-
Bird Seed Tree
These goodies are so pretty they'd brighten a tree even without the snow. Make the ornaments with flour, water, corn syrup, and gelatin, and then decorate them with birdseed. Walnuts, cranberries, and kumquats form a cheerful garland.
-
Bird Seed Ornaments
Use cookie cutters to make ornaments. They're easy -- no baking -- and fun to decorate. These hearts have a mixed-seed base, with corn kernels pressed into an outside rim of thistle seed and peanut butter. See recipe below.
-
Fruit Bird Feeder
Most birds love apples. Create this feeder for about $7 plus paint. Screw a threaded rod (#44540) into a post cap (#7970). Drill holes through the apples and thread them onto the rod, then top with a finial (#19285) and a screw eye (#331105).
-
Bird Seed Wreath
Bake bread dough in a doughnut shape, slather on peanut butter, and coat with Ultra Nut Fruit Blend (#349342) for the seeds. Dinner for the birds! Add a pretty bow to make it a decoration for the yard.
-
Ground Bird Seed Feeder
Trace a bird outline in the snow, then fill the shape with different types of seed. We used a 5-pound bag of no-waste blend (#304262), a 7-pound bag of critter mix (#130331), and an 8-pound bag of thistle seed (#211967).
-
Score with Scale
A birdbath becomes a meal on a pedestal with cobs of corn (#28880) and any seed mix you have on hand. We used No Waste Bird Seed (#304262), Squirrel Seed & Nut Blend (#130331), and Thistle Bird Seed (#211967).
Birdseed Recipe
Step 1: Mix together in one large bowl:
- ¾ cup flour
- ½ cup water
- 1 packet unflavored gelatin
- 3 tablespoons corn syrup
- 4 cups birdseed
Step 2: Use vegetable oil on a paper towel to coat the insides of the cookie cutters (or use vegetable spray); this will allow you to remove the ornaments from the cookie cutters more easily.
Step 3: Spread waxed paper over your work area, then fill the insides of the cookie cutters with birdseed mixture, packing tightly. (We used circle and heart shapes.)
Step 4: Poke a drinking straw near the top of each ornament to make a hole for hanging.
Step 5: Carefully remove each ornament from the cookie cutter and set on waxed paper. Let dry for several hours.
Step 6: Once the ornaments are dry, you can use peanut butter to decorate the rims and insides with other seeds. For example, spread a line of peanut butter around an outside rim, then press thistle onto the rim. Or use peanut butter to create a heart shape atop a circle, and press in thistle and corn kernels.
Step 7: Thread ribbon through the hole, and hang on a tree.
