A little craft tutorial to help feed wild birds this winter...

Wild birds will thank you for this treat...bird seed cup cakes are easy,quick and very good for your tiny feathered visitors!


make a small hole at the bottom of your paper cup cake case. Thread a bit of twine through leaving the knotted end on the bottom outside of the case


Place case into a silicone cup cake case. This will help keep it shape will it solidifies and while you make up the seed cake.


Thread the twine loops onto a chopstick or skewer and place onto a couple of glasses. This will help keep the twine out of the mix and held into place.


Place a third of the seed mix into the paper cases. Maje sure you are using a suitable wild bird mix which feeds the type of birds that visit your garden.


Melt enough fat - vegetable based or lard- into a heat proof bowl in the microwave until liquid. Beat in a tea spoon of brandy, whiskey or rum. Do not add too much spirit as this is only to provide extra heat to the little fellows...we really don't want them getting drunk!Spoon in enough to cover the seeds.


Add more seeds to fill up the paper case and spoon on the remaining fat to cover completely.


Leave to solidify.


Once it's completely set and ready to go onto the branches peel off the paper case.
You might need to snip the twine to tie it onto the tree.

Now watch happy little birds get through a very cold winter. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

Cross stitcher Magazine...

Cross Stitcher Magazine....
When the Lovely Charlie asked me to review their magazine I didn't know what to expect exactly. I had seen Cross Stitcher Magazine on the supermarket shelf but it had never really attracted me before...well not enough to buy it.
There is a sea of craft publications and I have to confess I am a sucker for a good cover and usually go by it when I choose one to purchase.
I was told it had been "revamped" and that this was the new look Cross Stitcher.
When the package hit my entrance floor I was on my way out and decided it would make perfect reading material on the Tube into town. Not only was it a great read but as it had a free project pack*(Gingham Tree decoration) it kept me busy on the way in! I truly was impressed and surprised! *note I always have a sewing set in my bag and a pair of embroidery scissors. These are not included in the free pack!
The pages are filled with interesting and easy to follow projects with clear instructions. If you're a beginner you'll love this and if you're a dab hand you'll be as equally content as their are so many lovely things to make plus a great source of inspiration. This year I will not be making Chrimbo cards but decorations instead to gift family and friends.
So what's it like? I love the look and the feel of it. It reminds me of French craft magazines which I always buy when I go over.
There's an elegance but also a vibrant and young element to it so it's not at all a "granny makes" magazine. It's grown up but fun and definitely a magazine I will buy again so you can say...The cover has done it's work!
Out now in all good newsagents...go buy it...
Cross Stitcher magazine: £3.99