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Monday, March 28, 2011

The "Recycled" Nest


"If I were a bird,
I'd sing a song & fly about
the whole day long...
And when the night comes,
go to rest, up in my cozy 
little nest."  Jackie Silberg

Bird nests make me smile. I have used nests in decorating even before they became popular... I have no specific "requirements" for choosing these nest...I have different shapes & sizes, egg colors vary & some are made from unique materials such as metal, wire & woven paper.  I have also collected some really wonderful nest paintings by many talented artist. Visitors can find them  "perched" on easels, enclosed in cloches or just "hanging out" on the wall .  No wonder when the Country Living Magazine's April 2011 edition "Idea Notebook" gave a DIY tutorial on making papier mach'e nests, I "flew" right to it!

 As usual, I did "sway" from the directions a tidbit. I used Modge Podge instead of glue & I liked the results because it made a stiffer nest.
I used recycled brown shredded paper that was in a gift basket given to us during the holidays. I allowed it to dry longer than the 12 hours (probably more like 24 hours...) I sat it on the dryer to dry.
I sat the nest in a silver plated dish found at the thrift store.

  I added live dogwood blooms, lace & a feather for texture.    


 Oh, and the eggs...they were so much fun to make! Now I do have to tell you that it is a little messy.  Not a project you can stop and answer the phone or fold laundry...I found that tearing your paper into small pieces helps to limit wrinkles...and have enough pieces of hymnal or book pages torn before you start, (so that you don't have to stop, wash your hands with soap, tear more pages, re-apply Modge Podge, etc.)

Don't you love the dictionary egg with the owl. What a "hoot"!
I added vintage crocheted lace to this egg.
I used several different papers for this egg & covered it with cheese cloth & finished if off with lace & a button
Did Someone Say Eggs?  I Smell Eggs!  
I hope you have a wonderful week, & I will be linking this project to several blogs that are featured on my sidebar.  You should check them out. Remember the "early bird" gets the worm!
Keep Calm & Keep Craftin'! 



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32 comments:

  1. Patti @ Pandoras BoxMarch 28, 2011 at 6:24 PM

    Love the vintage look of this!

    Stop by to enter my vintage linen giveaway!

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  2. The Feathered NestMarch 28, 2011 at 7:42 PM

    I love these Tiffany! Yours turned out wonderful...and the eggs are beautiful too! xxoo, Dawn

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  3. Lynne March 28, 2011 at 7:59 PM

    Very pretty! So nice to meet crafters such as yourself, with similar taste. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog :)
    Laura @ Ric Rac Rabbit

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  4. MelanieMarch 28, 2011 at 8:56 PM

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM!! Can't wait to make a nest and eggs for my home!...thanks for sharing

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  5. Amy Gilman and Emily Lee (Sisters of the Wild West)March 28, 2011 at 9:29 PM

    your eggs turned out awesome! thanks for our blog. Love all the old pics on your blog.
    Amy
    @ Sisters of Wild West.

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  6. JaneMarch 28, 2011 at 9:58 PM

    I love your nest and eggs! They have a wonderful vintage feel and are just perfect for this time of year!
    Jane

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  7. Kim @ A Brush of WhimsyMarch 28, 2011 at 11:27 PM

    These are so precious, Tiff!

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  8. KirstiMarch 29, 2011 at 12:12 AM

    I love them!! Thanks for the comment, and sending me here, I love your blog!!
    --Kirstikoo.blogspot.com

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  9. Lynn at Cottage and CreekMarch 29, 2011 at 9:32 AM

    I read that article in Country Living and want to try it too. Great job! The eggs are fabulous. I have lots of old hymnals and dictionaries that are ripe for such a project. Thanks for sharing. I'm your newest follower whose hoping you can stop by Cottage and Creek and follow me back. Your blog is delightful.
    Have a wonderful day,
    Lynn

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  10. KimMarch 29, 2011 at 1:26 PM

    Wow - you have an awesome blog! I'm here from Marty's party and I'm really glad I came. I'm your newest follower.
    xoxo,
    Kim

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  11. shannon i olsonMarch 29, 2011 at 1:43 PM

    your eggs are wonderful...
    just read your profile and yes honey.....I have spent a summer in the South and experienced stuck panties and melting makeup myself!
    Not sure which is better...panties stuck or frozen like there are here for 5 months of the year yikes.
    nice to meet you!

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  12. grammy and papiMarch 29, 2011 at 2:50 PM

    Love the nest and eggs, think I'll use Modge Podge too. Thank you for sharing.

    Have a God Filled Day
    Shirley

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  13. KarieMarch 29, 2011 at 3:56 PM

    Oh, I read the article in CL magazine and I have wanted to try making one of the nests. You have inspired me to do so. Thanks for sharing a beautiful post. Karie

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  14. Wanda @ Just VintageMarch 29, 2011 at 6:19 PM

    Looks great! I'm still kinda scared to try it, though. Both the nest and the eggs.

