Birdhouse

Birdhouse

Materials

• Rit Powdered Dye:  Purple, Fucshia, Golden Yellow, Kelly Green
• Unfinished wood birdhouse
• Unfinished small wood pieces:  wood tulip, daisy, stars, small circle
• Glass measuring cups, measuring spoons & metal spoon
• Rubber Gloves
• Fine sandpaper (#220) & steel wool
• Tack Cloth
• Tacky Glue
• Clear polyurethane
• Brushes:  1” foam, 1” chip, small artist brush
• Painter’s tape, index cards
• Plastic wrap
• Small cloth, paper towels
• Plastic drop cloth
• Optional:  Jelly jars for storing dyes

Instructions

1. Cover work surface with a plastic drop cloth. 
2. Sand wood birdhouse and small pieces lightly.  Remove dust with tack cloth.
3. Powdered Dye Preparation:  When ready to use a dye color, pour dye into a glass measuring cup and add 2 cups boiling water or very hot tap water.  Stir until dye is dissolved.Note:  When staining wood, keep dye hot for better absorption.  Dyes can be stored injelly jars and reused several times.  Stored dyes must be reheated in the microwavebefore use.  Cover with plastic wrap heat on high for 2 minutes or until steam is created.
4. To create Chartreuse color for roof:  Prepare 2 cups Golden Yellow dye.  Pour 1 cup into a jelly jar and set aside.  Prepare Kelly Green dye in separate measuring cup.  Measure off 1 Tablespoon and add to 1 cup of Golden Yellow.  Mix together.  Apply dye to roof using a foam brush.  Dab brush on paper towel or cloth to prevent dripping.  Tip: To prevent drips, use paper or index cards to prevent dye from staining sides of birdhouse.  Unwanted dye can be removed by sanding wood immediately.
5. Prepare Purple dye and brush on sides of birdhouse.  Tip:  Wrap painter’s tape around bird perches to prevent dye from staining them.
6. Remove painter’s tape and stain bird perches chartreuse.  Allow birdhouse to dry;then, if desired, reapply dyes for a darker color.
7. Dip tulip piece and small round circle in previously prepared Golden Yellow.  Reheat if necessary.  Leave in dye until desired color is achieved.
8. Prepare Fuchsia dye.  Dip daisy piece into dye until desired color is achieved.  Allow to dry.
9. Glue wood pieces to birdhouse.  Allow to dry.
10. To seal the dye-stained wood, apply one or two coats of polyurethane.  Rub lightly with steel wool between coats.