Step by step Project~ Bird Box ~ By Jayne Loughlin

Good Morning Fiskarettes I hope you are all well !

I have made up a Simple Framed project today. Sorry about the flash of light on the photo.

You will need: Box Frame, Material, XL Heart Squeeze Punch, Scalloped Lace Border Punch, Scrap of plain paper, Scissors, Pencil, Stuffing, Bead,Needle & Cotton, Adhesive (Paint, Sandpaper & Brushes optional) The Sewing Multi tool 12 in 1 might come in handy too as it has a Stuffing tool & thread cutter plus a needle threader & lots more !!

Instructions : Firstly you will need to draw a Template of a bird design on a piece of scrap plain paper & Cut out….  If you can’t draw try a Heart shape it’s easier.

Double up your Material & Pop the Template onto it & Cut using Scissors. Sew a little in from the edge all around the edges of the Shape & leave a piece at the bottom (This is where your stuffing goes) When finished sewing turn the piece inside out. Stuff with flame retardant filling (Ikea sell cushion pads that are about 40p & are ideal for this) and neatly sew up the bottom.

Add a bead for an eye. It’s not too important which bead you use as it will not be played with Children as it is safely sealed in the box. If you were making one as a decoration a little seed bead is much safer as if swallowed it wont make a child choke.

Tie a piece of Ribbon around the birds neck and that’s the stuffed bird made.

Back the piece at the back of the box. I’ve added a punched strip of patterned paper using the Fiskars Scalloped Lace Border Punch and a Heart punched with Fiskars Heart Border Punch. Glue these down and the Bird.

I have painted my Frame as it was a little dark for my Decor (see below). If you have a Frame you don’t like Sandpaper the frame being careful not to sand the glass. You don’t have to be too particular just have to Rough the surface a little.

I’ve painted using Eggshell paint from any good DIY shops. Just do a Thin first coat…this might look awful and streaky but it’s only the first coat. Leave to dry and add another coat of paint. Hopefully this will be enough coats of paint otherwise just do another (**Below is the first coat)

Leave to dry and then place the backing onto the Frame. You could add ink, embossing powder, Perhaps Stamp onto the frame according to the effect you want.

Go on have a play and see what you come up with