How to Make a Sun Catcher for Winter

If you live in a cold climate where temperatures are subfreezing during the winter, you can brighten up your outdoor landscape by crafting unique winter sun catchers. These sun catchers are unusual in that they'll melt away with the first warm weather thaw. Here's how to create a beautiful winter sun catcher to make the cold weather a bit brighter:

Materials Needed:

Distilled water

A shallow aluminum pan (a pie pan works beautifully)

Dried fruit slices

Dried flowers (you can also use pressed flowers if you like)

Pressed leaves and other natural materials

Cord or ribbon

Make a sun catcher for winter: Prepare your water.

Add water to your aluminum pie pan until it's about a quarter inch in height. Place the pan into the freezer overnight or until frozen solid.

Make a sun catcher for winter: Add a suitable cord for hanging.

Remove the aluminum pan with your frozen water from the freezer. Lay your cording along the outer edges of the frozen pan extending full circle. Leave several inches of cord overhanging at the top so you can tie your sun catcher to a tree branch outdoors once its completed.

Make a sun catcher for winter: Create your sun catcher design.

Carefully arrange the dried fruit slices, dried flowers, pressed leaves, and other materials into a pleasing design on the surface of the ice. Once you're satisfied with the arrangement, slowly and carefully pour another quarter inch of water over the design. Your pieces may move a bit due to the buoyancy of the water which shouldn't alter your design significantly. It's important that your cord for hanging still be extended out beyond the ice.

Make a sun catcher for winter: Refreeze

Place the pan back into the freezer and allow the contents to refreeze to lock your design into place.

Make a sun catcher for winter: Remove your sun catcher from the mold.

Allow your molded sun catcher to set at room temperature until it can be easily released from the mold. You can now use the cord to tie your completed sun catcher to a tree branch outside. Be sure the temperature is below freezing or your beautiful sun catcher will melt.

You'll be able to look out your window and enjoy your beautiful, handmade sun catcher until the temperature climbs above freezing and melts the ice. It will reflect the sun beautifully and add an uplifting glow to your yard.