Category Archives: ~Gifts

Bird Buffet

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One in five Americans (48 million of us) are backyard bird-watchers, according to the American Bird Conservancy. Now that’s something to tweet about! What’s the best way to bring in the birds? Provide the food they love. Human handouts help sustain birds during winter months when natural sources are scarce. Here’s how to start catering to avian appetites this fall.

1 PICK A FEEDER Tray, hopper, tube, above, and suet feeders attract different types of birds. Choose one that appeals to your favorites. To attract the greatest array, select one of each.
2   FILL IT UP A birdseed blend that contains hulled sunflower seeds, white proso millet, and niger (Nyjer) appeals to most birds. A suet feeder will satisfy the rest.
3 HANG IT IN VIEW Place feeders a  foot or two from a window. Not only does it make good viewing, it’s safer for birds—if startled, a low-speed run-in with the glass won’t harm them.

4 KEEP IT CLEAN Wash feeders every week or two in hot, soapy water. (Moldy or decomposing seeds can make birds sick.) Dry thoroughly before refilling with fresh seed.

Posies Made From Tissue Paper

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1. Layer 5-by-15-inch sheets of tissue paper, alternating colors. Make 1-inch-wide accordion folds.

2. Wrap 1 end of a pipe cleaner around the center of the folded paper, and twist to secure. Round the edges of the folded paper with scissors.

3. Fan out folds, and gently pull apart each layer of tissue paper to create petals.

Daffodil Crepe Paper Flowers

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Tools and Materials

  • Daffodil template
  • Florist crepe paper
  • Paper clips
  • Scissors
  • Pinking shears
  • 18-gauge paper-wrapped floral wire
  • Floral tape
  • Fabri-Tac adhesive
  • 20-gauge plain floral wire

Crepe Paper Daffodil How-To
1. Download daffodil template, enlarge 200 percent, print, and cut out.

2. With paper clips, secure each element of the template to an appropriate shade of crepe paper, aligning the arrows with the grain of the paper. Cut out with scissors in the quantity indicated and trim top of trumpet piece with pinking shears.

3. To create stem, wrap together three 18-inch pieces of 18-gauge paper-wrapped floral wire with floral tape.

4. To create the bulbous bottom portion of the trumpet, place thumbs and forefingers together in the center of the trumpet piece, 3 inches from the bottom. Applying light pressure and moving outward, pull toward either edge, stretching the crepe paper as you go.

5. Run a bead of Fabri-Tac adhesive down one long edge of the trumpet, and bring edges together to make a cylinder.

6. Fold and pinch bottom of cylinder to top of stem, and secure in place with floral tape.

7. Insert hand into cylinder, and use fingers to shape the base of the trumpet.

8. Stretch pinked edge of trumpet against the grain of the crepe paper, and curl down with fingers.

9. Evenly space three petals around the base of the trumpet and secure in place with floral tape. Repeat with the remaining three petals.

10. With floral tape, attach each leaf to a 15-inch length of 20-gauge plain floral wire. Use more floral tape to secure each leaf to the daffodil stem.

PATTERN:

Easter Bunny & Egg Coloring Sheet

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Easter Ornament

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Materials:

  • Creatology™ Chenille Stem
  • Foam Stickers – Shapes of Choice
  • Craft Smart® Paint Brush
  • Wooden Egg
  • FolkArt® Acrylic Paint – Titanium White
  • Aleene’s “Tacky” Glue®
  • Disposable Plate for Paint Palette
  • Recycled Newspaper (to protect work surface)
Instructions:
  1. Cover the work surface with newspaper.  Paint the egg with Titanium White. Let dry.
  2. Fold a chenille stem in half to find the center. Add a drop of glue to the center of the chenille stem and press onto the bottom center of the egg. Tightly stretch both sides of the stem around the egg and twist at the top. Repeat this step with another chenille stem on the opposite side of the first stem.
  3. Twist both chenille stems at the top of the egg to form hanger.
  4. Embellish each section of the egg with foam stickers as desired.