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Monday, 31 March 2014

Homemade Bird Apple Feeder

In the UK it was Mothers Day yesterday. It's always tricky to know what to get my mother and as my two girls are too young to get anything for my wife that responsibility falls to me as well. They're both good mothers though so I don't mind!
 I decided to make something that they would both like. An apple bird feeder as they both enjoy watching the birds at their bird tables.
 I started with some oak off cuts (from a job a few weeks ago, destined for the fire), I drew out the shape of an apple, and with my drawing skills this was no mean feat, then cut it out with the jig saw.
 This was quite hard going as oak is never the easiest wood to cut. I had to spend quite a bit of time sanding it up afterwards. I then cut the top to a nice angle, added a bottom so they birds had somewhere to land.
 I then drilled a hole either side for the bamboo skewer and a hole at the top for hanging it up.

 I then gave them a coat of oil and hung them up to dry.
Hopefully the birds will be able to enjoy some of our old apples and we'll be able to enjoy watching them!
Both mothers seemed please with the gifts. Anyone else made a mothers day gift this year?
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22 comments:

  1. Dawn31 March 2014 at 07:16

    I would have loved a motherday gift like that, I like homemade gifts more thought has gone into them, although I was happy with my box of chocolates and my string holder.
    Nice work with the jigsaw, well done.

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    1. Kev Alviti31 March 2014 at 22:08

      My mum always likes a homemade present so I know I can't go far wrong with one!

      Delete
  2. Unknown31 March 2014 at 08:04

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  3. Sue G31 March 2014 at 08:31

    I'd have been well-pleased with a prezzy like that, lovely. What sort of oil did you put on them?

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    1. Kev Alviti31 March 2014 at 22:10

      I used a danish oil on these as I only wanted to give them one coat. Iwould have prefered to use boiled linseed oil but couldn't find it for love nor money! I think I must have run out.

      Delete
  4. Sunnybrook Farm31 March 2014 at 11:50

    Very clever, you could also make one to hold ears of corn but I think the squirrels would eat all of it here so I would have to call them squirrel feeders.

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    1. Kev Alviti31 March 2014 at 22:11

      Or squirrel baiters as you could then shoot and eat the squirrels! The trouble is they look strangly like a rat when they've been skinned. Taste alright though...

      Delete
  5. Jane and Chris31 March 2014 at 12:50

    Not Mothers' Day here until May, but I think I'm going to adopt you..that's a great gift!
    Jane x

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    1. Kev Alviti31 March 2014 at 22:12

      Your not old enough to be my mother silly!

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  6. northsider 31 March 2014 at 15:22

    Great idea, Kev. Mothers' Day always makes me depress now I only have a grave to visit to place some flowers. You're right to cherish your mother.

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    1. Kev Alviti31 March 2014 at 22:13

      I was always told you only get one so make the most of her (mines also great for gardening advice which is handy). Sorry that yours is no longer with you.

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  7. creations.131 March 2014 at 15:34

    Beautiful handmade there Kev - your mum and wife would love and cherish them!!

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    1. Kev Alviti31 March 2014 at 22:14

      Only one was for her the other was for my wife. But I am pleased that the cut out accually looks like an apple!

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  8. Little Home In The Country31 March 2014 at 18:25

    Kev - what a GORGEOUS gift! I love practical and beautiful things - those feeders are both :)

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    1. Kev Alviti31 March 2014 at 22:15

      Thank you very much! Nothing beats watching the birds come and feed on a cold day, we always had tons of birds at mums house and we're gettign more feeding at ours now.

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  9. Endah Murniyati1 April 2014 at 11:58

    That's really nice 'apple'. You are so creative. I really enjoy this blog, so inspiring. Thanks for sharing.
    Endah, Indonesia

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    1. Kev Alviti1 April 2014 at 22:17

      Thanks very much, glad you enjoy the blog.

      Delete
  10. Susan M.1 April 2014 at 14:20

    I see a couple of these added to my project list! Here in North Carolina, USA we are thinking about starting up the gardens and these would be lovely additions tucked in and around.

    I know you made these "off the cuff" but would you mind sharing a bit more of the specifics: appears the vertical piece with the apple in it is maybe a 1x6 or so? And the height?

    Thanks so much! Not sure how I landed on your site, but so glad I did!

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    1. Kev Alviti1 April 2014 at 22:21

      Yeah they're made out of a couple of bits of 6x1 and about 9" high with a 15 degree pitch on the top. But I was using what I had really. Glad you enjoy the blog.

      Delete
    2. Susan M.2 April 2014 at 00:44

      Thanks so much!

      Delete
  11. Sue2 April 2014 at 14:01

    I would have been thrilled to have one of these from one of my sons, I bet your wife and Mum were chuffed to bits :-)

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  12. Amanda :: Grace & Gusto3 April 2014 at 15:20

    What a great idea, so cute!

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