Welcome to my house! My bird-house, that is. The sky is blue and the birds are chirping, so I thought it would be fun to make a little home for our feathered friends. Gather up your crafting supplies, and see how you can make your own 3D birdhouse!
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Doesn’t my little birdie friend look so snug in his new home!?
I actually got the idea of making a birdhouse because of a neighborhood friend of mine. I was thinking about her because she hasn’t been able to get out much lately: she has some preexisting conditions, and would likely not do well if she contracted COVID-19. So, I wanted to make her something that would bring her a little cheer.
Last time I was in her home, I noticed that she collects birdhouses. So, what could be a more perfect present than a birdhouse that I designed and crafted myself?
Supplies
- Cardstock & Vellum
- Popsicle Sticks
- White Paint
- A Paper Straw
- Hot Glue
- Mounting Tape
- Bone Folder (optional)
- A Cutting Machine or X-ACTO knife
- My Free Template
How to Make It
1. Use your cutting machine or X-ACTO knife, along with my template, to cut out all of the 3D birdhouse pieces.
Note: If you are using the SVG files that includes the score lines, don’t forget to set them as such in Cricut Design Space and attach them to their shapes before sending through your cutting machine. I used a lime green color to mark the score lines, so hopefully that helps! The hot pink lines are used to make cuts, but be sure to attach them as well. If you’re not using the SVG file that includes score lines, you can use the PDF version as a reference to know where your folds should go.
2. You’ll want to cut your popsicle sticks (I just did this by strong-arming some scissors as well as an X-ACTO knife, but you may have more sophisticated tools than me) and paint them before working on the everything else. This way, they’ll have time to dry.
Then, fold and assemble the base.
3. Next, start attaching your embellishment pieces. Glue the vellum window liners to the inside, and the window panes to the outside. Layer and glue your small shingles to the overhang sections (alternating colors).
The, use the slits in the side sections, along with tabs on the overhang pieces, to attach the overhangs above the side windows
Glue on your popsicle sicks.
Fold the birdhouse along the score marks, and attach it via the long, end tabs. You can also add your paper straw “perch” at this time as well (I cut mine to be about 1.5″ long, and just used a little hot glue on the inside of the house to keep it in place).
4. Now, it’s time to assemble the roof. Layer and attach the shingles across the top, just like you did with the overhand sections. Before attaching the middlemost shingles, fold both the roof and the shingles in order to get a good peak. Then, glue it on.
Attach the roof of your birdhouse. Glue the arrow-shaped pieces to the front and back flaps of the roof section.
Lastly, add any hand drawn details you’d like to the flowers, watering can, and hanging sign. Then, attach the flowers and watering can with mounting tape (for depth), and glue the hanging sign on the side of the birdhouse.
There it is! I know that making things out of a few pieces of paper is literally what I do all the time, but I still never cease to be amazed when I finish a piece like this. There is just something really cool about being able to think, “Wow! This was just a few pieces of flat paper before I turned it into this.”
I think my friend is really going to like it!
I use Adobe Illustrator for all of my designs, and a Cricut Maker to bring my creations to life. For tips on creating fun paper cuts like this one, see the FAQ section on my website. Also, be sure to check out the other awesome 3D cut file freebies available on my blog!
Enjoy making this fun, 3D birdhouse! As always, I LOVE to see pictures of your finished results. Be sure to tag me (@designsmymissm) on Instagram, so I can gush over your paper craft masterpiece!
*This post contains affiliate links. By clicking through my links to make a purchase, you are supporting this blog and the hard work that goes into providing free, quality designs.
Mandee is a professional graphic designer, amateur bird watcher, and rollercoaster enthusiast. She is a wife to hardworking high school teacher and mommy to three adorable little humans. She fell in love with graphic design when she started working on a comedy website with a guy she met her freshman year of college. Design wasn’t the only thing she fell in love with, and they were married a year and a half later. She created Designs By Miss Mandee to be a place where she could merge her passion for design with her lifelong love of crafting. 28 Comments on 3D Birdhouse – Summer Cut Files
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Mary Ellen Torres
June 29, 2020 at 7:49 am (3 years ago)absolutely beautiful !!! your attention to detail is fantastic thank you
Mandee
June 29, 2020 at 11:45 am (3 years ago)Thank you so much Mary Ellen! ❤️
Jenny Davis
June 29, 2020 at 8:19 am (3 years ago)This is just beautiful. I am an amateur wildlife photographer as well a crafter and this is just what I have been looking for to decorate my craft room… thank you so much!
