A three-year-old budgie has been named Young Cross-Stitcher of the Year.
Spike picked up the Cross-Stitcher magazine award after picking up the habit from owner Sandra Battye.
Sandra, 31, of Stevenage, Herts, who nursed Spike back to health after a food allergy almost killed her, said: "She would sit on my shoulder and watch me for hours.
"One day I just sat and didn't stitch. It seemed to frustrate her. Then suddenly she picked up the needle in her beak and began cross-stitching herself. I was staggered. Now I can't stop her."
Okay, try as I might, I cannot understand how a bird cross-stitches. She can probably pull the needle through, but interpreting a pattern? Choosing colors? How does the bird get at the back of the fabric? At first I thought it was a joke news article, but here’s the story on the website of the magazine that made the award.
How about if a cross stitcher of the year is a human? Don't we have enough to do to defend our hobby? Now we have to fight the stereotype of being bird-brained? I still think it can’t be true. I want to see live video footage. I think Sandra Battye's life is even sadder than mine.
I feel bad for all the human children who thought they might win "Young Cross Stitcher of the Year."