Tool Time Tuesday...Homemade Bird Feeder and For Us Too!!

Spring is trying so hard to come around here at Sew Many Ways...the birds are chirping, but the temperature isn't quite there yet. Well, the birds are going to be singing more after this Tool Time, even if it isn't warm outside.

All you need for this project is a threaded rod, (I found it at Home Depot for a $1.75), 2 washers and 2 nuts that fit over the rod, one plastic bowl and a drill with a bit that matches the size of your rod.

One tip for the bowls...you only need one bowl, but I bought the larger ones on the left for 60 cents a piece and the smaller green ones came in a package of 4 for $1.00 at Walmart. The 4 for a $1.00 worked out, because I cracked the first 2!!

Here's a close up of the threaded rod label.

2 washers and 2 nuts.

This is my block of wood that I drill on.

Place the bowl, bottom side down, on your drilling surface (my block)

Drill in the center of the bowl, on the inside. Start slowly or you'll crack the first 2 like I did! (update...thanks to 2 great readers...make sure you drill a few small holes for water drainage. Placing a small piece of screen over it will keep the seeds in, but the water out. Thanks ladies)

and here you have it...

Take your threaded rod and screw on one of the nuts then one of the washers.

Now, place the bottom of the bowl on top of that washer, leaving just about 1/2 inch of the rod on inside of the bowl.

Inside the bowl, place the second washer over the rod then...

screw on the nut.

Here's the bottom.

Here's the inside.

Now take your favorite bird seed...

and fill her up. The rod is sturdy, so it's easy to stick in the ground.

Don't forget to place it next to your nesting cage. Click here for that tutorial.

It will be like a Bed and Breakfast for the birds!!

This bird food may be yummy for our feathered friends, but I'm also thinking this idea would be great for human treats too. How about...

• snacks...popcorn, candy, pretzels etc
• hand sewing, eye glasses, cell phone etc
• use the bowl for picnics, camping or at the beach next to your chair
• stick easily into the ground or the sand

I was going to say this project is "for the birds", but I guess it's for us too!!

Happy Tuesday,

~Karen~

Don't forget to link up any of your projects at my Sew Darn Crafty Party...so many wonderful links there already.