DIY Rustic Stone Cottage Birdhouse | How to Decorate a Birdhouse

Materials:

• Wood Traditional Birdhouse 4.72x3.62x5in. (12x9.2x12.7cm)

• Small Stones

• Decorative Moss Mat

• Jute Cord (Optional)

• Brown Acrylic Paint

• Brush

• Scissors

• Glue Gun

Method:

1. With a pencil, lightly trace the outline of a door with a round top at the front of the birdhouse. Next, paint the door using brown acrylic paint. Then with a paper towel, rub off some of the paint before it dries completely. This will let some of the wood patterns from beneath the paint show, giving the painted areas a more rustic, realistic look. Repeat the same process with the base of the birdhouse. Let the paint dry completely.

2. Pick out the small stones that have at least one flat side. This will make it easier to attach them to the house. Then separate a few stones that are more rectangular in shape. Use these rectangular stones to create a frame around the door by gluing them directly onto the birdhouse. Continue by using smaller rocks to fill out any empty spaces on the front side of the cottage. Let this side dry completely before moving on to the next wall. Repeat the process of attaching rocks to each wall in any pattern, then filling empty spaces with smaller ones.

3. Measure the length and width of the roof making sure to add about an extra inch to each. Use these measurements to measure and cut out a piece of the moss mat.

4. Optional: Mark the center of the moss mat with a pin. Then puncture two wholes, one on each side of the pin and about half and inch apart. Use scissors to push one end of a piece of jute cord through each whole. Pull them so they come out evenly through the top, then knot them together. Mark the center of the top of the roof and glue the cord directly to this.

5. Glue the center of the moss mat to the top of the roof. Glue down the moss mat to each side of the roof including its edges. If there is any extra moss hanging from the sides of the roof, tuck it in or trim it to the desired size and shape.