Monday, July 6, 2009



Mini Nest Tutorial


This is for nests approximately 1"-4" around.

I was trying to think of something new to make my nests out of, and this came to mind. This does so look like nest material to me. Want to know what it is?
It is Alyssum that died off over the winter. Alyssun is a sweet little whitish flower that blooms here all summer long, and as you can see at the top of the photo, is already starting to bloom again!

Since we had not cleaned up our yard from last year, there were still bits of the dried up 'stuff' around. I just broke it off at the ground and brought it in to play with it. (on a big piece of plastic. it is very messy)
It made GREAT little nests!
First i rolled it into a little ball in my hand. (I chose parts for this step that were a little finer, and left the longer, courser stuff for later.)
Now, this step is a two handed job, but since one hand was on the camera, I will just explain it to you.
Hold the ball in both hands at your finger tips, and kind of start 'shaping' the ball. Push down in the center a bit, and pull out on the sides a bit. Shaping it to keep it round and kind of squishing it a bit to keep it together. (such technical talk) =0)

Then take a few of the longer, courser pieces and wrap around the outside, again kind of squishing as you go to keep it in tight. I usually go around only once, but you can go around twice to make the nest a tad bit bigger.


When i am done with the small grass nests, I spray them with matte sealer
so they will not be dropping little piece of 'nest' when moved around.

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I wrote this tutorial in March,
and now i have found other material that works for little nests too.

Tall or short grass that has been cut down.
To do small nests it needs to be 3-4" long and very fine. Like tall lawn.

For larger nests, maybe 4 or 5" use fine tall grass. Must be about 10 or 12" tall.
If the grass feels too dry, just spritz with the hose or a squirt bottle. Shape your nest, and let it dry to hold it's shape.

With these grass nests all you need to do is lay out a bit of grass, and sort of roll it into the shape you want.


You can see that middle nest is only about 1 1/2" across and it is done.
I used the 3" grass for it.

The other two are about 3" nests.
I used the 8-10" grass for them.
This is how they look before you have 'squished' them tighter.
They will be tad bit smaller after.




Here is an idea of what you might do with one when you are done.
There are others you can see for ideas, or to purchase on my gift shop blog.

Hope this is helpful and fun.

Let me know if you make any nests.
I would love to show everyone!!

Blessings,
Barbara Jean

16 comments:

ClassyChassy said...

I have used roots from a butterfly bush for things like that too! I take a garden rake, and any roots near the surface that have spread out a distance away from the plant are fair game! I remove them and rinse and dry them, and let them 'season' - and they look fabulous!!!

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

So sweet are your little nests!
Love the ME calendar cards...great idea and you are one busy lady!!
Have a great day.
Deb :)

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

What a great idea. The nests in the craft store are either too small or too big and rather expensive, and this way you can make whatever size you want. Great tutorial. I love it. Hugs, Marty

Lynn said...

Well, what a great lesson! I had no idea!
Just thought I had to wait till a bird moved out!

kristinco said...

Splendide association !!!

seanymph said...

My entire front walk is lined with Alyssum! Too bad Ill hopefully be moved out of here by the time it dies off. Oh well.....Ill just start a new batch where Im going hehehe. Great idea tho.

Funky Junk Interiors said...

Hi Barb!

Adorable!! I loved this tutorial so much that I've featured it in my Today's Hot Find area. :) (for today only)

http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

Funky Junk Donna

Proper Prim said...

Oh how sweet those are... I love birds nests... I just go in my yard after a really windy day and gather up the real ones...LOL... these are so cute I love them... I am now a follower... love your blog
Hugs... Deb

Miss Mustard Seed said...

Very cute idea! I'll have to get out in the yard to see if I have any good nest material (when it stops raining!) Thanks for the inspiration.

ocmist said...

We have lots of real bird nests around here, but they are always nasty because they've been used by the baby birds... These are just great. Do you make your own eggs out of femo or do you buy them from somewhere?

I just LOVE the pins in your Git R Done post! Linda

Miette said...

Bonjour et Merci beaucoup pour ce magnifique tutoriel, je vais chercher dans mon jardin de quoi faire un petit nid de la sorte.
A très bientot, bisous de France, Miette

Pamela said...

This is seriously adorable. I love all things birds and nests. This is what I have done with them and a quote. http://ourshelteringtree.blogspot.com/2010/11/sheltering-with-hope.html
I think the flower would just add that little extra. I'm going to try it!

Pamela said...

Actually,the nest was purchased. But you are free to use my picture and I'd love to link back here on the tutorial.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for expressing this kind of good post with a good matter, such excellent technique that you've got.

Wendy Aspinall said...

wow wonderful tutorial and I must have ago at the flower and nest I have been looking to do something like this .. pop over and see me anytie Hugs wendy
http://blissangels.blogspot.com
I am following

Unknown said...

Your Blog is absolutely wonderful!! Thank you so much for sharing how you made these adorable nests!!