A Ballard Designs Inspired Bird, and a couple other things

Have you seen these canaries in the Ballard Designs catalog?

image from ballarddesigns.com

I like the little guys but they range from $24-$39! I don't even spend that kind of money on tennis shoes!

So guess what I made from this...

Yep, my own version:

Isn't it lovely?

Hello, little fella.

I found the candlestick at the thrift store for 10¢ and bought the birdie at Dollar Tree. The dowel rod I already had. I glued it all together (in stages) using E6000. I painted the whole thing using {Berkshire White} Satin Latex paint from Wal-Mart. 

Now you're probably wondering why I didn't just spray paint it. Several reasons. For one, I don't have anywhere to use it but outside. Right now it is just too cold. Another reason is spray paint can get costly! I can get way more projects painted from my gallon of latex paint. Sure, spray paint would be much easier and faster, but it's all about the $$ here! 

I did break down and buy a quart of Ralph Lauren Smoke glaze. I've seen such good results by other ladies who use this. I have to say, this stuff is just what it's made out to be! I. LOVE. IT. Paint on, wipe of, excellent results! That's what I used on this project.

Now, do you see the Happiness plaque in the background? I found it at Dollar Tree, too.

                                   BEFORE                                                                    

AFTER

I used the same technique here, paint with Berkshire White, glaze with RL Smoke. I think it looks so much better! What's up with the bright yellow sides, anyway??

One last thing. Take a close look at my twine balls in the basket.

Can you tell what I used? No? Take a closer look...

Practice Baseballs from Dollar Tree...5 in a pack!!! I didn't get them all done before I took pictures. I just hot glued the twine on to them and, no, the holes were not a problem! By the way, that fantastic green twine came from Wal-Mart! It's called Garden Jute Twine! I found it with the rest of the rope and twine but it's likely to be in the garden section, too.

Many, many more projects started...none finished. *sigh*

~Rebekah
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