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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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July 16, 2014

A Recycled Bird Feeder …from a fondue pot!

 

My daughter said, “You should become a blogger, Mama.”It went in my right ear and out the left faster than someone’s name when I first meet them. Later that year, my path took a turn, and I am forever grateful for pursuing this passion we all call “BLOGGING”.

It feels like yesterday when I sat at my kitchen table confused as all heck developing redheadcandecorate.com. It was then, that I came across At the Picket Fence. Vanessa and Heather have inspired me from the very beginning. In turn, I hope some of my decorating ideas will inspire you.


Enough of the cheesy stuff.
Lets talk bird talk.

Cheesy-Bird-Feeder-by-redheadcandecorate.com_

My husband, Rick, our 2 girls, and I drove around one Saturday afternoon searching for garage sales. I spotted this gorgeous shiny green fondue pot that day. Since that day, we’ve used it once.

Here’s proof:

julie can cook

I used the beautiful shiny green fondue pot for a photo I needed for my blog. Believe it or not…there was cheese fondue in that pot. I think it was the Fourth of July and I made fondue for my parents.

That was 2 years ago.

The beautiful shiny green fondue pot found it’s way into the back of my cabinet, until last week. I pulled it out and at first thought it would make a cute planter.

Fondue Pot Bird Feeder

The planter idea didn’t survive because I wanted to use ALL of the fabulous vintage parts. Then I started playing with the colorful long forks, and I pictured a wind chime. No…still didn’t feel right. That’s when the “Fondue Pot turned Recycled Bird Feeder” flew into my brain. I quickly got to work.

First, I glued the black burner part to the wood tray. I thought it looked like a bird house so, I used a paint pen to write on it.

Mean while, my husband drilled holes in the handle and in the bottom tray to thread some leather cord through. After a few knots and adjusting, I got it to hang straight.

The hard part was getting the long forks to stay in the pot so the birds could use them as a perch. I ended up using a bag of quick concrete my hubby had in the garage. I mixed a little in a big zippy bag and smooshed it around. Then I cut a small hole in the corner of the bag and squeezed it into the pot.

I stuck the forks in and let it dry a couple of days.

Fondue Pot Bird Feeder Tutorial

After we found a nice spot for it out back, we added bird seed. The birds still haven’t found it, but it won’t be long.

Hopefully Frank the squirrel will mind his own business.

Love,

Julie Signature

Easy Fondue Pot Bird Feeder

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P.S.
We also want to remind you of our “Christmas in July” Balsam Hill charity event! We are raising funds to help Hope Unlimited for Children.  Won’t you consider making a small donation to help these children in Brazil get off of the streets and into a loving environment! Thank you! 

26 Comments Filed Under: Crafts, Gardening, Summer Tagged With: Contributors, crafts, crafts with birds, recycled

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Comments

  1. Mary Beth @ Cupcakes and Crinoline says

    July 16, 2014 at 7:10 AM

    This is such a great idea! I never would have thought of this. Pinning!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      July 16, 2014 at 8:58 AM

      Thank you, Mary Beth!

      Reply
  2. Cynthia says

    July 16, 2014 at 7:34 AM

    Red… you made my day! What a fun way to re-purpose something taking up room in a cupboard and never used. Now it is hotel Shangri-La for the birds… perfect! BTW… now I want cheese! 🙂

    Reply
    • Julie says

      July 16, 2014 at 8:59 AM

      lol…I need to be charging rent, Cynthia!

      Reply
  3. kristin says

    July 16, 2014 at 8:38 AM

    This is so creative Julie! The birds are going to be in heaven when they find it!!
    XO
    Kristin

    Reply
    • Julie says

      July 16, 2014 at 9:00 AM

      They found it, Kristin…now they want more!

      Reply
  4. debbiedoos says

    July 16, 2014 at 9:19 AM

    You girl are way too clever! This is so stinkin cute. Congrats on your gig here:) XO

    Reply
    • Julie says

      July 16, 2014 at 3:49 PM

      Thank you, my dear friend!

      Reply
  5. Valerie | From Valerie's Kitchen says

    July 16, 2014 at 9:31 AM

    Leave it to Julie to come up with a clever use for a neglected fondue pot! I’m so glad to see you’re contributing here. Love this site!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      July 16, 2014 at 3:48 PM

      Me too, Val!

      Reply
  6. Mimi says

    July 16, 2014 at 9:44 AM

    I love the way you took something and figured out a way to re-purpose it without taking away its inherent charm. Cool idea

    Reply
    • Julie says

      July 16, 2014 at 3:47 PM

      Thank you, Mimi! Don’t you just love that green?

      Reply
  7. Meegan says

    July 16, 2014 at 10:27 AM

    Great post Julie. You are one creative woman that’s for sure! Your birdies are going to be so happy. Thanks for your inspiration and creativity!
    Pinned 🙂

    Reply
    • Julie says

      July 16, 2014 at 3:46 PM

      They owe me, Meegan!!

      Reply
  8. Karen @ Dogs Don't Eat Pizza says

    July 16, 2014 at 11:51 AM

    You know I love me a good upcycling project! What a great idea! So creative. The birds will find it soon, I’m sure!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      July 16, 2014 at 3:46 PM

      Already did, girl! How will I ever keep up?

      Reply
  9. nibbles by nic says

    July 16, 2014 at 1:14 PM

    Wow!!! This is fantastically cool!! Love to learn what to do with old kitchen ware!!! Thanks for the great idea!!! – Warmest, Nic

    Reply
    • Julie says

      July 16, 2014 at 3:45 PM

      awww…Thanks, Nicole!

      Reply
  10. Jane@Bluebird1959 says

    July 16, 2014 at 2:38 PM

    Oh my gosh! That is hilarious, yet soooo cool – how clever. Jane

    Reply
    • Julie says

      July 16, 2014 at 3:45 PM

      When we were trying to figure out a name for it, my hubby was on the floor when I said cheesy bird house. It really is cheesy! 😉

      Reply
  11. Rosie's heavenly harvest says

    July 17, 2014 at 1:49 AM

    Adorable. Love your re-purposing ideas!

    Reply
    • Julie says

      July 17, 2014 at 11:18 AM

      Thanks, Rose, love ya dear friend!

      Reply
  12. Heather says

    July 18, 2014 at 6:53 AM

    Heehee – this is soooo much fun!! You’re such a clever girl Jules! What a great way to add a pop of color into the back yard!

    Reply
  13. Julie says

    July 19, 2014 at 10:22 AM

    Thanks, Heather!! XO

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 4 Creative Upcycling Projects for Summer - Total Home Supply says:
    July 23, 2014 at 10:53 AM

    […] one of the most creative upcycling projects we have ever seen – see Julie’s full post here for detailed instructions on how to make your […]

    Reply
  2. Repurposed Old Carriage Light | Redhead Can DecorateRedhead Can Decorate says:
    August 24, 2014 at 6:37 PM

    […] “At the Picket Fence“. […]

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