Being National Bird Feeding Month and all, the kids and I thought we'd make something special for the birds visiting our backyard. We seem to have so many more this year than we usually do.
I used a utility knife and cut out letters from cardboard to spell the word "WELCOME". I also poked holes in the top of the letters for stringing. Then, we spread peanut butter on both sides and coated it well with bird seed.
The letters are surprisingly heavy after you're finished. We strung twine through the letters to make a garland, then hung them in the trees.
It wasn't too long before the word got out!
If you want to make some similar at home, I have a couple of suggestions...
This is a very Messy project (note capital M). Protect your surface and your floor if you need to. We went through a jar of peanut butter to finish all the letters. You'll definitely get bird seed in your peanut butter jar, so, if you have any left, reserve it for later projects, not for eating ;)
I used thick cardboard cut from boxes for the letters. It needs to be thick to hold up to the peanut butter and seed.
Use a good heavy twine, light-weight rope or something similar for the garland. I thought our twine might not be strong enough to hold all the letters and the birds that would land on it, but so far, so good.
We've had a LOT of birds already, sometimes I'll look out the window and see it covered up with customers. Makes me feel like spring isn't too far away!
I used a utility knife and cut out letters from cardboard to spell the word "WELCOME". I also poked holes in the top of the letters for stringing. Then, we spread peanut butter on both sides and coated it well with bird seed.
The letters are surprisingly heavy after you're finished. We strung twine through the letters to make a garland, then hung them in the trees.
It wasn't too long before the word got out!
If you want to make some similar at home, I have a couple of suggestions...
This is a very Messy project (note capital M). Protect your surface and your floor if you need to. We went through a jar of peanut butter to finish all the letters. You'll definitely get bird seed in your peanut butter jar, so, if you have any left, reserve it for later projects, not for eating ;)
I used thick cardboard cut from boxes for the letters. It needs to be thick to hold up to the peanut butter and seed.
Use a good heavy twine, light-weight rope or something similar for the garland. I thought our twine might not be strong enough to hold all the letters and the birds that would land on it, but so far, so good.
We've had a LOT of birds already, sometimes I'll look out the window and see it covered up with customers. Makes me feel like spring isn't too far away!
great idea! I am a naturalist at a state park and i definitely plan on using this idea in my bird programs!
Posted by: Nicole | May 02, 2009 at 10:47 AM
Loveit!!!
Posted by: Jaden | March 20, 2009 at 12:56 PM
this is wonderful.
glad to have found you!
Posted by: kristin | March 12, 2009 at 07:10 PM
This is such a FANTASTIC idea!!!!! So out of the box! Thanks for sharing it.
Posted by: Lisa | March 02, 2009 at 12:58 PM
that's a fabulous idea!
Posted by: dottyspots | February 28, 2009 at 01:12 PM
This is a super idea! We don't have enough trees (unfortunately) but I think we're going to have to figure out some way to do this!
Posted by: Heather | February 28, 2009 at 04:33 AM
Your garland was gorgeous, and I'm happy to read that the birds actually partook of it! We made pine cone bird feeders a while back and the birds were totally nonplussed. ;)
I surfed in from the Crafty Crow and enjoyed your blog. It seems lovely and fun!
Posted by: Alicia | February 22, 2009 at 08:13 PM
That is fabulous. I think our school kids should get in on the action. I'm going for it!
Posted by: Christie | February 19, 2009 at 01:11 AM
This is the cutest idea ever!
Posted by: branflakes | February 18, 2009 at 08:10 PM
This is a neat idea -- you could do it with any word, too, I suppose! Great!
Posted by: allie | February 18, 2009 at 01:15 PM
I really love this idea we have many many birds that would love this!
Posted by: megan | February 18, 2009 at 12:54 PM
great idea!!!! I linked yo on my blog for Little Alouette www.littlealouette.com
Posted by: amy | February 18, 2009 at 07:30 AM
fantastic! :^D)
Posted by: Lori | February 16, 2009 at 11:06 PM
Wow! I love this and can't wait to try it. Thanks for the wonderful idea!
Posted by: kate | February 15, 2009 at 04:17 PM
Everyone, thanks so much for the great comments! The birds LOVED this thing and we've already had to take it down because they ate every last itty-bitty seed on it!
Posted by: Cami | February 11, 2009 at 02:05 AM
How cute!
Posted by: Linda | February 10, 2009 at 06:00 PM
Beautiful! And it's got me believing that spring might actually come...one day
Posted by: Amy | February 09, 2009 at 02:03 PM
Beautiful! I am sure the birds love it!!!
Posted by: sara's art house | February 07, 2009 at 05:45 PM
That is the coolest idea! I love it!
Posted by: Denise | February 05, 2009 at 06:56 PM
How incredibly creative! I love how it turned out. So cool.
Posted by: emily | February 05, 2009 at 06:22 PM