I'm a true animal lover, and over the years, from childhood to parenthood, I've been a mother to many.
Pets in all shapes and sizes from dogs and cats, hamsters, rabbits to hermit crabs, frogs, turtles, fish and one parakeet named Tweety.
Who's last on that list for a reason.
Maybe it's thanks to Alfred Hitchcock and my history with his terrifying movie. Or perhaps it's because they're not soft and cuddly like the others. Honestly though, I think it all goes back to Tweety.
The parakeet that used fly over my preteen head, tangling my hair in his sharp claws or locking his beak onto my finger with a very painful grip.
Yeah, that wasn't fun.
However, when it comes to decor. I say bring 'em on.
My house is filled with duck decoys, roosters, chickens, songbirds and swans. Some I've been gifted, some I've created, but most have been thrifted.
Here are just a few of my "birdy" DIYs:I just can't resist, especially if the price is right.
Like this country style, 1980's wooden swan, I picked up back in May of 2024 for $5. She was 50% off...a major score.
There was something about her shape and size that drew me in.
The wood was lovely, but dated, which is probably why she was on sale, but I knew that with a little creativity I could change all that.
Of course, it took me over a year to get to her with so many other thrift store finds to makeover.
I painted her early on, covering her body in white, giving me a blank palette to work on, but then the work stopped.
Originally, I thought I would cover her in fabric, like my old wooden sled.
Then a few months ago, I picked up some discount floral transfers and a new idea was born.
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| //See Transfers Here// |
First, I used them to reimagine an old round wooden bathroom sign, but this time those flowers became feathers.
I applied them carefully, according to the directions.
If you'd like to see exactly how I put them on, you can peek at one of my many transfer posts:Once her body was covered with the large blooms, I moved onto to the details, like giving her an eye.
For that I chose a small bud that resembled one with lashes.
And lastly I placed a thin vine leaf near her chest, as a design element to tie the whole composition together.
When I was done, I was absolutely thrilled with my newest thrift store trash to treasure piece.
One that looks fabulous in the living room, perched on the fireplace mantel.
Warming up the room with her majestic makeover.
Even better, she's large enough to be a dramatic focal point, no matter where she nests.
Kitchen, family room, hallway, my five dollar find looks right at home in my cottage style home.
And best of all, she doesn't bite.
😉
Do you have a decor obsession?
Happy Crafting, Friends!
Your parakeet was a naughty, naughty bird! No wonder you're afraid of them.
ReplyDeleteYes! Hahaha...talk about your childhood trauma! Honestly though, from afar, I think they're lovely. From afar! 😉
DeleteWhat a gorgeous makeover! The finished piece looks nothing like the original. You crafted a classy and cottage feel. BTW, you are a far better person than me. My scary childhood pet was a white canary that gave me nightmares. Thirty years later and I still can’t buy anything with a picture of a bird on it to place in my home.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I really like this one...and my goodness, I thought I was the only one with a scary pet bird tale. Kind of terrifying, right?
DeleteI am so sorry you had a frightening incident with a bird. I can understand your fear. Kim, this is absolutely gorgeous. Happy 😊 New Year to you ❤️
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, thanks so much. She is a pretty swan now and like I said, completely harmless! Happy New Year!
DeleteShe turned out so pretty! What an awesome makeover!! =)
ReplyDeleteHi Dotte! I'm so glad you think so, too. This one has a piece of my heart. ❤️
DeleteBeautiful makeover. She's a pretty swan.
ReplyDeleteThanks much, Cindy! She's certainly much more my style now.
DeleteAs always, it is perfect!
ReplyDeletePat, you are the sweetest!! ❤️
DeleteAs always, it's perfect.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pat!! You're the best!
DeleteAwww...she's super pretty now, enjoying her moment! I don't really have a decor obsession, but for some reason, people cannot stop giving me owl-themed stuff...its gotten a little out of hand. I enjoy birds out in the wild, too, not in my hair! YIKES.
ReplyDeleteHaha...yeah, that memory lives on and on in my head. Definitely one I would prefer to forget. 🤣 That's funny about the owls. It's funny how those things get started. I just sent an owl ornament to my sister, because it rhymes with her last name. I'm sure she gets a ton of them, too...and I don't even know if she likes them!!
