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Teeny Pincushion Crafty Goodness!

Sometimes, you just gotta make-something-because-you-saw-it-and-you-thought-you-could-make-it-and-you-don't-really-need-it-but-isn't-it-cute-and-you-totally-have-all-the-materials-and-how-often-does-that-happen? Right?

I saw this pincushion on How About Orange (those of you who click all the links already know that) and so I thought I would give it a shot. So cute! So widdle!

I began with the Diet Coke bottle cap and a circle of Amy Butler fabric with a smallish daisy print. My fabric circle began at about 3 1/2" across, but I trimmed it smaller, probably closer to 3".


I decided to fuse a little circle of fleece to the fabric, so that it would give the top of the pincushion a nice, smooth surface. I also cut a long strip of fleece to roll up and fit into the bottle cap, to give it a beefy foundation.

Next, I trimmed my fabric circle a little bit, and then did a running stitch all around the outside of the circle. I pulled it tight, stuffed it with fiberfill, stuffed it some more, pulled and pinched, and stuffed some more. When it was all stuffed, I pulled the stitches together and stitched some more, to pull it together even further.

The whole idea is to build the pincushion inside of the bottlecap. I totally didn't do that. I meant to, but I think I forgot a glue step (yeah, I'm much better at looking at pictures than I am at actually reading the directions). Anyway, I put the top on and put a few stitches through the fleece bottom, to hold it in place.

And the bottom popped out of the bottlecap.

And it looked completely adorable and mushroom-like, so I went with it. I used some fabric glue to put the green ribbon around the bottom and.... voila!

Behold! The Twee Pincushion!

Etsy Picks du Jour

Coffee Lovers Edition

Chocolate Espresso soap - can't you just smell it? By daisycakessoap.

Can you relate? Magnet by allegrae.

The cutest Cup O Joe Pincushion by betzwhite.

I may have found my fix while I wait for Project Runway.

There is a new show that premieres Friday on TLC called "I've Got Nothing to Wear." From what I can tell from the promos, a fashion-y designer-y type person comes into your home, examines the sad state of your closet, takes what is there and with scissors and thread and a tiny bit of pixie dust, refashions your wardrobe!

People, I am giddy! I hope this is as good as it looks like it could be. This might just get me through until season 4 of Project Runway, which I heard was scheduled for December.
Not cool, Bravo.

Edited to add:

OK, just saw it and I LOVE it! Lots of creative ideas!

Right before it came on, I was watching the end of "What Not To Wear", and the participant came out wearing the cutest pair of white city shorts. By the end of "I've Got Nothing To Wear", I had taken a pair of white capris that I never wear, cut them off to city short length, narrowed the leg, put some darts in the waistband, removed the pocket linings (which showed through the fabric) and hemmed the bottom.

Would I have thought of this without seeing IGNTW? Doubtful.

Another great idea that they used was a Look Book. Simple enough to do with a digital camera and a printer.

Now to make another pair of city shorts out of some khaki capris.

Etsy Picks du Jour

For your island vacation...

A bright red and white beach tote in a tropical floral design, for carrying your sunscreen, towel, oversized sunglasses and chick lit. It's even reversible! By applelover.


A pearl and aqua chalcedony necklace that is sure to get compliments from everyone from the front desk clerk of your island hotel to the bartender at the bar on the beach. By BijouxOdalisque.

It even has a starfish charm attached to the clasp!

For writing Thank You notes to your spa technicians at the hotel, these adorable notecards from pinkbathtub.

Etsy Picks du Jour

Note: In previous EPdJ postings, I have not used photographs. The reason? On etsy, it's considered spam to convo someone to let them know that you love their stuff and would like to feature their item on your blog and would it be OK to use a picture of the item? But frankly, my writing is not that good, and I can't fully explain what something looks like with mere words. And wouldn't you rather see pretty, pretty pictures?

Sooo... since I'm all about my readers (Hi to both of you! And Hi Mom!), in the interest of more picture-ful posts, I'm going to use pictures! (I know, I'm a rebel.) If someone sees their picture and wants me to remove it, I will do so happily. But until then, I'm going to totally throw caution to the wind and promote other people's shops and items on my blog.

You know, cause that's how I roll.

And now for the show!


Sensational sterling silver origami "cootie catcher" earrings by Hapa. (These are FOLDED people!)

More amazing folding, this time with fabric, to create this stunning hairpin. The technique is called "Tsumami kanzashi." By gochemoche. For when you are feeling very "Memoirs of a Geisha."

And finally, to round out the asian-inspired theme of the day, these fabulous little chopstick rests. By sumiko.