March 27, 2008

Welcome To My Bird-Home ... The Door Is Open, Come On In!

This has been an amazing journey. I signed up to "Bling My Birdhouse" some time ago. I never knew my exact plan, but had a few ideas in my head.

I purchased two wood houses, painted them off white, and set them on my desk to brainstorm as I went by. My desk is actually my floor. I don't enjoy sitting at my desk(s) too much. I grew up working with my mom on the floor and that way I can spread things all around me, and trust me, I do.

When on my usual trips to the craft stores, I would see items I might use... papers, wooden shapes, etc. But is was a huge, and I mean past month huge, process. I can't tell you how much time I spent on my home, but in between my other projects, or when the mood hit me, I would create. Once the idea was in my head, I had to complete it.

I am really proud of myself as an artist and really love how it turned out. I hope that you enjoy it too.

It can't be a birdie home, without a little birdie tea party inside complete with a picture on the wall and a pretty little carpet.


German glass glitter and mica flakes were some of the "bling" items I used. I also added bling with rhinestones on the door, door knob, and "hinges". The flowers in the pot are beaded onto wire, but I purchased those already made. I cut out a little pot, added some rickrack and another rhinestone.



I made this little flower on the perch myself. I had to use my tweezers to pick up and place these iddy bitty rhinestones.

I have always loved Fleur de Leas, and it wouldn't be a birdhouse of mine without a little Parisian flair. Wait until you see the back.



After I added the black and white trip to the roof is when it really started to make sense to me and become my creation.


More trim, glitter, mica, and rhinestones. I also added rhinestones along the roof line on each side.


This is a window that I drew inside of this pretty floral pic I got from the magnificent Graphics Fairy ( see link under "favorites" to the right). I LOVE this woman! I used Crystal Effects on the actual window to give it the appearance of being... a window. I found this window on an old Victorian home during my research and tried to recreate it. My husband had no clue that it was a window, but I hope that you will.


I love vintage sheet music, so I had to include that on my home. I also love Parisian looking patterns, and have recently enjoyed black and cream patterns.


NOW THAT'S A RHONDA HOUSE! I just had to add a little Eiffel Tower. And if you know me, you completely understand. You know how, years ago, people would sometimes put their last name's initial on their chimney? I drove by a house like that the other day and instead of adding it to the "steeple" I put it on the back inside some scalloped ovals.



Toile patterns are one of my absolute favorite. I would love to have a bedroom with toile all over; fabric walls, curtains, pillows, canopy, bedding, etc. etc.


An old local home I love has bottles on the window panes all the way across. It looks so wonderful on an older home from the outside. My home isn't old, but I have done the same thing with my collection of clear white, purple, and pink glass bottles. Again, I added the Crystal Effects to make it seem like windows. I didn't draw this one though, it is an actual picture.



So there you go. I hope that you enjoyed my bird house. I have worked long and hard on it and I will miss adding to my little treasure. Well, my foot high treasure. I purchased two homes at the time, so guess what a future project will be?

If someone wanted to buy my home, I would be so honored and feel so wonderful that someone loved my work. I haven't decided yet. I think I might enjoy it for a bit. If someone was interested and contacted me, I would consider. Or, I might list it in my Etsy shop down the road. I haven't thought about it as much as I should. I have just been so busy creating it and getting it ready for today, that I haven't crossed that bridge yet. I guess if you are interested, just let me know.

I would LOVE to hear from you if you have time to comment. Thanks for visiting and come back soon.

Thank you so much also to the amazing Karla and Beth for hosting yet another grand and wonderful event! You have both helped me to become more creative and artistic by giving us all this wonderful challenge. Have fun exploring more homes and have a great day! Now go and Bling something!


22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Rhonda I just love your houses! So much detail that is just great! Thanks so much for sharing them!

jennalee said...

love your birdhouse. Great detail. Check out mine, I'll be giving it away!

Siobhan said...

Lovely birdhouses, well done. Siobhan xo

Anonymous said...

So very sweet! Thanks for sharing your pretties with us in blogland! The glass glitter and french accents are my favorite! I look forward to reading more of your blog. Feel free to take a peek at my birdhouse on my blog...it's been such a fun party!

Best,

Rosalyn-Sue
www.thelittlebluebirddiaries.typepad.com

Beth Leintz said...

Wow- your house was a labor of love! The spool furniture is just darling!

Teacup Mosaics said...

WOW-I love the birdie home and the process, thanks for sharing.

LW said...

I love this birdhouse...

It's so Ooh la la...

Louise

Lolly said...

Oh my gosh! I love your bird-palace!! I love everything about it from the outside in - even using spools as a table and chair for the tea party....wonderful!
I couldn't get my act together to bling my own birdhouse but I am enjoying checking out others! Yours is wonderful!
~Lolly

Betty said...

Oh!! I love your birdhouse! We were thinking along the same lines although your birdhouse is much more detailed. I had a little tea party and spools are also part of my decor!

Miss Rhea said...

Very Pretty, Love all the glitter !!

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

Fascinating little details! wow, the bottles in the window and the spool tables are so cute!

bluemuf said...

What a fantastic little house. You haven't missed any special detail. I love the birds having tea.

Karen

Valerie said...

I really lingered over your birdhouse. The details!

the windows, that steeple, roof, then the open door with the silver tea set.

You put a lot of time into this amazing birdhouse (or birdmansion!).

cherished*vintage said...

Beautiful detail! I love the tea set inside. I used a fleur-de-lis candlestick for part of my birdhouse - please come by for a visit.
-Karoline

Lori said...

what a honey of a bird~house:) you really went all out with the details and made something very special!!! love it!!!

Jessi Nagy said...

just darling! i love love love your home!
oxoxoox,
jessi

Emma's Paper Patch said...

wow!! look at all that detail! the tea party for your birdies is just the best! tfs
alissa

Kathy said...

I agree with Lolly...this IS a palace.
So awesome Rhonda.
And may I say, you pictures are always great.
Boo with a ~XX~
Kathy

Jeanie said...

The pink and green is so pretty, and thanks for including the instructions/supplies you used. Do stop by The Marmelade Gypsy to check out birdland in my world!

Free Art Printables said...

Congrats! You won my drawing! Send me your e-mail so I can mail it to you!
Jen R

Sandy said...

Can I come to tea with your little birdie? She is the hostess with the mostest cute birdhouse!

Cindy said...

So very whimsical and fun! I love it!

c