"One Rose" Pincushion

My last post about the "Robin" pincushion received the most comments of any blog post I have done. Thank you to all of you who let me know how much you liked it. It sure means a lot to get some feedback on something you really put your heart into.

Having said that...I thought you might also like to see the pincushion I finished today. It is made from the same fabrics I used for the Robin, the same threads, beads, etc. I had exactly enough left over ribbon to make one rose. Mix all those things together, and this pincushion is the result. A fun project!

Here is a full view of the pincushion (it is five inches square)....I think it's kind of sweet and old-fashioned. Well, probably everything I make is "kinda old-fashioned" considering that I am now "old." (I'm telling you this because I am getting really tired of all the information I get daily in the "real" mail concerning the fact that I need to sign up for Medicare!!! Everyday, I get several pieces of mail reminding me that I'm turning 65 soon! I wish they'd give it a rest, as nobody knows that fact more than I do!!!) Anyway, concerning what I design and make - I love "old-fashioned" needlework...so, naturally, that is the style of work I love to do (regardless of my age!!).

That "drawing" in the background is a copy of the actual embroidered rose which I put in my printer so I could have a paper copy to doodle around on to draw the vine. Turns out I just drew it freehand on the fabric anyway. Sometimes I swear I work backwards! You can also see the threads, beads, etc., that I used. Let's see, a #10 Millener's needle for those French Knots, carpet and button thread for the beading, some silk ribbon, DMC embroidery threads, etc. The beads sort of look like coffee grounds here...funny what I can think of when I'm trying to take a photo!

You may want to ask me what kind of tray I am using here....it's a glass dish from the kitchen! A very pretty, old one. (See, there's that "old-fashioned" thing again!) I cut a Velux blanket into pieces to use when I bead. Keeps them all from sliding around. One day, I realized that I could fit a piece of that blanket into this dish and use it like a bead tray. Works perfectly. Oh, by the way, I didn't cut up a perfectly good blanket. I bought this one from my daughter's garage sale for $3.00. A king size! It was damaged in one corner...so lots of good 'beading fabric" left. In fact, I gave everyone in my Knot group some and have enough to include one in my next class kit.

I also wanted to tell you about the stuffing for this pincushion. I used to use Fairfield poly stuffing....recently I ran out of it and so did my local WalMart. However, they did have a supply of Morning Glory Premium Polyester Fiberfil. Being somewhat on the urgent side, I bought a bag. I LOVE IT! Unlike Fairfield, the stuffing stays where you put it without "bouncing" right back out of whatever you are stuffing. And, when your item is finished, it has a much firmer feel to it...another added bonus....also, it seems to me, you don't have all those little fibers creeping out when you pull the needle through.
I'm sold on it. In fact, since our Walmart seems to run out of things constantly, and since I have a bunch of stuffing to complete soon...I went back and bought the huge box!!! So, I'm recommending it to you. Let me know what you think of it should you try it.

Well, there you go. Another pincushion, some tips. A good day. Take care, pat