Au Naturel Birdseed Wreath

This birdseed-covered wreath pays tribute to our feathered friends. Look closely and you'll see two, quietly nesting quails.

Materials:

• STYROFOAM™ Brand Products:
  • Wreath: 14" x 2-1/2" x 2"
• Birdseed, 4 C.
• Sunflower seeds, 4 C.
• Acrylic paints: candy bar brown, straw
• 1" foam brush
• Small artificial quail birds, two
• Large sponge mushroom
• Red/burgundy artificial berry sprays, 12" lengths with approx. 24 berries per stem, two
• Artificial greenery: pine tips; trailing foliage
• Naturals: green reindeer moss; bear grass; white Queen Anne's lace
• Chenille stem
• Disposable palette
• Water basin
• Paper towels
• Craft sticks
• Ruler
• Wire cutters
• Floral U-pins
• Thick white craft glue

Instructions:

1. Basecoat top front of wreath with two coats of straw paint and sides with two coats of candy bar brown. Let dry between coats and colors.
    
2. Using a craft stick, spread a thick layer of glue in a 3"- 4" section on top front of wreath. Sprinkle immediately with birdseed, firmly pressing seed into glue with a clean craft stick. Repeat around wreath until completely covered with birdseed. Allow to dry.
    
3. Follow Step 2 to cover sides of wreath with sunflower seeds. Allow to dry. Check wreath and fill in any sparse areas with additional seeds.
    
4. Break sponge mushroom into two pieces. Using photo as a guide, glue and insert one mushroom piece standing on end inside center bottom of wreath. Glue remaining piece perpendicular to base of first piece.
    
5. Insert and glue bear grass and a berry spray, forming a vertical line on left side of sponge mushroom pieces. Fill in around mushroom and berries with pine tips and trailing foliage, adding more berries as desired.
    
6. Glue quails tucked inside floral cluster. Glue Queen Anne's lace and reindeer moss to accent birds. Glue a few remaining sunflower seeds near base of one bird as if he were eating.
    
7. Twist ends of chenille stem together to form a loop. Glue and insert loop in top center back of wreath for a hanger. Secure hanger by inserting floral pins into foam over chenille stem.