2.18.2011

Thrifty Bird's Nest

When I saw this little bird on clearance the other day I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it because I've seen it done so many times before. 


It's original price was $4.99, but since it was 70% off, I managed to pay only $1.50 for it. 


After braving the cold...and the snow...and the wind to spray paint it in Krylon's Satin Ivory, I took a piece of sandpaper and distressed it some.

I bought this nest at the dollar store, but it was a little small for the bird.  I really wanted to use it, so I decided to try and stretch the nest to make it bigger.  With a careful tug here and there, I managed to loosen it up and make it bigger.  I think it also looks more realistic with a few twigs sticking out.

Nest before it was stretched.
I placed the nest in this tarnished 'silver' dish that I found for $1.50 at the thrift store and added a small square of cardboard under the nest to give it some height.


This label made me smile, it says:
"Modern Silver- Silverplated TARNISH-RESISTANT
Uh...don't think so! 
That's okay though, it just adds character and I guess it only said it would resist, not repel. :) 


Anyway, this is how it all went together.

(The dish isn't really as tarnished as it looks in this picture.) 
 
A bird in a nest is nothing that we haven't all seen before, but I was excited that I was able to put it all together for only four dollars!

Today's Fabulous Find...Thrifty Bird Nest 

I'm linking this post up to some of these fabulous parties!
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43 comments:

Melanie Bacom said...

Love this. I like the way you stretched the nest. That works.

Kristin said...

Love the little bird and how you brought three very different pieces together to make a cute little decor piece! Very creative!

jandjhome said...

This is so sweet. I love the nest in the silver bowl. Very cute.

Terry@ a quilting blog said...

This is just adorable. Love searching for inexpensive items to turn into fun decorations. TFS

Homeroad said...

Janet I love your birds nest! I love that you find inexpensive things and make them look like the things you find in high end stores. Keep up the good work. Stop by my blog, I'm having my first giveaway, I think you'll like it!
Susan

Tina said...

Beautiful! You have a good head for ideas that's for sure!

Anonymous said...

How sweet! I love it all....the distressed bird, the natural element with the nest, and the tarnished silver. I'd never know that you made this so cheap unless you said so because it looks like it could fit in any decor.

Anonymous said...

I love the way the nest looks in the silver bowl...very pretty!! I've been looking for a nest at our local craft supply store and they have all been too large...never thought about checking the dollar store, but I will now. Thanks for sharing this.
~Cindy~

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

I love it! It's very pretty! I wouldn't have thought of putting the bird and nest in the silver piece and it looks so good!

farmhouse-story said...

this combo is perfectly adorable and thrifty-love it:)

foreverdecorating said...

He's adorable!

Jane@Little House of Projects said...

Love the combination of the nest and the silver.

Unknown said...

Nice! You're giving me some ideas of what to do with some silver pieces I have. Old Tyme Pottery has similiar shaped birds in the garden section perfect for spring!

Tiffany said...

I think it's really pretty- and $4!! Woo Hoo!

Funky Junk Interiors said...

Oh... so sweet! I love the rustic layers!

Donna

Pam @ Our Adventures in Home Improvement said...

Very cute! And I love that you did it all for $4.

Have a great day!
Pam

Megan said...

wow. awesome finds! it all looks great together.

megan
craftycpa.blogspot.com

Kathy@DandelionsandDustBunnies said...

Love the look. I'm a sucker for birds come spring time. Great project and all goes pefectly together.

Vicky said...

Hey! Found you through "Saturday Nite Special"...LOVE the little bird!! Good idea to loosen the nest up a little...it's only $1 lost if you mess it up, right?? Might as well try! I will poke around our blog more...just wanted to say Hey!

~Vicky
http://keepmeburning.blogspot.com/

willowbird35 said...

I just love what you did with your little find! - Karen

Melanie said...

Cute! I just found some little birds at the dollar store. Maybe I'll have to make one like yours. Thanks for sharing! I found you on Skip to My Lou and am now a follower. I would love for you to come on over and check my blog out!

Melanie
youmadethat.blogspot.com

A Vintage Vine said...

Great find! Love the bird and the nest, it just speaks spring!

Anonymous said...

Cute as a bug in a rug or should I say a bird in a nest. :) Have a great day.

Green Door Girl said...

super cute and I love the worn look of the silver bowl - looks great and under $5 is awesome!

jenn - greendoordesigns.blogspot.com

Kindra-At Home With K said...

I sure love the look of this!! I'll have to look for a nest now. :)

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

This is super cute - is it time to get out spring already? Yippee!

Heaven's Walk said...

THIS is sooooo cute! And can't beat the price for that cuteness! lol!

xoxo laurie

. said...

I adore this!! The tarnish of the dish just adds to it's beauty! :)

Christina said...

Oh so sweet! I just love the finished product...and the price!! :)

I'd love it if you'd link up to my party..."20 Below Thursday" which is for cute and thrifty projects just like this one!

Dandelion and Daisy said...

Very cute AND the price is right!

Unknown said...

I love it! I bought that bird on clearance a few months ago too & it's just sitting next to a robin's egg shaped candle I bought at Michael's- I have been waiting for inspiration to strike & I think it has now! Thanks! :)

Suzy Myers said...

Very sweet. I love the paint technique that you used on the bird. I would be thrilled if you stopped by my Commercial Break Thursday at http://www.suzyssitcom.com and linked this project!

suzy

Colleen said...

Very cute, I really like this! Must check local dollar store, but I can't find birds anywhere around here, so far....

Anonymous said...

I am in LOVE with this little birdie!!

Unknown said...

It's beautiful! And I'm loving the price of all the materials.

Lynda said...

Sooo cute...I bought the same bird and painted it the same but haven't found a nest yet. Love the silver dish too!

Lisa Cash said...

Stopping by from Just A Girl. This is really cute! Very clever to "stretch" the nest!

shannon said...

FABULOUS!!!
www.dashing-home.blogspot.com

Elizabeth said...

I love this!!!!! I need to go thrifting in a major way! Would love you to link up to Made With Love. My readers will love this! http://sewchatty.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

So cute. I have some birds I was wondering what to do with them. Thanks for the inspiration!.

Paula@SweetPea said...

The combination of the three looks great together!

Visiting from the CSI Project...

Heaven's Walk said...

LUV this! Soooooo cute!

xoxo laurie

Shelbey said...

I'm new to your blog and love what I'm seeing. This project in particular is great - I'm a huge fan of shabby chic home accents. Looking forward to following you - can't wait to see all the neat things shared here in 2012! :)

I've also shared this project on my blog, as I think my readers will enjoy it.

http://adesiretoinspire.blogspot.com/2012/01/diy-shabby-chic-bird-with-nest.html

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