Flights of Fancy: Treats for Tweets

Here's a fashion statement inspired by the garden. It makes a wonderful conversation piece at a bridal shower or garden party to showcase decadent desserts or display a grouping of candles for evening enchantment. It's also functional, working well as a plant stand or stylish stool, indoors or out.

What You'll Need

• 3 cathedral birdhouse kits 5458-328
• pizza tray (must be paintable) or a circle cut from MDF or plywood
• cork 4479-139
• brushes 1612-179/222
• artist fine tip brush 8212-365/944
• scissors 4464-323
• hammer and nails 1030-306
• jigsaw or table saw 1268-489, 1346-699
• veneer edging 2569-205/296
• Beauti-Tone paint or Woodsheild Stain colours:
  • roof 5232 YC Pampas Grass
  • house 5223 YC Touch of Yellow
  • accent pink (optional)

Step By Step

1. Build the birdhouse. I took about 2 inches off the width of the roof to allow it to fit under a 16" circle. If you do not want to do this step, your birdhouse will extend beyond the circle, or use a larger saucer or tray on top.
2. To create the roof detail, simply cut the veneer strips in a variety of lengths from 1" to 2 1/4" and glue onto roof (see photograph).
3. Paint birdhouse and tray. Tip: If painting a metal tray or pan, prime with galvanized metal primer first. The polka dots on the edge of the tray were created with the cork dipped in the paint.
4. To form the stand, place the birdhouses in a triangle position with the roofs just touching. Place tray on top.