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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Small Wonder Cards

I've been packaging up Whimsical Wings Card Kits to send out this week and will be including this card as my thank you note. They are 4-1/4" x 4-1/4" square cards accented with the Beautiful Wings die-cut butterflies. I couldn't decide which layout I liked best: having three grouped together on the top note or two on the top note and one more by the greeting. What do you think?

I actually made this card before the card kit and the colors from the Shades of Spring Designer Series Paper inspired the color palette for the card kit. It's not too late to order the card kit. Click here for more information and "click to buy" links.

Supplies: Whimsical Words (SAB), Orchid Opulence ink, Whisper White cardstock, Pretty in Pink cardstock, Certainly Celery cardstock, So Saffron cardstock, Shades of Spring DSP, Scallop Trim Border Punch (SAB), Top Note die for the Big Shot, Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Stampin' Dimensionals

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Free Stamp Set of the Month: Love Bug

Thanks to everyone who placed an order with me in January! I drew one winner from all of the online and email orders and Gail S. from Wilmington is the lucky stamper to win the Love You Much stamp set! Congratulations, Gail!

It's a new month and time for a new free stamp set giveaway! Each month, I will give away a free stamp set. To be eligible for the drawing, all you have to do it place an online order (email orders count too!) that is not part of a club or workshop. You'll get one entry for each order that you place with me between February 1-28. I'll draw a winner on March 1st. This month's stamp set is Love Bug, a current hostess set. You can also earn this set of 6 for FREE when you host a workshop. Call or email me to schedule your next party!


Check out these samples using Love Bug that I posted on my blog in recent months: Welcome Baby Bug Card | Birthday Bonanza

Ready to place an order now? Click here to go right to my online store and shop from the convenience and comfort of your home.

Click HERE to Order Stampin' Up! Products Online, Anytime!