Plaid Craft TV: How to make a shabby birdhouse condo

In this episode of Plaid Craft TV we are transforming plain wood birdhouses into a birdhouse condo with a shabby chic beach vibe.  We are using crackle finish and faux patina to create the distressed look.  We added reindeer moss, paper flowers and tiny birds to the condo with hot glue and of course we used Hot Glue Gun Helpers so we didn't burn our fingers.  To see more videos visit our pages at youtube: Plaid Craft TV at youtube or CathieandSteve at youtube.

Plaid Craft TV - Shabby Birdhouse Condo

Materials to Gather:
3 matching Plaid Birdhouses
1 Different Plaid Birdhouse (this is the topper)
Foam Paintbrushes
Detail Painters
Paper Towel
FolkArt Outdoor Paint – 1632 Calypso Sky
FolkArt Outdoor Paint – 2592 Lime Green
FolkArt Outdoor Paint – 1661 Lemon Custard
FolkArt Outdoor Paint – 1611 Baby Pink
FolkArt Outdoor Paint – 1633 Light Blue
FolkArt Outdoor Paint – 1642 Silver Sterling
FolkArt Outdoor Paint – Crackle Medium
FolkArt Outdoor Paint –1610 Wicker White
FolkArt Outdoor Paint – Blending Gel
Hot Glue
Hot Glue Gun Helpers
Embellishments: tiny birds, moss, paper flowers, pearl sprays

To Make:
1. Paint all the roofs with Calypso Sky. Paint two if the matching houses Lime Green. Paint the other matching house Lemon Custard. Paint the topper house Baby Pink. Paint details like stripes or polka-dots onto each house.

2. Faux patina the roof by dipping a scrunched up paper towel into Light Blue and Sterling Silver paint. Dap the paper towel onto the roofs of the houses.

3. Paint a layer of Crackle Medium over each house and roof. Allow the Crackle Medium to dry thoroughly. This is very important.

4. Blend 1-part Blending Gel with 1-part Whicker White. Working quickly, paint the mixture over the entire house and roof. This will create a crackled wash. Repeat for each house.

5. Place two matching houses on your work surface (side by side), turn the other matching house upside down and glue the roof to the roofs of the other two houses. Glue the topper house the base of the upside down house.

6. Embellish the condo further by hot gluing moss, tiny birds, paper flowers and pearl sprays to the houses, roofs and openings.

Plaid Craft TV - Shabby Birdhouse Condo

Materials to Gather:
1 Large Plaid Birdhouse
Hand Saw
Old Bottle for Vase
Foam Paintbrushes
FolkArt Outdoor Paint – 1632 Calypso Sky
FolkArt Outdoor Paint – 2592 Lime Green
FolkArt Outdoor Paint – 1661 Lemon Custard
FolkArt Outdoor Paint – Crackle Medium
FolkArt Outdoor Paint –1610 Whicker White
FolkArt Outdoor Paint – Blending Gel
Hot Glue
Hot Glue Gun Helpers
Embellishments: tiny birds, moss, paper flowers, pearl sprays

To Make:
1. Using the size of your bottle as a guide, cut a hole in the top of the bird house. The bottle should be able to slip into the hole and rest on the floor of the house.

2. Paint the house with Calypso Sky. Paint the base Lime Green. Paint the roof Lemon Custard. Paint the topper house Baby Pink. Paint details like stripes or polka-dots onto each house.

3. Paint a layer of Crackle Medium over each house and roof. Allow the Crackle Medium to dry thoroughly. This is very important.

4. Blend 1-part Blending Gel with 1-part Whicker White. Working quickly, paint the mixture over the entire house and roof. This will create a crackled wash. Repeat for each house.

5. Embellish the house further by hot gluing moss, tiny birds, paper flowers and pearl sprays to the houses, roofs and openings. Place the vase in the hole. Fill vase with water and place a fresh flower in the vase.