It is that time again. The Austrian Pine are dropping their cones. They make for great crafting material. Whether you use them for holiday decorating, as bird feeders or any other use you can think of.

The Austrian Pine cones are my favorite for crafting. They have the typical “pinecone” shape and are very durable. If you have any in your yard or have access to them, get collecting! Keep them stored in a dry place until you are ready to get crafting.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

Here are some photos of the nesting material dispensers we made and put out for the birds. Notice the dried sunflower heads on each side. They came from last year’s garden. You may also notice two small “leaf silos” that house some of last fall’s leaves. Some leftover Concolor Fir greenery from holiday decorating is also visible. The birds appreciate any extra protection they can find during the winter.

Photos

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I’ll see you in the backyard!

You may remember when we first talked about the nesting material project.
http://www.blogsmonroe.com/backyard/?p=714

Now is the perfect time to get this project ready to be placed outside. I collected some two quart orange juice cartons to use as dispensers for the materials. We have been collecting nesting materials for some time now. With the snow having melted, I was able to locate a few sticks to serve as perches for the dispensers. I think everything is ready.

Making the dispenser will be quite simple. I plan on making two different types that can be placed different ways. One style allows the dispenser to hang from a tree near the bird feeders. The other style can be secured to a fence post in the garden. They both start out the same way. Two holes need to be cut, on opposite sides, so the birds have access to the materials. These holes will also aid in hanging the cartons. Using a large nail or other pointed object, punch a few drainage holes in the bottom of each carton. Holes should also be punched underneath the access holes to accept a stick. Be sure the stick fits tightly as this will serve as a perch.

Hanging the dispensers can be done quite easily. A string or wire can be put through the top to hang it from a tree or other item. I plan on making a small hole to put a screwdriver through in the front of the dispenser that will be mounted to the fence post. A screw with a large shouldered washer will go through the back of the carton and into a pre-drilled pilot hole in the fence. The small hole in front allows access for the screwdriver to secure the dispenser to the fence.

Strings can be cut into various lengths from 2″ to 8″ in length. These can be placed in the dispensers for the birds to use in their nest building. Other items that can be used as nesting material includes small scraps of cloth, cotton balls, feathers, yarn, hair and animal fur or wool. Even small strips of mylar balloons will be a treat to some birds. The shiny strips remind the birds of snake skins, which some bird incorporate into their nests. They are used to keep predators away. There are numerous other items that may work also. Just give it a try or feel free to ask me about the items.

I plan on adding some food source close to the nesting material dispensers to bring the birds in. I still have dried sunflower heads from last year’s garden. I think those will be an enticing treat to bring them in.

I hope to have photos posted when the dispensers are finished and installed. I want to have them put out in the next week or so.

Quick tip: If you like the idea of this but do not want to make a dispenser, the materials can be put in a wire suet feeder. This will work well also.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

The birds will be getting a treat today. There is a pot of beef soup cooking on our stove. That is not their treat, but some of the trimmings from the beef will be.

The beef trimmings were put in the grinder to make a shredded pile of meat scraps. To the pile add a small amount of seed mix. Mix the beef mixture and the seeds together. Add more seed as necessary to coat the meat. I had some bacon grease saved for suet as well. Because of that I added extra seed mix. After warming the bacon grease I poured it into the mixture. The mix was stirred again until everything was coated. I popped it in the freezer for a bit until the bacon grease thickened.

The suet mix will then be ready for feeding. It can be formed into blocks to put into existing suet feeders. I occasionally save mesh bags from potatoes or onions. These can be filled with the mix, tied off and secured in a tree.

This is a great winter time treat. Just remember, as the weather begins to warm up this will be a messy treat. It is best to feed this in colder temperatures.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I have already begun to see cut trees thrown out of the house and kicked to the curb. I would hope that their final destination is a tree recycling center. They will be chipped and will serve a second purpose as mulch. But there are other uses for that tree without it leaving your yard.

The tree can be left out for the winter as an extra home for birds or other small animals. It can simply be left against a fence or other structure or staked up near the bird feeder. The staking option will look much neater if there are neighbors near.

