4 Calling Birds – NOEL Holiday Decor (12 Days of Christmas Tour)
I’m sharing a super thrifty – NOEL Holiday Decor – tutorial for a tour I’m in with a bunch of my friends….
the 12 Days of Christmas Tour
We all got to choose our day…of the 12. How fun is that?
I chose 4 Calling Birds.
I wasn’t sure what I’d create or how I’d even incorporate 4 birds, or any birds, into a holiday decor item.
But this is what I ended up coming up with!
So very thrifty too.
These are the bottles I used.
Yep.
I poured the wine into an empty wine bottle I had (because I didn’t want to waste!) ;)
I could have probably found some small bottles at the thrift store, mismatched (which actually would have been cool), but I was out of time to create.
So I removed the labels first.
Then I sprayed them with Looking Glass Spray Paint.
I sprayed several coats, drying in between.
AND I spritzed them with water before spraying every time too.
I wanted them to have a “mercury glass-ish” finish, not just a plain mirrored finish.
That worked out pretty well.
Afterwards I just rubbed over them and where the water had been, the paint came off….leaving it looking a bit mercury glass-ish. :)
I found these “birds” at the thrift store….a whole bag for $2.98.
I have NO idea their intended use but they were perfect for mine! (they all have a small hole in the bottom…any ideas??)
They were ceramic and an off white color.
I sprayed them with a white primer to get them “white”.
You can see the difference in that shot.
And the “NOEL” that I cut with my Silhouette Cameo.
You can see some of my other projects with the Cameo here – Merry Christmas Sign and – Kitchen Gather Sign.
Anyway, after the primer dried, I brushed with Mod Podge and sprinkled a very iridescent, red tinted, glitter over them.
It’s always so hard to photo glittery, shimmery things.
But hopefully you get the idea.
They are SO pretty! :)
Next I layered the rim opening of the bottle with hot glue….
I was creating a “base” for the bird to sit on.
I kept adding to it until it looked like this…
About 3 passes to get that.
Then I filled the center area with hot glue and stuck the base of the bird in.
That created a nice, sturdy base for the birds.
Then I applied the letters….and it was a BIG FAIL.
I didn’t take photos because I was panicking a bit and not thinking of photos! ;)
But no biggie, easily fixed and adjusted.
I had used the transfer paper with the vinyl letters I cut out…which works fabulously on most things.
But on this paint. Not so much.
When I peeled back the transfer paper leaving the letters on the glass (the transfer paper is also sticky) it took my paint off.
I guess this paint finish is a bit delicate.
Bummer.
So I went back to my Cameo and cut another set.
I resprayed to replace the removed paint….let them dry, sprayed a sealer coat and applied the new letters.
Without the transfer paper!
I lifted them off the backing paper with a small, pointy knife and laid them ever so carefully on the bottle.
That worked perfectly.
They looked a bit “unfinished” at that point to me.
I remembered I had this pretty red glitter tape from a Valentine’s project I did last year.
Perfect. I cut and wrapped it around the neck of the bottles.
I just love how they turned out! (and yes, the “o” is higher than the rest…shhhh ;) )
It’s always “iffy” when my mind comes up with something. ;)
I’m never positive it will look how I imagine.
And sometimes it doesn’t, or it doesn’t work, and I have to adjust.
Sort of like the letters on this one.
But it’s usually very fixable. You just have to be flexible.
I am very happy with how this project turned out.
Some close ups….
See the water droplets??
I have decided to used them in the window sill of my laundry room.
Which was crazy hard to photograph because of the window and bright lighting.
(Can you see my pretty red maple in the background? It’s so vibrant and red right now.)
I love this shot because it shows the “mercury glass” look they have best.
And I had to use a super bright setting on my camera to get this shot…
Otherwise the bottles just looked black and you get a great view of my back yard instead.
But that’s how they are displayed in my home.
Sweet, simple, very thrifty holiday decor.
I have another tour post coming on Thursday.
“Welcome Home Tour”. I’ll be sharing part of my front porch AND a wreath I made for my front door with a frame and ornaments.
Be sure to check back to see that and my Teal & Red themed Christmas decor.
And, don’t forget to check out the rest of the “12 Days of Christmas” tour and my friends’ projects below. :) They’ll be posting all week!
MONDAY December 1st
{Partridge in a Pear Tree}
Simply Fresh Vintage Petticoat Junktion Snazzy Little Things
{Two Turtle Doves}
Confessions of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer Fresh Idea Studio
TUESDAY December 2nd
Country Design Style DIO Home Improvements mommy is coocoo
{Four Calling Birds}
Artsy Chicks Rule Virginia Sweet Pea
WEDNESDAY DEC 3rd
{Five Golden Rings}
House on the Way DIY 180 Restoration Redoux
{Six Geese-a-Laying}
Postcards from the Ridge Farm Fresh Vintage Finds
THURSDAY December 4th
{Seven Swans a Swimming}
Curb Alert! Cupcakes and Crinoline
{Eight Maids a Milking}
FRIDAY December 5th
{Nine Ladies Dancing}
Better After Rhapsody in Rooms
{Ten Lords a Leaping}
SATURDAY December 6th
{Eleven Pipers Piping}
Refresh Restyle Lilacs and Longhorns Imparting Grace
{Twelve Drummers Drumming}
What Meegan Makes Mrs. Hines Class
Be sure to follow me on Instagram and Facebook if you don’t already!
