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Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Ballard Bird Knock-offs (with printable pattern)


I "borrowed" this idea from Ballard Design.  I hope they don't mind...


Ballard Design




Lindy Design

 ***






I love these vintage frames. They are two (in one) of the ten projects I'd hoped to finish...well....soon. 



I can't imagine how anyone could let them go for such a low price -- just $4  for both.  I can't imagine how anyone could let them go, period. But, hey, it works for me.


To make the paper I cut the birds from, I found a description of a mockingbird online and cut and pasted it into a Word document several times to cover the entire page.  I changed the font to Arabic Typesetting, the size to 14pts, the type to white, the background to black, then printed it out on cardstock.  


I didn't throw up over this step but I came close.  This took an enormous amount of printer ink, I'm sure!!! The up side was it came out looking just like theirs, yes?

Using this pattern...



I cut the birds from my "special" paper and, using Mod Podge, glued them in place. 
My details were painted on with a tiny brush but I think you could just use a fine marker if you wanted.


Perfection!

I'm hooking up...




If you enjoyed this post (and, gosh, I hope you did) please BECOME A FOLLOWER!

54 comments:

  1. AntiqueChaseMay 4, 2011 at 3:43 PM

    Awesomeness!!!

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  2. La Vie QuotidienneMay 4, 2011 at 3:44 PM

    Very, very pretty Lindy...those frames were a real steal and perfect for your pictures. Most charming. Another cleaver project.(-:

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  3. Marty@A Stroll Thru LifeMay 4, 2011 at 4:02 PM

    They look wonderful and I love your frames. Your vignette is also fabulous. Love that bird mirror, it is stunning. Hugs, Marty

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  4. Libby@LightoftheHomeMay 4, 2011 at 4:05 PM

    I am a follower already but have to say you did a great job! I can certainly do this too. Thanks for the post! I suppose one could buy craft paper with lettering already on it instead of having to print them out. But they would have to go to the store to buy them and spend a fortune on gas!!

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  5. MelMay 4, 2011 at 4:14 PM

    So pretty! You did a great job of knocking this off!
    I'm already a follower in google reader.

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  6. YONKSMay 4, 2011 at 4:14 PM

    I love these. I just wrote about silhouettes in my blog by coincidence. Please stop by:
    www.yonksnews.blogspot.com
    Love this idea - thanks for sharing X
    Dianne
    YONKS

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  7. Connie the crafterbugMay 4, 2011 at 4:47 PM

    These are really nice! I am glad you didn't spray the frames.
    Connie

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  8. Pam@OurAdventuresInHomeImprovementMay 4, 2011 at 5:09 PM

    I love them! You did such a great job on them and they look amazing in those beautiful frames!

    Pam

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  9. SaraccinoMay 4, 2011 at 5:33 PM

    They are so sweet! :)

    Normally I don't link back, but I have another method for creating this birds, which needs a lot less printer ink (and I know how expensive printer ink is...) and maybe would be interesting :)

    It is a crow silhouette with text:

    http://saraccino.blogspot.com/2011/02/pictures-with-text-crow-again.html

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  10. SamanthaMay 4, 2011 at 5:33 PM

    Oh I love this project!

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  11. Chari at Happy To DesignMay 4, 2011 at 5:59 PM

    Hi Lindy...

    My friend, I love your new bird art!!! I seen those over at Ballards and fell in love immediately! What a GRAND project...you did GOOD, my friend! I love how they turned out! What beautiful frames too...my favorite is the square frame with the circular insert...sooo pretty! Thank you so much for sharing your project with us and the print outs as well! Your new bird art looks fabulous in that pretty vignette!

    Warmest spring wishes,
    Chari @Happy To Design

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  12. Cross Stitch Crazy MumMay 4, 2011 at 6:04 PM

    so cute! and lucky you to come up with an idea that is so close to the original but probably a lot more in your price range

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  13. ℳartina @ Northern NestingMay 4, 2011 at 6:13 PM

    Lindy they look fabulous, and the vignette on the cabinet looks so pretty! Martina

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  14. Art From The heartMay 4, 2011 at 6:36 PM

    These are terrific, love the frames. Hugs, Amy

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  15. PeggyMay 4, 2011 at 7:13 PM

    Oh my goodness that is the cuetest thing ever! I might just have to try that. Thanks for sharing.

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  16. StephanieMay 4, 2011 at 8:01 PM

    Love the "Lindy Designs" version!

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  17. Yvonne @ StoneGableMay 4, 2011 at 8:15 PM

    What a great post! YOur bird pictures are chic and fun. And your tutorial is wonderful.
    Yvonne

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  18. gail@My Repurposed LifeMay 4, 2011 at 8:21 PM

    gorgeous! I love those frames, and you did a super job.
    I'm sure I'll be catching you next week! :)
    gail

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  19. Patricia @ 9th and DenverMay 4, 2011 at 8:45 PM

    Very smart Bird you are!
    What a cute little project to do in a day...
    love it,Pat

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  20. Delightful OrderMay 5, 2011 at 12:04 AM

    How Adorable!! Would love if you linked up to my Delightfully Inspiring Thursday Party, going on right now.

    http://delightfulorder.blogspot.com/2011/05/delightfully-inspiring-thursday-party.html

    DaNita

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  21. Linda@Coastal CharmMay 5, 2011 at 2:43 AM

    What an awesome knockoff!!!

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  22. SueannMay 5, 2011 at 5:19 AM

    Fabulous!!!! And those frames are awesome!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  23. PAINTORDIG.blogspot.comMay 5, 2011 at 8:10 AM

    Yours are as good as theirs! Good knockoff!

