How to Make an Edible Garland for Feeding Birds

Garland is a favorite Christmas decoration of many. You can find all sorts of garlands in stores – shiny ones, beaded ones, subdued ones and fluffy ones. But it's much more fun and original to make your own than to buy the same ones everyone else is using.

Lots of families make garlands out of candy or popcorn to use when decorating their Christmas trees. It's a simple project that the whole family can do together. But did you know that edible garlands are also great for attracting birds and other small animals to your yard in the winter? Here's how to make a beautiful decorative garland that the critters will find absolutely irresistible.

What You Need

* Raffia or twine
* Scissors
* Large sail maker's needle
* Unsalted peanuts with shells intact
* Small pine cones
* Peanut butter
* Birdseed
* Butter knife
* Pie plate
* Unsalted, unbuttered popped popcorn
* Soft dried fruits such as cranberries, dates and raisins
* Sunflower seeds in the hulls
* Plain Cheerios cereal
* Millet sprays

Instructions

1. Cut a piece of raffia or twine to about a foot longer than length that you want your finished garland to be. Thread the needle with it.

2. Securely tie a peanut to the end of the string. This will keep the items you string on from falling off.

3. Using the butter knife, spread peanut butter onto the small pine cones. Place some birdseed into a pie plate and roll the peanut butter-covered cones in it.

4. Thread the treats, including the pine cones, onto the string in a pattern or at random.

5. Use small pieces of the raffia or twine to tie millet sprays onto the garland at regular intervals.

6. When the garland is filled to about 6 inches from the end, tie on another peanut to keep everything in place.

7. Hang the strand of garland on an outdoor tree, and watch as the birds eagerly devour it!

Tips

* You can make clean-up easier by making this project outdoors. When you're done, you can leave anything you dropped for the birds to eat.

* If making this project with small children, close supervision should be provided to prevent injury from the sharp needle.

* Feel free to add more items to your garland. Just make sure they're safe for birds and other small animals to eat. They should be all natural, with no salt, butter or other unnecessary additives.

* If you want the birds to come even closer, try looping the garland around the rails on your front porch.

* Make sure the garland is kept out of the reach of pets and small children. They might decide that they would like a snack and destroy it.

Easy Fun Crafts - Chenille Stem Butterfly Mobile

Easy Fun Crafts - Chenille Stem Butterfly Mobile

Spring is full of beautiful things. It is an ideal time for easy fun crafts, especially to do with the kids. The birds and rabbits come out to play, and the flowers begin to bloom. And the colorful butterflies are a favorite of adults and children alike.

Butterflies are a favorite motif for spring craft projects. This chenille stem butterfly mobile makes a great project for children, and it gives them a beautiful spring decoration to hang up in their rooms. Here's how to make it:

Materials for this easy fun crafts:

* Black chenille stems

* Bumpy chenille stems in various bright colors

* Pom poms in various colors

* Wire cutters

* Needle-nose pliers

* Scissors

* Glue

* Paper plate

* Paint or markers

* Hole punch

* Fishing line

Instructions for this easy fun craft

1. Cut a black chenille stem in half. Set aside.

2. Bend a bumpy chenille stem in half, creasing at the base to create a V-shape.

3. Bend one end of the stem down toward the base, creating a sort of half circle. Bend the tip around the V.

4. Repeat step three with the other side of the chenille stem.

5. Use the needle-nose pliers to tuck away the sharp ends.

6. Push the middle of each half circle in toward the middle, making a hard crease. It should be shaped like a capital B on the right and a backward capital B on the left. You've now formed the wings of the butterfly.

7. Fold the black chenille stem you cut earlier in half. Twist the bend end about half an inch from the bend.

8. Slide the butterfly wings between the ends of the black chenille stem. Twist the ends above the butterfly to hold in place.

9. Separate the ends of the black chenille stem. Bend them to create antennae for the butterfly.

10. Put coordinating pom poms in the openings of the wings and glue them in place. Let dry.

11. Make as many more butterflies as you would like for your mobile.

12. Decorate the paper plate with paint or markers. You might want to paint a sky scene on it, draw a flower garden or do an abstract pattern in colors that match the butterflies.

13. Punch a hole where you want each butterfly to hang. Then punch four evenly spaced holes around the sides of the paper plate.

14. Cut four pieces of fishing line of the same length. For each piece, thread one of the ends through one of the holes around the edges, and tie. Tie the other ends together to create a hanger for the mobile.

15. Cut fishing line in various lengths to hang your butterflies. Tie one end to the middle of the butterfly, and run the other through a hole in the plate. Secure with clear tape or glue.

16. Hang your mobile from the ceiling and enjoy your easy fun craft!

I'm convinced the kids will love it. Do easy fun crafts with the kids and spend real quality time with them. Kids love creating things and they even love things that can be used more.

Have a look at Fun Kids Crafts for hour of crafting fun with the kids!