I cannot count my day complete
'Til needle, thread and fabric meet.
~Author Unknown

Sharing a common thread with those who love the art of hand embroidery

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

I have been thinking up ways to use the small leftover scraps of fabric

that I have left over after working on a project.
They are just too pretty to throw away.......

I wanted to make something unique, but also "usable".
I decided to make pincushions...........working with my hand embroidery and beads.......
and placing a vintage button in the center.............
and also giving each one a distinct name. 
I designed this one from the joy I feel as I walk along my gardens 

gazing at the flowers that grow there as well as the butterflies and bees that dart in and out.
I placed one of my favorite antique buttons in the middle. 


This one I designed by piecing together many of the spring fabric scraps and then embellishing it with flower beads, pearls and a vintage button.

I designed this with  darker nostalgic scraps and embellished it with flower beads, pearls, tiny glass beads and a vintage button.


I designed this with a mix of floral and homespun fabric scraps.  I incorporated vine and leaf embroidery with beads and a vintage button.

I wanted to capture a cold crisp morning with different hues of embroidery, tiny glass sparkling beads and clear beads along with a rhinestone button.
I think it would be wonderful for a seamstress to have her own personal pincushion , so I designed this one with a letter, tiny glass beads, pearls, flower beads and a rhinestone button in the middle.



They are all so pretty and unique..........
eye candy with a useful purpose.
So tell me, 
what do you do with all of those little scraps that you have left over?
I would love to hear!


19 comments:

lil red hen said...

Kathleen, these are much too pretty to use every day! This really gives us an idea of how special your work is. I use every scrap that is big enough in string quilt blocks. I've even been known to take a small piece from the wastebasket. :)

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

These are so pretty! I like them all. I've made two of these gave one as a gift and sold the other one. I plan to make more to sell. Mine were made from material given to me by a friend. They don't take much material and are fun to make.

Yours have so much personality and the fabrics, colors and embellishments are wonderful.

FlowerLady

KathyB. said...

They are exquisite ! I know I use that word a lot when I see your handwork, but it is the best word for the perfectly stitched detail and beauty . I especially love the winter pincushion, wow !

Cindy said...

They are so pretty! It would be hard to choose a favorite:) I have been trying to use my scraps in quilts mixed with plain muslin. But I never get to the bottom of my scrap drawer!

Preeti said...

They all look so beautiful!! You have turned the scraps into fab pincushions :) great job!!

letslearnembroidery said...

They're all so awesome!You have so much of creativity running in your blood.

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Very pretty! I find I need several pincussions. I keep one for each kind of stitching...beading...CQ...sewing. But mine are tomatoes and I have the desire to make originals. I have a list of MUST DO projects and pincussions are on it.

Sharon said...

I stumbled across your blog from my friend Gina. I too live in Australia - about a half an hour's drive from Gina. I used to blog but haven't at all this last year... I just wanted to say how pretty your pin cushions are... And they are like 'snap shots' of the other work you do...Good on you on being so inventive... I will visit more often now that I have found you...
Cheers
Sharon

Debra said...

Oh my-these are beautiful!!! I really do admire your lovely hand work.

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

You took the words right out of my mouth ... as I was scrolling through, I was thinking, so pretty and unique. They are all so different and all so lovely and useful. My scraps are of the yarn variety. When they can't be used for much else, I put them to use tying up gifts. :) Have a wonderful weekend. Tammy

Diana said...

You're work is just incredible, and love all the pincushions. Hope you're Etsy store is doing well too.

Laurie said...

Oh I love every one of these, each so unique and so beautiful! You are truly gifted Kathleen!

A Colorful World said...

Oh my! I LOVE these! I rarely even look at pincushions, for a really good reason. When my daughter was a small school girl they made pincushions for their Moms for Christmas out of tuna cans covered in contact paper, and filled with cotton, then with a gingham square tucked in around the cotton. It's the only pincushion I have ever used in all these years because it is such a treasure! But I have to say, yours are stunning! I might have to break tradition and get one, even just to be a decorative touch in my sewing room! :-)

Anonymous said...

What beautiful art! You are very talented indeed.

Sharon said...

Oh my gosh! These pincushions are beautiful. Are you going to sell them?

AHart said...

Your pincushions are delightful! How pretty and unique each one is. I like to come to your homepage and look at the embroidery. It is soothing and your commentary is a pleasure as well. Thanks for sharing.

janice15 said...

O my they are fabulous, I want them all.. love them.. with love Janice

Unknown said...

I absolutely love these pin cushions. What great work you do. It's been so long since I have embroidered, that you inspire me to start a project.

Sherri Farley said...

Absolutely adorable!