Steampunk Birdhouses!

For our Labor Day BBQ craft this year, we decided to do flea style birdhouses! We started with wooden bird houses from the craft store and provided craft paint, glue, and steampunky gears and things. They turned out great! Want to make your own? Here's a how-to we wrote for this craft for Diablo Magazine to help you get started.

Folky Flag for the Fourth of July

Make a folky flag out of paint stirrers! (It was just featured in Woman's World Magaine!)

What You'll Need:
9 wooden paint stirrers
Plaid Folk Art paint in Cardinal Red, Wicker White, and True Blue
masking tape
sandpaper
wood glue
hand saw
Plaid Outdoor Sealer
assorted buttons 3/8" to 7/8"
(we used 57 red, 47 white, and 20 blue)
Beacon Glass, Metal & More glue
2 thumbtacks
16" copper wire

What To Do:

Step 1. Paint 2 paint stirrers Cardinal Red and 1 Wicker white and set aside. Mask off the indented end of 4 stirrers and paint True Blue. Let dry. Mask off the blue end, and the paint other end of 2 stirrers Wicker White and 2 Cardinal Red. Sand the edges and surfaces of the stirrers to get a distressed look.

Step 2. Cut the 2 remaining stirrers down to 7" with a hand saw and sand the sawed ends smooth. Arrange the painted stirrers into the flag then turn the flag over. Glue the 2 short stirrers vertically to the back of the flag 1" in from each side using the wood glue. Let dry several hours.

Step 3. Turn the flag over and glue buttons to the front using glue.

Step 4. To make the hanger, push a thumbtack into the top of each short stick on the back of the flag. Twist each end of the wire around a thumbtack and trim the ends.

Make Me Over!

Kitty found a set of these chairs for $10 at the flea market! Irresistible! We featured them in this article we wrote for Decorating Spaces. It's sort of a Chair Makeover 101. 

Cheers, J&K

Before: A Chair In the Rough

It’s rusty. It’s filthy. It’s fabulous! If you know what to look for, a ratty old wrought iron chair can become a delightful addition to your little garden oasis. Just take these tips picked up from the pros and get thee to a flea market to find that diamond in the rough.

After: Sweet Little Seat

A Chair In The Rough

This chair passes all the tests with flying colors: the rust is minimal, the seat pops right off, it has no real damage, and it’s loaded with personality. All it needs now is a little TLC. Start by picking a fun fabric for the seat and use a swatch to select your spray paint. Remove the seat and smooth the rough areas and rusty parts of the frame using medium, then fine sandpaper. Clean thoroughly, then spray paint the chair with primer and your chosen color. (To avoid runs, do several light coats.)

What To Do:

1. Disassemble the seat by removing the old vinyl, foam, and rusty staples.

2. Recover the seat with two-inch thick foam and your chosen fabric, folding carefully at the corners and stapling the fabric underneath.

3. Then finish your new treasure by reattaching the seat to the chair. Now you’re sitting pretty!

Tips:

You don't have to use oilcloth to make your outdoor chair waterproof—just cover the fabric seat with a layer of clear plastic.

When selecting a fabric for your outdoor chair, you don't have to stick to florals. Consider decorator fabrics with stripes, dots, or plaids, as long as the pattern matches the mood of the chair.

If you want to spruce up a plain chair with more than just color, try a spray-on finish like metallic copper, hammered bronze, or even natural rust. Yes! You can buy rust in a can!

A Room With A View Etched Window

Fashion a stylish room divider out of an old weathered window.

Junk windows are available everywhere, from salvage yards to flea markets. (You might even have one under your house!) These architectural castoffs are do-it-yourself projects just waiting to happen. And why wait when you can turn any old window into a fabulous etched room divider in no time? Armour Etch, available at craft stores, actually etches glass with just one application. So you can put away your sand blaster!

Creating a beautiful design for your etched window is simple when you use spectacular stencils. Large templates, often used for decorative wall painting, are the perfect size for panes of glass. But for artier designs with bold graphics, look for scrapbooking stencils. We found 12" by 12" doodling templates from TheCraftersWorkshop.com that feature stylish swirls and paisleys. Gorgeous!

