Bring a little spring into your home
with these cute crafts this
Mother's Day.

• Old wooden rolling pin
• Table saw
• Tape measure
• Pencil
• Drill and 1-inch bit
• Hammer
• Small flathead nails
• Plywood
• Wood glue
• Acrylic paints in desired colors
• Paintbrush
• Medium sandpaper
• Moss
• Thick white crafts glue
• Artificial bird

1. Saw off one end of the rolling pin. This will be the bottom of the birdhouse. Decide how tall you want the birdhouse. Mark the desired height on the rolling pin. Cut the marked end at a 45-degree angle. This will be the roof end.

2. For the entrances, drill the desired number of 1-inch holes along one side of the rolling pin. For perches, hammer in nails just below drilled holes.

3. For the roof, cut a 3-inch-wide strip of 1/4-inch plywood into two pieces, each 3 x 3-1/2 inches. Use wood glue to adhere these pieces to the angled roof cuts on the rolling pin with the shorter piece butting against the longer one. Let the glue dry.

4. Paint the birdhouse, using the desired colors of acrylic paint. Let the paint dry. To create a weathered look on the birdhouse, sand the edges of the roof and entrance holes as well as any other desired surfaces.

5. Add small bunches of moss in entrance holes. Using crafts glue, attach a bird to the roof peak or one of the nail perches, if desired.

• Look for rolling pins in discount stores, flea markets, or in garage sales.
• Purchase plywood in crafts stores and home center stores.
• Give a set of three coordinating birdhouses as a housewarming or birthday gift.
• For a more contemporary look, don't sand the edges after painting. Add painted patterns, such as spirals, checks, and stripes.