Feathered Friend Feeder
Materials:
An empty milk carton
nontoxic paint
glitter
white glue
popsicle sticks
10" wooden dowel w/ 1/4" diameter
wire hanger (cut bottom of hanger for inserting into milk carton)
birdseed
Rinse out milk carton thoroughly.
Glue open spout back together.
Cut 3" wide by 4" long arched openings on "spout" side and opposite side of carton, with base of opening about 3" from bottom of carton.
Paint the outside of the carton. Before the paint dries sprinkle colored glitter all over the carton, (birds are attracted to shiny objects).
Let carton dry.
Glue painted or non-painted popsicle stick shingles onto the top of the carton as a roof.
For the perches, poke holes in the carton just below the openings, and slip the wooden dowel through the holes.
Poke two holes in the top of the carton just under the roof, insert one end of the cut hanger into each hole.
Fill the bottom of the carton with wild birdseed.
Hang in a spot that is easy to view, but far enough away from fences or other objects to thwart predators.
Tell child how fairies, brownies, and sprites ride on the backs of birds to get from one place to another if it is too far to walk.
Earth Puppets
Materials:
Use natural items found in the yard, tape, and glue.
The easiest kind of puppets can be made from a twig.
Select a twig that forks. You now have 2 arms and a handle to hold the puppet with.
Find a fallen flower, and tape the stem to the handle for the head. You can also tape the stem of a fallen leaf to the handle for the head.
Another puppet can be made with a pine cone. Glue the pine cone to the forked twig for the head.
Dried and fresh grass make loads of hair styles, beards, and mustaches.
Use seeds or small rocks for eyes, nose, and mouth.
Make clothing out of leaves and bonnets out of flower petals or acorn caps.
Use a large box or table for the stage, and enjoy the show.
Vegetable Tray Puppets
Materials:
Large carrots, popsicle sticks, cream cheese, raisins or olives, celery, parsley, green beans, radishes, cauliflower buds, broccoli buds, cucumber spears, any other desired vegetable, and cheese slices.
Having trouble getting the younger children to eat their vegetables? Let them play with their food!
Peel several large carrots and cut off both ends. With a paring knife, cut a slit in the bottom of the larger end.
Place several carrots on a plate.
In the middle of a serving tray, place a small bowl of cream cheese, and surround with "garnishing vegetables".
Cut cheese slices lengthwise for strips of hair.
Insert popsicle stick in the slit of a carrot.
Using the cream cheese as glue, attach raisins or olives as eyes, and other assorted vegetables as arms, legs, hair, etc.
Let the child put on a mealtime play before eating the characters.
Lots of fun for the whole family!
Treasure Boxes
Materials:
Sturdy cardboard box
natural items for decoration
white glue
med-size paint brush
This little box is for the youngster to collect "treasured" memories from summer.
Start with a large shoe box and lid.
Let the child collect some items from the yard, the park, and/or the beach.
Glue flat items to the box, and place the non-flat items inside.
To give the box a more durable finish, brush on a coat of white glue diluted with water.
Encourage the child to tell stories of where the different items came from, or make up stories about the contents.
Potpourri
For potpourries I make a sachet from a piece of velvet with a drawstring, or simply tie with a piece of ribbon.
Fill with dried or fresh flowers for Lammas!
from sister Sarah
Sachet Pillows
Lavender lifts the spirits!
You can grow your own or purchase everything you need in a herb or craft store.
2c. dried lavender leaves
1/2 c. dried cornflowers
1 1/2 t. orris root powder
1 1/2 c. dried lavender buds
3/4 c. dried juniper berries
8 drops lavender oil
4 drops rosemary oil
several 4-inch squares of fabric, needle, and thread
Combine all ingredients (except fabric, needle and thread) in a bowl and cover tightly.
Allow fragrances to blend and mellow for at least 2 weeks.
Select muslin, calico, or homespun fabrics of your choice.
Handstitch or sew 3 edges of 2 squares fitted together.
Fill pouches with potpourri and sew remaining seams closed.
You can place these little pillows wherever you want or need them.
These can be as fancy or as simple as you like. These are wonderful gifts and are pretty just sitting in a basket.
Lavender Hint:
To give your sheets a fresh scent of lavender, place a washcloth sprinkled with a few drops of lavender oil into your wash.
from Carolyn Foster
updated January 27, 2000
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