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Sunday 3 February 2013

Handmade Monday 102

Welcome to Handmade Monday.  Click the link to find out what it's all about and how you can join in.

This week I have been playing around with a Slinky, but not on the stairs...

Slinky craft!

Instead, I turned a Slinky into a bird feeder for Craftseller magazine...

the removable strap is stitched 
and has some carefully-placed Velcro

You may remember me making a bird feeder from Tetra-Paks?  Well, neither the magazine nor I was happy with how it turned out (although perhaps it's got potential with a bit of a re-think!) so, with their agreement, I went in a totally different direction.

You may have seen this image on Pinterest...

Slinky bird feeder?

Well, let me tell you it might look like it started life as a Slinky, but I discovered this particular one is actually manufactured as a bird feeder and hasn't ever been near a Slinky.  Except maybe on the designer's drawing board...

I had some hairy moments with my version, and it turned out aiming for a circular feeder was just not going to work.  Not if I wanted to show it to anyone apart from the birds in the back garden!

the birds were definitely interested
but not while I was around with my camera!

I quite like trying out new things and working stuff out - but I guess one of the hazards of that approach is that sometimes things just don't go to plan!

In other news, I'm sorry I've been slow announcing winners to the giveaways.  In my defence, I've had a migraine and as a consequence my thinking has been muddled, to say the least.  You'll find some winners here, but I'll get round to sorting the rest of it out tomorrow, with luck.

What have you been doing this week?  I'm looking forward to some blog browsing, so, as usual...

22 comments:

  1. Fab (and unusual) idea! Looks so simple, but then when i think about how to do it, it does actually tax my brain! I guess i'll just have to buy the mag instead

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  2. What a great idea! I bet the birds are happy! P x

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  3. What a great idea - the bird looks pretty pleased with it. Hope you are feeling a little better today. Have a good week.

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  4. Brilliant idea! Looking forward to my magazine arriving. Thank-you for hosting Handmade Monday, Jo x

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  5. Aww poor you having a migraine, that's not fun! I hope you're feeling better now.. perhaps it was all that thinking about the logistics of bird feeders..!

    I love your upcycled slinky idea and i bet the birds love it too in all this cold weather :) x

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  6. I think the bird feeder looks fab. In fact I think there might be a slinky around the house that I can pinch. Thanks for hosting the giveaways the prizes were great. I hope your migraine has subsided and your feeling much better.
    Ali x

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  7. Sorry to hear you had a migraine - I had one too this week having thought I'd managed to get rid of them. I was in an important meeting too, feeling that my speech had nothing to do with my brain!

    I'm sure the bird couldn't give two hoots (or tweets!) whether the bird feeder is circular - just pleased to be fed :)

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  8. Hope you're feeling better. Slinky bird feeder is a very novel idea indeed!

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  9. Hope you're feeling better now - migraines are dreadful. Slinky Bird Feeder - sounds good, and looks brill too. Have a lovely week.

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  10. You poor thing, I do hope you feel better now. I love the slinky idea, but can see how hard it must have been to get quite right ;-) Looking forward to seeing the end result in the magazine. Simmi x

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  11. Hope you're feeling better. The birds and squirrels that visit our garden are always fighting over the bird feeder, so I think there would be plenty of fun antics with a slinky style one!
    Belated congratulations on the 100th handmade monday too!
    Wendy x

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  12. A great idea, I love feeding the birds and I'm sure I have a slinky tucked away somewhere, I don't think it will ever get used as I live in a bungalow :)

    Jan x

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  13. I am sure the birds are grateful for the food however it's presented - Love the ribbon handle....sooo pretty!
    Hope your migraine didn't linger too long!! have a good week!

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  14. Quirky idea and good bit of creative crafting! Hope your week ahead is migraine free. x

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  15. my goodness! you're very clever! I'd never thought of slinky being a bird feeder. I dont think bird care what shape it is and what it is made of as long as it's full! :)

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  16. Wendy I think I've linked wrong in my picture - can I edit my link?

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  17. That bird feeder is a fab idea - and they really need some extra food this time of year :)
    I hope you feel better soon!

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  18. What a fab idea! Sorry the tetrapak bird feeder didn't work out, but I think this one is great. Hope you feel better soon.

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  19. I like your version of the bird feeder it looks like it holds alot more food for the birds :) Also wishing you a speedy recovery

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  20. Brilliant idea....reminds me, I must pop out and feed the birds. I had visions of feeding the birds and attracting a whole host of wildlife to my garden, So far the only birds that have come to visit are pigeons!
    Anna xxx

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  21. What a great idea! And the fabric you've used for the strap is really pretty

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Thanks so much for your comment - every single one is appreciated and I do read them all.