Birdseed Christmas Ornaments

Our human loved ones aren't the only additions to our Christmas list! Treat your feathered friends to a special holiday gift, too.

You'll need:
3/4 cup flour
1 packet unflavored gelatin powder
3 Tbsp corn syrup
1/2 cup water
4 cups birdseed
Christmas cookie cutters
baking sheets
parchment paper
straws
nonstick cooking spray
twine

1. Mix the flour, gelatin, corn syrup and water together to make a paste. If it's too runny, add a little more corn syrup.

2. Fold in the birdseed until completely coated.

3. Cover the baking sheets with parchment paper and lay out your cookie cutters. Spray them liberally with nonstick spray.

4. Fill each cookie cutter with the wet birdseed mix, pressing it in tightly. You'll need to use your fingers to spread it into the corners.

5. Cut a straw into three pieces and press each one into the top of the shape. Once removed, these holes will be for your hanger.

6. Once they are all filled, leave them out to dry for 4-5 hours.

7. When they are dry to the touch, gently remove the cookie cutters. Don't worry if some loose seed falls off. Take out the straws and allow to finish drying overnight.

8. In the morning, run a piece of twine through each hole and hang them all over your favorite trees. Throw the seed that fell off out into the yard, too, or put it into you bird feeder. Trust me - they'll still eat it!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Recovering An Old Card Table And Making It Usable Again

Image
This card table recover project has been on my to-do list for months. I've been using it as my workspace in the craft room for quite some time, and it sees a lot of abuse. Here it is now, with a neutral cover on it so I can take better pictures for my tutorials. There were dents and dings in the old blue covering from metal tools. And yes, I've used my embossing heat tool on it several times, leaving pretty good scars. The padding underneath the blue cover also made it difficult to keep paper crafts flat when adhering them together, so it was time for something new. That's where a simple vinyl tablecloth comes in handy. The process to recover the table is pretty simple, but I learned a couple of lessons the hard way. I share them with you now. First, don't do this on any surface but a carpet. I tried it on the deck int he sunshine to get better pictures, but all it did was tear up the cover. Second, get a second pair of hands to help you kee
Read more

Simple DIY Beaded Keychains

Image
We're having so much fun putting together goodie bags and door prizes for our upcoming ladies retreat at the church. So many of our ladies have donated craft supplies, decorations, time and energy to treat our visitors to an amazing time. These keychains are just one of the gifts some of the attendees will find in their bags. All you need to make them are a variety of beads, some fairly thin yet sturdy cord and a jump ring. Cut a length of cord, fold it in half and string it through the jump ring. String matching beads on both sides. And tie it off with a double knot. So simple, yet so pretty. Here's another variation: Cut a length of cord, fold it in half and thread it through a jump ring. Tie one or two beads on one side and tie it off with a knot. Make the other side longer with additional letters and beads before tying it off. Make a variety of lengths, colors, patterns and phrases so no two are alike.
Read more

Debilitating Disappontment

The things of this life tend to disappoint us. People aren't who we'd like them to be, events we'd hoped for never occur and things we'd expected to happen in a certain way never come to pass. I've tried relying on everything else in this life - relationships, career, better finances. When we look to mankind for answers or for hope, we will surely be disappointed. Our own misconceptions of life's circumstances leads us down a long, dreary path. What we plan and see inside our head doesn't always match what others see, or what may actually be reality. Looking into ourselves for "clarity" directs us straight to depression and failure. Have you ever heard yourself say, "I couldn't care less" and truly meant it? Having confidence in our own power to change our outlook means that we care more about the circumstances themselves rather than how to grow as Christian women. God is the only unchanging factor in our uncertain world. Focusing on
Read more