Nana's Christmas Gift: Bird Seed Wreaths

What did the greatest Moma and Nana in the world get for Christmas?

Bird Seed Wreaths. Yes, she is a bird fanatic. And since it's Winter in Oklahoma the birds need to eat and I can buy seed and make something pretty.

I found the idea on Pinterest of course. Here is my recipe, I ended up using more bird seed and flour than the ones on Pinterest, while mixing it up it just didn't seem thick enough.

What you need:

5 cups bird seed feed
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup water
3 Tablespoons corn syrup
4 envelopes of Knox gelatin
cooking spray
bundt pan

Directions:

1. Spray the bundt pan. 
2. In a saucepan, add water and gelatin. Don't boil. Just make sure it is mixed well.  Pour into large bowl. 
3. Add flour and corn syrup into the gelatin mixture. Use a whisk so there are no lumps.
4. Add bird seeds and mix well. I used the whisk the first time to mix my bird seed and switched to a spoon the next time. 
5. Press the seeds into the mold until it is good and firm. After about 20 minutes I flipped my wreath out of the pan using a butter knife onto paper towels. I only own one bundt pan and needed to make more wreaths. Be sure to allow adequate drying time on each side. I let mine dry about 48 hours before wrapping it up. 
6. Place a ribbon through the wreath and hang. 

So far only her yellow finches like the wreaths, but she hasn't sent me pictures. Boo. She claims that she has too many sunflower seeds out right now and the rest of her birds love those more. I see how they are. Snobby birds. 

Thrift Shop Challenge: DIY Colored Christmas Platter

I have a love/hate relationship with my local Goodwill store. I love taking my stuff there. Especially if it really does give people jobs. I hate the idea that the owners are making more money than me on my donated good. I hate shopping there. Why? Because I rarely find a good bargain. When I think thrift store, I want things at garage sale prices. I mean really. Why do I want to pay $5 for a candlestick? Not the pair of candlesticks. A candlestick. I'm probably just not shopping the right thrift store. I find better bargains sometimes in the clearance aisle at Hobby Lobby to repurpose. Things that are not second hand.

This month's challenge at Oklahoma Women Bloggers was a $25 Thrift Shop Challenge. I had great aspirations. Really. I visited my Goodwill three times. NOTHING caught my eye. I am not paying $15 for a picture frame or $20 for a mirror. The clothes were horrendous. I don't need another holiday sweater. I'm pretty crafty so I went to my Pinterest boards. I guess its time to start planning for my annual A Very Pinteresting Christmas Linkup and think Christmas.

See those two glass Christmas serving platters on the bottom. One of these is going to be my thrift shop challenge. $3 baby. Should have been $1. With Christmas coming up, I love taking a dish that doubles as a hostess gift. This platter will be perfect. On Pinterest, I pinned this pin to color glass about a year ago that led nowhere. I just love when that happens. But I was determined to try it out. It called for glue. I like Mod Podge.

The Need List:

Glassware

Food coloring 

Matte Mod Podge

Foam Brush

Clear Acrylic Gloss Coating (since Mod Podge is water base,  I figured you must use a seal.)

Newspaper

Place your glassware on the newspaper. Mix Mod Podge and food color into bowl. Doesn't take a lot. I have leftovers if anyone needs. Brush the mixture onto the glassware. I started out doing even strokes, but ended up dabbing. Since mine was a plate. I did the underside. Let dry completely then seal with the clear Acrylic Gloss Coating.

Look. It really is waterproof. 

Isn't this just lovely? I was really please with how well it turned out. It turned something very plain into something festive and fun. Quite Pinteresting and Thrifty!

 

Be sure to head over to OkWB and see how the others did on their challenge. 

Crafty at The RHOK Today

A few of you have commented on the sparkly shoes that Kaybrie has been wearing.  The ones that she finally grew into. 

I am sharing today at The RHOK how to make them.  Be sure to visit me as ♥Mrs. Hart♥ there today and leave some comment love!

