Do you have any simple easy to make treasures that you adore?
Maybe something you got from your granny, or an old lady down the street?
Maybe something you found, something so simple with little to no dollar value, that you cherish like mad?
I have a little something like that, which inspired me to make the princess pincushion below.
Which, might I add, you can fill with all sorts of pin bottom goodies.
I'll tell you about it...
Many years ago I came upon this little pincushion below, which was part of a bunch of crafty things that the tiniest, littlest, prettiest old lady made.
She was no longer alive, but I discovered her pincushion and swooned over it.
It is one of my most beloved little things I keep around.
And bonus, I use it almost everyday, plus it holds all my pins.
It's so homemade, and precious.
Jar lid, faux pearls, love.
Of course, it's a little tattered by now.
What it is made from is one of those styrofoam balls you can get at any craft store, which has been halved and glued into a jar top after being covered in pink velvet. (run on)
It has gold decorative trim going around it, and then little stars pinned through faux pearls surround it.
Of course, many of the stars and pearls are long gone.
But, I love it so.
I imagine it lived in a very floral room of a Victorian house, amongst other pretty little things, before coming to live with me.
I decided (after wanting to do this for a decade) that it was fine time I make one and share this little treasure with you.
Of course, ahem, seeing as how nothing I do could be simple.
I didn't have a styrofoam ball, and for 10 years, every time I go to the craft store I forget to buy one.
So, in a moment of desperation, I whittled a piece of styrofoam off a big block Mister Lovee had.
He will be thrilled about it.
(actually, he loved the pin cushion so all is well, haha)
Anywhooo, without further adieu, let's make one, k?
All you need is to either carve a round piece out of a giant piece of styrofoam.
Or, like I said, buy a styrofoam ball at the craft store, and cut it in half.
Then grab some supplies.
You'll need things like hot glue, pins, fabric, plastic star confetti and trim.
I also took some gold spray paint to my peanut butter lid, but it wasn't necessary in the end.
I decided to cut up my fave piece of flannel fabric.
I love it.
I found it at an antique shop, and saved it, swearing never to cut into it.
Alas, I had to.
The princess pincushion needed some.
The thing is, you want to use felt, flannel or velvet, because it won't get so full of holes from pins as easily as other fabric might.
Cut a piece that fits around your halved styrofoam ball.
Run a bead of hot glue (set on low temp) around your styrofoam bottom edge pressing the fabric to make sure it is secure. Then trim any remaining fabric off.
Glue the styrofoam covered in fabric into your jar lid.
I used oodles of hot glue for that part.
Then comes the fun.
Embellish your piece in any way you would like.
I used pink velvet ribbon and gold fancy trim.
I then took some plastic star confetti I had, and pushed my pin through the center, like so.
And then simply went around the pincushion pushing the pins into the center of the stars.
Voila!!!
A super sweet handmade pincushion to love.
I love my new pincushion just as much as I love the old one.
Also, you don't just have to use it for sewing pins.
You can use it for brooches, lapel pins and hat pins.
With the holidays just around the corner, what a sweet little thing to make and gift, no?
Fill it with pearl end pins too.
(you can get the larger ones in the corsage/wedding section of the craft store)
I use pearl pins for pinning treasures onto my cork mood board.
They add some pizazz.
I think a princess pincushion filled with pins would make someone happy.
I did me :)
Will you try one out?
By the by...
Guess what?
I am giving my beloved new pincushion away.
So, if you'd like to enter to win, say howdy in comments and it might be yours.
If you'd like, share a memory of some old craft you love and own.
Maybe something given to you by your great aunt, or something you picked up on a thriftventure?
I'll draw a name in a few days.
I love little treasures as such.
They mean so much don't they?
See you soooon,
Love, V
ps: Oh oh, also...
Both Princes and Princesses like pin cushions, it seems.
(although this babe fancies himself a king)
I think he likes it, haha!!?
King Miles of the Santa Catalinas, you are such a sport!!!
(he has a birthday in 4 days, oh my!)
