Mess For Less: DIY Birdhouse - Guest Post from Dwell on Joy

My kids just love the outdoors. There is something about being out in the cool air that calms them and brings us closer to nature. Do your kids feel the same way? I am excited to be sharing a project for a DIY birdhouse for all you outdoor loving folks from Sarah at Dwell on Joy. Sarah is a mom of three boys and blogs about food, crafts, home and family. Please check out this clever mom's blog. I know you'll love it!?


The winter here up north has been anything but normal. That's a good thing!

But with warmer temps, its got me thinking about the birds! We have a cherry blossom tree next to our deck that is jam packed with our feathered friends in the spring. Not to mention the gorgeous blooms! {Maybe that's why the birds like it so much!} We put a birdhouse out there last year, but I was told it was too late for the birds to take up residence. Don't worry though, there is a happy ending to that store at the bottom of my post.

So this year, we are prepared! ?A got a new assemble-yourself-birdhouse-kit for Christmas and we are gonna get that thing out there BEFORE the birds start nesting, wink wink!

You will need:

a wooden birdhouse

*They are sold at any craft store pre-assembled. Ours is from Fleet Farm {brand: Timber Tots Wooden Castle} and is much more sturdy than the craft store version because it's held together by screws.

acrylic paints

paintbrushes

Mod Podge or clear coat sealer spray paint

2 loop screws {screws with the hole in the top}

chain or twine to hang on tree

First, assemble your birdhouse if that is the type you decided to purchase.
Mr. A is such a good helper! To be honest, we had to give each other a wrist break! Next we move onto painting! Where the creative juices flow...............
We actually had a paint party! T worked on his pinewood derby car. My youngest son unfortunately {for him} gets to run all the errands with me while the older two are at school. ?We went to the craft store this morning for other supplies and so I let him pick out a wooden craft to paint this afternoon. Of all that he could pick, he chose a small wooden circle. Wouldn't that be nice if everyone was that easy to please!?!

Here are our projects during the paint phase:

We let our projects dry overnight and then sprayed them with a clear sealer product to protect their paint jobs. Especially the birdhouse. You will need to seal this to be sure the rain doesn't seep into the wood and rot all of your HARD WORK! After the sealer has dried, you will need to install the loop screws {just twist them into the wood} and chain so that you can adorn your favorite tree and hope the bird couples move in and make baby birds!
Once you hang the birdhouse you will need to use a?pliers?and squeeze the hooks closed so the wind doesn't blow your poor birds to the ground. {I would have photographed this except my hands were frozen solid after hanging it up.}

Doesn't it look cozy??? It's like a BIRDMANSION!

I almost forgot! I once read that you should have the birdhouse face into an open area so it's easy for them to get in and out. See, like this:
THE HAPPY ENDING!

Even though, last year, our birdhouse sat empty, the robins decided to move in underneath the deck! It was amazing watching them lay eggs {4 to be exact!}, hatch into babies {3 made it}, and then eventually leave the nest! Check them out! That's the mom on the left sitting on her eggs, and then the three "babies" on the right, right before they left the nest! Aren't they sweet :)

Thanks to Vicky for inviting me to share with all of you! I hope you all have a great day!

Sarah, thank you so much for sharing your colorful birdhouse. What a great project for kids and parents to do together! Here are some of my favorite posts from Dwell on Joy.


Kids Oil Pastel Canvas Art
Veggie Slurpie
Vanilla Bark Covered Banana Bread Bites

Source: http://www.messforless.net/2012/03/diy-birdhouse-guest-post-from-dwell-on.html

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