A Very Pinteresting Christmas, Day 11: Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments

</p> <p> <a href="http://the4crows.com" target="_blank"></p> <p> <img src="http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu106/The4Crows/christmasblogbutton.png" /></a>

Have you ever made Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments? I honestly had never heard of them until last year when my daughter was in Pre-K. Never heard of or smelled something so deliciously Christmasy ever!

I finally found the "recipe" after searching around on Pinterest.

Ingredients

Applesauce

Cinnamon

Elmer's Glue

All Spice

I made a double batch which actually made about 12 medium sized ornaments and a few smaller ones. But I am giving you the original recipe without doubling.

Mix 1/2 cup applesauce and 1/2 cup cinnamon together. Then add 2 TBSP of glue and mix well. Add a dash of All-Spice. You want a dough that can be rolled out so if it is too runny, add more cinnamon and All-Spice.

Once the mixture has formed into a dough ball, remove it from the bowl and place it onto wax paper. Slightly press the ball down and cover with another sheet of wax paper. This is where your children finally get to learn to use that rolling pin that has been stored on top of your cabinets as decoration for 9+ years.

You want it anywhere in between 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch thick. Remove the top piece of wax paper and cut out shapes.

After you have several shapes cut out, carefully remove the excess dough from around each shape and start the process over until all the dough is used. Be sure to add a small hole in each of the shapes so you'll have somewhere to attach ribbon. I used a kabob stick to get the perfect size hole.

Next you will take your shapes and place them on a cookie sheet and bake at 150 degrees for 2 hours. Then, turn off the heat in the oven and leave the pan in the warm oven for 5 to 6 hours. If you leave the wax paper under your ornaments to bake, remove about halfway through and flip the ornaments to the opposite side, so they bake all the way through. 

Once the ornaments have hardened, remove from pan and attach ribbon or string, or whatever you'd like. Your home is going to smell delicious and you will have some fun new ornaments to hang on your tree, use as gift tags, or give away as a gift. These go just perfect with my burlap this year. 

What do you think?

Be sure to visit The 4-Crow's each day this week as I bring you "A Very Pinteresting Christmas" Linkup and if you have any Pinterest inspired activities throughout the week, be sure to grab the button and linkup your ideas! "A Very Pinteresting Christmas" will be 15 days of Pinterest inspired food, fun, crafty days of linkups that all can be used during this wonderful season of joy. It will run from December 3-21 here at The 4-Crow's. I hope you will join in on the fun!

A Very Pinteresting Christmas: The 12-12-12 Birthday Boy

Today's A Very Pinteresting Christmas with The 4-Crow's is a little outside of Christmas. You see, I have to take a break from thinking about trees, decorations, food etc, to celebrate my son's birthday. 

Today is a special birthday. He turns 12 on 12-12-12. Not only his Golden Birthday, but also a day that none of us will probably see again, the next time 12-12-12 rolls around it will be in the year 2112. Braden will be 112 and I will be 138. Kind of puts things in perspective doesn't it?

12-12-00. See I told you he was perfect!

I'll be honest, 12 years ago when I scheduled to be induced on this day, I never looked ahead or even thought about the date. What was I thinking about 12 years ago today? Anxiously awaiting the arrival of my precious baby boy. I was induced at 6:30 that morning, the audience included my Moma, sister, and my 19 month old niece Jadyn. All day long, we waited in great anticipation, while watching the ice storm of 2000 outside Mercy Memorial Hospital in OKC. We had many phone calls that day, including my SIL, who was also at a nearby hospital w/ my nephew Seth, he was still in the hospital after his premature birth August 18. And then, at 8 PM, I knew it was time. We begin the counting literally, Jadyn, my niece who was 19 months old that day, learned to count to 10 that night! At 8:20, I delivered the most beautiful baby boy in the world. 7lbs 9oz and 19 inches long. Now 12 years later, he weighs in at 121 lbs is 5'8" and is active in football, basketball and video games!

