Quilled bird card clips from Christmas Crafting in No Time

Pick out your favorite Christmas cards and make a special feature of them with a row of little bird card clips and string. Strung along a mantelshelf, they would make a charming display. Make a few extra to attach to gifts or clip them among the branches of the Christmas tree.

materials

Tracing paper

Pencil

Scissors

Sheet of white card

White quilling strips, 1⁄8 in. (3mm) wide

(or wider if preferred)

Craft knife

Cutting mat

Quilling tool

PVA glue

Hole punch

Wooden clothes pins (pegs)

String

1. Print out the template, copy onto card and cut out the required number of bird shapes.

2. Cut a length of a quilling strip in half. Place the end in the split at the top of the quilling tool. Start winding the strip around the tip of the tool, keeping it tight.

3. When you have finished winding, release the strip of paper, so that it springs loose, and remove it gently from the quilling tool. Place a dab of glue at one end of the quilling paper and stick it down to make a closed circle of spiralled paper approx. 5⁄8in. (1.5cm) in diameter. You do not have to be exact, as it looks charming with slightly different-sized pieces.

4. With your finger and thumb, gently squeeze one side of the circle spiral together to form a teardrop shape. Repeat steps 2–4 to make a total of three teardrop shapes. Arrange as shown and glue in position on the bird.

5. Punch a hole in the bird shape to make an eye. Use a dab of glue to attach the finished bird shape to the clothes pin (peg). Clip onto a length of string and attach your cards to complete the display.

A project from Christmas Crafting In No Time by Clare Youngs, photography by Claire Richardson, James Gardiner, and Kate Davis, CICO Books

William Yeoward tells us how he plans to decorate his festive table this year

William Yeoward's country dining room in Gloucestershire dressed
for a family Christmas

"Christmas in the country for us this year is all about amethysts. Our table will be furnished with an eclectic mix of antique, vintage and a suggestion of contemporary. I am using white china accented with an amethyst table cloth and big napkins tied with white string and finished with a winter rose in that pale lilac colour that's so pretty. The centre of my table will have two beautiful four foot high Georgian flutes filled to the brim with holly ivy and white amaryllis. Down the centre will be fruits piled on stands and amethyst rock crystal votives. I just can't wait to set this table!"

"I love to bring greenery from outside at this dark, yet opulent time of year:
A long garland of blue pine, scarlet roses and festive berries brought the
Christmas spirit to an already extravagant setting"
William Yeoward in On Entertaining

You can see more of William's faultless taste as he invites you to look inside his much-loved country house and chic London apartment in his third book At Home:

William Yeoward's Crystal Tableware range