YOU'LL NEED:
Old wooden window
Con-Tact paper
Large stencil
10 oz Armour Etch cream
Steel chain
4 Screw hooks
Drop cloth
Window cleaner
Paper towels
Sharpie marker
Craft knife
Sponge paintbrush
Protective gloves

WHAT TO DO:
Step 1

To create the design, trace the stencils onto the Con-Tact paper with the Sharpie. Cut out the Con-Tact paper with the craft knife. Wipe the window thoroughly with window cleaner, then stick the Con-Tact paper cutouts to the glass and rub the edges down carefully. (Positioning the cutouts on the glass is much easier if you tape the stencil to the other side of the window.) Clean the exposed glass one more time to ensure the best results.

Step 2

To etch the glass, apply the Armour Etch cream with the sponge brush, painting a thick layer of etch cream over the glass and the Con-Tact paper cutouts (don't forget to don your gloves first!). Let the etch cream set for 5 minutes, then rinse the window in the bathtub with lukewarm water, peel off the cut-outs, and continue rinsing until clean. As the window dries, the pattern will reveal itself. Amazing!

Step 3

To hang the etched window room divider, attach 2 hooks to the top of the window and 2 hooks to the ceiling the same distance apart. Hang with equal lengths of steel chain.

Brushstroke of Genius: With this technique, the brushstrokes tend to show, so use it to your advantage. Apply the etch cream with a swirling motion and any brush marks will look like part of the design.

Chic Tole Candelabra

You don't have to call the electrician if a chandelier has bad wiring. We found a pretty floral pendant that had seen better days--the wiring was frayed and the glass globe was missing. But it was such a deal at $25 that we couldn't resist. And when we saw we could flip it over and stand it on a table, we decided to turn that broken castoff into a kooky candelier!

Directions

Step 1

Once you've found a chandelier with a level base, remove the bulbs.

Step 2

Unscrew the hanger and remove any light bulb sockets. Loosen and remove all the electrical wires, using snips to cut them out if necessary.

Step 3

Clean the entire chandelier with Formula 409.

Step 4

Take your chandelier with you to shop for the right size pillar candle for the center. (If your chandelier has multiple arms with smaller sockets, look for tapers instead.)

Step 5

Set your chandelier on the center of your dining table, fit it with your candle(s), and let there be light!

Before: A Pendant Lamp Missing Its Globe

Color Me Beautiful

If your bargain light fixture has a horrible paint job, simply spray-paint the whole thing! The shape of the flowers and leaves will really pop when they're all one color. Try a stylish hue, like Krylon's Blue Ocean Breeze or Totally Tangerine.

Flea Bitten Birdhouse

Turn a plain birdhouse into a steampunk treasure with skeleton keys, a bicycle gear, a rusty keyhole, and more!

WHAT TO DO
Step One
Water down acrylic paint by mixing 1 part paint to 10 parts water. Paint a wooden birdhouse with the watered-down acrylic paint and a foam paintbrush.

Step Two
Bend a license plate in half and slide it onto the roof of the birdhouse to get the right shape. Glue it into place with flexible permanent glue like Beacon Adhesive's Quick Grip.

Step Three
Remove the perching post with pliers and replace it with the eraser end of a pencil, glued into place.

Step Four
Using the glue, embellish the front of the birdhouse with flea market finds and hardware such as ball chain, watch faces, vintage keys, bike gears, and a keyhole.

Steampunk Stepping Stone

Take your garden one step beyond with mosaic stepping stones the whole family can make.

Mosaic stepping stones are a perfect summer craft, so why not round up the whole gang for an afternoon of creative fun? Quikcrete from the hardware store makes the project a cinch, and found objects like keys and coins give each stone a little funky flair. Get enough materials for each member of your clan, and you’ll have a garden path as unique as your family.