My 12 year old little man! Still just as perfect and handsome!

For this special birthday, we are having a party. He has invited his friends- boys & girls! We chose CiCi's- I decided that I might be able to fill up some 12 year olds there with dinner & video games. I asked the guests that if they wanted to bring a gift to bring it by the DOZEN! The most creative will be given a special prize! We will also be doing  photo booth pics. I can't wait to see the fun pics! I found these two sites on Pinterest and made my own props. 

Source: livinglocurto.com via ShaRhonda on Pinterest

Source: accenttheparty.com via ShaRhonda on Pinterest

I also made my own DOZEN gift, inspired of course by Pinterest. I made it a LOT differently though. I only wanted 12 items in it so I couldn't make it according to their directions.

Items needed:

Six 12 oz Dr. Pepper's

Six pack of Snickers Bars

One 16.9 oz bottle of Dasani

Ribbon

Tape

Scissors

Curly Ribbon

Candles

Cake board

I put the Dasani bottle cap end down in the middle of the cake board. Arranged the Dr. Pepper around it. Then taped the Snickers onto the Dasani bottle. I stuck the curly ribbon down in the top and taped the ribbon around the bottom of both layers. Easy Peasy. I did make a girly bow on top and hot glued the 12 candles on. I hope he doesn't mind.

I promise I will post pics of the celebration later in the week. Be sure you leave a comment or stop by my Facebook page and wish my little man a Happy Birthday!

What Pinterest Projects are you making/doing this Christmas? Be sure to tune in each day this week as I bring you "A Very Pinteresting Christmas" Linkup and if you have any Pinterest inspired activities throughout the week, be sure to grab thebutton and linkup your ideas! "A Very Pinteresting Christmas" will be 15 days of Pinterest inspired food, fun, crafty days of linkups that all can be used during this wonderful season of joy. It will run from December 3-21 here at The 4-Crow's. I hope you will join in on the fun!

<a href="http://the4crows.com" target="_blank"> <img src="http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu106/The4Crows/christmasblogbutton.png" /></a>

Happy 12th Birthday my Little Man!

 I love you!!!

A Very Pinteresting Christmas: Day 7, Christmas Wreath

<a href="http://the4crows.com" target="_blank"> <img src="http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu106/The4Crows/christmasblogbutton.png" /></a>

Today's A Very Pinteresting Christmas project, didn't exactly come from one specific pin. Maybe just pinspiration from around the boards. You know an idea of this, an idea from that. 

I wanted a Christmas wreath this year. This is the first year I have ever hung wreaths on my front door. I didn't think I could. Seriously. My front door has a decorative glass insert on it and I didn't think you were supposed to cover it up. Who made the rule of front door wreath hanging etiquette?

The wreath that adorns my door this Christmas!

Items needed: matte Mod Podge, a piece of recycled tissue paper, scissors, box knife, paint brush and a wooden letter.

Lay the tissue pare on top of the letter. Using scissors cut it a close to  letter shape as possible.

Take your box knife and carefully trim around the edges.

Mod Podge a layer over the white letter, then add the tissue paper on top. Smooth out and then layer Mod Podge over the tissue paper. A few coats should do.

After it dried I tied a piece of burlap ribbon around the top of the C- is anyone else loving burlap like I am this year? I then added the bow on the green wreath. Both items are still separate, the C and the wreath are both hanging on the wreath holder. (I might want to do something else next year, and my C can stay out until February/March with a different wreath) 

What Pinterest Projects are you making this Christmas? Be sure to tune in each day this week as I bring you "A Very Pinteresting Christmas" Linkup and if you have any Pinterest inspired activities throughout the week, be sure to grab the above button and linkup your ideas! "A Very Pinteresting Christmas" will be 15 days of Pinterest inspired food, fun, crafty days of linkups that all can be used during this wonderful season of joy. It will run from December 3-21 here at The 4-Crow's. I hope you will join in on the fun!

