Jul 07 2008
Rustic Gourd Birdhouse
Quick post this morning. I purchased this large dried gourd at a flea market for 75 cents, about 2 years ago. Yep that’s right, it’s been hanging around in my stamp room for 2 years, lol. My husband put a not so perfect hole in the front of it and drilled some small holes in the bottom for drainage and small holes in the top of the neck so I can run some twine through to hang it.
This gourd is very blemished, even after sanding it with Sandpaper, so I decided to make it very rustic looking.
No tutorial today since this was pretty much straight stamping. I used Black Stazon ink to stamp the images.
The images are by Innovative Stamp Creations :
http://www.innovativestampcreations.com/ischomepage.html
Since I was using unmounted stamps, I could using them without any mount and wrap the rubber around the gourd to stamp it. I held the stamp in my hand, inked it and then pressed it to the gourd. Where the images didn’t stamp as dark as I would like I colored them using a Black Faber-Castell marker. The flower was colored in with a Brown Faber-Castell marker. These markers are nice. They are Indian ink and very fade resistant.
After stamping and coloring I finished it by spraying Clear High Gloss Polyurethane on it for protection. My husband woke up this morning, saying what is that smell, lol. Don’t worry folks I took it out side to spray it, but brought it in the house to dry.
It’s not the fanciest birdhouse ever created, but I like it’s rustic charm. :) Hopefully some bird family will enjoy it too.
Hope your day is filled with peace and sunshine.
Until my next post. . . . . . . . .
Michelle
Michelle, how cute! I always wanted to try my hand at stamping a gourd but never did, however i did stamp on wood ones. It took about 1 year befor the birds would use them, because of the smell. Have a great day.
I think it looks kewl,,,, My friend loves gords, must show her this.
Happy Monday
Very pretty, I love rustic! Hope the birds enjoy it!
Lovely Rustic look. Great job.
Too cute. The colour of the gourd looks like the alcohol ink technique. Isn’t nature grand? Have a great bird watching day.
Trish
Michelle, you are my idol!! You’ve been Tagged.. Your tutorials are fab, just love your site, quite an inspiration!
Hi there,
I have an apple gourd growing in my garden currently. Yesterday I took a picture of it and will be putting it on my web site as a ” growing project”. I am looking forward to see what I can do with it and the many others that are coming. As long as my dog doesn’t destroy it.
Michell what a neat project, Astep in another direction which gives you a welcome break I bet. I love this I have worked on gourds before but it’s been a long time, makes me want to bring out some I have in my basement and try again. You see mine did not turn out quite like yours. ha ha . A neat project tfs…
Evelynn
This is very cool! If I saw this at a craft show, I would buy it!
How beautiful is this!!!! I’ve worked with gourds before but NEVER even thought to use stamps. I really didn’t get ornamental at all; I used leather dyes to color them. Its a very subtle look that allows the natural pattern to show through. A friend of mine uses them in fall arrangements. I never cut one either as some of the information I uncovered said that the dust from the innards of guards can me quit lethal. So if you cut more of these, make sure the cutter uses a mask.
WOW! This is so gorgeous…very lovely colors.
Too cute ! It will look great in your garden. I knew your creativity wouldn’t stop at paper.
Michelle,
I just love it. You’re such an inspiration!
Thanks
Lucky birds! That’s a perfect birdhouse.
what a great project! anybody/anybirdy would be lucky to own this
best wishes,
sankari
This is great! I love “primitive,” lol…it’s very relaxing and forgiving. I think this is proof of the versatility of rubberstamping…it can be used across a very wide range of projects and surfaces! TFS.
BET YOU WON’T HAVE TO PUT OUT A “FOR RENT” SIGN, AS IT WON’T BE EMPTY FOR VERY LONG! SO ADORABLE!!
You took me by surprise with the gourd. It turned out cute.
This is fantastic! Please let us know if you acquire a tenant!
I have been following your blog for a while now, enjoying the stamp art, but *WOW*! I am lovin’ the gourd! I have a gourd that’s been in my garage for about 5 years, and now I know what to do with it! Thanks for the great idea!!!
Wendy
How beautiful! Some little bird is really going to love her custom-stamped home!!
I’m always amazed at your creativity.
THIS is just awesome!! I have a big punkin’ patch this year and I planted some ‘birdhouse gourds’ so I can’t wait to try this — Thanks for your inspiration!!
~Teresa
What a great birdhouse!! I’m sure your feathered friends are going to love it!!!
OKAY I LOVE THIS GOURD. I am making a humming bird house.
I can’t wait noe to do it. Thanks for the inspiration its beautiful…
That’s fabulous. I love birdhouses made out of gourds. They have the perfect rustic look to them. Short of buying a drill and a door knob kit, I think he did a good job. The bird’s won’t mind. It gives the flower a natural look to it.
How neat, I am sure there is a bird family that will just love this!
I have had one of these sitting in my kitchen for about a year and a half- begging me to do something with it.. I think I might have to try this!
*hugs*
Jami
Another wonderful card as usual!!! gHad to chuckle when I read I would do the same pick stamps over new shoes anyday!!!!
Hugs Jen