After reading my friend Claudia’s post the other day I was inspired to create a birdbath. Like hers, mine had an accident several years ago and I never bothered to replace it. Since the economy has taken a tank our funds are less these days, so I knew I wanted to create a FREE birdbath. Why not? It meant I didn’t have to go shopping and it forced me to get creative. The things I used: large pewter bowl, small enamelware bowl upside down, and my favorite rock. Can you see the ripples in the water? Mother nature was filling it up for me, it was raining while I was putting it out.
Another thing I did for free this year was put a straw bedding under the flowers instead of mulch. Log homes are supposed to avoid adding wood mulch, it draws to many unwanted bugs that can do damage to the logs. I really wanted pine straw but that’s not available in my neck of the woods so I opted to use a bale of straw that was being used as a sidetable on the porch. I actually like the yellow color agains our dark logs and it sure works for keeping the weeds down. I saved over $60 by doing it this way. I also have plans for that weeping cherry you can see in the photo, it didn’t survive the winter so I have a new idea for it (stop back by to see how I repurposed that).
I put the birdbath in the front flower garden on a huge rock that looks like a bench (also a free item). My son was digging some footings, for a neighbor, with the bobcat and unearthed this huge flat rock, right away he put it off to the side and brought it home to me that night. He knew I would be a sucker for a good looking rock (I have a thing for rocks you might say, I am like a 4 year old boy, I bring them home in my pockets after a good walk). The pewter bowl was from my Dad it was previously used to hold lettuce on a salad bar at a place he used to work, he got it for $2 and bought me 3 of them. What a deals for sure. The enamel ware bowl I have had for several year I found it at a garage sale along the way somewhere.
And of course atop it all is my favorite rock. I was using it as a paper weight in my office but decided the birds would enjoy it much more if they had a place to perch while taking a bath. Now all I have to do is stand watch for the birds. I do believe I love the look as much as any store bought bath.
The large pewter bowl makes this bird bath look like it is worth a lot of money. Thanks for the creative ideas.
Sue Im sure that pewter bowl cost hundreds of dollars when it was originally purchased my dad sure got a steal on it.
I love your birdbath – even better than a purchased one. It looks so natural in the garden. I may be digging through the garage this weekend for some thing to use for my own!
Karen brilliant idea, go digging and come up with a unique one of a kind birdbath.
Dawn, I really love this idea. and I bet the birds love it, too. At a time when many of us are having to watch our pennies, I love thinking outside the box. xo Laura
Laura yes there is nothing wrong with using what we have, I like no having to run to the store only to get there and they don’t have what you had in mind anyway. This way I have an original.
So cute Dawn. I love this clever idea! You will have some happy birds now:)
Debbie I love to make what I need without spending any money. This is one of my favorite projects so far.
I love your bird bath. I have a thing for stones too. My husband and I usually pick one on while on vacation. I have some stones I took out of he Rio Grande river!
Penny glad to hear Im not the only one who brings stones home. LOL
So much more interesting than a traditional birdbath! And it feels more organic and natural. We have a thing for rocks around here too. Very pretty Dawn! … I hope you get a chance to share at our garden party!
Sharon, Glad to hear you are a rock lover too. Im not the only one. I am enjoying the birdbath and waiting to see one use it.
Dawn,
I love this and you make the best stuff for free!!!! I love the yellow straw too. You are so creative I really love the bird bath. Your birds are going to be singing you some lovely songs as they enjoy the bird bath. Loved this post today.
Awesome.
Kris
Thank you Kris after I put it out I thought my dog would think it’s her water bowl and will be drinking from it LOL
Love your birdbath, it beats store bought any day!
Rondell I agree and it was free so that is even better in my book.
Dawn what a lovely idea! I need a new birdbath too. Now I’ll be looking for a big bowl and a rock. I think your promptu birdbath looks so much nicer than a store bought one!!!
Yvonne thank you can’t wait to see what you come up with.
Love the free birdbath, but I also just love the shape of the bowl.
Carol, The bowl is so heavy too. I think it will work perfectly 🙂
Its perfect for the location Dawn, I’m going to have to look around the house and see what I can come up with. Thanks for sharing.
Char it’s fun looking around to see what you have that can be used. I love it when I can come up with something new to make from something old.
Perfect ! Love it !
Thank you Cheryl I hope my birds love it too 🙂
I love this! I have a big pottery bowl with some chips in it I was going to take to the goodwill but I bet the birds will just love it! 🙂 I too have a thing for a nice rock.. I have a nice flat rock that is my “sun tea” rock.. I’ve had it since I was in high school when I made my dad get it out of a river we were camping near.. I’ve made my husband drag it around with me to every house I’ve lived in. 🙂
Chrissy that bowl sounds perfect. You better hang on to it for a while and see if the birds enjoy it. Love your rock story 🙂
Birds do love ground level bird baths. If you think about it for one minute it is more natural for them. More like a puddle or pond.
Joanne, thanks for the advice I’d never thought of it like a puddle. Our cat has passed away so maybe more birds will come without her stalking it.
I am wondering if the water causes any damage to the pewter? I’ve read that it can cause pitting and flaking.. It’s crazy because I was hoping I might find someone else using a pewter bowl for a birdbath and google led me to this page! Would love to know the wear and tear it makes on the pewter. It is beautiful !!
Cindy yes is does cause some pitting but as long as I give it a good scrubbing once a week it seems pretty good.
Ok great!! Thank you for taking time to respond… I’m excited to give mine a go!!
Cindy I just looked at mine again yesterday and I’ve been using it for years and there’s hardly any pitting at all.