Make it: Bucket Pincushion and Pretty Pins

Every sewer should have a cute pincushion, it's just no fun sewing without one. It is even better when you can use up some old bits and bobs to make one and pretty up your pins to match. I have used this cute little bucket to make mine, but you can use anything you have around the house, from ramekins to teacups and a pretty piece of fabric, I have used this yummy liberty print. 

You will need: stuffing, a bucket (ramekin or cup) a scrap of fabric, needle and thread, glue, scissors, glass pebbles or stones, pins and nail varnish. 

Start off by filling the bottom of your bucket with the glass pebbles. You can use anything for this, it is just to give the bottom some weight so it wont move when you pop your pins in. Next, take your fabric and cut a 25cm square. Fold the square in half and then in half again, trim the raw edges off in a curve. This should give you a rough circle of fabric.  

Take your needle and thread and sew all the way around about 25mm in from the edge. Before you gather up your stitching pop in a large handful of stuffing.

Once the stuffing is in the pouch pull up your stitches and secure it by wrapping your thread around the bottom.  Before you pop a couple of stitches in to hold it securely, put it into the bucket to make sure it fits snugly, then you can add or take out some stuffing to make it fit.

Take your glue and put a thick layer around the rim of your bucket. let it go a little tacky before placing your pin top in place.

Now to pretty up those pins. I have used nail varnish in some of my favourite Essie colours to paint my flower headed pins, I love the pins but the primary colours they come in don't fill me with joy.  This is a simple solution to make your dull pins look a little more fun and match with your pretty new pin cushion. Just make sure your polish is set before you use them.  I leave at least 24 hours before I use them, and as with any plastic headed pins never iron over them, just in-case.

I really love these pins! I cant wait to use them for a project. I love how using cute sewing supplies can make you feel happy about even the most mundane of sewing project.  I have some repair jobs to do this weekend and these will make doing those a little more fun.

How do you keep yourself happy doing those things that have to be done that you don't want to do? What's your favourite sewing accessory? If you have a go at making one of these do let us know, we love seeing pictures of the things that you make, and don't forget to #livelovemake.

Sammy xxx


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Featured on 'The Washi Blog'

My Essie meets washi tape post was featured on 'The Washi Blog' today.  If you adore Washi tape as much as I do you will Love it! Full of fabulous ideas for using this wonderful stuff. 

Sammy xxx

Make it: decorate your Essie with Washi

Unless you have been hiding under a rock for the past year, there is no doubt that you will have come across the craft worlds new lover, Washi tape. 

All the way from the place that is always willing to offer up the cutest crafting stationary, Japan, it has taken our hearts and refuses to let go. I, with my love of all things cute and stationary related of course have a few (read lots) in my crafting collection. Another brand of the moment is Essie nail polish (another thing I have a 'collection' of) Their cute colours and embossed bottles can be seen all over Istagram daily. Sitting at my desk last week I came across a fun way to combine the two!

I taped the lids of my polishes with co-coordinating colours, I have to admit that I did have to pop a little extra glue on the overlap to stop the tape from pealing back, but don't they look even cuter than before!!

Essie colours: Flawless, Cute as a Button, Funny Face, Tart Deco, Turquoise & Caicos

Couldn't resist sharing a few shots of my Washi tape collection too.

Do you love Washi? What do you do with yours?? oh and whats your favourtie brand/shade of nail polish? I know H loves Nails Inc in any shade of blue obviously!

Sammy xxx