Teal & Lime has created a darling DIY Modern Bird Feeder that is sure to give your yard or garden a chic look!
Eager to get our hands on some power tools, the gals of The Crafty Collaborative dove right in!
Please click here to visit Teal & Lime and see the instructions that we followed!
Reviewer #1 – Sarah
Mission: To use my husband’s power drill and get crafty at the same time while making a darling feeder for our neighborhood birdies.
Details:
- I searched the aisles of Target for the melamine plates I ended up going with – it took me awhile to decide which ones I wanted…I am a picky lady!
- I opted for plates that had a mix of turquoise, red and orange in the design. A little pop of color outside is always a fun thing. My only complaint was that I couldn’t find any plates where the bottom was also a solid color – only white.
- After taping and marking the center of each plate, I found a scrap piece of wood in our garage and set to work drilling the holes. This was easier than I had anticipated. Because the hook I bought was 3/8” in width that is the bit I used. It took a bit longer than I thought it would to drill through the plate and it did chip a bit.
- Once the plates were drilled, the next few steps went quickly because I wasn’t using the caulk/glue to adhere the top plate to the hook.
- Once it was all complete, I hung it from one of our birch trees along our driveway. We have many birdhouses along our driveway, and a plethora of birds around, so they dug in right away! I did just use a paperclip to hang it, but need to determine a more permanent option in the near future.
Tips & Tricks Learned:
My husband was so kind to show me how to change out a bit on the power drill and was there if I needed his help. Using the painter’s tape and marking the center spot-on were keys in getting this to work right.
In addition, being pregnant, I wanted to avoid using anything with stinky fumes, so I received a tip about using a piece called a Shaft Collar
underneath the top plate (the larger of the two) to secure it in place. This not only saved me from having to smell toxic fumes, but also saved me time, as I was able to complete this project all is one day!
Pros:
Super fun to put together – really easy actually.
And, I love how it turned out. Our birdies LOVE the feeder!!
Cons:
Can’t think of any!
Conclusion:
Loved this project and want to make more – would be fantastic gifts and you can easily personalize them based on the plate choices, bird feed choice, etc.
Reviewer #2 - Kristy
Mission: I thought it would be interesting to do this, especially using a power tool while drilling into plates! I gave it a shot even though I really don’t have a place for a bird feeder…so my plan was give as a gift!
Details:
- I found two summer plates on sale so I bought them. Thinking if this turns out, I can also paint these since I am super handy with spray paint these days!
- I purchased the E-6000 glue
- Went to Home Depot for a washer, large eye hook, and 2 bolts
- You will need your handy dandy power drill with bit. I did get some assistance from Mike on this project.
Tips & Tricks Learned:
Well, I can say is that mine did not go as planned. I was a tad bit scared of the project from the beginning so I likely wasn’t going into this with the most positive attitude. I think you should drill with protective eye wear as I had pieces of plate flying across the room.
Also, be careful with the drill BE SURE to drill over a wooden block. Since in the moment I thought I had master drilling skills, I proceeded to drill over my sofa cushion. Big mistake, I now have a hole in my cushion! OOPS!
Pros:
Very inexpensive! Costs me about $10.00 and the majority was the E6000 glue which costs me about $6.00 from Joann’s.
Cons:
My plate broke; as a result, my project didn’t turn out. The plate was a bit more fragile than I had anticipated.
Conclusion:
I guess I just became a little frustrated when my plate broke and ruined my sofa cushion. I know, not a smart move on my part but it did affect my mood on this project and whether I wanted to try it again. In the photo, you will notice I am holding my home made bird feeder; this is because the hole was so large that the top plate wouldn’t hold!
Learn from my mistakes and I bet you will make a beautiful bird feeder! Happy drilling!
Reviewer #3 - Maren
Mission: Make a darling serving piece to hold a smorgasbord for the local birdies.
My mom seems to think that this is more of a “squirrel feeder,” but I disagree. I also don’t know if I am too concerned – I like squirrels too, they’re funny.
Details:
After my monthly chat with the wonderful people of my local Ace Hardware store to tell them all about our projects, we came up with an absolutely brilliant idea. Use this handy little thing called a Shaft Collar instead of glue to hold the top plate in place. It’s a little bolt with an allen-wrench thing inside that makes it so it can hug the eye hook where there was no threading for a nut! Genius! Simply purchase one in the size of the inner diameter of your eye hook.- I could not keep my big mouth shut about this amazing idea and had to tell Sarah…
Tips & Tricks Learned:
MELAMINE PLATES ARE FRAGILE!!!
I think that one contributing factor here is that the only eye hook that I could find that was 8″ was also 3/8″ in diameter. That is a big drill bit! I think that if you could find a slimmer eye hook, and use a smaller drill bit, you may have more success here.
After blasting through 3 large plates, I stopped to have a tantrum, and then finally got a hole through a smaller plate (tiny melamine chips were flying at my eyeballs). As nerdy as it sounds, I think that wearing protective eyewear is a must here.
