| Bird Friendly Crafts |
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| Bird Cookies 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 3 large egg white 2 cups whole wheat flour 1 1/2 cups instant oats 1 teaspoons cinnamon 1 teaspoon baking soda 3/4 cup thawed frozen apple juice concentrate 1/4 cup thawed frozen pineapple-orange concentrate 1/2 cups chopped walnuts or pine nuts 1 package of Sun Maid Fruit Bits Beat egg white and oil until frothy Add juice and blend Add flour, oats, baking soda, and cinnamon and blend well Stir in walnuts or pine nuts and fruit bits Place teaspoonfuls on cookie sheet and bake at 350 F for 10 minutes |
| Bird Bread 2 boxes Jiffy corn muffin mix 3 Tablespoons baking powder 1 Tablespoon Spirulina (green algae can be found in some pet shops or health food stores) 2 eggs and shells (puree in blender) 1 jar of fruit baby food 1 jar of carrot baby food 1 jar of sweet potatoes baby food 1 jar of chicken noodles or rice baby food 3/4 cup peanut butter 2 cups baby cereal 1 1/2 cups shredded/chopped carrots Mix dry ingredients Mix remaining ingredients Combine dry and wet mixtures Roll on to a greased cookie sheet Bake at 400 F for 30 minutes Let cool Cut into small squares Any not to be used in the next three days, may be frozen |
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| Bird Snack Bars 2 eggs 1/4 cup walnuts 1/4 cup raisins 1 box cornbread mix (18 oz) 1/3 cup apple juice 1/4 cup applesauce 1/2 cup thawed frozen mixed vegetables 1/2 cup chopped broccoli or shredded carrot Place eggs, walnuts and raisins in blender and blend a several seconds Place this mixture into bowl, add remaining ingredients. Stir until well blended. Place on a greased 8" x 8" x 2" pan Bake at 400 F for 20 minutes Let cool for 10 minutes on rack Loosen edges with spatula Remove from pan, allow to finish cooling. |
| Sweet Potato Balls for the birds 1 large sweet potato (baked) 1/2 cup raisins 1 banana mashed 1 cup mixed fresh or frozen mixed vegetables 1 cup diced apples 1 1/2 cup granola breakfast cereal Fruit juice Mix all ingredients together Role into little balls (add fruit juice if needed) Place balls on small cookie sheet Freeze After frozen place in freezer bags Thaw as needed |
| Birdseed Snow Angel Kids can delight their feathered friends by decorating a snow angel with a mosaic made of birdseed. WHAT YOU NEED • Various types of birdseed (like thistle, corn, sunflower and safflower) • Cups • Pine boughs Time needed: Under 1 Hour Step 1: This angel is easiest made by a team: One partner lies down to make a snow angel while the other partner stands by to help the maker get up without messing up the imprint. Step 2: After the imprint is formed, pour cups of birdseed into the angel, filling the head and body with bands of variously colored seed. Step 3: For a finishing touch, add pine boughs for the angel's spreading wings. |
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| TWEET TREATS A fun, simple bird feeder idea from FamilyFun Regardless of the season, this easy-to-make feeder will be appreciated by your neighborhood birds. It features seed treats to provide them extra energy--particularly suitable during the colder months of the year. Materials • 14-ounce package of unflavored gelatin • 2 cups of your favorite wild birdseed • Three 4-inch mini bundt or fluted pans • Colorful ribbon To make a batch, bring 6 tablespoons of water to a boil. Empty one 14-ounce package of unflavored gelatin (we used Knox brand) into 2 tablespoons of cold water in a large bowl. Let the gelatin sit for 1 minute, then add the boiling water and stir for 2 to 3 minutes or until the gelatin has dissolved. Next, stir 2 cups of your favorite wild birdseed into the gelatin, mixing thoroughly. Let the mixture set for a few minutes, then stir again. Repeat this process a few times, if necessary, allowing the seed to absorb the liquid. Spoon the seed mixture into three 4-inch mini bundt or fluted pans (available at many housewares stores--we got ours at Linens 'n Things--or online cooking supply sites, such as www.nordicware.com). Place the pans in the refrigerator or a cool room and let them set for at least 3 hours. Remove the wreaths from the molds by inverting the pans and tapping along the bottoms. Allow the wreaths to air-dry overnight. Finally, tie colorful ribbon around your wreaths and hang them outside in a protected spot, such as under an awning or eaves, where the rain won't melt them. Originally published in FamilyFun magazine |
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| Mother Earth Suet Holder by Lynda Musante One of the "duties" of Mother Earth is to provide for the wildlife of the world. Our wire holder will feed the wildlife in your own garden or backyard. You will need: 3" Wooden disk 3 Plastic coated wire hangers 16 Gauge wire Plastic container or used margarine tub Nail Craft Snips Sand paper White glue Bird seed Pine cone Peanut butter Instructions: Sand disk smooth. Spread glue on disk to seal wood. Allow to dry. To make wings, squeeze the hanger hook of one hanger closed. Pull the center of the hanger up to the hook of the hanger and loop it into the twisted section to secure. Bend hook over the loop. To assemble the body, straighten the hooks on two hangers and bend them at a right angle. They will become the arms. Insert one hanger crossways into the second hanger. Bend both arms forward. Cut a 12" length of wire. Hold wings in position and wrap wire around all three hanger's twisted sections to secure. Pull down the wide section of the two body hangers and flatten center area. Use nail to poke two holes 1" apart at the center point on each side of the plastic container bottom. Cut four 3" lengths of wire and bend each piece into a "U" shape. Insert a wire "U" through one set of holes and position container over bent hanger. Twist wire to secure it to the hanger. Repeat with three other sides. Fill container with birdseed. Spread a pinecone with peanut butter then squeeze arms together to hold it. Your bird feeder can stand in the garden or hang. Glue disk to top for face. Darice® Wire, Wooden Disk; Fiskars® Softouch® Craft Snips; Elmer's® School Glue. |
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