Birdfeeder for my cub scouts

The finished birdfeeder



The old birdfeeder made at summer camp



There are many things I enjoy about being a den leader. It didn't start off this way. When I volunteered, there was no Tiger den leader for my son, the only Tiger. So I stepped up to the plate so he could be involved and move up through the ranks. We quickly had two boys join us (who are still with us, yipee!) and through the years we've seen many come and go. Hey, it's not for everyone. But I am happy to report we have a den of 5 committed Bear scouts that show up on a regular basis, in complete uniform and a good attitude. So back to what I enjoy the most, the satisfaction of seeing the smile on the faces of those little boys when they receive their awards, patches and rank badges. When they learn their knots and you see the light bulb above their head shine a light in the whole entire cafeteria (our meeting location).  When they give me a big thank, but when they give me that BIG BEAR hug....ugh...I just melt.

But one of the next best things I enjoy is the crafts. Yes, I enjoy the crafts, but the boys do too. And on a rainy and cold day like today in sunny Southern California, crafts are just the thing.

My Bear son and I attended resident camp last summer and they made an easy, simple, and quick bird feeder which he just loved. This went towards one of his achievements that ultimately will go towards him earning his Wildlife Conservation Award. He definitely used it, hung it on a tree in our little apartment's balcony. OK, yes the tree is fake, hee, hee. But with the wind and the elements the bird feeder now looks like the above picture. So, we shall make bird feeders as a den, so all the boys can get their Wildlife Conservation Award. And, cause I'm done with Blue & Gold decorations {woo hoo} and can think of nothing else to do. And to practice leadership skills my son willl this activity.

We made one at home last  night to remember the details and to pre-pack the components into zip lock bags for each scout.

What you'll need per birdfeeder:

19 wood craft sticks (like the popscicle ones). We paid $3.99 for a bag of 150 at Michael's

4 pieces of cotton twine, approximately 25" long each. Paid $2.00 at Big Lots for 50 yards.

Glue, I use Aileen's Tacky Glue. $1.99 at Michael's, but have several laying around.

Directions:

You place two sticks parallel to each other and place dots of glue at each edge of sticks. Place two more sticks on top, as shown above.

Place two more sticks perpendicular to the last ones, and yet two more on top, see above picture. You should now have two sticks stacked on top of each other at each edge of the square. Make sure you place glue dots at each end every time you add sticks!




Then add sticks going across the entire top to create a platform. Again, place glue on the edge of the sticks that the platform sticks will lay on.

Add one more stick on each end of the sticks to keep them together, as shown above. Glue, please! Let dry for a few minutes so the glue bonds.

Thread a cotton twine string at each corner of the square platform. Pull all four strings together at top and tie them together. And you've got yourself a nice, easy, simple birdfeeder!

Now add a bit of peanut butter to the platform and sprinkle bird seed on it. The seeds will stick to the peanut butter and not slide off the platform with the first breeze that comes by. Hang it in a patio or by a window and enjoy the birds that stop by for a snack. I mean, don't enjoy the birds for a snack, enjoy watching the birds have a snack. Just want to make sure we're all clear on this one.

And here it is hanging in our balcony,
sans the bird feed cause I gotta take it to the scout meeting as a sample

Craft armoire...and the shelves (and stuff) are in

So I haven't exactly be on hiatus over the weekend from my creative endeavors. Trust me, this armoire project is looming over my head and I just want to get 'er done. I had my niece and nephew over for the weekend in addition to my two kids (help!). And although I had all good intentions of making an arts & crafts hour (or two) to make Valentine's cards with them, that never quite happened. This is where having a nicely organized craft armoire where all my arts & crafts supplies are neatly organized into perfectly labeled containers <<insert girlie squeal here>> comes in. This weekend my precious tools were scattered around in my bedroom trying to hide behind my reading chair, under my bed and in every kinda concealed corner I could find. And then of course, there's the box that just couldn't be hidden, sitting right in front of my reading chair just waiting (for a year now) for a permanent home. No way, no now, could there be a successful, organized arts & crafts session with the kiddos. I really wanted them to take something away from their weekend with me and what better than their own homemade Valentine's cards.

The kids went home Sunday morning. And after working out for 2 1/2 hours, cooking mom's amazing tostadas (click here for recipe) and hanging out at my girlfriend's for 3 hours in the afternoon, I came home to "relax". And then I walked into my bedroom, where the beast, I mean the armoire, awaited empty and lonely to be covered up from it's nakedness (missing doors) and filled in with all things nice and pretty (arts & crafts supplies). And there I went again. I added the hinges, doors, shelves and put in place the art supplies in the bedroom. Aahhh. What a relief.

Take a look at 'er now.

Speaking of 'er...what shall I name 'er?

But, I'm not quite done yet. Still need to purchase new door knobs, extra plastic bins, and get all the supplies boxed up in the garage out to be sorted and stored into the armoire. I'm thinking vintage style glass drawer knobs like these to add a touch of whimsy. Or, I may just make a trip to Anthropologie to get a few of these cutie knobs, What do you think?

Then and only then, will this project be completely done. You can view the BEFORE picture and the painting process here.