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Thursday, November 18, 2010

Little Birdies - A Dollar Tree Makeover

I got these little ceramic birds at the Dollar Tree last month.  

I was planning to winterize them (paint them white) and add them to my Winter Wonderland vignette (post on that coming soon), but ended up not using them for that.  Instead, I painted one white and the other blue and then I used some antiquing glaze to finish them off.

I took a pre-glaze photo so that those of you who've never used it before, can see what a difference it makes. 


Here they are after the glaze.  


Totally different!  I've not been won over by the blue one, but I'm in love with how the white one turned out.  



*** The glaze I use is by Valspar and the color is Asphaltum.  It's already tinted and it comes in an 8oz plastic jar.  It was around $9.  You can get quarts custom tinted, but they're around $20.  When I bought this, I'd never used a glaze before, so I didn't want to invest that kind of money.  I've used this stuff on several projects and still have over half of the jar left.

*** I went back to my local Dollar Tree today to get more birds, but all they had out were the Christmas knick-knacks.  I went to another Dollar Tree and found 4 of them.  I guess it depends on the store.  Some have packed up their "normal" knick-knacks to make room for the Christmas stuff, but they'll most likely put them back out after the holidays.




Linking to:
Fab Friday @ Frugal and Fabulous Design
Feature Yourself Friday @ Fingerprints on the Fridge 
Frugal Friday @ The Shabby Nest 
Everything but the Kitchen Sink @ A Little Knick Knack 
Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous 
Market Yourself Monday @ Sumo's Sweet Stuff 
Making the World Cuter Monday @ Making the World Cuter 
Make it $4 Monday @ Cottage Instincts  
Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping it Simple 
Met Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch 
Sat Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors 
Sunday Showcase Party @ Under the Table and Dreaming   
Get Your Craft On @ Today's Creative Blog 
Show and Tell @ Blue Cricket Design 
Whatever Goes Weds @ Someday Crafts

33 crafty peeps said:

  1. I like the makeovers! I think blue and white are both great wintet colors and the glaze totally makes them lk tres chic! Thx 4 sharing!

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  2. So cute! i love how they turned out. I might have to check at my dollar tree and see if they have them. Saw you on HoH! Stop by when you get the chance:
    www.karismaheartsavannah.blogspot.com

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  3. Very cute! I was thinking the blue one needs some sort of gray or lighter blue "crackle" or sponge technique to make it seem even older looking. I like the idea, very cool.

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  4. They look fantastic. I just love birdies!

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  5. Aww - they are so cute! Love how they turned out!

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  6. They look brilliant! I can't believe they are cheapies from the dollar shop. It's just amazing what a bit of creativity and craftiness can do. x

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  7. LOVE these! I'm tempted to hurry out to the Dollar Store myself now...hmmmm... :) Thanks for sharing!

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  8. I guess I need to get me some glaze! That stuff is awesome.

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  9. So cute, I'm def going to make those! I've been looking all over for a little white bird like that! Where did you get your Valspar glaze? I was at Home Depot and Lowes the other day and neither of them had it?

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  10. They turned out cute. I especially like the white one.

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  11. I love how those turned out! They look like beautifully antiqued stone. Lovely, great work!
    Amie @ http://kittycatsandairplanes.blogspot.com/

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  12. I think the blue one would look great in a more rustic or country decor - but next the white one - it seems out of place. But they are both adorable!

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  13. Oh your little birds turned out so cute...I really like the blue one.

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  14. Very cute! I love glaze as well--it makes such a difference! Thanks for linking your projects up!
    Hope you can join my giveaway going on now, too! Have a great weekend! http://alittleknickknack.blogspot.com/2010/11/giveaway-with-where-grass-is-greener.html

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  15. I love this! I have some birds that I sprayed heirloom white and this technique would finish it off.

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  16. i like the blue but i think red would look really cute too!

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  17. I love birds and yours are sweet! Amazing how your makeover turned out...so much better than the original!

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  18. Hi Kristi,
    Thank you so much for sharing your cute little birds. I have three little birds in need of a makeover.
    Kim
    http://kim-lettersfromtheshore.blogspot.com

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  19. Love the way they turned out!

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  20. I really like these, you've inspired me to try a little something on my own...

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  21. Thanks for sharing your tips on painting the birdies.
    ~ ~Ahrisha ~ ~

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  22. What a great idea! I have "try glazing" down on my crafty to-do list. Thanks for the inspiration! I'm starting a link party this Wednesday. I would love for you to share this! Ciao, Lucia
    wakinglucia.blogspot.com

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  23. Those are so cute! I love the idea and I'm going to go to the dollar store today! Thanks for posting. Jen

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  24. My motto is always "buy the bird", you can do so many things with them.

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  25. These came out really nice. I used glaze for the first time tonight. I loved it.

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  26. I have two of those and what a great idea. I use mine for spring decorating.

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  27. Beautiful! A work of art! I'm blog hopping and found your blog. I'm a new follower. Would love for you to check out my blog and follow back!

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  28. They are adorable...don't you just love the dollar store!

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  29. WOW. I'm going to hunt around for these at my dollar store! So charming.

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  30. Totally awsome!! I love this.........found you from blue cricket :O)
    following u for great projects-thanx for sharing!
    natalie

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  31. You have a great eye! I saw your link-up at Someday Crafts and just had to come by. I love what you did with those little birds, and am hoping my local Dollar Tree might still have some lingering around!

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  32. Sweet makeover!
    Did you know you can buy glaze by the gallon at the paint store and tint it yourself? Last time I bought it was about $30, but thats 16 cups, so less than $2 per 8 oz.
    Kathy

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