WHAT TO DO
Step One
Spread out the tarp and put on your gloves. Measure 12 cups of Quikcrete into the bucket. Pour in 2 cups of water and mix with the paint stirrer. Add more water a little at a time until the mixture is the consistency of brownie mix.

Step Two
Pour the mixture into the stepping stone mold and smooth it with the paint stirrer until the surface is level.

Step Three
Create an artsy composition with keys, coins, and washers. Press each item into the mixture, wiggling it down into the concrete about 1/8th inch deep. Sprinkle the surface with sand for a decorative finish. Let cure for 48 hours before moving the stone, and wait at least a week or two before use.

On The Beaten Path: If your stepping stones will see a lot of foot traffic, you might want to reinforce them. Fill the mold half way, lay in a piece of wire mesh slightly smaller than the mold, then cover with concrete.

Glove Love: Remember to always wear gloves when working with concrete. Direct contact with the skin can cause irritation and who needs that!?

Mosaic Madness: You can decorate your stepping stones with all kinds of found objects as long as they are flat and weatherproof. Try sea glass, flat marbles, broken china, river rocks, vintage buttons, and even old typewriter keys!

Beautiful Beaded Bud Vase

Turn a little glass vase into a glitzy hanging garden perfect for springtime blooms.

YOU'LL NEED
Materials
Glass vase with lip, 5" tall.
Copper wire, 16-gauge, one 24" length and one 28" length (available at home improvement stores).
Copper wire, 26-gauge, one 10" length and two 6" lengths.
Turquoise E beads, 56.
Lime green, round 6mm glass beads, 35.
Turquoise, top-drilled 8mm glass beads, 13.
White shirt button.

Tools & Supplies
Wire snips.
Round-nose pliers.
Clear Liquid Nails Adhesive.
Ruler.

WHAT TO DO
1. Start at one end of the 24" length of 16-gauge copper wire and wrap the wire once around the neck of the vase. Then twist a loop in the wire. Continue wrapping to the other side of the vase and twist another loop. Then finish wrapping the wire around the neck. Twist the ends of the wire together tightly to secure. Trim the ends with the wire snips.

2. To make the hanger, gently curve the 28" length of 16-gauge copper wire into a U-shape. Feed the ends of the wire down through the two loops on the neck of the vase. Curve the ends into spirals using the round-nose pliers.

3. Using the 10" length of 26-gauge wire, string 1 turquoise top-drilled bead followed by 3 lime beads, repeating the pattern to create a necklace that fits around the neck of the vase. Wrap the necklace around the neck of the vase beneath the copper wire. Twist the ends together to secure and trim with the wire snips.

4. Hold the two 6" lengths of 26-gauge wire together and bend into a hairpin U-shape. Feed the ends all the way through two buttonholes of the shirt button.

5. To create a beaded tassel, string 14 turquoise E beads onto one wire coming out of the button and finish by feeding the end of the wire through 2 lime beads and a turquoise, top-drilled bead. Twist the end of the wire around the top of the turquoise bead. Repeat to create 4 dangles. Glue the flat side of the wired button to the bottom of the vase with the Liquid Nails Adhesive.

Crafty Shopping Tip
Craft stores carry small vases in all shapes and styles, often for as little as a dollar. It doesn't matter what shape vase you choose as long as it has a lip to keep the wire from slipping off the neck. (Your wire measurements and bead counts may vary due to the size and shape of your vase.)

Summer Lights

Bring the beach to your patio with a sparkly handcrafted candelier!

Glitz up your outdoor space by making your own candlelit crystal chandelier. With a simple hurricane candleholder, armature wire, and crystal beads, you can create a glamorous mood light for your deck. And for that seaside look, add sea glass, sand, or seashells. Make three candeliers to hang at different heights and you'll have the beginning of a romantic beach getaway in your own backyard.

