Because it’s officially spring and because I have a question for you….
….it’s nest day here at Thistlewood.
The other day I was going home from the ballpark when I saw a nest perched high atop the bridge over the river.
And not only was there a nest….there was a bird there too.
Here’s the nest and the bird.
It’s kind of blurry….but can you tell what type of bird it is?
And if so….do they normally build nests on bridges?
I was a little worried for the bird so high up there.
But then my husband reminded me….that birds can fly. 🙂
In on the ground nest news….
….I made this one out of jute twine and filled it with chalkboard eggs.
It was an easy project that took only about an hour.
Want to make your own?
Here’s the DIY.
How to Make a Jute Twine Nest
Supplies:
jute twine
Elmer’s Glue-All
balloon
wooden craft eggs
Step 1: Blow up balloon and insert it into a container
Here’s mine in a milk glass urn.
(total aside: everything looks better in a milk glass urn)
Step 2: Make your own decoupage mix
This is the perfect inexpensive way to make your own decoupage.
Mix 3 parts Elmer’s Glue-All to one part water.
Step 3: Dip twine in decoupage mix
I dunked my twine and soaked it for just a little bit.
Then I started criss-crossing it on top of the balloon.
Step 4: Continue adding twine
I kept adding twine in a random pattern until it looked like this.
Turn the balloon so you make sure you get even random coverage.
No pattern.
Just criss-cross it until it looks right.
Let dry thoroughly.
Step 5: Pop the balloon
Once your nest has dried, pop the balloon. Once the balloon is popped, it just pulls away to reveal a perfect (or a little random) jute nest.
Trim the edges of the nest and any extra glue strings.
I added chalkboard eggs to the nest with a tiny crossword puzzle.
Easy.
Simple.
Happy spring.
PS Now I’m off to check on my new feathered friends on the bridge.
Gotta fly. 🙂
This post was sponsored by Elmer’s Products. All ideas and opinions on nests and glue and jute twine are completely my own.
Please see my disclosure page for more information.
So cute and I love the hip hop eggs:) Maybe the bridge nest building bird is a hawk??? Have a great week and Happy Easter!
Good morning from Sunny Costa Rica! While eating breakfast outside we were watching a toucan momma try to gain entrance into the gas grille build her nest. She was so determined. The gas grille won though. She had to find something different.
I love the use of twine and Elmer's glue...and even get to mix Elmer's with water!! And it holds. This would be a fun project for your girls and a few friends in their Craft House? The bird?? I just want to wish you have your very own eagle on your bridge! Bald eagles do build those kind of nests.
Could it be an osprey? They build nests in very high places. Love your nest! I think I'll make one with my 4-year-old granddaughter. Thanks for the idea!
Yes, my husband also guessed an osprey bc it nested near water (bridge) and they dive for fish. :)
What an awesome discovery! Looks like an eagle or hawk. That would definitely be a good vantage point to protect the nest. Maybe the bird thinks it's a really tall, weird looking tree! After all, it IS GREEN!!! Lol. You should go back with binoculars and check it out! Love your chalkboard eggs. Great idea!! Happy Easter- blessings to you!
Just adorable! Being an empty-nester, I saw this quote: "Give the ones you love wings to fly, roots to come back, and reasons to stay." Dalai Lamma : )
I love that quote and it's so true!
What a fun project..not too much of a time investment and young children could easily participate doing this I think.
Hi KariAnne, Is that bridge by chance the one at Kenlake near Aurora? If it is, then I think the bird you saw is an Osprey. My niece has a home near there. She took us out for a boat ride last year. We spotted several Ospreys and saw a nest on top of the bridge. So your picture looks very familiar! Love your blog! Off to try the jute nests!
I think it is an osprey .....I've seen many osprey in nest way up high and it is the shape of an Osprey. Love your blog!
Loved the nest project and will try making one soon! The bird looks so content on her bridge...I agree with hawk or Eagle...hopefully she and her eggs/nestlings will be safe.♥ Thank you too, to Peg for the quote....I think I'll use it in a frame with my family pictures. Thanks to both of you for sharing great thoughts and ideas.
There are at least a couple of kinds of Eagles in that area (I learned that on a field trip to LBL many moons ago), and when we go through that way, I always say it's an eagle. It may be wishful thinking, but without binoculars we can wish all we want, can't we? ;) Cute project!! Did you see your mention on Finding Home? :)
Super-cute!!
I soooo love the little eggs! Chalkboard paint!! and the sweet little nest to hold them...a HAVE TO on my list of things to do...Happy Easter!! and nesting!!
I love this! I'm not much of an eggs-for-Easter decorator, but this is right up my alley.
Looks like a Falcon, and they like to be as high as possible b/c they're predators. A Falcon ate my blue bird from my birdhouse last year. I cried. We have a new bluebird family in it again - praying they live, they're so CUTE! Love your DYI project/s - as always! Happy Easter, KA!! Hugs!
With a Spring Show this year, I looked at decorated eggs & nests for weeks! Yours is one of the cutest I've seen, but alas, too late for my event ~ for us & our grand kiddles on Easter, Yay! They're great: love the "word find" ... ! I'll leave the momma bird identification to those in the area ... you have many ideas already!
Love your picture and does look more like falcon or hawk. Blessed to have an eagle that flies near our farm. Truly in awe and reminds me of favorite Bible verses. Happy Easter early!! So ready for spring to stay as I still battle bronchitis. Truly think It is weather!! But sun today was great medicine! Love and have missed you!
So cute! My grandmother used to make entire eggs with string this way and then cut a hole in one side and set up little scenes inside the eggs. If bird is on bridge, and bridge is over water, chances are your bird is an Osprey. So fun to watch when the babies hatch! Enjoy!
Love the nest and chalkboard eggs. I have birds all over in my décor. Love them!!!
Its hard to tell from the photo, but I'd say Osprey too. Definitely some sort of raptor or bird of prey. I live on a farm in Australia and we have Goshawks nesting on our property and a pair of Wedge Tail Eagles that fly over regularly. Love seeing photos of your house. How about some outside photos? say a shed or a peek at your garden? Its Autumn here and the nights are starting to get colder.
I just got some blackboard eggs and was wondering what to do with them, now I know. Thank you for sharing!
I simply love these! Great idea. I am a new blogger and have really enjoyed reading your posts. Funny...I have two of the exact same milk glass urns like the one you have in this post. Grabbed mine at a flea market. Happy Easter to your family!