My tiniest [lower] plate was more like rubber, and that was a piece of cake. I would stick with more of a rubbery plastic if you can find it!
Once I had holes in my plates, assembly was a snap! Totally easy!
Pros:
Easy to do, and totally adorable. The birdies at our new house will be so happy!
Cons:
Breaking plates – although I think that if you can find the right type, you can totally avoid this!
Conclusion:
This project was easy and fun. With the plethora of plastic plates and bowls out there, you could certainly find the right combo that works for your yard, or a friends for a gift.
After thinking a little about my mom’s “squirrel feeder” comment, I ended up purchasing a Rubber Serving Tray
(which I painted to look like zinc and then weather-proofed), a rubber bowl, some Silicone Sealant
, two washers and made a hanging bird bath!!
…Or I suppose, it could be a squirrel troff! LOL
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Full of Great Ideas has shared her Natural Weed Killer concoction with us, assuring that we won’t grow a 3rd eyeball using it!
Always on the hunt for safe products to use around our kids and pets, we were eager to test this recipe out on our toughest lawn offenders!
Please click here to visit Full of Great Ideas and see the instructions that we followed!
Reviewer #1 - Amanda
Mission: To put some weeds down with a safe solution.
Details:
- So I used a slightly different source post when I made this weed killer but found my variation to also be effective. Instead of using pickling vinegar I ended up using cider vinegar.
Tips & Tricks Learned:
I got a little frustrated at the speed of which the solution was dispensing out of my tiny spray bottle and decided to use the dumping method instead. It was very effective!
I also made only a quarter of a batch instead of a whole batch (1qt cider vinegar, 1/8 cup of salt and a couple squirts of Dawn dish soap).
I let the weed killer work its magic overnight before taking the “after” pics (which aren’t great considering my weeds really intermingle with a lot of other crap).
Pros:
Cheap, quick and it worked!
Cons:
STINKY!!!
Conclusion:
I think it might take a couple of douses before you could really get rid of the weeds but it definitely killed what I wanted and oddly didn’t kill the random grass growing in with the weeds in the rock bed. I will be trying this again for sure!
Reviewer #2 - Sheri
Mission: To once and for all win the never-ending battle of weeds that invade my walkway, my gardens, and my yard like ants to a dropped Popsicle. I would have to spend a fortune on toxic weed killer to keep up with the crabgrass infestation that occurs every year. I was thrilled to see this recipe for weed killer using basic and inexpensive ingredients via Full of Great Ideas’ blog.
Details:
- Only three ingredients: 1 gallon of vinegar, ½ a cup of salt, and a squeeze of dish soap.
- Just combine and get spraying. Take that!
Tips & Tricks Learned:
Don’t just follow the instructions that are on the Pinterest Pin. Go to the site for the recipe. The site suggests using pickling vinegar because it is more acidic. Yeah, I screwed that up and used cider vinegar. I’m thinking my results might have been better had I read the instruction directly from the site. Grr.
Pros:
Inexpensive and easy to do.
Cons:
It didn’t work too well and it stinks to high heaven. I could smell it from my second floor window. I had to shut the window and light a candle.
Conclusion:
I was super disappointed in this one and now I want to try it again using pickling vinegar. I can see that it started to wilt the dreaded crabgrass, but it didn’t kill it. The major drawback for me was the stench, but at least it’s outside, rather than inside. I guess I’ll go back to blistered fingers. I’m admitting defeat.
Reviewer #3 – Mandy
Mission: Kill those nasty devils hanging out all over my yard!
Details:
- I followed the recipe as written except for using pickling vinegar. The regular vinegar worked so well in the Soap Scum Killa recipe that I thought I’d give it a shot. (Plus, a girl gets lazy after work sometimes and just doesn’t want to run another errand.)
Tips & Tricks Learned:
Ok, so follow the recipe and use pickling vinegar. It so didn’t work!! Retry.
Pros:
If this really works – so easy, cheap and quick!
Cons:
I really can’t handle the smell of vinegar. Pew!! After I put it on the weeds, I could practically smell it from down the road.
Conclusion:
Do it right and you’ll hopefully give those weeds a fight!
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We loved the simple and charming look of these living crafts, so the gals of The Crafty Collaborative just had to try this project out for ourselves!
Please click here to visit More Design Please and see the instructions that we followed!
Reviewer #1 - Amanda
Mission: Create planters out of tea cups to brighten my office space.
Details:
I opted for rocks found in my landscaping instead of purchasing pebbles.
I also used some tea cups I had purchased (cheaply) at a second hand store for a tea party I threw for my daughter. I actually spray painted them because they were definitely old but not in a good way!
I ordered my succulents from this lovely Etsy shop at a steal ($10 for 10!) Bkyard Paradise
Tips & Tricks Learned:
Trying to get all of my little succulents into the tea cups was hard with just two hands. It would have been helpful to have another set handy. Maybe next time I will let my kids help!?
Pros:
This is a great way to re-use and an even better way to brighten up a space.
