(Or at least how to make it polka dotted)
I promised the how to on the paint job from the mailbox I used in yesterday’s post, so, without further ado…
The first thing you’ll want to do is remove the flag from the mailbox. Mine had a nice little pin to pull out and the flag came right off.
Next you need dots. Lots and lots of dots. I used vinyl and cut them with my Silhouette CAMEO™ and my Silhouette Studio® Designer Edition software, but you could easily trace and cut them by hand or even use a large punch. Because I bought an oversized mailbox, I wanted my circles big…1.5”. I made one and then used Object > Replicate > Fill page in my software to fill my vinyl. A 9” by 24” piece gave me enough 1.5 dots for my whole mailbox.
I drew a pencil line down the top of my mailbox and found the center. I placed my first dot there. I then spaced the dots 2 1/4” apart (from edge to edge) along the top of the box.
To make the next row, I drew a line 2 1/2” from the bottom edge of the dots and placed the bottom of the next row right up next to that line.
I centered a row of dots down the front and back of the mailbox with the same spacing, and then filled in the ends the same way.
Once all the dots were in place, I had a kid run her finger around all the edges to make sure that the vinyl was sealed tightly. Then, I headed for the garage with a can of Valspar Gloss Exotic Sea. (Random side note: I’m enjoying the new Valspar spray paint cans immensely. The big old trigger button makes the painting much more comfortable.)
My favorite “duh” spray painting tip is to always start with your item upside down. Get all the bottom edges painted nicely first. I gave the whole mailbox a couple of coats and then peeled off the vinyl. I used the hook tool from Silhouette, but again…not necessary.
Put the flag back on and you’re good to go (chains and bird perches optional)! I’m totally wishing my mailbox wasn’t brick right about now.
Check back tomorrow for a seriously awesome deal on the Silhouette CAMEO™ and the Silhouette Studio® Designer Edition software.
Very cute! Thanks!
Oh my gosh! That is so stink in’ cute!! You amaze me!! Not sure I could let a bird live in it though. They will poop all over it!! I might need to do this!
Nadine
Another options for the dots is stickers… the kind you use for garage sales. You can buy them at the dollar store and they usually peel off easily. I have used them to make dots on painted things before and they worked great! Love the idea of a mailbox for the birds though!
That is so adorable! Lucky birdies!
This is just too cute. Thanks for sharing.
it’s loverly. and a great idea! thanks for sharing!
Hey Char! Just wanted to let you know that I made your bird feeder and posted about it on my blog. I posted a link back here. If you’d like to check it out, go to www dot homemadebest dot wordpress dot com
Thanks! It was easy to make and it’s going to make a great gift!
Your mailbox is super cute and I have this linked to my mailboxes post too today!