Dainty pincushions...

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Dainty pincushions...

I was first introduced to the dainty, vintage pincushion project via a swap I participated in a while back. The idea was to select a "base" for out pincushion (think tiny teacup, planter, toothpick holder, etc.), add padding to the opening to create a pincushion, then embellish to your heart's content!

The results were adorable, not to mention practical. It is also one of those "instant gratification" projects that you can finish in one sitting and don't have to pre-plan.

If you do any type of crafting, you will probably need a pincushion (or two) at some point!

I was hooked!

I scoured my "inventory" for tiny containers I could use...

~a shoe with a tiny doggy~

~a sweet yellow/white swan.~

~a tiny teacup/saucer~

~a cute blue basket~

They all received a makeover and are now enjoying a second life as a pincushion in one of my swap friends' home.

There were many others..... then my temporary addiction wore off.

Until recently, when I was coming up with ideas for swaps to host for Mother's Day in our Mixed Media Artists Guild group. The dainty pincushions sprang to mind... and off I went!

My swap partner this time around was the very talented JoAnne. I wanted to make something really special for her and I didn't have anything in my inventory that was "worthy."

When I saw this dainty little shoe, with it's soft blue shade and the faded gold trim, I just knew I had found the perfect base for JoAnne's pincushion! It reminded me of Marie Antoinette... and I know that JoAnne loves all things Marie.

It was so pretty already that I didn't have to add much ~ some pretty vintage lace for the pincushion, silk ribbon in a matching shade, vintage pearls...