Friday, May 8, 2009

My Recycled Birdbath


For those of you who do not know, my mother lives in an apartment in the lower level of our home. She has her own private living area, coming and going as she likes. She has her own porch and flower beds which she tends with loving care. Flowers and birds are her ongoing spring and summer joys. In fact, the picture above is her door mat. I thought I would take a picture of it so you can share in her joy. She has at least 8 different bird feeders, including one for the hummingbirds and two for the finches. She finds great joy in sitting in her porch and watching all of "her" birds. She decided years ago, that she needed a birdbath. She realized after a few months that the birdbath idea was not what she thought it would be. Too much was involved in taking care of it, and keeping it clean. She asked my husband to put it back out of the way, behind her big pine tree. There it remained, in hiding year after year. Yesterday, I asked my husband to bring it up to our garage. I scrubbed it thoroughly, and left it to dry. At KMart, I purchased a round glass top from the curtain and tablecloth section of the store. It is sold to place on top of the round cardboard decorative tables sold there. I also purchased a bag of "Cotton Breeze" potpourri. It is a blend of branch balls, dried mushrooms...and other decorative pieces.




I poured the potpourri into the bowl of the birdbath, added a strand of teenybulb Deco Lights, topped the display with the round glass piece from KMart, and now had a coffee table for my screened-in porch. I sat my lamp on the glass, and was happy with the results.

This photo was taken early in the evening, to give you an idea of how the finished product looks.



This photo was taken late in the evening. The touch of the teeny lights, along with the lamp, creates a cozy feel, to our much used porch. If you ever find an old birdbath in your travels, you may think about taking a few steps to transform it into a coffee table, whether inside or out on the porch. If it had not cleaned up as nicely as this did, I would have sprayed the whole thing with my Krylon "Make It Stone" textured paint, to give it an attractive finish. I did not have to do that since mine actually cleaned up beautifully. A fun recycling tip from me.

15 comments:

southerninspiration said...

that looks fantastic!!She has such a pretty shape!! And love the touch of the tiny lights!

suzanne

Stacey said...

What a great idea. I agree with Suzanne that the lights are a pretty touch.

I never realized your mom lives there. What a neat set-up. :)

Kathi said...

Oh, how pretty! What a great idea!

Sheryl said...

wow, to have 1/10 of your creativity! that looks terrific. i love the tiny lights inside of it - perfect touch.

AND i want to come hang out on your porch!

Judy said...

You are always full of good ideas! Your lamp table looks wonderful...and your porch is most inviting.

I have no old bird bath...but I'm just thinking...

Blessings each day said...

Okay, I dared to visit here and now I'm hooked and will put you in my blogs I follow. what a great job you've done with your blog and postings.

blessings,

marcy

Tea with Tiffany said...

I love to create beautiful spaces. And recycling is so much fun.

Tracy said...

I absolutely love recycled things like this...yours is beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

I had no idea about your Mom...what a wonderful thing!

Melanie said...

What a great idea!
You're so clever & creative ~ I love it.
Melanie@Bella~Mella

Beth at Aunties said...

Such a wonderful Idea! We took have an apartment in our basement for my sister and her daughter to come and go. I love having her so close.
The bird feeder looked so cozy all lit up!

Happy@Home said...

What a great idea you had, Judy and it turned out so well. I think it makes a perfect table for your sun porch and really adds a lot af ambience in the evening with the little lights inside.

Brenda Pruitt said...

It has a very cozy feel! I love birdbaths. But they are a lot of work keeping them clean. What a wonderful and creative idea you had! I love it!
Brenda

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Now how clever are you! Love, love, love it!

Hugs,
Maryjane

Anonymous said...

I love that Judy ♥ It looks so beautiful on your porch. You do the most creative things. Your blessed to have your mother so close by. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Anonymous said...

I love it when people take a object and turn it into something it was not meant for originally!! Creativness at its best, seeing the beauty in the object and turning it into a piece of art!! I am going to be on the look out for a bird bath!! Have a bless day tomorrow with your Mom!!
Christina

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