Pony McTate: Mouthwatering magnets

This is a fact: Fridge magnets won't scratch your brand-new stainless-steel fridge.

I am a keen proponent of baked goods but I try to rein it in around my offspring. There's nothing worse than being reminded we're a one-biscuit-a-day family as you get caught ramming Shrewsburys in your face. These felt fridge magnets are guilt-free and just as pretty. And - something I've learned to value in a fridge magnet - they won't scratch your brand-new stainless-steel fridge. I've gone for a selection of Kiwi favourites here but you could create whatever tickles your fancy. Even a zucchini brownie, if the kids are still watching.

What you'll need
•Felt in various colours
•Scissors
•Thread in colours to match your felt and a needle
•Beads
•Button-type magnets " they'll need to be strong enough to stick to the fridge through a layer of felt.

Step one

Cut out pieces of felt into your desired shapes. You will need a front piece and a back piece. Make sure the pieces are big enough to fit one of your magnets inside once sewn up.

Step one.

Step two
Now is the time to sew on beads, if you are using them. Bugle beads make lovely sugar-strand sprinkles, while seed beads are better for hundreds and thousands. With a needle fine enough to thread through your beads, stitch them on one of the pieces of felt. Don't worry about how neat your stitching looks (or doesn't) on the back - it won't be seen.

Step two.

Step three
Stitch the front piece of felt to the back piece. I've gone for what my grandmother used to refer to as a nice, sensible blanket stitch. Strong and not too showy. But I wholeheartedly endorse the hot-glue option if you can't be bothered hand-sewing. Be sure to slip in a magnet before you close it up. Some magnets are directional and will only stick to the fridge one way up, so check before you finish up.

Step three.

Instagram: @pony.mctate
Email: pony@ponymctate.com

Mark your calendars
Feeling crafty? Why not get involved with International Granny Square Day on August 15? The premise is quite a cool one: you crochet or knit a granny square, take a close-up photo of it then post it on Instagram on August 15, using the hashtag #grannysquareday2017.

The result is a virtual blanket of awesomeness. Now in its fourth year, Granny Square Day was started in the United States by Susan Regalia and gathers thousands of entries from all over the world. If you want the fun to continue year-round, you can upload a collage of squares to a photo-printing website and make yourself rainbow T-shirts, watches, mugs and the like. Bring on the granny merch!