    Ann, I too chuckled about the cardboard! The birds are wonderful! You did a fantastic job with them!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnAugust 30, 2017 at 9:07 AM

      Thank you, Laurie...I'm here to entertain! LOL
      Have a great week.

      Delete
  9. Janet TrieschmanAugust 31, 2017 at 5:43 PM

    What a great rustic technique you have created. I would never have guessed them to be from palette wood.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnSeptember 1, 2017 at 8:26 AM

      Thank you, Janet. Pallet wood is pretty much all I use. It's versatile, inexpensive (free), and recycled!
      Glad you stopped by.

      Delete
  10. ShirleySeptember 1, 2017 at 8:09 AM

    I hope your vertigo is better. I've dealt with it twice in my life, both times it lasted close to a week and I remember it well. I had to lay on the sofa with one foot on the floor.
    Love your birds! It's Sept. 1 and now I'm ready for Fall too! Thanks for partying with us at Merry Monday. Nice tip about the cardboard.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnSeptember 1, 2017 at 8:32 AM

      Thank you, Shirley. My vertigo is getting better. Unfortunately, I live with it all the time, but when there's a 'flare-up' it's really bad! September 1st and our morning temperature is 43 degrees. I guess Mother Nature has decided it's Fall - bring on the Fall projects.
      Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  11. ClaireSeptember 2, 2017 at 2:17 AM

    Very sweet and I love the colour of paint you choose for them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnSeptember 2, 2017 at 9:41 AM

      Thank you Claire. I really thought the red was pretty striking.
      I'm so glad you stopped by - come back again soon!

      Delete
  12. Sum of their StoriesSeptember 2, 2017 at 3:41 AM

    These are so sweet, love them.
    Hope your flare up has settled down a bit and you are feeling better.
    Thanks for sharing at #HandmadeMonday :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnSeptember 2, 2017 at 9:43 AM

      Thank you, Julie. Fortunately, the vertigo is calming down - whew!
      So glad you like the birds.

      Delete
  13. My thrift store addictionSeptember 2, 2017 at 9:23 PM

    Your birds are so cute--great job! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm! Pinned!

    ReplyDelete
  14. UnknownSeptember 3, 2017 at 2:07 PM

    These are wonderful! It's true about being so enthusiastic you don't take pictures. Lol! I get that! Thank you so much for sharing with us at Funtastic Friday!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnSeptember 3, 2017 at 10:33 PM

      Someday I'll always remember to take pictures! Thank you so much for stopping by.

      Delete
    2. aginglikeafinewine.comSeptember 4, 2017 at 6:35 PM

      I love the style of these unique birds! Thank you for sharing them at Party in Your PJs. I've pinned and shared them.

      Delete
    3. AnnSeptember 4, 2017 at 10:29 PM

      Thank you so much. I appreciate the pin and share!

      Delete
  15. UnknownSeptember 5, 2017 at 8:38 PM

    Those birds are lovely in their rusticity. I love them as I love all things rustic. Love your method of painting with watered down paint, then sanding. I've made things out of cereal boxes too...namely for watching the eclipse, but it really didn't do it for me...ha! But I've made other things out of those. They can be handy. Thanks for sharing at Sweet Inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnSeptember 6, 2017 at 4:22 PM

      Thank you so much, I'm glad you like them. Pallet wood definitely lends itself to the rustic look!

      Delete
  16. Mary K.September 7, 2017 at 11:00 AM

    These are so adorable. They would instantly put a smile on my face if I had them hanging on a wall.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnnSeptember 7, 2017 at 4:24 PM

      Thank you, Mary - happy to make you smile!

      Delete

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