Monday, May 11, 2009

{mom's day projects revealed}



My Mother's Day Projects
began their lives, as a stack of cabinet plywood scraps that my husband purchased for $5.00 at an auction some time ago.

Since the project is a "metamorphosis" of scraps, I am participating in the "17th Metamophosis Monday," hosted by Susan, at Between Naps on the Porch. Visit her blog to see a neat project with old books featured, along with many others participating today!

In my last post, I gave this sneak preview....
Drum Roll Please......

Decorative Bird Houses!

These birdhouses are the new rage in our area, selling for $80.00 each, and most are smaller in size.
Kevin and I decided we could make our own!
We got a little carried away on the size....Ashley calls them "Bird Mansions! LOL!
Kevin, David, and Josh built the houses Saturday before last. Ashley, David, and I worked on the painting the rest of the week. The project took a lot longer to complete than we anticipated!!! LOL!
But other than time and using just a fraction of Kevin's $5.00 scrap lumber pile, it was worth it. They were fun to create. I think I had $20.00 in the paint, using a good quality exterior paint.

I created stencils for my Mom's and MIL's initials.

My Mom's...
And No, the "M" doesn't stand for MOM! LOL!

My MIL's.....
And Josh's Grandmother's...
I made the mistake of painting the roof blue, and the green would not show up over it, so unfortunately it did not get an initial.
I don't know the exact measurements, but they are a little over 2 foot and are 18" wide.
The will be attached to a 4x4 post.
For the blue faced one above, we painted it green, and then cut circles out of clear contact paper. We stuck the dots on the house, and then rolled two thin coats of blue over it. The sticky dots peeled off nicely. The dots and stripes on the other houses were freehanded.