Mandee
June 29, 2020 at 11:46 am (3 years ago)Yay! This is going to look lovely in your craft room!! 😊
Lissbeth McCrodden
June 29, 2020 at 10:34 am (3 years ago)I love your ideas. Thank you for sharing.
Mandee
June 29, 2020 at 11:46 am (3 years ago)You are most welcome!! 😊
Kathy
June 29, 2020 at 12:07 pm (3 years ago)Your birdhouse design is absolutely adorable and of course one of my very favorite 3d crafts. I think birdhouses are such fun to make and give as little gifts. Yours is especially cute with the awnings, fence, and welcome sign. Thank you so much for sharing your talent with us, I am overwhelmed by your generosity!
Mandee
June 29, 2020 at 1:37 pm (3 years ago)Thank you so much Kathy! I’m so pleased that you like it!!
And thank you for helping me remember the word “awnings.” I totally forgot what those were called when I was making it. 😂
Janalee
June 29, 2020 at 1:14 pm (3 years ago)This is adorable! I think this would cheer any “friend” who hasn’t been able to get out much. . . and even those who have! Love it!
Mandee
June 29, 2020 at 1:37 pm (3 years ago)Thank you so much!! 😊
Veri
June 29, 2020 at 3:23 pm (3 years ago)Oh my gosh this is so adorable! Every time I get one of your emails I know I’m going to love making whatever it is you’ve come up with but this takes the cake! Thank you so much for sharing your amazing talent with us.
Mandee
June 30, 2020 at 3:53 pm (3 years ago)Aww, you are too sweet Veri! 😊
I’m so glad you like my birdhouse!! It’s a really fun one to put together.
Phyllis Chandler
June 29, 2020 at 3:44 pm (3 years ago)I was stunned to see this in my inbox. Absolutely perfect! My father, who passed away in 2001, created all the bird houses in his yard. Seeing yours brought back fond memories. His birthday is in late July and I am going to make this in honor of him. Then find a neighbor with birdhouses in their yard and give them this anonymously. The yellow flowers look like the giant sunflowers he grew. It’s as if you created it just for him. Thank You So Very Much for sharing your unending skills with everyone. And Thank You for giving me a way to honor a wonderful father!
Mandee
June 30, 2020 at 3:59 pm (3 years ago)Wow! We really must be on the same wavelength somehow. I actually had a different idea slated for this day, but decided to do this birdhouse last-minute. Even the sunflowers were an “off-the-cuff” addition.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your story with me!! It brought tears to my eyes. I’m so glad to be a part of such a special, memorable project! ❤️
Neusa Dias
June 30, 2020 at 12:58 pm (3 years ago)Ah que casinha fofa e rica em detalhes. Brigaduu
Mandee
June 30, 2020 at 3:53 pm (3 years ago)Thank you so much! ❤️
Rossie Grajales B.
June 30, 2020 at 5:40 pm (3 years ago)¡Hermoso trabajo, muchas gracias por compartir!
Mandee
July 1, 2020 at 3:38 pm (3 years ago)You are very welcome! So glad you like it. 😊
Sheila Coon
July 1, 2020 at 7:20 am (3 years ago)Your bird house is awesome & thank you so much for sharing!
Mandee
July 1, 2020 at 3:39 pm (3 years ago)Thanks Sheila!! You are too sweet. 😊
Ginette Legendre
July 2, 2020 at 9:50 am (3 years ago)Ginette Legendre Thank you my friend this is very nice. How nice and kind of you to make something for your neighbour. It so sweet of your part of thinking of her, I am sure she will enjoy your present and doing something made by hand is always precious. What a nice gesture coming from you and thank you for sharing I loved birdhouse, ☺️.
Mandee
July 2, 2020 at 10:58 am (3 years ago)Thank you for your sweet comment Ginette!! 😊
Judi Markel
July 2, 2020 at 10:48 am (3 years ago)Your birdhouse is adorable, love it. Thank you so much.
Mandee
July 2, 2020 at 10:59 am (3 years ago)Thanks so much! ❤️
auntie em
September 6, 2020 at 6:52 am (3 years ago)This is so sweet! I love your attention to details!
Thank you so much!
Mandee
September 8, 2020 at 10:55 am (3 years ago)You are very welcome!!
Marla
September 18, 2021 at 4:56 pm (2 years ago)Eres Increible!!! me encanta todo lo que realizas, gracias por compartirlo.(You are incredible, I love everything you do, thanks for sharing. I hope you do very well)
Mandee
September 20, 2021 at 10:37 am (2 years ago)Aww, thank you so much Marla!!