12 blogs of christmas 4 - Bird Feeders

Hi everyone,

So its day 12 of the 12 blogs of christmas and I have a great one for all the animal lovers out there, bird feeders christmas style. This is also a good one for children they can make a bit of a mess with and help the local wildlife with this great christmas activity. So get the cookie cutters and bird seed and . . . Happy Christmas!

4 cups birdseed

3/4 cup flour

1 envelope unflavoured gelatin

3 tablespoons corn syrup

Cookie cutters

Baking tray

Baking paper

Non-stick spray

1/2 cup water

2 straws

String

In a large bowl, mix together the flour, water, corn syrup and gelatine to form a smooth paste.

Slowly add the birdseed one cup at a time to the paste and combine until the birdseed is fully coated.

Place the cookie cutters on the tray and coat the cookie cutters with non-stick spray. Spoon the birdseed mixture into the cookie cutters. Press the mixture down into the cutters with the back of the spoon to pack the mixture into the cookie cutters as tight as possible.

Cut straws into 3-inch segments and press the straw into the top of the birdseed-filled cutter. Make sure the hole goes all the way through the mixture. Leave the straw in the ornament and allow to dry for 3 to 4 hours.

Once the bird feeders have dried, take out the straw and remove the feeders from the cookie cutters. Allow to harden overnight.

Once the feeders are fully dry, run a piece of string through the hole at the top of the ornament. Hang it in a tree for the birds to enjoy.

Make sure the you are doing the feeders that you don't put the hole to high or it could break, like mine did.

I also made balls with the left over mix as I ran out of cutters to mould the seed mix in. All i did was grab a lump of the seed mix and squish it really tight and left over night. Then I got some net and wrapped the ball in it and tied the string to it.

So I hope you have fun making these pretty bird feeders and enjoy watching the birds nibble away during winter time. Dont forget to like, share, subscribe and check out my other blogs. P.S I am doing blogs all throughout the Christmas season so check back and see what else you could get making this Christmas. If you do decide to recreate this or any of my other crafts or baking blogs I would love to see them so tag me on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

Emma

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