For each candelier, you will need:

armature wire, 10 feet (1/8 inch diameter)
silver craft wire, 10 feet (26 gauge)
1 garden S-hook (3 1/2 inches long)
3 lengths steel jack chain, 1 foot long each (#16 size)
hurricane candleholder (5 1/2 inches tall)
white pillar candle (3 inches tall)
4 pieces of sea glass
1 cup of sand, shells, or sea glass
4 clear acrylic gems with holes for beading
12 clear iridescent bicone beads
needle nose pliers
wire cutters

Directions:
Step 1: Wrap the end of a five-foot length of armature wire around the top of the candleholder one time. Lock the wire tightly into place by folding the end back on itself as shown. Continue wrapping in the reverse direction, twisting three loops into the wire equally spaced around the perimeter to serve as hooks. Give each loop an extra twist to tighten as you go. Finish wrapping the wire and lock the end as before.

Step 2: Wrap the bottom of the candleholder with a two-foot length of armature wire and lock as before. Fold the long end under the bottom of the candleholder and fashion a swirl.

Step 3: Create the "S" shapes by bending a nine-inch length of armature wire. Make four total. Attach a piece of sea glass to each "S" using craft wire. Wrap with abandon!

Step 4: Create the gem danglies by threading a large gem onto a six-inch length of craft wire. Fold the wire in half and feed both ends through three bicone beads. Twist the wire into a loop and wrap the ends to secure. Make four total.

Step 5: Attach three lengths of chain to the garden S-hook. Open the bottom link of each chain using pliers and hook onto each armature wire loop at the top of the candleholder. Hang the candelier.

Step 6: Embellish by hooking three of the "S" shapes to the top lip of the candleholder and hang the last "S" shape from the bottom swirl of the candleholder. Then add a gem dangly onto the bottom link of each chain. Hook the last one onto the bottom "S" shape.

Finish your candelier by pouring one-inch of sea glass (or sand or shells) into the bottom of the candleholder. Set the candle inside. Pour the rest around the sides. Now grab your sweetheart and get those flames a-burnin'!

Colorful Twist: If your look is more ocean blue than seaside green, try using copper wire and cobalt sea glass instead.


Lip Tip: Make sure you select a glass candleholder with a lip at the top. That way the wire won’t slip off when you hang it.

Tip For The Landlocked: Is your nearest beach a thousand miles a way? Take a trip to your garden center for a bag of sand. Use the leftovers to make a sandcastle!

Alfresco Floorcloth

Transform your deck into an outdoor living room with a colorful floorcloth.

Get a jump on spring by creating your own painted patio rug. Go for an upscale look with dramatic color combinations and large stencils featuring ornate flourishes. Then coat your floorcloth with clear polyurethane to make it waterproof. Who knew you could have such a pretty rug outside?

WHAT YOU'LL NEED
Primed heavy-duty "10 ounce" cotton canvas, 40 inches by 52 inches
Renaissance Tulip StenSource stencil
2" Floral Flourishes Border StenSource stencil
7" Balmoral Border StenSource stencil
7" Acanthus Border StenSource stencil
Cadmium Yellow Light acrylic paint, 4-ounce tube
Cadmium Red Medium acrylic paint, 4-ounce tube
Turquoise Green acrylic paint, 4-ounce tube
Ultramarine Blue acrylic paint, 4-ounce tube
Water-based clear polyurethane, 1-pint can
Elmer's carpenter glue
High-quality, synthetic bristle paintbrush, 2-inches wide
Foam stenciling sponge or spouncer, 1.25" size
Blue painter’s masking tape
Scissors
Yardstick
Colored chalk


WHAT TO DO
Step One
Paint the entire surface of the canvas yellow and let dry. Use the tape to mask off the border, then paint the border red-orange. Create the decorative pattern by taping each stencil down and applying the paint with the spouncer. Dab small amounts of paint into the openings, being careful not to get the paint under the stencil. (For best results, wash each stencil between applications with soap and water.)

Step Two
When the paint is dry, seal the canvas with the clear polyurethane using the bristle paintbrush. Allow the polyurethane to dry for at least 2 hours. Flip the canvas over and seal the underside. Let the canvas dry for at least 2 more hours.

