EASY MAKE BIRD HOUSES

The project we will discuss this week is one that even the kids will enjoy. Start by saving round oatmeal containers, coffee cans (any size) Half gallon size (paper type) milk cartons, small cardboard boxes, creamer containers, etc. My mission is to find a way to recycle every piece of trash we have, before we are through. HA! BUT, seriously this is a really fun, cute project. We will start with the milk carton style. Turn the carton so that the point on the top is in the center, because this is going to be your roof. Now, cut approximately a one and 1/2 inch hole, about two thirds of the way down from the top. Next, cut a tiny slit just under that and stick a twig in there (about an inch down). To secure it put a big glob of hot glue on the inside. The roof is next, so find a piece if cardboard, either type, corrugated or cereal box, make the roof and glue it down. You could also use things like, an old piece of tin, etc. Be creative! Now, gesso the hole thing, before painting. If you do not have gesso, you could use primer instead. Once that has dried, it is ready to paint and decorate. Let your imagination go! Next we will do a round one, like for instance the oatmeal container. You will go through all the same steps, except for the roof, which you will fashion from a peice of the thinner cardboard. To make it, simple cut a long, rectangular piece and twist it into a cone shape that will fit as the roof. Glue that together and trim as necessary. The same principles apply to all shapes, you will just have to alter them slightly according to the particular shape. You can make individual bird houses or even make a colony. Either way you will enjoy the project, as well as the end result. Remember though, these bird houses are for the interior only, being made from cardboard they would not survive the weather, regardless of how well protected they are. I would like to add a couple of interesting ideas for this project also. Do all the same steps, other than cutting the hole, instead you will paint the hole on, in black. Then cut a thin slit in the roof, this will make a really cute piggy bank for a childs room. You could also use this last method, BUT cut a larger hole in the roof, and sit a plant down inside. You could make a pencil holder, toothbrush holder, etc. I hope you and the kids enjoy this fun new project, and please be sure to let me know how it turns out!

TIP: To break down the stiffness in new jeans, pour about half a box of rock salt into the wash water, and remember to fade them, use bleach along with it.

'Til Next Week - Terri Landrum