Sunday, January 11, 2009

Home Sweet Home Pincushion






Last July, I wrote to you about the pincushion I had made for the Piecework Magazine Pincushion Contest. The magazine had just come out and I had been notified that I won an Honorable Mention. So, I showed you the layout in the magazine. You can check my archives on Saturday, July 5, 2008, if you'd like to read about it.

Just before the end of the year, I was happy to get my pincushion back from Piecework. So, I thought I'd show this little pincushion one more time...I am so happy to have it back in my own greedy little hands again.

The rules of the contest were simple....design a pincushion and keep it under 4 inches in size, using any of several needlework techniques. I thought long and hard about what to do.....and since I love to make tiny little landscape appliques...that's what I thought I'd do. Of course, since I also love to embroider and bead - I decided to include those kinds of details also. Because I was doing a little landscape applique, I chose to call it "Home Sweet Home" and added those words on with a backstitch.

I used a silk dupioni "scrap" to make the pincushion, cotton fabrics to do the landscape along with DMC embroidery floss and silk ribbon, one of my favorite "ingredients."

A constant theme in my embroidery is the use of flowers, trees and simple embroidery stitches. That's what I've done here...the simplest of embroidery stitches. I love the way they embellish the applique. Also, recurring in many of my original designs is the ribbon bow. So, for a finishing touch, I added one. I don't know about you...but I have a horrible time deciding when "enough is enough." This pincushion being only four inches square, I sort of ran out of room before I ran out of ideas.
And, so - it told me to stop!

I stuffed this one with a combination of sand and polyester stuffing. It's on the heavy side, which I like, but it also means it can't be washed. I don't think I will actually USE this pincushion, so that doesn't matter too much.

I hope you enjoy seeing this little piece of work. It's one of those things I make which I consider a "sweet nothing" - not all that useful, but a joy to make, look at and touch! Til next time, Pat

12 comments:

Unknown said...

THAT is one GORGEOUS pincushion! You are exceedingly talented, Pat!

Tina Marie the Willow Witch said...

I am glad to finally get a close up look at it... Your little stitches on that house, it has to be hard to work such small scale.

BrenWall61@gmail.com said...

Such beautiful work and so detailed. Enjoyable as all your things are, especially to me.

Gayle said...

I've said it before and I'll say it again...I LOOOOOVE this pincushion!

NickiLee said...

Pat, your "sweet nothing" is just gorgeous! I'm so glad you shared it again as I had never seen it.... simply beautiful.

Unknown said...

WOW what a pincushion! It really is lovely. I used to buy Piecework when I lived nearer a Borders, a great magazine.
Rosie

Deirdra Doan said...

This is the most precious little thing...I would be thrilled to have it back too...wow wow wow....makes you feel warm and wonderful all over just looking at it.

Gaby Bee said...

WOW, this pincushion is spectacular...a mini masterpiece!!! Your eye for composition never ceases to amaze me! I would love to hold this beauty in my hands and take in all the lil details...
Every time I think I have found my favourite piece on your blog a new one appears.

Gaby xoxox

Coralie Cederna Johnson said...

Your work is truly amazing! Just beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

Rose Love said...

Hello from Norway!
Your work is amazing!
I love your blogg!

carole brungar said...

Congratulations Pat, that is a beautiful pin cushion and lots of time must have gone into it!
Way to nice to use!
Carole

Anonymous said...

Absolutely precious.

xo,
Kim

A Bit of Heaven

A Bit of Heaven
An original designed wall quilt with my vision of heaven on earth.