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  15. MarianneMarch 29, 2011 at 6:32 PM

    What a great idea.....I was actually reading in Martha Stewart Magazine today about how to make these nests. They are really nice. You did a great job on the eggs.
    Marianne :)

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  16. SylviaMarch 29, 2011 at 9:10 PM

    Cute nests...great idea...I have some nests that I worked on but no eggs yet. I really like your eggs...very creative.

    Sylvia

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  17. Magnolia PamMarch 29, 2011 at 9:26 PM

    Love the nest and eggs, Tiffany! I would love to try this but it looks very tedious. I think I need a crafting room like you ... away from Big Daddy!

    Pam

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  18. PammyJMarch 29, 2011 at 11:36 PM

    Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving such encouraging remarks!
    Cute nest - that's a project I am looking forward to tackling when I return home! BTW, that April issue of Country Living features the Remnants of the Past show I mentioned in my latest post!
    xoxo
    Pammy

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  19. very merry vintage styleMarch 30, 2011 at 11:50 AM

    So pretty. I saw this nest and was thinking about making it--thanks for the tips! Thanks for linking up to my Share the Love party!
    Mary

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  20. JoselynMarch 30, 2011 at 12:15 PM

    Thanks for stopping by. So fun, two of us working on the same project at about the same time. Yours turned out just like magazine. Two days later and the bottom of mine is still a little damp. I didn't think to use Mod Podge. Great job!

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  21. Rachael @ The Little BirdieMarch 30, 2011 at 12:40 PM

    Oooh, I LOVE these!! I too love birds (could ya guess? haha!) and the natural look of the brown paper with the newsprint eggs is perfection!! Thanks for linking up at The Little Birdie! :)

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  22. littlethings1March 30, 2011 at 1:39 PM

    Love the nest , sometime a messy project is needed to have a fabulous outcome ! The eggs are sweet too , I made some last spring with sheet music papers. Love to repurpose !!
    Eunice
    The Little Things

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  23. UnknownMarch 30, 2011 at 4:21 PM

    Hi there! We must have been working on these at the same time! LOL Love the vintage dictionary covered ones. Visiting from WW
    Roselle

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  24. Aaron {the girl with the boy's name}March 30, 2011 at 10:10 PM

    LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!

    -Aaron {the girl with the boy's name}

    www.mudpiesandmarigolds.blogspot.com

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  25. kirstikooMarch 30, 2011 at 11:18 PM

    Thanks for the compliment on my eggs and inviting me over here!
    Love your post!! I've featured you on our Springtime Favorites!
    http://kirstikoo.blogspot.com/2011/03/springtime-favorites.html

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  26. Stephanie@TheCrowsNestMarch 31, 2011 at 6:18 AM

    Hi there
    I love your blog back!! Your 110 follower here and thanks for visiting mine!! Great minds must think alike because I just did that same CL nest yesterday and I love it...
    Stephanie

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  27. AnonymousMarch 31, 2011 at 6:59 AM

    So gorgeous xxx

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  28. Blue Ridge Altered ArtMarch 31, 2011 at 8:44 AM

    What a creative idea. The nest is amazing and the eggs are adorable. ~~Sherry~~

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  29. Liz @ the Brambleberry CottageMarch 31, 2011 at 6:20 PM

    Yep; me too! I love birds' nests, eggs - most anything bird related. I'll have to try your trick witht the Modge Podge. You did a great job!

    Thanks for linking to the party.

    Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
    http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

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  30. amy of studio four cornersApril 1, 2011 at 1:38 PM

    ok - saw that article too but had forgotten about it until you mentioned it...I'll have to go dig it up now! Your nest and eggs are wonderful! I have a ton of old book pages that I put through the paper shredder (the old kind that shreds it into strips) I think that will work just fine
    and thanks for stopping by my blog - glad you like the silverware lamp - it used 40 pieces of silverware!
    amy of four corners design

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  31. UnknownApril 3, 2011 at 3:27 PM

    Hey Tiff! You are just the sweetest thing, my cotton friend! I was happy to post your giveaway. Just let me know anytime you have one and I'll get it up. And I knew you couldn't possibly be a cranky girl. Don't feed me for a little while and watch what happens.

    These eggs came out so cute! I'm behind on Easter like everything else.

    Hugs...Tracy :)

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  32. Mixed Media/ Altered CraftsApril 5, 2011 at 12:37 AM

    Love Your Vintage Eggs!! I'm having a Vintage Egg Challenge on my Blog and here sits some beautiful ones!! Hugs Tee

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