DeleteThat turned out great, Kim. Love the 'eyedea' of a bud for an eye. The perfect compliment to the body. That makes me wonder whatever happened to a large white sculpted swan I did many years ago. It sat on my dining room sideboard for a long time and I nestled flowers around her neck. Hmmm....I know it took a ton of fiberfill and the wings were filled and then sculpted with stitching. I think I should make another one. I'm pretty sure I probably have the pattern in my stash of old patterns somewhere. Happy First Week of January- xo Diana
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Diana!! I like your 'eyedea' play on words. You're so creative...with words and crafts! Your swan sounds beautiful. I can picture her and you should make another one. I was in HomeGoods the other day and it was covered in swans!! Towels, aprons, pillows, blankets and artwork. I guess they're trendy again!! xo
DeleteKim, I'm with you about the birds. My grandmother's old Muscovy duck was the reason for my fears but your new friend is stunning and can't do any harm sitting there looking so beautiful..Happy New Year, my friend..xxoJudy
ReplyDeleteOh...Muscovy ducks are not nice. I've seen them once or twice and they've always been a bit scary!! Thankfully, as you said, my swan is harmless! Phew!! xo
DeleteBeautiful make over, I have to try those transfers, thanks for the idea! ~B
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!! You should try them...so easy to use and you really do get some very dramatic results!
DeleteOh my gosh what a great re love. He looked so angel and now he looks soft and happy. Love the transfers. Ha Ha about the birds movie. That movie was so scary. Hugs. Kris
ReplyDeleteThanks Kris! It's a totally different bird now...and a much less scary one!! Hahaha!! xo
DeleteWow! If you hadn't shown the before and after photos I would never have believed that was the same cutout! Your redo is just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThanks Joanne!! 💕 That's just the kind of reaction I was going for...woot, woot!!
DeleteShe turned out so beautiful! - Briana from Texas
ReplyDeleteThank you Briana! I'm smitten with this one...
DeleteWhat a beautiful makeover! I love how you created the eye, Kim - so clever. You really are the 'Transfer Queen' my friend. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ann! I do love those transfers and that title! Maybe I need a new tote bag now! 😉 💕
DeleteHa... she does not bite.
ReplyDeleteI love your creativity.
When I was little my parents had some geese. I was walking alone from the barn to the house, my mom not too far behind. The geese started to circle around me and one pulled my pants down!!
She definitely does not bite! Oh my!! That's actually super funny, but I would be scarred forever!!!
DeleteKim, I can't believe this makeover you did to the swan. It looks so beautiful and you did a great job!
ReplyDeleteThanks Julie! It definitely turned out way better than I expected. I hope you're having a great week!
DeleteKim, such a dramatic makeover. It looks so pretty. Sorry to hear about your parakeet story. I love birds, especially my hummingbirds who reside here year round. I used to have cockatiels and a sun conure. When I married Paul, he had 2 African Greys. They loved me more than him. They were so smart.
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda! This bird I adore...and don't get me wrong, I loved Tweety. He just had a feisty temperament! I do enjoy bird watching from afar...listening to the owls at night, chatting with the seagulls at the beach (they're very nosy), watching the ducks and swans in the water and the birds in my yard. We even have eagles who fly over my house regularly and lately there's been a raven who comes by to eat the seeds. He is huge - but his caw is a little bit chilling!! It sounds like you had some better luck with pet birds! I bet they were wonderful to be around!
DeleteOh wow, Kim, what a makeover and with my favorite color of red! She really makes a beautiful statement on your mantle. ❤️
ReplyDeleteI just had to add red to this fine feathered find, Kitty! Thanks for sweet words and the visit!!
DeleteHaha! That's so funny!!! I had parakeets when I was in high school...and now I prefer chickens - they don't really "fly". 🤣🤣🤣 Your swan makeover is so cute and looks perfectly in your cozy cottage!!!
ReplyDeleteAre chickens any friendlier than parakeets? I wonder...but for now, I'm happy with my flightless, flower covered swan! Thanks for the visit!!
DeleteMiss Swan turned out just beautifully! I love her “eye”! 💕
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! I like that eye, too...love those flowery transfers!
DeleteWhat a beautiful makeover, Kim! I was amazed at the transformation of this "ugly duckling"! You are amazing! Wishing you a blessed and wonderful New Year!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Marilyn!! I had fun transforming this ugly duckling. Flowers to the rescue!! Happy New Year my friend!
DeleteHi Kim and Happy New Year! This turned out so fabulous, I absolutely love it! It looks perfect in your home! Can't wait to see what else you do in 2026!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Donna!! This one might be hard to top, I'm quite smitten...but I will definitely have fun trying. 💕
DeleteYou sound like Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory, he was terrified of birds as well. Truth be told, I do like them, and I love this wooden bird both before and after. You did do a phenomenal and very clever job redoing it.
ReplyDeleteThat's so funny, Pattie! This one has charm from the get go. I just gave her a makeover to match my decor, but she was fabulous before. I agree!
DeleteWow! What an incredible make over. It's barely recognizable from the original. Amazing.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Amy! I just couldn't leave her behind in the shop, I knew she had potential.
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