Step Three
To create a tidy hem, turn the floorcloth face down. Starting at the corner, measure 12 inches up each side and mark with the chalk. Draw a diagonal line from one chalk mark to the other. Cut the corner off along the chalk line. Repeat for all four corners. Fold each side in 6 inches and crease, then glue the edge of the hem down with the carpenter's glue. Let the glue set for 30 minutes. Finally, place your new floorcloth on your patio and fire up the grill!

No-Slip Tip: Keep your rug from becoming a flying carpet with a few strips of anti-slip tape. You can find it at hardware stores.

Canvas Primer: If you can't find primed canvas, buy regular canvas and prime it yourself with 2 coats of gesso or white latex primer.

The Butterfly Effect

 

Bring the beauty of a butterfly garden to your patio with a whimsical etched window. Just pick up an old wooden window at the flea market, mask a flower and butterfly design, then etch with real etch cream. As you rinse your window clean, the ethereal image will be revealed!

Materials
Wooden window from the flea market
White Con-Tact paper (not shelf liner)
Plaid Silhouette Stencils:
Butterfly 29636
Floral Burst 29640
Chandelier 29637
Armour Etch glass etching cream (10 oz)
Steel chain*
2 Screw hooks (3½")


Tools
Sharpie marker
Scissors
Drop cloth
Window cleaner
Paper towels
Protective gloves
Sponge paintbrush
Kitchen timer
Drill


*Steel chain isn’t easy to cut, so measure before you go to the hardware store. Hold your window under the branch where you’d like it to hang. Have someone measure the distance from the window to the branch at each end. One length might be longer than the other if the branch slopes. Get the two lengths cut at the hardware store.


Instructions
1. Start by making a set of large stickers to use as a mask. To do this trace the Silhouette stencils onto the Con-Tact paper using a Sharpie. Cut them out with scissors but do not remove the backing yet. Arrange the cut-outs on your window to create a pleasing design. Make a sketch or take a snapshot with a digital camera to refer to later.


2. Set the stickers aside, don your gloves, and thoroughly clean the window with window cleaner and paper towels. It is very important to clean any and all oil from your fingers off the window. Any fingerprints will show up when you etch, and your finished project could end up looking like a crime scene!


3. With your gloves still on, peel the backing off the stickers and press your design onto the window. Use your snapshot from before as a guide. Crumple a piece of the adhesive backing into a ball and use the slippery side to rub down all the edges of your stickers. Clean the glass one more time by spraying the window cleaner onto the paper towel and carefully wiping the exposed glass around your stickers.


4. For the etching process, take the window outside and lay it flat on a drop cloth. Be sure you are still wearing your gloves. Using the sponge paintbrush, apply a thick layer of etch cream over the glass and stickers. Your brushstrokes will show, so use a swirling motion to create a pattern with the etch cream. Once your window is entirely covered with etch cream, set your timer for 5 minutes.

5. After 5 minutes, rinse the etch cream off the window with a garden hose. Rub the surface with your gloved hand to help clean the glass.


6. Take off your gloves and peel all the stickers off the window. Rinse again with the garden hose to remove any remaining etch cream. Let the window dry.


7. To hang your etched window, pre-drill two holes a few inches from each end, then screw two hooks into the top of the window frame. Attach two lengths of steel chain to a sturdy horizontal branch in your yard. Then hang the window from the last link in each chain.

Improved With Age: For a garden piece like this, shabby is chic! So keep an eye out for a wooden window with a weathered look. You can pick one up for less than $20.

Wonderful Waterfall Birdbath

Birds are drawn to the sound of water, so attract them to your deck with a tabletop birdbath fountain. All you need is a fountain pump, two glazed planters, and some river stones (and water, of course!). The pump will push the water up into the top planter, and gravity will send it trickling over the edge and into the dish below. The soothing sounds will make you want to sit back and relax while you watch the birds take a dip.