I always post projects and things I’m working on
long before it hits the blog…..
….plus lots of fun random daily things too. 
So cute Nancy! Your mercury glass-ish ;)bottles are adorable. And I love the happy display in your laundry room. Happy Christmas touring my friend.
Enjoy your holidays!
Thank you Therese! :)
Hope you enjoy yours too!!!
Nancy
I love those Nancy!!! I bought a Silhouette and am still trying to figure out how to use it (Oh, did I mention that it sat in the box for the first month because I was actually scared of it!!!! I’m going to read your project tutorials and hopefully see how to get the lettering done!
Hope all is well xoxoxoxo
Lilli
Thanks Lilli!
Oh don’t be afraid of the Silhouette (although I do understand it can be intimidating) Just get right in there and play around with it. It will work itself out! ;)
I love mine!
Have a great day!! xoxo
Nancy
This is so pretty and elegant! I need to try your mercury glass technique. I’ve been wanting to make some vases! ~Christy
Thank you Christy! I love the look of mercury glass and this is so easy!
Nancy
I’ve always wondered how to create a mercury glass effect. Bingo – Now I know! Your vases created from wine bottles is such a clever craft and perfect for the “Four Calling Birds” theme.
Thanks so much Paula! Yes, super easy!!!
Nancy
So cute, Nancy! And so creative! I’m sure they look awesome with the gorgeous red maple in the background! xo
Hi Karen! Thanks so much my sweet friend! :)
xo
Nancy
Very creative Nancy – I really like your Four Calling Bird Bottles! I discovered the fragility of looking glass paint too while DIYing a gift yesterday that I needed for today. Panic but it all worked out in the end. Don’t you just love that paint!
Hi Marie!
Yes, it is fragile stuff but oh how I love it! :)
I bet what you made is fabulous!!
Nancy
Love, love, love it! Perfect calling birds…I think they are calling to finish off the wine. Fun project. Thanks for the mercury glass tip. I used vinegar water and it took all the paint off. Next time just water. Jeanette
Thanks Jeanette! :) HAHA!!!! Yes, I think they might just be calling that too!!!
Yes, the slight water spritz worked great!! I have never tried the vinegar but thanks for letting me know!
Nancy
Oh Nancy! I love this creativity. I can’t believe you were able to find the birds! The Thrift Gods were on your side :) Your Noel bottles are a great addition to any Christmas decor. Thanks for sharing!
Merry Christmas.
Aw thank you sweet Meegan! And yes, I just LOVE when that works out that way! (the birds) It really is crazy how I come across the things I need quite a lot!
Merry Christmas to you, your husband and family!! xo
Nancy
So pretty and such a great idea! I love it! I can’t wait to see them all. Now heading back to see the previous days!
Thank you Chloe!! :)
Nancy
What an adorable project! I love your four calling birds! Have a great week.
Leslie
Thanks Leslie! :)
Nancy
I found you through Country Design Style and her 3 French hens! I really like what you did with your 4 Calling Birds! So creative!
Hi Andi!
Thanks so much for stopping over! We really had to put our thinking caps on for this one..it was fun! :)
Nancy
These are great Nancy! I love them and looks like something I would buy at the store. Love!
Thanks a bunch Vanessa!
Nancy
Oh my gosh…I SOOOO LOVE these! They turned out so pretty! You are such a clever girl! Pinning and sharing! XOXO
Thank you Christy!!! I’m glad my vision matched the outcome!! ;)
xo
Nancy
This is so clever! You were so smart to use those four identical bottles–and they look brilliantly mercury-glassish. :) Love the four birds. Very pretty and so cheerful!
Thank you! :)
Nancy
So cute! I have got to try that looking glass paint out, it looks so darn cool.
Thanks Lindsey! Love that stuff!
Nancy
Nancy, your mercury bottles are darling! They look super on the mantle. especially with the Noel. I’ll have to learn from you on the Silhoutte..I just ordered one! Happy Holidays!
Thank you Wendi! :)
Oh fun…enjoy!!!!
xo
Nancy
What a creative idea! And it turned out so pretty. I love the silver, red and white together…so classic.
Thanks Sharon! :)
Nancy
Love this creative idea and it turned out beautifully, so perfect for holiday decorating! I have always wanted to try the looking glass spay paint.
Thank you Lauren :)
Nancy
I LOVE this project so much. I know it can be a bummer when projects don’t always work out the first go round but I’m so glad you kept at it. They turned out great!
Thanks Megan! :) yes, it is…but almost always fixable!
Nancy
Absolutely BRILLIANT!!!!
Aw thanks Lois!! :)
Nancy
Nancy these came out awesome, so love that mercury glass finish! Super cute interpretation of the four calling birds too!~
Thank you Dria! :) I love the mercury finish!
Nancy
I did not even notice the O. I think it is lovely!
Aw thanks Rose!!! :)
Nancy
These are crazy awesome!! So fitting for your theme :)
Debbie
Thank you Debbie! :)
Nancy
What a fun idea. I think drinking while making would have been more fun, lol.
Haha, yes I think you may be right Kathy!!! ;)
Nancy