Monday, June 14, 2010

Antique Picture Frame Birdhouse

I have been wanting to build a birdhouse for a while now, and I thought I would share with all of you what I came up with.

As some of you know, I often restore antique picture frames, and I had one sitting around that was in pretty bad shape.

I also had a few pieces of old cedar fence planks and some table legs.

So, I started cutting and nailing. No plans. No real direction. Just wanted to have some fun with this one.




I cut a table leg in half lengthwise to get a pair of columns. The body was made from the cedar fence planks. I made the pitch of the roof with a pair of 45 degree cuts, so that the picture frame molding could be easily used as trim. The perch and the trim across the bottom is also made from picture frame molding.





I decided to do a distressed white wash finish and let some of the gold frame peek through in spots.

By using cedar planks and outdoor grade glue this birdhouse can now be used outside by some lucky bird, or inside as a decor piece.



This was a pretty fun project. I might have to do a few more of these.


Check my Link Party Directory to see which ones I am linking up with today!

35 comments:

Ann @ makethebestofthings said...

I am SO liking this birdhouse! It came out wonderfully! Clever girl.

No name said...

Now that is darling! If you made another I would definitely consider purchasing one! How very clever of you Rory :)

Blessings,
Shanna

P.S
I collect birdhouses and cages :) I'd collect antique frames too....if I could ever seem to find any up here in Narnia...oops Alaska

Rory from Tools Are For Women Too! said...

Hi Shanna,

Glad you like my birdhouse. I decided to go ahead and sell this one. If you are interested you can get the details by clicking on the picture of it, on my sidebar. Thanks for stopping by.

Rory

Unknown said...

What a great way to reuse stuff laying around! I love it!
{Rebekah}

Decorchick! said...

Rory, your birdhouse is awesome!! I love birdhouses too. Great job!!

Marie said...

You're absolutely brilliant! That's a pretty birdhouse you created from leftover materials. Luv your blog...I'm going to check out the rest of your posts!
-marie

Kristi Flanagan said...

Rory - this turned out so wonderful! Love it! I want it! =0)

Kristi
Punkin Seed Productions

CIELO said...

Very crafty... another job well done! and thanks for participating in our SHOW OF YOUR COTTAGE MONDAY, dear Rory!

Cielo

Life in Rehab said...

OMG, this is great! I collect white birdhouses, and this is just too fun!

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Goshes!!
What a fantastic job!!
Absolutely LOVE it!!
Debbie

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hi Rory...

Ohhh...I love your birdhouse!!! I do believe that it may very well be the most ornate birdhouse that I've ever seen...I love it!!! What a creative and talented lady you are...I'm really impressed! Thank you for sharing it with us today and also for sharing the "how to's"!!!

Warmest wishes,
Chari @Happy To Design

Suzanne@Meridian Road said...

What an elegant birdhouse! Very, very cute.

Mad in Crafts said...

Thanks for linking up to the Mad Skills party!

Sarah @ The Pumpkin Patch said...

This is so great!! I just broke down and bought a birdhouse because I couldn't find plans for one that I really liked. It never occured to me that I could just make one myself.

Thanks for linking to Messy Monday. I look forward to your future projects!

Charo said...

So creative craft. Love it!

Hugs
Charo

Unknown said...

Oh that is just so cool! You have me thinking about what I can do with frames! Thanks for helping us have a great Tuesday at Anything Related! ~Bridgette

Robin {keephomesimple} said...

What amazing talent you have to make something from nothing! It's beautiful!

Diane said...

OMGosh, that is sooo cute!

Nikki said...

LOVE it!!!!!!! Thats so cute!!! :)

Unknown said...

I love birdhouses and this one is so beautiful. I love how you "made it your own". Very creative

Room to Inspire said...

What a lovely birdhouse! Thanks for linking this up too!

Chelsea

annies home said...

very nice my mother who collects birdhouses would love it

Suzanne said...

Such a cute birdhouse! Love the use of the frame!

Unknown said...

That is such a creative idea. What a lucky bird to get a house like that!

Breathing In Grace said...

That is so pretty...how creative you are!!! I'm visiting from Everything Etsy!!!

memakingdo said...

That is darling, great job!!!

~L~ said...

Thanks for linking up to Make My Style Mondays. Hope to see you next week.
Make sure you check out the wrap up and join follow friday!

~L~

Helena said...

Wow, this is really cool. I think the white paint was a great idea.

Thank you for participating in the Creative Therapy Session at Life in the Pitts

decorating diva {aka deanna} said...

so awesome! this is going on my summer project list!

Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and Dreaming said...

Super cute! I love the repurposed pieces. What you did with the frame is adorable. I like that this can be decorative and still be used outdoors! Thanks so much for joining the Sunday Showcase! I greatly appreciate it. Hope you have a wonderful week. ~ Stephanie Lynn

Julie @ Frugal and Fabulous Design said...

This might be the most fabulous birdhouse I've ever seen....WOW!

Thanks for linking up to Fab Friday -

Cheers!

Unknown said...

Love this one! Great job on turning an old frame into a masterpiece. I will be featuring this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com

Nancy's Daily Dish said...

So precious! What a great idea!

Brianna! said...

I love this!
what a brilliant Idea

xoxo
bB

Robin Ange said...

This is so brilliant!

You should link up to my Upcycled Awesome linky party!

http://www.thetshirtdiaries.com/2010/06/upcycled-awesome-linky-party-2.html