Milk Carton Bird House

I wasn't going to get that darn ol' bird punch! You know, the cute one in the Occasions Mini Catalog that punches the bird, wing, and branch all at once. (Extra Large Two-Step Bird Punch, #117191, $15.96) I was doing great to resist the purchase...until I saw this project!

I first saw this bird house made from the Mini Milk Carton die (#117310, $32.95) on Jackie Topa's blog in December. She is some kind of creative genius, I swear! It was my downline Barb Hopper's version that she swapped at Leadership Conference that I CASEd for Stamp Club...and a downline meeting. In total, I prepped for 60 of these little bird houses. Actually, I have to give credit to my hubby! HE die-cut and textured 60 of these milk carton boxes to help me prep for this project. He is the epitome of "supportive husband" and I love to brag about it. I've said it before -- I couldn't do what I do if it wasn't for his love and support...and at times like this, literally his HELP!

Ok, a few details on the bird house and then I'm off to recline on the couch! As I mentioned, the bird house is the Mini Milk Carton die (#117310, $32.95) cut out from Kraft cardstock and texturized with the Texturz Plate Kit #4. Fold on all the score lines. With the small flap on your left, fold up the second bottom flap and punch a 1" circle in the middle. (Don't worry: the bottom flap will get covered by the other bottom flaps so no one will see that hole!)

Apply sticky strip as shown above and assemble the box. (The bottom flap with no adhesive ends up being the very bottom of the box.) Staple the top, leaving a space in the middle. The roof is 2" x 4", folded in half. I used the Sale-a-bration Scallop Trim Border Punch on the edges. Place it on top of the house and punch a 1/8" circle between the two staples (which are now covered by the roof). Tie Hemp Twine. Instead of designer paper on the wing, I sponged Not Quite Navy ink on the same color cardstock and popped it up with a dimensional. Stick a bag of candy inside (or bird seed or sunflower seeds!) or use a Window Sheet to cover the opening and put the candy right in.

Don't have the Milk Carton die? Try turning the 2-4-6 box into a bird house. Click here for instructions on making a 2-4-6 box.

Supplies: Not Quite Navy ink & cardstock, Kraft cardstock, Always Artichoke cardstock, Chocolate Chip cardstock, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Extra Large Two-Step Bird Punch, Mini Milk Carton Die, 1" Circle Punch, Sticky Strip, Stapler, 1/8" Hole Punch, Hemp Twine

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