How to Make Birdseed Ornaments

  • Feed The Birds

    Feed the birds

    Hanging edible ornaments outdoors is a win-win in the winter months. These ornaments are fast and fun to make, and will provide a nutritious snack to the birds. 

  • Suet Cookies

    Suet cookies

    Suet and nuts last longest in the cold outdoors.

    For homemade suet cake: in a microwave safe bowl combine 2 cups suet, 2 cups birdseed, 1 cup cornmeal, and ½ cup peanut butter. Heat in a microwave for about 30 seconds to soften the fats. Stir to blend. 

    See the next slides for how to make suet cakes into “cookies” for birds.

  • Bread cutout cookies materials

    Bread cutout cookies materials

    You will need:

    Bread slices

    Cookie cutters

    Twine

    Scissors

    Suet

    Safflower seeds 

  • Bread cutout cookies, step 1

    Bread cutout cookies, step 1

    Use cookie cutters to cut shapes from bread slices. 

  • Bread cutout cookies, step 2

    Bread cutout cookies, step 2

    Poke a small hole near the center of each bread cutout and thread a length of twine through it. Knot the twine ends to make a hanging loop. 

  • Bread cutout cookies, step 3

    Bread cutout cookies, step 3

    Dip one side of the bread into melted suet, then press it into safflower seeds. Set the bread cutout on a baking sheet until the fat hardens. 

  • Bread cutout cookies, step 4

    Bread cutout cookies, step 4

    Coat the other side of the bread cutout with melted suet. Sprinkle seeds onto it and press them into place. 

  • Cake cone ornaments materials

    Cake cone ornaments materials

    You will need:

    Suet cake mix

    Cake ice cream cones

    Ice cream scoop

    Cranberries

    Twine

    Scissors  

  • Cake cone ornaments, step 1

    Cake cone ornaments, step 1

    Make suet cake in a mixing bowl. Combine 2 cups suet, 2 cups birdseed, 1 cup cornmeal, and ½ cup peanut butter. Heat in a microwave for about 30 seconds to soften the fats. Stir to blend. 

  • Cake cone ornaments, step 2

    Cake cone ornaments, step 2

    Scoop suet cake mix into cake cones. Top each still-soft suet cake with a cranberry. 

  • Cake cone ornaments, step 1

    Cake cone ornaments, step 3

    Using twine, make a hanging loop for each cone. 

SOURCE:http://www.midwestliving.com/garden/ideas/how-to-make-birdseed-ornaments/