Sunday, March 18, 2012

Nesting Instincts... (A Tutorial)

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This was such fun!  It's very messy, so I recommend doing this project outside ~ :)

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The only items I purchased were the coconut fiber hanging basket liner (Walmart, 77 cents) and the spray adhesive (Elmer's Craft Bond) ~ I had some spaghnum and Spanish moss left from where I had used it around the base of some of my potted plants. You can use any wire or twine ~ the rest is all "found" plant material from your yard or the roadside.

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Choose the longest pieces of grass or vine...(I used dried lemon grass and the nice twisty Cypress vines off our trellis (I knew there was a reason I hadn't cleaned up my herb beds/annuals from last year!)  Just lay them out straight ~ I spread some Spanish moss and a few dried leaves on top ~ you really can't go wrong with this, just use what you have ~ birds do!  ~ if your nice layered vine mix is too long, just fold it in half... then give it a good spray of the Elmer's adhesive. Let it set for a few minutes, then take an end in each hand and give it a gentle twist...not too much; you just want it to have a little of that "woven" look" ~ not tight. The spray adhesive will help everything stay in place.

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Form your dried materials into a circle, whatever size you like ~ overlap the ends quite a bit if you need to. Spray with a little more adhesive if you think it needs it ~ especially where the ends overlap. I tied mine at this point with some weathered twine we had the Cypress vines growing on, and then gently wrapped the rest of the wreath with kraft wire ~ again, not tight ~ and just a few times around the whole circle ~ this is just to help everything stay together until the adhesive is really set. You can cut it off later, or leave it if you want. (There are no set rules ~ :)


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Here I'm starting a small nest ~ (this is my first attempt at this, too, so bear with me! ~ I think I'm going to like the smallest best!)...

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Three sizes! (They could also be wreaths at this point...)

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You know you're on the right track when robins watch you (coveting your nesting materials)  from the edge of the yard...:)


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Now we have to find something to support the "inside-nest" material... a few straight sticks, stuck through the bottom edge of the nest, will do the trick...you don't even have to glue them.

 
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Now take the coconut fiber and cut a circle that's just a little larger than the inside of your nest...clip around the edges a little (like darts in dress-making) to make it fit better (you can also pull the fiber apart if it's too thick). You can even use just pieces of the fiber for this...it tends to stick to itself, and you're going to cover it up, anyway. Just stick it in there!

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Now for the most fun!... Take little sheets of the spaghnum moss and give them a spray of adhesive, and place in the bottom of the nest...add some Spanish moss, too, for good measure. Then you can find other little pretty dried bits...(I used some of last year's Hydrangea blossoms that were still hanging on)...and add them here and there...


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...I also added some dried asparagus fern that I just cut off my plant (it's spent the winter in the basement, and was kind of sad...but the delicate little dried fronds look great!


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I added my little Orphaned Eggs from two years ago, and Voila! ~ what a fun little nest!

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I will probably continue to add little bits of this and that from the garden, just playing...♥
I hope I've explained everything ~ as I said, there really is no right or wrong way...just do what you think looks good ~ please e-mail me if I can answer a question about a step that I did, though. ♥

(As some of you have probably guessed, I needed to do this project this afternoon to avoid working on that big watercolor...;)
Have a great week!
♥ ♥ ♥
Anne

Adding this tutorial to "Frugalicious Friday" at http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/ ~ fun, frugal decorating ideas!

31 comments:

  1. Anne this is fabulous. Thanks so much for the tutorial.

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  2. Anne this is just sooo lovely.Im a bird nut and this is the greatest idea.I have the glue and stuff just got to get the spaghnum moss.Thanks again!

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  3. Fabulous, Anne! Thanks so much!

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  4. Let me just say, fantastic!!
    Thanks for stopping by my blog post "I played". I appreciate the follow and I am following you as well. I love finding new blogs to enjoy.
    Have a great week.
    Michele

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  5. Anne- Those are just darling! You did a wonderful job and great tutorial. I'm thinking if you left these outside you just might get a house guest, or two! xo Diana

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  6. Really, really lovely. This is a reminder of our daughter's wedding this past Saturday. Her cake topper was a bird's nest (purchased at Hobby Lobby) with two little white birds in it.

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  7. These nests are lovely - thanks for the tutorial.

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  8. The envious robin is hilarious! Thanks for the good laugh and for the lovely tutorial! :-D Jennifer

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  9. Gorgeous! You are so talented! I am following you from Rome!

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  10. I love these sweet nests with the eggs in them. Ha, ha, that is too funny about the jealous robin. I am a new linky and GFC follower.

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  11. Anne,
    This is lovely! What a great tutorial you have given!
    I think that robin is wondering where he can get some of the Elmer Craft bond, I'll bet that would the robin's nest better too!

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  12. Absolutely awesome!I love those...great tutorial too...as soon as I get a sunny day I am going to have to make one or two of those!!

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  13. Thank you so much for stopping over from the blog hop... I just signed up to follow back.. :) That is a GORGEOUS picture of your Mother she would fit Beautifully in my new Sewing Room... :)
    http://shoprubyjean.com/2012/03/sewing-room-reveal/

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  14. What a fun blog! Gorgeous photography. Your cats are so beautiful and they love baths?!?

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  15. This was a fantastic tutorial! Top notch! Thanks so much for sharing!
    I think I would like to do one or two. :)
    Hugs
    Terri G.

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  16. Beautiful!

    Thanks for stopping by my blog! Looking forward to getting to know you!!

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  17. Beautiful! What a lovely object - and worth any bird's envy!

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  18. I love the way you say 'Voila'
    at the end...like it was a breeze. This is a stunning pictorial post and tutorial. Wow thanks for sharing, have you wrangled the Robin into nesting yet?
    Keep smiling and creating

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  19. Beautiful tutorial-now I have got to make one. I was wondering what to do with all the lovely ornamental grass clippings I have-they're too pretty to put in the compost. I envision a huge nest-I could put it in one of our trees. (I love your envious robin!!)
    I also loved your post about Gettysburg-the pics are wonderful. We went there too.
    ~Debra

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  20. Such a beautiful result! Nothing more springy than a beautiful nest. Just lovely!

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  21. I'm so glad you stopped by my blog today --- and now I see this!!!! I think I have everything except the eggs!!! I love bird's nests so much, and they just add a bit of natural to any decor. Thanks for the beautiful pictures and directions!!!

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  22. Loved your tutorial of the birds nest I'm going to have to try and make one myself this weekend. Thanks for the inspiration!

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  23. Hi! Your little nests are gorgeous! The perfect home away from home :)

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  24. These are awesome, and so realistic! Love the envious robin LOL. Thanks for stopping by my blog, I'm happy to have found yours and I'm following.

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  25. Sweet Tut Anne
    thank you for following me I am not a new follower of yours
    love the nests!!
    Brenda

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  26. I love these nests! I am crazy about anything related to birds. I make wire bird's nest pendants and sell them in my Etsy shop. You can find the link on my blog, if you're interested.

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  27. I love your little nests. I'm putting it on my list of things to do. Thanks for the great tutorial.

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  28. LOVE this!!! I just LOVE natures elements...Hmmm, MAYBE Ms Robin saw you with those eggs, hehe!!! I am SO HAPPY you stopped in to visit me...Welcome to my Land of Blog...I am your newest follower too...
    Hugs,
    Donna

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  29. That turned out beautifully! That robin was probably wondering where your feathers were, LOL!

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  30. Wow, absolutely beautiful Anne!!!
    great tutorial...love all the photos!

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  31. Great tutorial.
    I have a nest one too, but yours is much better. =)

    blessings
    barb

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