I Can Fly! Birdhouse Project
Do you have a favorite children's book? Or maybe an armful? Me too! Next week is Children's Book Week and I'll be giving away a GORGEOUS and AMAZING book by Samantha Vamos called: The Calenzuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred. Wait till you see it!
In the meantime, the notion of Children's Book Week prompted me to make a project inspired by one of my most treasured children's books: "I Can Fly" by Ruth Knauss, illustrated by Mary Blair. Mary Blair was an amazing artist and one of the great creative geniuses behind Disney's charming "It's a Small World" ride.
Supplies: Cheap inexpensive wooden birdhouse from Michael's, spray paint in flat white, Modge Podge, scissors, a ruler and paper trimmer… and STUFF to embellish ( I used scrapbook paper– Carolyn Gavin via K & Company, feathers, glitter, a birdie from the Dollar Store, small canvas flag from Canvas Corp, my sewing machine and some random rhinestones). *Note the feathers are orphans from Mia's boa collection!
Step 1: Remove the knobs and spray paint the birdhouse
Step 2: Measure paper to cover the different areas and use Modge Podge to make 'em stick
Step 3: To get the right shape under the "eaves" I just sort of pushed the paper under them and made a crease so I knew where to cut the paper.
Step 4: Measure, trim and "podge" the paper
Step 5: Because I used paper from a pad, they all sort of coordinated *wink
Step 4 1/2: Just keep going! It comes together quickly.
Step 5: After all the paper on on there, put an extra coat of Modge Podge on. *Note to get around the circles and parts where screw is– I used a circle punch when the "hole" should be in the paper and use a hole punch to make room for where the screw was.
OKAY time for the FUN part! Embellish away…
I used feathers on the eaves
The little canvas flag is from Canvas Corp – I just punched holes in it. I sewed the lyrics from the song/book on and added a little bling. The stick is a lollipop stick.
I added some glitter action with Martha Stewart glitter.
Oh Dollar Store– I love your stuff! Especially your birdies.
I'm curious– what children's book inspires you? Linking to these fab parties.
That book is just stunning, and I love the birdhouse…I knew I’d love them before I even clicked, I’ve never NOT loved a project by you. :O)
P.s. I used to LOVE There’s a Monster at the End of this Book.
Love the feathers and bright colors on your birdhouses. So adorable!
That birdhouse came out so cute! The Secret Garden, then and now….I still reread it every now and then!
That is so cute! You will certainly get some fancy birds visiting that house!
Adorable project, Malia. I love that it was inspired by a book.
OH MY… I love this project! It’s so whimsical! A great way to pay tribute to favorite books… I have quite a collection with beautiful artwork; so now you have me thinking which one I should incorporate into my birdhouse! Thanks for sharing! :)
These are absolutely adorable! How fun! I would love these on a mantle. :D
You KNOW I absolutely love this project! How did I miss this? Love, love, love that you did this inspired by a favorite book. It just makes it that more special!
I love it…and I love that I have a little bird house that is going to get a makeover ASAP! Thanks for sharing!
What a fun project! My most inspirational book has been a good ol’ worn hardback ~ Walt Disney’s Story Land…from my childhood.
Happy Mother’s Day Weekend!
: )
Julie M.