You Will Need
Small, electric, underwater fountain pump (60 gallons per hour at one foot lift)
Clear vinyl tubing, 3 ½ inches long, ½ inch inside diameter (or size to fit pump)
Large, shallow ceramic glazed planter, 14-inch diameter (without drain hole)
Small, ceramic glazed planter, 6-inch diameter (with drain hole)
Polished river stones, approx. 8 pounds
Hollow bamboo stick, 2 ½ inches long and wide enough to fit over tubing
All-purpose waterproof sealant or silicone, clear

Directions
Step 1
Put the pump switch in the ON position (unplugged). Place the pump on the bottom of the large planter to one side. Fill the bottom of the planter with river stones to the height of the pump.

Step 2
Feed the clear vinyl tubing through the hole in the bottom of the small planter so that one inch comes out of the bottom.

Step 3
Seal the hole around the tubing with sealant and let dry.

Step 4
Take the end of the tubing from under the small planter and attach it to the pump. Rest the small planter on the pump and a level bed of river stones.

Step 5
Slide the bamboo stick over the tubing. Trim the top of the tubing to the height of the bamboo stick.

Step 6
Fill the small planter with river stones and place any leftover stones in the large planter. Be sure to hide the cord with stones. Finish your fountain by filling it with water and plugging it in. The trickling sounds will let the finches know it's bath time!

Flotation Device: Turn your fountain into a water garden by adding a floating water plant like a hyacinth.

Flea Style Birdhouse

Give an unfinished birdhouse unflappable curb appeal with a colorful flea market makeover!

YOU'LL NEED
Materials
Unfinished wood birdhouse, 9" tall.
RIT dye, Kelly Green.
Clear topcoat spray paint.
Screws, 1/2", 2.
Little nails, 1/2", 38.
Big nail, 2".
Eye screw, 1 5/8".
S-hook.

From The Flea Market
License plate.
Big washer, 3/4".
Small washers, 1/2", 8.
Small nuts, 1/4", 9.
Sawtooth picture hangers, 6.
Wooden yardstick.
Bottle caps, 6.
Small buttons, various colors, 6.
Medium buttons, various colors, 6.
Keys, 6.
Post office box number plate.
Old jewelry chain, 12".

Tools & Supplies
Pyrex measuring cup.
Sponge paintbrush.
Light-duty hand saw.
Liquid Nails glue.
Teaspoon.
Chopstick.

WHAT TO DO

1. Use a chopstick to stir 11/2 teaspoons of the Kelly Green RIT dye into 1 cup of steaming hot water. Over a drop cloth, use the sponge paintbrush to stain the wooden birdhouse with the green dye. Let dry. Seal the birdhouse with a coat of clear spray paint.

2. Start adding gingerbread trim by gluing one nut to the peak of the eaves. Using the small nails and a hammer, attach the saw tooth picture hangers to the eaves of the birdhouse. Then glue the rest of the nuts and washers in a row beneath the eaves, alternating the nuts and washers.

3. To make short flowers, glue a small button onto each key. Glue the short flowers onto the sides of the birdhouse.

4. To make taller flowers, glue a medium button inside each bottlecap. Snip pieces of the chain into two-inch lengths. Using the small nails and a hammer, attach the ends of the chain lengths to the sides of the house, stretching the chain out to form the flower stems. Glue a bottle cap to the top of each chain-stem.

5. Create a fence by sawing the yardstick into 4 pieces that fit around the bottom of the birdhouse. Using the small nails and a hammer, attach the ruler pieces to the base of the birdhouse.

6. To make the roof, punch a hole in the center of the license plate using the big nail and a hammer. Bend the license plate in half over the edge of a table to form a peaked roof shape. Place the license plate on the roof of the birdhouse, then screw the eye screw through the hole in the license plate and into the birdhouse. Use small nails to nail through the sides of the license plate securing it to the roof.

7. To finish it off, use the screws and a screwdriver to attach the post office box number plate onto the birdhouse over the door.

Crafty Shopping Tip: Don't have a license to drive to the flea market? There are plenty of license plates to choose from on eBay! Whether you find one online or at the swap meet, you can expect to spend about $5 to $10.