A Very Pinteresting Christmas: Day 6

<a href="http://the4crows.com" target="_blank"> <img src="http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu106/The4Crows/christmasblogbutton.png" /></a>

In the meadow we can build a snowman.... or at least I made a Grapevine Wreath Snowman! It's HUGE!

Brrrr...its cold. Thanks everyone for rubbing it this morning that my hometown of Wilson, OK got snow and Broken Arrow didn't! Really? You are always 10 degrees warmer, almost on the border of Texas and you get the first white stuff this year. Not fair. No worries, my kids are packing their bags now for Christmas and have decided to add their gloves, snow boots & scarves, because Nana will still have snow in 12 days! ;-)

Snow in Wilson this morning

Here is my Snowman Wreath lit up! I actually put this together last year and brought it out again this Christmas. This is the pin that inspired me. I have seen a lot of different versions floating around, small ones, and evergreen ones. They are all very cute, and so easy to make! My favorite thing about this one is it can stay out until the snow threat is gone. March 1!!! Maybe?

Here it is lit up at night!

Source: Uploaded by user via ShaRhonda on Pinterest

What Pinterest Projects are you making this Christmas? Be sure to tune in each day this week as I bring you "A Very Pinteresting Christmas" Linkup and if you have any Pinterest inspired activities throughout the week, be sure to grab the above button and linkup your ideas! "A Very Pinteresting Christmas" will be 15 days of Pinterest inspired food, fun, crafty days of linkups that all can be used during this wonderful season of joy. It will run from December 3-21 here at The 4-Crow's. I hope you will join in on the fun!

A Very Pinteresting Christmas Day 4: The Party Part 4

<a href="http://the4crows.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i638.photobucket.com/albums/uu106/The4Crows/christmasblogbutton.png" /></a>

A Very Pinteresting Christmas" Linkup with The 4-Crow's began Monday. This week I am taking all five days to tell you about the IRL Pinterest Party that I hosted in my home last Friday night. If I covered the entire party in one post it would be looong and very overwhelming so I am breaking it into pieces throughout this week. Today is Part 4: Crafts. Girls, did we ever craft.
(instructions & pin links are highlighted)

1. Day 1: Intro & Snapshots
2. Day 2: Party Food
3. Day 3: Drinks
4. Day 4: Crafts
5. Day 5: Door Prizes

Glass Etching, anyone? We had a total of 15 glass etching projects, ranging from wine glasses to mirrors! Let me just say, every one of them turned out perfect. My guests were told ahead of time that we would be etching. They had to inform me WHAT they were etching and LETTERS to etch. I cut all the letters out ahead of time and had them in bags waiting. Now that was a lot of preparation. Here is a collage of the work in progress and a few of the beautiful results. I think all 11 of the 15 ended up being Christmas presents for someone else.

While the etching solution was working its magic, I knew we would have approximately one hour to wait so I planned another "surprise" craft. A few of the ladies who attended A Christmas Gathering with me at my church already knew what I had planned- it was one of my centerpieces. We made Book Trees. Yes, I tore up a few paperback books for this project. They were well read and one paid us back dearly by getting "real ink" all over our hands. The way I look at it though, at least I didn't sell it in a garage sale for 25 cents and not know its true destiny. This way the book always is treasured in the homes of my friends at Christmas. Right?

As I said these trees make lovely centerpieces or just an added touch of "vintage" to your holiday decorating. 

Be sure to tune in each day this week as I bring you "A Very Pinteresting Christmas" Linkup and if you have any Pinterest inspired activities throughout the week, be sure to grab the above button and linkup your ideas! "A Very Pinteresting Christmas" will be 15 days of Pinterest inspired food, fun, crafty days of linkups that all can be used during this wonderful season of joy. It will run from December 3-21 here at The 4-Crow's. I hope you will join in on the fun!