DIY Miniature Suet and Birdseed Wreaths

Miniature Suet Wreaths:
I've made larger suet wreaths before - here's the DIY instructions: DIY Suet Wreath  - but this version is quick, easy and adorable. ♥ This would be a fun craft to do with children and it's a unique way to offer suet as a winter protein source to your backyard birds.

Supplies:

- Wilton Easy-Flex Silicone 4 Cavity Mini Fluted Tube
- Miniature grapevine wreaths
- Ingredients for suet:
     1 cup lard
     1 cup chunky peanut butter
     Melt the lard and peanut butter together, then add:
     3 cups cornmeal
     1/2 cup flour
     4 cups birdseed
- Nonstick cooking spray
- Jute or string for hanging
- Holly berries (optional)

Spray the silicone pan with nonstick cooking spray then (if available) add a few holly berries. Fill each wreath shape half full with the suet mixture then press in the miniature grapevine wreath. Add suet on top of the grapevine wreath and refrigerate overnight. Once the suet has hardened, it should be easy to remove from the silicone pan. -  Hang with jute or string and add a raffia bow if desired.

I invite you to follow my Facebook page to see the products available in our shop, my DIY projects and more photos of my backyard birds! ~ Rebecca's Bird Gardens (Facebook)

Tufted Titmouse ~ Carolina Chickadee

Miniature Birdseed Wreaths:
For this miniature birdseed wreath, I've found that a metal pan works the best. It's the same recipe and steps that I use for larger birdseed wreaths, but I added holly berries (to the metal pan) prior to adding the birdseed mixture.

Here's the recipe - makes about 20 miniature wreaths

3/4 cup flour
1 cup warm water
6 tablespoons light corn syrup
2 package unflavored gelatin
8 cups birdseed
Nonstick cooking spray

Stir the gelatin into the water and heat over medium heat until dissolved. Whisk in the corn syrup and flour. Stir well until there are no more lumps. It will make a thick gooey paste. Add the birdseed and stir until all the seeds are coated.

Add the holly berries (optional) to the prepared pan - then using a greased metal spoon, press the seed mixture into the wreath shapes (be sure to press the mixture down firmly until it’s well packed and even).

Place the pan in the refrigerator until set (about 30 minutes) then carefully remove them from the molds by turning them upside down onto a cookie sheet. Let the wreaths dry for about 5 days (turning them occasionally so that they dry throughout).

If you only have one miniature wreath pan, you could cut the recipe in half or make a larger wreath - using a bundt pan - and a pan of miniature wreaths...

I invite you to follow my Facebook page to see the products available in our shop, my DIY projects and more photos of my backyard birds.