Friday

DIYP #42 Dollar Store Bird Houses & Custom Dinnerware


Spring passes quickly around these Southern parts, but I hold on for as long as I can.  We go from cool to very hot overnight.

I leave my nests and birds up until the first of June.

Idea #1

I discovered small, unfinished little birdhouses at The Dollar Tree. There were a couple of different versions.

I also bought one package of pretty tissue paper:


I took advantage of my daughter's favorite question, "Mom, can we do a craft?" And I had her cut the pink floral tissue into small squares.


I mixed ordinary Elmer's white glue with a little water and grabbed a small paint brush.

The key to decoupage is using small pieces of paper and overlapping.
 

We also used a lot of glue since it dries clear.

My daughter made one and I made the other:


Idea #2


I saw this idea in my Better Homes & Garden 100 Decorating Ideas magazine and I knew I had to try it!

Buy (or use what you have) clear glass dinnerware from the Dollar Store. 

I found a cute bird on a limb stencil at Wal Mart for $1.47.


The article suggests using glass paint. It can be found at most craft stores. (Since I was only using the plates for decorative purposes, I used the black acrylic paint I already had).

I taped the stencil to the back of the plate and painted.


Wouldn't this be adorable with a Monogram? 

I love the way this looks!!


Next week, I'm going to put my Dollar Store Ideas on hold and show you how this turned out:




I'm hooked on The Dollar Store and making my life beautiful with my crafty daughter!

Find some more Frugal Finds on this lovely Friday here!

47 comments:

Amanda said...

once again girl! cuteness!!!! go see my DIY pillows I did!

Lauren said...

Holy cuteness Kristin! YOU A-MAZE ME!

here, have my house, do fabulous things with it and I'll bring sweet tea. haha

Arleen @ Seasons for All at Home said...

What great ideas! And with supplies from the Dollar Store? How fun. Thank you so much for sharing these ideas and your great photographs. ~Arleen

Muthering Heights said...

Those look like great family fun activities! :)

Jenny said...

Cute projects! I can't wait to see what you did with that shelf!

bridget {bake at 350} said...

Man, you are inspiring! :) I just love that little birdie!

Laurie said...

Love the ideas!!!

I can SO relate to a daughter saying, I want to do a craft! I have 3! I think they would all enjoy a craft like that!! Thanks for the simple, but fun idea!!

Anonymous said...

Darn cute! I love that little bird stencil on the plate. It is such a great idea because you could use different stencils and colors for just about any holiday. Fabulous as always!

Vivienne @ the V Spot said...

Love the plate! That's so cute!

Precision Quality Laser said...

Oh I am on pins and needles to see what you've done with the thrift store find!

Such cute ideas!

Mrs. Petrie said...

Adorable! I've seen the bird houses and wasn't sure what to do with them that wouldn't look hokey.

~*Michelle*~ said...

Awesome stuff!

I [heart] the Dollar Stores! It is like cheap therapy for me to go in with a 20 bill and browse up and down the aisles.

I really love that plate idea.....thinking about what I could do.

ps. The Dollar Store has great cheap pregnancy tests....so perfect for this obsessive testing mama who are insanely trying to have another baby in her mid forties with a slew of kids already.....one turning 18 soon. Diapers to Driver's Ed? Bring it on! LOL

Local Girl said...

Brilliant Ideas!! Love that plate :)

Multi-tasking Mommy said...

Both ideas are an inspiration.

We have white china plates and clear glass ones...hmmm......great idea to paint on the back!

Leigh Ann said...

Oooh I am in L-O-V-E with that plate idea. Now to think of an excuse for why we need more dishes....

Unknown said...

Too cute, great job!

Jane said...

The bird house is great. So much less intimidating to do than painting.

Adrienne said...

The plates are my favorite! Thanks for sharing!

Jaden Paige said...

ooh girl, I LOVE the dollar store decor idea! Keep them coming... the dollar tree is great! :) Your houses and plates look awesome!!

Misti of Studio M Designs said...

Very cute idea! I have to come up with some art projects for my boys this summer. They need to stay busy, and they love to decorate their rooms.

~Misti

MaRiN said...

I can already picture my husband's face when he comes home and sees me painting all our plates! lol. why have I never thought to use a stencil?

DesignTies said...

Both your craft projects are very pretty and creative :-) The birdhouses would make great centerpieces in a tablesetting with your bird plates :-)

Decoupage is a great craft for kids -- half the fun is peeling the paint off your fingers when you're done!!

Kelly @ DesignTies

Decor To Adore said...

You and your daughter are two crafty gals!

Please stop by and enter my 200th post giveaway.

Chandy said...

Hello, new to your blog by way of Shabby Nest. I love that idea! I do fingerpaint art wtih my children every July, this is a great alternative since I collect dishes! Thank you!

http://whatnowtablescapes.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Beautiful! Wonder how that would look with pink.......

Ann and Billy said...

I'd had four (different) of those DT birdhouses for awhile now and have been waiting for some creative soul to give me ideas about decorating them. Thanks

Cheryl said...

Ooo..my mom loves birdhouses, and this would be a great gift. Love the plate too.

Ashley said...

I love the plate! What a cute bird! I'm going to have to add this to my to do list.

Crissie said...

Oooooooo I am SO monogramming some glass plates!!!!!!!!! Great idea and thanks for sharing!

xoxoxoxo

arkie said...

Your birdhouse and plate are charming! Do you think it would be possible to to Mod Podge the paper onto the back of the plate after you stenciled it? I would like to try that.

abigail grace said...

The bird houses are cute but I am going to try out the Monogram plates! Thanks for sharing your wonderful DIY projects!

Rue said...

Priceless moments for a few dollars... those are the best :)

rue

Tiffany said...

The birdhouse is adorable and that bird on the plate is just perfect! Super ideas, thanks for sharing!

Rachelle@atticgals.blogspot.com said...

I love the Dollar Tree too. Good job seeing the possibilities there.

Bahama Shores Mama said...

this is one of my favorite types ~ dollar store transformations! Thanks!

Anonymous said...

I love the plates! And I want a crafty daughter!!! ... okay, just a daughter would work, too. :) I'll have to get started on that.

The Animator's Wife said...

I LOVE you bird plate. And I think my daughter would be best friends with your daughter in a split second. :)

Amanda said...

Wow...so neat!!

I can see why I;m about to say waht I'm about to say!

You have been nominated for a Awesome Blog 2009. Stop by and see what category someone thought you rocked!

http://awesomestblogs2009.blogspot.com/

God bless-
Amanda

To The Moon and Back said...

Great ideas! LOVE the plates.

Maddy said...

I particularly like the bird house as I have a soft spot for those.
Cheers

Wendy said...

I love these ideas! But I especially love the little glass birdie plate.

Unknown said...

THOSE BIRDHOUSES ARE ADORABLE!! Great crafty ideas. Enjoy your weekend!

Carmen @ Life with Sprinkles on Top said...

Love, love, love both ideas! And I was just wondering what kind of a "plate craft" I could do to hang in my kitchen. Thanks!!!

Hillcrest Cottage said...

LOVE the bird plate...awesome!

Banteringblonde said...

I'm so impressed! How creative you are!

Free Art Printables said...

Love dollar store decor!

joyh82 said...

Very cute, love the bird house!