Mockatoo

Ever since I spotted Solid ID's dipped cockatoo in a magazine last year I've been hunting high and low for a cockatoo ornament to make my own version. It had reached the point where I had become as unfussy as a lonely drunk guy, and decided any bird would do. 

Then, a few weeks ago, I finally (and unexpectedly) struck gold whilst in Homebase of all places, where I found this gorgeous chap for under a fiver: 

Obviously, I put him straight in my basket, and then hot-footed it to the paint aisle to choose a tester pot in which to douse his head. After serious deliberation, I opted for Cherry Crush from the Home of Colour collection.

I used masking tape to create the straightest line I could, then slapped on three coats of paint. Unfortunately, the paint leaked under the tape in several places; but I managed to scrape most of it off once it had dried. The line's a bit wonkier than my ideal finish, but I'd choose a slightly wobbly line over the £75 price tag of the original any day. 

Katie xxx