Monday 16 February 2015

Mini Make - Candy Cane Mouse

Candy Cane Mice
This month I have been asked to do a Mini Make activity with the WI ladies on the theme of Cheese and Wine. When I was asked, I thought of cheese and mice, but since watching Winterwatch I discovered mice don't actually choose cheese! But I stuck with the mice idea anyway!
This is really more of a Christmas tutorial, but you can be prepared, or give one as an Easter gift to someone who doesn't like chocolate (is that even posssible?!!!)
To make a mouse you need a small amount of felt, a candy cane, some fabric glue and some eyes. For my eyes I used black brads from here, but you can use buttons or just felt pen them on.I have checked, and candy canes are available on ebay if you don't have any left from Christmas.

Cut out a body, an ear piece, two inner ears (if wanted) and a nose.
Fold the mouse and pattern in half together and use as a guide to cut the two sets of slits.
Roll the ear piece up
Carefully slide the ear through the two slits at the head end, stopping in the middle.
Glue or sew ear patches on if you want - don't forget a nose!
Add two eyes you can use buttons, brads or even draw them on
Slide the candy cane through the slits in the tail and the loop created by the ears.

A wobbly template with sizes!





Sunday 1 February 2015

The Bees Knees


Eleanor Burgess
January's WI meeting was all about bees! We had Eleanor Burgess, from The Beekeeping Ladies, give us a talk about Bees and how we can help them as gardeners. I have met Eleanor and her mum Rosemary many times at various fairs and really enjoy their company, as well as their lip balm!! I found out that Eleanor is the local bee inspector and thought what a great job! So The Beekeeping ladies were invited to give us a talk, and it was fascinating. Did you know during WWII bees had their own sugar rations at winter, and that's where the role of bee inspector comes from, it was their job to check the bees really were getting their sugar! Eleanor was full of information, and no matter what bee related question was asked, she knew the answer!
The Beekeeping Ladies goodies
The problem is, my mind is now buzzing with bee ideas ....