DIY Day....Chick on a Stick

I Have decided to take a short a break from
the black and white crafts - it is hard to do -
I love my black and white, but I needed some sunshine

in the form of bright and happy colors.

For whatever reason, I was obsessed
with making something with a bird.
Then I remembered this file I had printed out a long time ago
from Heather Bailey - pretty much everything she does ROCKS!
I had fallen in love with some projects she did for
Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion
{...a moment of silence now for it's demise}.
And then I was inspired to make my own version...
which I am calling Chick on a Stick!

I am thinking these little birdies are going on a Spring banner,
and are definitely going to be used to decorate for Spring and Easter.
I stuck these beauties in plants and grass and flowers and
pretty much whatever you can think of.
The kiddos like them...hubby just asked "Why?" WHATEVER!

NEW: YOU MAY DOWNLOAD A COMPLETE PDF OF THE TUTORIAL AND TEMPLATE HERE.
SUPPLIES
-Template ...Click HERE for it.
-3 different prints or colors of decorative paper or cardstock {I used printed cardstock - Citrus Stack from DCWV to be exact - it holds the glue a little better}

-Glue - I used glue sticks and a little white glue {OK, I used Mod Podge because I was too lazy to get up and the Mod Podge was right there.}

-Skewers or dowels (Craft stick can be substituted to make it more kid friendly)

-Glitter

-Scissors and/or Excato knife {and cutting mat}

-Paint/black button/gem/Sharpie {this is for making the eye...I used fabric paint, but a number of different items could work}

-Button or brad {for decorating wing}

-Ribbon {optional}
-Pencil/Pen

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Decide which prints/colors will be used for what part of the bird.

2. Trace template on back of the paper.

HINT/TIP: I cut out a few pieces of each in all three patterns and then mixed and matched from there...It was easy and fun to have the pieces all available and then be able to play with patterns and colors from there.

3. Cut out 2 {a front and back} of each piece.*

4. Layout your birds

5. Glue the body insert onto the bird outline for each side {do not glue the side together yet}.

6. Lay one of the birds wrong side up and spread glue around. I then put some Mod Podge {or white glue} in a line where the skewer was to go, and place skewer.

7. Glue two birds together {with the skewer sandwiched between them}. NOTE: Craft stick can be substituted to make it more kid friendly.

8. Glue one of the wings and place on front side of the bird.**

9. Glue the other wing and match up on the opposite side of bird...the wings glue together at the top and then to the body of the bird at the bottom.

****NOTE/EDIT***

Mod Podge your bird once you get it all assembled and before decorating the beak or eyes…It looks fab and it sturdy!

 

10. Paint/Place a small amount of glue where the beak is and sprinkle glitter on it.

11. Glue a small button {or gem, etc.} at the point where the wings "attach" to the body.***

12. Place eye either with paint or glue on gem or button.

13. Let dry.

{You may want to finish off both sides of the bird depending on where/how you are going to display it.}

14. Cut lengths of ribbon and tie to base of the chick.

 

Winged Bird Variation

*Step 3: If you make a winged bird you will need 4 wings. 

**Step 8: Glue wings together.  

***Step 11: Punch a hole in each wing and in the body of the bird and insert brad.

Display

-The sticks easily poke into a plant. I am so using these as a centerpiece in my ornamental Kale...tres cute!

-I also L-O-V-E-D them in my Mason Jars. First I filled the jar about about 2/3 full with dried split peas {you could use other dried beans or even sand depending on your color scheme}. Then added some moss to fill in the top and jst stuck my Chick on a Stick in there...I LOVE it!

-I didn't get there, but they would also look so cute hanging from some branches or on a wreath for Spring!

Just a variation...different colors, different feels! 
So many ideas! I bet you all have some too!

Happy Crafting!

Heather Bailey's project was called "Party Chicks" {if you go visit her, and scroll down and on the right, there is a section for free patterns, and it is there}.