Monday, March 28, 2011

Birdhouse project...

Since the title of the post is birds, bees, berries, and blooms, I figure I had better talk about birds at some point.  Here is an easy project for our feathered friends. 
    I love doing projects using the resources around me.  With 20 acres of aspen, birch, oak, and pines, I have lots of natural resources.  One project I enjoyed this summer involved making birdhouses out of downed aspen trees.  There are several aspen trees on the ground around our home.  Many were at one time bird houses.  I stress I used trees that had fallen over.  I don't what anyone to think I was cutting down little bird homes. 
     First, I cut above and below the holes.  I then scraped off the bark and sanded the outside to show off the worm galleries.  Some didn't need a top and bottom, but most did.  I stained the outside to slow deterioration and  reused some old wire we found on the property as hangers.  We love to shed hunt for antlers and I used the smaller ones as decorative perches. 
Beginning, middle, and final project.
      It was a fun project and they make great gifts.  When my sister came out this winter, I let my nieces each pick a birdhouse.  Then when I went to my sister's to help with the floors in the new house.  I was really excited to go with the girls to their new farm and let them pick where to put their bird houses.  It was a wonderful experience.   We spent the rest of the day checking to see if any birds have moved in. 
     If you have a few old trees on the ground I highly recommend this project.  It didn't cost a penny, but was a productive way to spend a couple of weekends and led to a great day with my nieces.

Good Lord!  Slow down Aunt Bonnie isn't that fast.

6 comments:

  1. I just found your blog (thanks to you leaving me a comment) and just went back and read every post. What a beautiful area and cabin you live in. I love your rose garden. The birdhouses are so cute, what a great idea. I bet your nieces love them and I hope they have birds nesting in them soon.
    I'm looking forward to seeing how your garden grows this spring and fall.

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  2. Those birdhouses are cool, you did an awesome job on them! Wish I had some old trees here that have fallen down.

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  3. Those birdhouses are lovely! I might have to go kicking through our woods tomorrow to find just the tree for such a project. I'm so glad the Barn Hop led me here.

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  4. Beautiful and so creative! Love those! I will show my hubby.. I be he will want to try and make one!
    Deb

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  5. Honey, you sure are a BUSY girl, and those poor nieces of yours...they must be pooped out.

    Love what you're doing!

    Sharon

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  6. Your birdhouses are much more creative them mine. I really like them. You can see mine on page four of my website http://www.adirondack-furniture.us You may also enjoy reading my wife's blog www.bibleencouragement.org

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