LIFE IS NOT MEASURED BY THE NUMBER OF BREATHS WE TAKE, BUT BY THE MOMENTS THAT TAKE OUR BREATH AWAY.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Birdbath Tutorial

With the Holidays approaching and many of us on a budget I thought I would do a tutorial every week to show you how to make some very inexpensive ( and pretty :) ) Gifts. I am hoping to do one every Tuesday, as Life and Health permits :)

Twenty years ago, ( Good Grief !! I cant believe I am OLD enough to say "Twenty Years ago....") I had a little Country store and made cloth dolls, doo dads and Tole Painted gifts. This design was really popular and I sold a ton of them. I have updated it in today's shabby colors, and think it is just as sweet as always :)

A Sweet n' Shabby Birdbath....................I like to use them to fill with potpourri, but they could be used as decorative soap holders as well as candle holders.

Start by glueing a terra cotta bottom to the pot with Elmer's, Tacky glue or any general craft glue. You can use tall or short pots, but the "Bath" needs to be a bit larger than what would fit the bottom of a pot. So, if you buy a 6" pot, then buy an 8" bottom tray. Make sense ?
Next I mix up some paint. ( Acrylic ) I cant stand the hot, bright pinks they sell, so I always make my own by adding lots of white acrylic paint to the stores brand of pink. Brush on THREE coats, letting dry between each coat. I do not prime, or spray the pots first and you will see why next.After my pot is dry, I shabby it up with 220 grit sand paper. When it is to your liking , use a wet cloth and wipe it down really well. At this point I seal it. You can do this with a brush on Acrylic Clear Sealer, or a clear spray paint ( water based ) I opt for the spray personally. When I was taught years ago to Tole Paint, I was told Brush strokes are a no-no. The smoother the painting the better, so that is how I paint today. However, since this is supposed to be chippy and shabby, get as sloppy as you want. It is a "Cant go wrong " Project :) :) :)

So now you want to gather your Doo Dads for embellishing. Every Bird bath needs a Bird. :) I always have wee Bird in a nest on the rim of the bath. You can use dried moss and roll it into a ball, hot glue it on and then "Fluff" it up a bit. I used tiny paper shred on mine. So, Now you have your base to add the flowers. I added vintage lily of the valley, honeysuckle and vintage pink posies. To this I added new pink roses and pink forget me nots.

And Ta-Da !!! It is finished !! Easy Peasy, Right ?????I am going to put this one in my shop to sell, and wont be making any more. Feel free to use this design to make some to give or to sell in your shops. :)

I do ask that you be respectful, and do not copy my other Artwork, Faux pastries, Ect. that I show on my blog as those are under Copyright and I feed my Family with my artwork. :) :) Many hours and Thought go into each of my designs. My Clip Art is always free to use, but not to sell digitally, as well as any Tutorial I give. I am sorry I have to say all of this, but you cant believe how many people online think Artwork is fair game to Copy. But enough of that :) I hope anything you create Blesses You and is Fun !! Isn't that what it is all about ? :) :) :)

Well, I hope you liked this Tutorial and Please let me know if you make any so I can feature them on my blog. I would Love to see !!!

Hugs,

Rhea

30 comments:

stefanie said...

eeeeeekkkk, I love it!!! hahaha, all I need is another project, but this I have to make!!! thanks!

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

What a sweet idea! I love using clay pots but I never thought of making a bird bath! Thank you for the tutorial. I LOVE your faux cakes!

Blessings,
Sandi

Tra La La Boom De Ay said...

Very nice.

The Polka Dot Closet said...

That is sooo cute and creative! Thank you for the tip on adding white to the paint. If a manufacturer would come up with a barely pink spray they would make a mint!!

Carol

Robin said...

This is such a sweet little birdbath! Thanks for the tutorial, I'll be adding this to my long list of things to try someday.

Hugs,
Robin

Home and Heart said...

SO cute and clever!! Thank you!!

debi said...

Rhea, your bird bath is stunning! The soft pink and white is soooo sweet. Thank you for sharing your beautiful tutorial.

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

Hi Rhea,
LOVE the birdbath with nest! I WILL make one...one of these days :)
Thank you so much for sharing the idea!
Have a lovely day.
Warmly,
deb :)

vivian said...

how pretty this turned out. And it would make a sweet gift for someone! Now I just have to remember it! lol!
have a great week
hugs
vivian

Lynn-Teacupstitches said...

Hi Rhea!
Thank you for sharing your Sweet Tweet Tutorial! Its simply the cutest thing!!!
All the items you make are so charming and happy and make me smile! And your faux pastries are the prettiest around :-)
Enjoy a happy healthy week!
Hugs,
Lynn

Farah said...

Hi Rhea.... I never saw such a beautiful PINK.. your this post makes my day, so refreshing, so beautiful and so cute project... very very lovely, I must go for it...
I am your newsest follower hope you would like to visit my blog at

http://craftaworld.blogspot.com/

just visit my last two post, hope you enjoyed, and once again a very heartly thanks for sharing such a beautiful PNIK...
Love
Farah

Unknown said...

Everything you touch is always so beautiful Rhea! Thank you for sharing your tutorials with us. Now if I only had that talent of yours.

Have a blessed day....Tracy :)

Unknown said...

You are so talented! That is adorable. Thanks for sharing with us.
Roselle

The Old Parsonage said...

This is just soo sweet. I love it. As always, you are so inspiring!

Leann

Marie De Marco said...

very sweet! thanks for sharing.
blessings
marie

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous idea! Would make lovely gifts.

Unknown said...

How adorable......thanks for the tutorial.
Laraine

Tommie Jo said...

Oh I love it! You are so creative to think up something like that!

Unknown said...

Gorgeous!!!! And Pink!! I love it!

ImagiMeri said...

Hi Rhea,

How sweet of you to share such a lovely project. I just adore the color, so sweet and pretty.

Hugs,
Meri

Mari said...

HELLO RHEA,

I LOVE THIS IDEA, ITS SOOO CUTE :) I WILL HAVE TO TRY THIS :) THANKS FOR THE TUTORIAL!!

XOX~MARI

Pink Roses and Teacups said...

Hello sweet Rhea!

This is the sweetest little birdbath! Thank you so much for sharing the tutorial with us. Hope you are well on this beautiful day!

Hugs,
Debbie

Kim's Treasures said...

I's beautiful!!! LOVE IT!!!

Jennifer said...

Rhea, Thank you for your message - always blessed... we are, HE does, we are HIS. Hugs, Jenn

Twyla and Lindsey said...

What a sweet little birdbath. I love how you distressed it. I'm so sorry you have had people copying your beautiful work. I hope you enjoy this beautiful weekend! Twyla

Anonymous said...

I Would Like To Know If This Could Be Used As A ReaL Bird BAth?

Poções de Arte said...

Muito, muito bonito, parabéns!!!!

Anonymous said...

THIS IS AMAZING! LOVE IT! U R AWESOME! XOXOXO

Anonymous said...

I Love this very cute! But I'm going to use different color's! Love, Love It!

Shelly said...

Hi, im interested in your images, I wish to make invitations with them to sell, can you tell me which ones are free to use, and how much the others are, your images are very nice, im only just thinking of putting some stuff together, havnt don't it yet, and don't have a store yet. please let me know, don't want to play with the wrong ones lol my email is srarrlite@aol.com thanks