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  24. MichelleMay 5, 2011 at 8:46 AM

    Love them!

    I have an idea...famous words, I know...if you don't mind I'm gonna use your birds on it! Thanks for sharing :)

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  25. AnonymousMay 5, 2011 at 10:07 AM

    omg.. i was just looking at these in my catalog and thinking i'd hit up joanne's for paper to use for a 'copy'.. LOL great minds! and great job!

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  26. Lauren @ My Wonderfully MadeMay 5, 2011 at 10:32 AM

    This is really lovely and yes, my first thought when you described the printing was "OH MY GOSH! That's a lot of ink!" Haha! That really is the icing on the cake -- having the definition as the paper! Great job!

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  27. Char@The Starter HomeMay 5, 2011 at 5:09 PM

    They turned out beautiful and i love that you got the look for so much less!

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  28. UnknownMay 5, 2011 at 9:17 PM

    Very well done! I love it... :)

    ~Liz

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  29. .May 6, 2011 at 9:09 AM

    Wow Lindy...these are awesome!

    That round/square frame is really unique...I love it! :)

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  30. HeatherMay 6, 2011 at 11:55 AM

    These are just wonderful! Those frames were such a great find!

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  31. Becky@Beyond The Picket FenceMay 7, 2011 at 11:49 AM

    What a great copycat, or copybird! Thanks for linking up to Beyond The Picket Fence.

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  32. BodenMay 7, 2011 at 12:59 PM

    Ummmm, these are awesome. Like, totally awesome! The frames really set your knockoffs apart! Great job! I'd love for you to stop by my blog sometime, www.icantstopcrafting.blogspot.com

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  33. PatriciaMay 8, 2011 at 11:18 PM

    You did an amazing job! I am always looking for ideas with birds. The name of my street is Oriole and I love decorating in a bird theme. :) Thanks for the idea.

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  34. Sherry @ No Minimalist HereMay 9, 2011 at 9:21 PM

    Hi Lindy, The birds are fabulous and thank you for the pattern! I have saved it for future use.
    xo,
    Sherry

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  35. UnknownMay 9, 2011 at 10:11 PM

    These are simply gorgeous and you display them so beautifully!!

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  36. c.w.frostingMay 10, 2011 at 1:02 AM

    Beautiful re-creation & presentation!

    -caroline @ c.w.frosting

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  37. Kelly @ View along the wayMay 10, 2011 at 8:17 AM

    Found you from A to Z. I can't believe how great they turned out. Looks just like Ballard! I really love that gorgeous mirror on the table too. GORGEOUS.

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  38. Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your HomeMay 10, 2011 at 10:47 PM

    Love them, they look wonderful!

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  39. RenéeMay 11, 2011 at 6:39 AM

    Congratulations Lindy! Your Ballard Birds made this week's top hits @ singingwithbirds.com. Thanks for sharing your fabulous project.

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  40. karlascottage.typepad.comMay 11, 2011 at 9:12 AM

    It was worth every bit of printer ink!

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  41. SPARROWMay 11, 2011 at 6:27 PM

    I love these frames and I love your way of doing the birds. Nice project.

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  42. bjMay 11, 2011 at 6:56 PM

    This is an AWESOME project..the birds..the frames..too cute. I could NEVER do all it takes to make the birds, but YOU surely did a great job.
    You are SO great, I am hooking up to follow!!:)))
    Now, come over, follow me and visit awhile..
    xo bj

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  43. bjMay 11, 2011 at 6:57 PM

    ...guess what? I ALREADY was a follower..:)))

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  44. Delightful OrderMay 11, 2011 at 10:26 PM

    OK.. this is great! I'd love if you linked it up at my Delightfully Inspiring Thursday Party.

    http://delightfulorder.blogspot.com/2011/05/delightfully-inspiring-thursday-party_11.html

    DaNita

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  45. One Shabby Old HouseMay 12, 2011 at 12:59 PM

    Awesome. I love Ballard Designs. They always have something that you can DIY. Thanks for sharing.
    Becky

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  46. Korrie@RedHenHomeMay 13, 2011 at 10:17 PM

    A delightful project! Love it.

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  47. CassieMay 13, 2011 at 10:19 PM

    Way cool! I love it when bloggers share their knock-off secrets...thank you!
    And your blog is way cool too!

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  48. Rhoda @ Southern HospitalityMay 16, 2011 at 7:51 AM

    What cute birds, Lindy! Great way to duplicate a good look from Ballards!

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  49. Kelly @ Run With GlitterMay 16, 2011 at 12:31 PM

    I love this and I would love it if you shared it on the Glitter link party this week! http://runwithglitter.blogspot.com/2011/05/running-with-glitter-9-link-party.html
    xoxox
    Kelly

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  50. Bonnie @ House of GraceMay 16, 2011 at 3:53 PM

    Great job! :) So cute and pretty! I am going to feature this tonight!!
    Bonnie :)

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  51. RoeshelMay 16, 2011 at 5:20 PM

    Lindy, they're beautiful! You did an amazing job at recreating the Ballard design. I love your vintage frames! Thanks so much for the printable and sharing your creativity in the DIY Project Parade. I'm linking a link back in tomorrow's highlights. ;)

    Roeshel

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  52. KKMay 17, 2011 at 12:28 AM

    Anything birdie and I'm in! This turned out great.

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  53. abeachcottageMay 17, 2011 at 8:07 AM

    They look great, love the vintage frames. Your vignette is fabulous too :)

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  54. Alana in CanadaMay 28, 2011 at 12:39 PM

    Thank you so much for the outlines! You inspired me to do this project, and now I've done it. http://prairiehometherapy.blogspot.com/2011/05/bird-art.html

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