4 Calling Birds – NOEL Holiday Decor (12 Days of Christmas Tour)

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosures here.

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

12 Days of Christmas Blog Tour button

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!

4 Calling Birds NOEL - 12 Days of Christmas Tour - easy holiday decor - #noel #12days #Christmas #holidays #holidaydecor artsychicksrule.com

So very thrifty too.

These are the bottles I used.

4 Calling Birds NOEL - 12 Days of Christmas Tour - bottles - #noel #12days #Christmas #holidays #holidaydecor artsychicksrule.com

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.

4 Calling Birds NOEL - 12 Days of Christmas Tour - remove labels - #noel #12days #Christmas #holidays #holidaydecor artsychicksrule.com

Then I sprayed them with Looking Glass Spray Paint.

4 Calling Birds NOEL - 12 Days of Christmas Tour - painted bottles - #noel #12days #Christmas #holidays #holidaydecor artsychicksrule.com

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??)

4 Calling Birds NOEL - 12 Days of Christmas Tour - thrifty birds - #noel #12days #Christmas #holidays #holidaydecor artsychicksrule.com

They were ceramic and an off white color.
I sprayed them with a white primer to get them “white”.

4 Calling Birds NOEL - 12 Days of Christmas Tour - painted birds - #noel #12days #Christmas #holidays #holidaydecor artsychicksrule.com

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.

4 Calling Birds NOEL - 12 Days of Christmas Tour - glittered birds - #noel #12days #Christmas #holidays #holidaydecor artsychicksrule.com

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….

4 Calling Birds NOEL - 12 Days of Christmas Tour - hot glue opening - #noel #12days #Christmas #holidays #holidaydecor artsychicksrule.com

I was creating a “base” for the bird to sit on.

I kept adding to it until it looked like this…

4 Calling Birds NOEL - 12 Days of Christmas Tour - create base with hot glue - #noel #12days #Christmas #holidays #holidaydecor artsychicksrule.com

About 3 passes to get that.

Then I filled the center area with hot glue and stuck the base of the bird in.

4 Calling Birds NOEL - 12 Days of Christmas Tour - glue birds in - #noel #12days #Christmas #holidays #holidaydecor artsychicksrule.com

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.

4 Calling Birds NOEL - 12 Days of Christmas Tour - apply letters and glitter tape - #noel #12days #Christmas #holidays #holidaydecor artsychicksrule.com

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.

Calling Birds NOEL - 12 Days of Christmas Tour - easy thrifty holiday decor - #noel #12days #Christmas #holidays #holidaydecor artsychicksrule.com

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….

4 Calling Birds NOEL - 12 Days of Christmas Tour - close up - #noel #12days #Christmas #holidays #holidaydecor artsychicksrule.com

See the water droplets??

4 Calling Birds NOEL - 12 Days of Christmas Tour - up close - #noel #12days #Christmas #holidays #holidaydecor artsychicksrule.com

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.

4 Calling Birds NOEL - 12 Days of Christmas Tour - with greenery - #noel #12days #Christmas #holidays #holidaydecor artsychicksrule.com

 

And I had to use a super bright setting on my camera to get this shot…

Calling Birds NOEL - 12 Days of Christmas Tour - displayed - #noel #12days #Christmas #holidays #holidaydecor artsychicksrule.com

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.

Four Calling Birds Noel Holiday Decor - #NOEL #holidays #holidaydecor #Christmas artsychicksrule

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!

 

Signature for Blogsmall

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}

Our Southern Home

FRIDAY December 5th

{Nine Ladies Dancing}

Better After Rhapsody in Rooms

{Ten Lords a Leaping}

The Endearing Home

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. :)

 

Follow on Bloglovin

pinterest-logo


48 Comments

  1. 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

    1. 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

  2. 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.

  3. So cute, Nancy! And so creative! I’m sure they look awesome with the gorgeous red maple in the background! xo

  4. 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!

  5. 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

    1. 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

  6. 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.

    1. 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

  7. 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!

    1. Hi Andi!
      Thanks so much for stopping over! We really had to put our thinking caps on for this one..it was fun! :)

      Nancy

  8. 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.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.