Another option is to cut the limbs off and use them as additional mulch for tender plantings. If you use this option, it is smart to leave some length of limbs left on the trunk. ( Imagine something looking like a hat rack. ) By doing this, you will have a great base for a backyard craft. It could be converted to one or more bird feeders. You could also use it as a rustic pole in the spring. Bury the end and use it as a pole for growing vines, whether for flowers or vegetables such as beans. It would work for gourds as well.

The limbs that are cut off now or in the spring can be cut up and added to the bottom of a new compost pile.

I will be posting directions soon as to how to make bird feeders from the trunk. It is simple to do and it is a fun project to get the kids involved with.

Whatever you choose to do, please make it an environmentally friendly choice.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

The first tip I can suggest when working with live greens is to use small pieces. I hate to waste anything more than most people, but large pieces do not do a nice job. If a branch is large, use it for a larger project or add it to the compost pile after you cut it up into smaller pieces.

When making a live greens wreath it is best to add greens in small portions. Filling in a little at a time seems to make a fuller, fluffier wreath. Save some small pieces to use as filler at completion. I like to use 20 gauge craft wire. I can work with it without fear of it breaking.

Using a mixture of greens can really add new dimensions to a centerpiece. Boxwood, Yew, Juniper and Arborvitae are good choices. Pine, Spruce and Fir are other options. Do not forget to use floral foam with the live greens centerpieces. I always cut it in the size I need, put it where it is going and then water it in. It seems less messy that way.

Just be careful with the live greens around children and pets. They should not be accessible where they could be chewed on or swallowed.

Happy crafting.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I added a few photos of some of the wreaths and centerpieces I have begun making.
http://www.blogsmonroe.com/backyard/?page_id=42

Look for more photos soon. I will also be adding tips for anyone who might want to try making their own.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I have harvested the greens and now I can begin working with them. The greens were hauled home in large pieces. I start by simply cutting the branches from the trunk. This makes them easier to handle. From there I cut the branches into manageable sizes.

It is difficult to work with boughs that are of large diameter. I try to use smaller diameter material unless crafting something very large. The boughs are cut into workable lengths, which is usually twelve inches or less. After I cut them to size I put them in large containers which I will then work out of while crafting. The largest branches are just stripped clean of greenery if I have no other use for them. These smaller pieces work well as filler in wreaths and also in centerpieces. These pieces will go in a separate container.

I will begin putting wreaths together today or tomorrow. Stay tuned for more hints regarding construction of wreaths and other holiday items.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I managed to put together a great project using the husk from beech nuts. I found some under a beech tree a while back and knew they would be wonderful for a craft project.
http://www.blogsmonroe.com/backyard/?p=252

I came up with something fun for the younger kids. All that is necessary are the husks from some beech nuts, pipe cleaners and some sort of a small vase. I used a small piece of a branch, just a couple of inches in diameter and a few inches tall. I drilled a few small holes to accept the pipe cleaner “stems”.

The husks have a small stem still attached. We simply wrapped the pipe cleaner tightly around that stem and added a dab of glue. It gives the appearance of a flower on a stem. We secured a husk on each end of the pipe cleaner. This allows adjusting the height of your flowers in their vase by choosing where you bend the pipe cleaner. We used brown pipe cleaners. Any color will work. A mix of colors may be fun for the kids.

The only thing I will do differently next time is add a coat of lacquer to the vase and husks before adding the stems.You can drill one large hole or many small ones if using a wooden vase.

I’ll see you in the backyard!

I am just about finished with that large tree I have been cutting up and clearing out. All that is left is cleaning up some brush from it. The homeowner told me I could have any wood I wanted from the tree. I only took a few pieces but that was enough for two projects.

The logs I brought home will be the material to make three more benches for around our fire pit. I plan on making one the same height as my existing bench and two that are taller. My thought is the two shorter ones can be pulled in tight over the fire pit while not in use. The taller benches will sit over top of them in the opposite direction. This will free up space in the yard when they are not in use. I may make one additional bench to put near the garden.

I also found a nice section of log with two gnarled out holes. I think this will make for a wonderful addition somewhere in the landscape. It is just a matter of making sure the holes are large enough and adding drain holes. The holes can then be filled with a compost mix and planted with whatever plants I choose. I think it will make a nice addition to my butterfly garden.

I’ll see you in the backyard!