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    Home » DIY » Outdoor Projects

    Using a Dremel is a Hoot!

    By: Jane · Updated: 2 Feb, '15 · This post may contain affiliate links · 20 Comments

    Sharing is caring!

    Can you believe August is over and fall is just around the corner? Even though it's still hot as blazes here, Leo and I have completed our first fall project, and here he is! It's Mr. Hooty Hoot! He has perched himself here on the front porch and is lending a little fall flair to our home.

    Using a dremel to create a wooden owl | cottage at the crossroads

    Just in case you might like to make one of your own,  I'm showing the steps we used in creating him.

    Using a dremel to create a wooden owl | cottage at the crossroads

    Using an image of an owl I found online, I roughly sketched the outline of the owl and a branch on a 28" X 28" piece of ¼ inch plywood.

    Using a dremel to create a wooden owl | cottage at the crossroads

    Then Leo's brother Jim used a variable speed jigsaw (pictured on the right) to cut out the outline.

    Using a dremel to create a wooden owl | cottage at the crossroads

    Using a pencil, I added some details to the cutout. I went back over some of the details with a Sharpie, but I wouldn't advise that!

    Using a dremel to create a wooden owl | cottage at the crossroads

    Then Leo used the Dremel 3000 tool and several small engraving bits to carve out the details.

    Using a dremel to create a wooden owl | cottage at the crossroads

    Then he handed the owl over to me and I stained him all over, front and back, with golden pine gel stain by General Finishes. Using a gel stain is so much easier than a liquid. You just wipe it on and then wipe off the excess.

    Using a dremel to create a wooden owl | cottage at the crossroads

    After the stain had dried, I used some brown, black, grey, white, and yellow-gold to highlight the carved out features.

    Using a dremel to create a wooden owl | cottage at the crossroads

    You can see how using the Dremel tool to carve out the details and then adding the paint really adds some interest.

    Using a dremel to create a wooden owl | cottage at the crossroads

    Mr. Hooty Hoot is waiting on more owl friends to join him on the porch as summer gives way to fall.

    Using a dremel to create a wooden owl | cottage at the crossroads

    Stay tuned to Cottage at the Crossroads for the next exciting episode of  " The Fall Front Porch" where you'll find the answer to the question just how many owls can you fit on a front porch?

    Wooden garden sign | cottage at the crossroads

    Check out our wooden garden sign made with a dremel.

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    1. Anita from Cedar Hill Farmhouse

      September 10, 2014 at 10:09 am

      Wow, great job on the charming owl!!

      Reply
    2. MariaElena

      September 10, 2014 at 6:52 am

      That is one cute owl. What a fun project!

      Reply
    3. Cindy

      September 07, 2014 at 11:00 pm

      I love your Mr Hooty Hoot! He is adorable! It is amazing how many things you can use a dremel for. Did you know that if you put the little drum sander on it, it works beautifully on those crazy rough summer feet! I use it all the time 🙂 Blessings, Cindy

      Reply
    4. [email protected] Designs

      September 04, 2014 at 9:38 am

      Wow...I love it...always wanted to try my hand at a Dremel!!!...Great, great job!

      Reply
    5. laurie

      September 03, 2014 at 12:08 pm

      This is a WOW Owl! laurie

      Reply
    6. Kathleen G

      September 02, 2014 at 12:57 pm

      Beautiful owl! My husband love owls, but they kinda creep me out with their eyes. We had one in our neighbors palm tree, staring down at us and our little dog. My husband was taking pictures left & right, while I was thinking the owl was going to swoop down and grab our little Zoe! You and your husband make a great team with your projects. Kathleen in Az

      Reply
    7. [email protected] Peaceful Haven

      September 02, 2014 at 12:42 pm

      I have always wanted to learn how to use a dremel ! Thanks for another great post!

      Reply
    8. Mary

      September 02, 2014 at 6:00 am

      Jane, Your owl is too cute perched on your porch! Whoooo knew you could create one with a Dremel?! I was just reading Kathleen's comment above and your response. So funny how the Mason-Dixon line divides folks about fall. It can't come soon enough for the me with the humidity and heat creeping back up this week.

      Reply
    9. Jean Windham

      September 01, 2014 at 11:56 am

      The Dremel tool with your artistry has created a masterpiece. Congrats and happy Labor Day. I love the owl and cannot wait to see the others. Jean

      Reply
    10. Barbara F.

      September 01, 2014 at 11:11 am

      Jane and Leo, this is fabulous! I love it. You can start a business making and selling these. Happy Labor Day, you two busy bees need a day to rest and recharge!

      Reply
      • Jane Windham

        September 01, 2014 at 3:15 pm

        No worries, Barbara! I took a 3 hour nap Sunday afternoon, and I NEVER nap! Happy Labor Day to you, as well!

        Reply
    11. Kathleen

      September 01, 2014 at 11:09 am

      Whooo knew? Adorable. It's not Fall Y'All, lol! After last winter I am holding on till the 22nd, when it is officially Fall! September is the most beautiful summer month here, tourists gone, water is at its warmest, and beautiful clear days. No rushing the seasons, after all , we are entering the winter stage of life!

      Reply
      • Jane Windham

        September 01, 2014 at 3:16 pm

        Yes, time sure passes quickly now, doesn't it Kathleen! We don't really have a fall here in South Carolina until late October. So we have to create our own fall!

        Reply
    12. Moni ~ Zu Haus at Home

      September 01, 2014 at 9:09 am

      You've created a masterpiece! Mr. Hoot is quite the dapper fellow on your porch! Love it!

      Reply
    13. Linda aka Crafty Gardener

      September 01, 2014 at 8:12 am

      Great directions and the owl turned out wonderful.

      Reply
    14. Jean

      September 01, 2014 at 7:33 am

      Cute Mr. Hooty Hoot!!!

      Reply
    15. Pat @ LifeAtLydiasHouse

      August 31, 2014 at 11:18 pm

      You and Leo are quite the Dremel artists! I have tried to use one before but have never been successful! I am impressed!

      Reply
    16. Kim

      August 31, 2014 at 11:05 pm

      Jane, that is just too cute!! Happy Labor Day!

      Reply

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    Jane @ Cottage at the Crossroads

    We're Jane and Leo!

    Thanks for stopping by! We're renovating and preserving our family's 100 year old home place where we garden, complete a few DIY projects, and do some cooking. Please leave us a comment so that we'll know that you were here.

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