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

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

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  2. 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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  3. 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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  4. So pretty! You did a great job of knocking this off!
    I'm already a follower in google reader.

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

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

    Pam

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  8. 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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  9. 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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  10. 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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  11. Lindy they look fabulous, and the vignette on the cabinet looks so pretty! Martina

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  12. These are terrific, love the frames. Hugs, Amy

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

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  14. Love the "Lindy Designs" version!

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

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

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  18. 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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  19. What an awesome knockoff!!!

    Blessings,
    Linda

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

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  21. Yours are as good as theirs! Good knockoff!

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  22. 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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  23. 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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  24. 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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  25. They turned out beautiful and i love that you got the look for so much less!

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

    ~Liz

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  27. Wow Lindy...these are awesome!

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

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

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

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  30. 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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  31. 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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  32. 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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  33. These are simply gorgeous and you display them so beautifully!!

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  34. Beautiful re-creation & presentation!

    -caroline @ c.w.frosting

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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  49. 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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I'm excited you're leaving a comment. I can't wait to read it...L.