Now I have one more assembled to paint for myself....later! :)
~~~~

On another note,
I have to brag on Ashley for just a moment...

She was awarded the COACHES Award for the JV and Varsity Cheerleading Squad last week during their annual School Sports Banquet. She was also voted on by the squad and awarded the Sportsmanship Award for the JV Squad.

I'm SO proud of you, sweetie! :)

Hope everyone had a wonderful Mom's Day!
~Rhonda :)

45 comments:

Amelia said...

The birdhouses are so cute...you all had the fun of creating them ...then the recipient gets the joy of receiving them...the birds will get an outstanding place to call home....the gift that just keeps on giving...a real winner!

Coongrats to daughter Ashley in her award. Not long til school is out...fun time in the summer.

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

The birdhouses are great...love the color combinations and the polka dots...perfect combination...lucky Moms...

Jadehollow said...

The birdhouses are darling.. Love the colors and Love the Sizes!
Debbie

Melissa Miller said...

Rhonda they turned out gorgeous! Love the fun colors and the initials on top is the perfect touch.
What a great gift!

Thanks for your kind visit today. I've missed you!

Have a blessed week my friend. ~Melissa :)

PS YEAH ASHLEY!

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Rhonda, Congrats to Ashley! Coaches and Sportsmanship Award...AWESOME!
I love your birdhouses...they are so whimsical with those big polka dots! I love blue and green together...you are so clever to figure out how to make your own! Great Met Monday post! :-) Susan

Vee said...

Those birdhouses are wonderful, quirky, fun, whimsical...love them! Congrats to Ashley and why shouldn't you praise her, Rhonda? I mean, who'll brag on you if your mom doesn't?!

~ ~ Ahrisha ~ ~ said...

Your bird houses are too cute. Love the polka dots~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

Susan said...

Adorable!!! I never would have guest birdhouses :o)

Well you should be proud of your daughter for being honored.
Susan

Sue said...

Well those are just the sweetest things. The monogram really adds a nice touch.
Hugs,
Sue

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

What a fabulous use of some scrap lumber. I love all of the birdhouses, and such precious gifts too. Anything handmade is such a perfect gift and these are just gorgeous too. Thanks for sharing. Also, thanks for stopping by and leaving such kind and gracious comments on my LR. Hugs, Marty

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

Hi Rhonda,

Looks like you found a little money making idea!! Love them!! Are you taking orders!?! LOL ...

Congrat's to Ashley!!
Have a great week.
Warmly,
Deb :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Rhonda! Oh, these are just the cutest thing! I'll bet you could make a killing off 'em is you made bunches and sold them! Love the colors you chose.
Congratulations to Ashely!! I know you're so proud of her!
be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

What a wonderful job! They are pretty and whimisical! Congrats to your daughter too! Cindy

Pinky said...

Rhonda, just yesterday my DH said we NEED a new decorative birdhouse cause ours is fslling apart! So, naturally I said, you could Make one! And he can! So, now I will ask him VERY nicely to PLEASE make me one......like yours!!!!!!!! They are wonderful! Thanks, Pinky

Pinky said...

whoops! FALLING apart!:):)

Ribbonwood Cottage said...

This is great. What adorable birdhouses...I'd love to see some wooden eggs in those colors...woohoo! Hope your mother's day was wonderful!
Blessings,
Debbie

SmilingSally said...

This would've been such a good Blue Monday post.

Congrats to Ashley.

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

I love your bird mansions!!! Great idea on getting the circles. I would have never have thought of that. I would be trying to handpaint the circles. Thanks for visiting my blog & leaving me a comment.

Kammy said...

So Whimsey, love the colors !
Great job on them !
Hugs ~ Kammy

Unknown said...

Wow! I'm so impressed Rhonda! Those birdhouses look great!

And Congratulations to Ashley!

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

These are so cute, Rhonda!

Congratulations, Ashley!!

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hi Rhonda...

Well first of all I want to congratulate Ashley for her grand achievement...that's awesome!!! I know that you're soooo proud!!!

Well my friend, I just can't tell you how adorable your bird houses are!!! I just can't believe that these 3 beauties only cost you $5 in scrap lumber and some paint!!! They're fabulous...I love the bright colors that you chose and ohhh myyy...the polka dots just take them "out of this world"...they're sooo charming!!! They are going to look so pretty on a gate post!!! Great project...thanks so much for sharing it with us!!!

Warmest wishes,
Chari

Nicole ~ said...

Those are absolutely adorable!! I love the colors & the initials. What a great gift idea.

Have a wonderful week, Nicole

Carrie said...

What a great project. The custom birdhouses are very pleasing designs!

Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
From the Old InkWell said...

Rhonda, these are really cute! I know your mothers are loving them especially since you made them yourself. That always mean so much more.

Thanks for sharing this and for visiting my blog and your sweet comment.

Justabeachkat said...

So adorable! I was out just today shopping for new birdhouses. No luck. I wasn't happy with anything I found today...until I found yours. Lucky Moms to get one.

Congrats to Ashley.

Hugs!
Kat

onlymehere said...

YAY Ashley!! Way to go everyone else! I absolutely adore these birdhouses. I have to admit while I was reading I thought I bet they'll have a monogram.....you didn't disappoint! Also with the measurements no wonder Ashley calls them bird mansions, they're huge!! What a wonderful thoughtful gift and most importantly it came from your own two hands. I love those kind of gifts.

Robynn's Ravings said...

Those are the CUTEST things!!!!!! I want one!!! You did a great job and the color combos are among my favorites.

Hey, just wanted to say THANK YOU for your kind comments on Jadehollow's post. She was too good to me and you'd really believe me if you knew me!

Oh! And congrats to your daughter. That's GREAT!

Blessings to you! :)

Darlene said...

YAY for Ashley....what exciting awards to win! I know you are proud of her!!

CUTE, CUTE birdhouses....those are ADORABLE!!!!!! I LOVE the whimsical way you have painted them.

Dawn said...

The bird houses are WONDERFUL! You did a fantastic job on them. I am sure you could sell them for a pretty price!!! I can imagine how much they will be loved and treasured!

Congratulations to Ashely. I love those proud mom moments!

take care,
Dawn

duchess said...

They are too cute. I may have to try that myself.
Glad you had a good Mother's Day & congrats to your daughter.

Pearl said...

Hi Rhonda...
As always, your talents are endless 'n amazing... y'all did a terrific job on the Bird Mansions! They are adorable!
CONGRATULATIONS to Ashley on her awards! How exciting for her!
That was a "Berry" good post, below... glad you're enjoying your work outside of the home... Hope you're doing well, and that this is a good week for you...

~hugs 'n prayers~
Pearl

Joyce said...

Nice honor for Ashley..way to go! The birdhouse are so cute and you are so talented. I am ga-ga crazy (as my grandson would say) about the colors. Oh my! Such wonderful preppy birdhouses. I think the birds will fight over who is going to move in. Great job. They made me SMILE:)
Joyce

Traci@ Beneath My Heart said...

Love, Love, Love the birdhouses! Great idea!

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Those bird houses (mansions) are just delightful. Love the fun colors on them. Congratulations to Ashley! What honors those were, and you have reason to be very proud. laurie

Anonymous said...

Morning Rhonda! Wow stripes, dots and monograms! All my favorite things in one; add large birdhouse = fantastic!!! Really nice and inspiring too! Congratulations to Ashley!!! I never really realized how athletic you really need to be in order to make a cheer squad until my daughter was one! You also have to be strong to hold up that top girl on the pyramid!!lol You have every right to brag a little!!! Have a great week - Jeannette

Monogram Queen said...

Happy Belated Mom's Day - y'all did GOOD!!!!

9405018--Pat said...

This is sooooo cute...thanks for sharing....Pat H

nikkicrumpet said...

OH MY GOSH...those are just the cutest things! I love the polka dots...and the monograms are marvelous! I bet they were tickled pink! And congrats to Ashley...good job girl!

Beverly said...

Rhonda, I love, love, love the birdhouses. You guys did a fantastic job, and the colors are wonderful.

Congratulations to Ashley.

Rue said...

Good morning Rhonda :)

$80?! Well, yours are perfect so you should get to making more and selling them LOL They are so cute :)

Congratulations to Ashley!

xoxo,
rue

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Those are beyond adorable! I love them SO much! I might have to borrow your idea. These are the cutest things ever, Rhonda. How did you do those uniform circles? You are GOOD!

XO,

Sheila :-)

The Quintessential Magpie said...

And congrats to you daughter! :-)

WhisperWood Cottage said...

Thank you for leaving a comment on my WhisperWood Cottage blog! Great birdhouses! And congrats to Ashley!!

Amy