Staff Project: Maggie's Birdhouses

Hello, Memory Bound friends! 

At our recent Staff Crop, Maggie was busy making birdhouses using a Tim Holtz Alterations die called Artful Dwellings. These little birdhouses make perfect decorations for showers, weddings, house-warming parties, and more! But that's not all you can make with this versatile die. In today's post, I'll share a bit more with you about Maggie's fun projects.

 

 This is the Artful Dwellings die, designed to work with the Big Shot or Vagabond machine.

This is what the die looks like out of the package. As you can see, there are four styles of "house fronts" on the die.

 To make a house, you'll need to cut two pieces -- a house front and back. You can use thin chipboard, grunge board, or cardstock. Maggie used thin chipboard then covered it with cardstock.

You'll cut your own sides and roof to customize your house to the desired dimensions. You can make your house as "deep" as you want. Just cut two walls and score on either end.

If you want an opening in your house, punch a hole in the front before adhering (or use a small Movers & Shapers die when you cut the house front to create a specially shaped window). Tape the walls to the house front and back with Tacky Tape or Scor-Tape.

 

To make a roof, simply cut a piece of chipboard or cardstock a little deeper than your house, then score and fold it.

 You can use a crimper to give your roof a little more texture.

 I love how Maggie added texture to the roof with a piece of burlap! And look at the tiny wreath made from twine! She added dots of Liquid Pearls for a bit of sparkle. Imagine how sweet this would be at a shower!

 And how cute is this one? Picture birdhouses in your wedding colors at your reception!

The Artful Dwellings die can be used for much more than birdhouses. This beautiful Christmas village was on display at the recent CHA trade show. What about a Halloween village? As you can see, the only limit is your imagination!

Thanks to Maggie for sharing her adorable birdhouses with us! You can see her inspiring creations on display at Memory Bound. If you'd like to make your own, stop in for supplies!

Janet