Cons:
I am not totally sure that the succulents will handle the cup size well and actually survive but that is more my mistake than anything written in the original posting for this DIY.
Conclusion:
I have to admit I am in love with my new little buddies. They actually bring a smile to my face and would make a great get well gift or really for any occasion.
Reviewer #2 - Maren
Mission: To make a sweet little gift for myself!
Details:
- Succulent from the grocery store (I grabbed the smallest one they had and it still seemed huge!)
- The biggest mug that I could find, for $3 at Marshalls
- Tiny river pebbles from the JoAnn
Tips & Tricks Learned:
Do this outside. If you do it inside, like I did… and near the sink… like I did… you may end up with little rocks in your garbage disposal. Shit.
There was a ton of dirt in the little pot that my plant came in – so I didn’t get any extra.
Don’t water these suckers until they’re bone dry. I am a [unintentional] plant murderer; but I have learned that I can handle a succulent. They love neglect! Seriously! I once tried to be better about watering the one I had at my office… dead. Now I just accept that they’re perfect for me, and do what I do best, forget about taking care of them.
Also – succulents seem to do better when their roots are a little crowded. I think that this cup should be a good size for now, but my plant will have to get an upgrade as it gets bigger.
Pros:
Quick! This project only took about 5 minutes to actually complete and I am in LOVE with the result! What a little cutie!
I think that this is a nice way to get smaller succulents started. You can enjoy them on a table or shelf while they’re little, and then replant them somewhere else when they get bigger.
Cons:
None, unless you’re me and you like to put rocks down your drain.
Conclusion:
This project is totally easy, and would make a great gift! I think that they have a lot more character and charm when in a cute cup, than the plastic pot they come in from the store.
Succulents are my favorite, and they seem to be pretty popular these days, too! I will definitely do this project again – so I’ll be on the lookout for those lonely cups at the thrift store!
Reviewer #3 - Kristy
Mission: I was not born with a green thumb, everything I touch dies within 2 weeks. Case in point, my formerly green and beautiful basil and chives plants… dead after two weeks. This is why I chose this project, as I figured succulents are hard to kill so maybe I could actually keep a plant alive. Let’s hope!
Details:
- Two beautiful succulents that I picked up at Home Depot. I am hoping they remain this beautiful.
- This was simple. There was enough potting soil from the plant to replant. I simply flipped over the plant and the dirt stayed intact by the roots. Placed it in a tea cup (ok, coffee mug) and it looked perfect.
- I really wanted to reuse my pots from my old dead plants so instead of keeping my succulent in the coffee mug I used an old pot. When transferring to these new pots, I needed more soil so I used a portion of the soil from the old pot at the bottom then added the new plant with soil intact.
- Once inside the pot, I placed more soil from the old pot around the edges to stabilize the plant.
Tips & Tricks Learned:
Use what you like and if the finished project isn’t exactly what you like then modify and make it your own.
Pros:
Easy, the small plant chosen was perfect for the small teacup or coffee cup. No additional soil needed. This would be a cute idea for an office plant! Cheap décor!
Cons:
Dirty nails and a little messy!
Conclusion:
Don’t be afraid to have real plants, just find one that can keep up with your lifestyle. If you have a busy lifestyle then a succulent could be the best for you! Lol, it sounds like I am referring to a pet!
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Terrariums are everywhere these days! We thought we had better get on board!
Please click here to visit House & Hold and check out the post that we loved!
Reviewer #1 – Sarah
Mission: To plant darling succulents in a terrarium setting.
Details:
- Succulent Plant(s)
- Clear Glass Jar/Pot
- Potting Soil
- Rocks (for filler)
- Embellishments
Tips & Tricks Learned:
Not only are succulent plants adorable – they grow fast!
And, you can use little trinkets you have around the house to adorn your terrarium planting. I had seashells from a previous vacation, a mini deer found in my kids toys and some cute hand-stamped spoons I added to one.
Pros:
This is an easy and fun project to do – all you need is dirt, a darling glass jar/pot and plants. And, you can have fun adoring the finished planter as well! Definitely worth a try for anyone out there!
Cons:
Can’t think of any! What’s not to love about a succulent plant bringing life into your home?!?!?
Conclusion:
I LOVE gardening of all kinds and enjoy having greenery in my home. Creating a terrarium is easy, fun and a great addition to the home. I plan to do this many times over!
Reviewer #2 - Maren
Mission: Can I really make a delightful little terrarium like I have been seeing EVERYWHERE myself?!?!
Details:
- Vase
- Pebbles
- Dirt
- 2 little Succulents
- 1 tiny rubber Deer
Tips & Tricks Learned:
Be careful what you stick in there… initially I had these little mushrooms from the craft store and within a couple of days they were totally furry with mold. Gross.
Pros:
One of the quickest, easiest and most impressive-looking projects ever!!
Cons:
None! I love this thing!
Conclusion:
Thank you, “Do-it-Yourself-Terrarium” for making me feel like a professional gardener and look like I really have my shit together to all who come to my home!
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